1. Drink lots of water through the day, not only to replenish moisture lost to the heat and sweat but also to help flush toxins out of the body and keep skin looking clear and lustrous. Herb or spice teas, made with skin-enhancing ingredients, offer added therapeutic benefit. Choose cooling herbs and spices such as mint, cardamom and fennel. Stay away from iced beverages because they hinder digestion and can create toxins leading to skin breakouts.
2. Eat fruits, vegetables and herbs, which supply the skin with essential nutrients and come with free-radical fighting antioxidant properties while they help keep your skin cool. Carrots, lettuce, summer squash such as zucchini, celery, asparagus and leafy greens are good vegetable choices. Sweet juicy fruits such as pears, grapes, watermelon and mangoes both nourish and cleanse.
3. Go easy on spicy or sour foods, especially if you plan to go out and enjoy the sun for the day, to keep your skin from breaking out or getting inflamed.
4. Milk is a cooling beverage that also supplies nutrients to your skin and helps to keep it from drying out. Drink a cup of milk every day, and also combine milk with ingredients like almond meal and rose water to make skin cleanser.
5. Get plenty of quality rest each night. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and comfortable and sleep on cotton or linen sheets. Get to bed early and awaken early for clear healthy skin and sparkling eyes.
6. When you feel stressed, angry or frustrated, your skin will show it over time as furrows and small lines and breakouts. Practice calming yoga poses or meditation to stay serene and help your body and mind manage stress. Walk on the beach or through a cool shady garden.
7. The sun can increase sebum production, causing your skin to look oily on occasion. When the oil combines with dirt and sweat, pores get clogged. Be meticulous about your cleansing routine, morning and night. Use a non-soap based gentle cleanser that will deep cleanse without drying out the skin. A good cleansing mix for dry/normal skin can be made with almond meal, oatmeal, milk and rosewater. For oily skin, try chickpea flour (found in Indian grocery stores) or oatmeal with yogurt and a little lemon and neem powder. If you use a toner, look for one without alcohol.
8. Keep your skin nourished with an herbal moisturizer. Look for ayurvedic formulations that contain skin-friendly herbs such as sandalwood, turmeric, brahmi, amla and aloe vera. At least once a week, treat yourself to a fruit or vegetable mask appropriate for your skin type. Cucumbers, avocados, apricots and papayas lend themselves well to homemade masks. Puree the fruit or vegetable and blend with some yogurt, honey, oatmeal and lemon juice (for oily skin) or rosewater (for dry skin) and apply evenly to the face. Let stay for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
9. Do not go out during the hottest parts of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you exercise outdoors, do it early in the morning. Wear sunscreen, lip protection, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat when you go out-exposure to the sun can age skin very rapidly. A thin mixture of red sandalwood powder and rosewater applied to your skin 2-3 times a week can help it become more resilient. Take an aromatherapy floral water or hydrosol along for the day to stay refreshed.
10. Each evening, splash lots of cool water on your eyes. When you can, soak some cotton pads in cool water or rose water and place them over closed eyes for 10 minutes. Keep your feet clean and cool. Wear sandals when you can to let feet breathe and stay odor-free.
Daily Skin Care Tips
1. Cleansing your skin is really the foundation of a healthy skin care routine. Surprisingly, most people go overboard in this area. Whether you have oily, normal or combination skin, it is important to clean your facial skin without stripping it of naturally occurring oils that are important for younger looking skin.
2. Wash at night to remove makeup and debris with a cleanser for your skin type. Cleanse by using a dime-size amount of cleanser and rinsing your skin with lukewarm water. Pat dry. In the morning, simply splash a bit of lukewarm water on your face to remove any excess oils from the night’s moisturizer. Remember: never use hot or cold water to wash your face, as either one can cause broken capillaries and make your skin appear blotchy.
3. Exfoliation is often overlooked when it comes to skin care, but it is an essential step to keep you looking young. Microdermabrasion, retinoids, and chemical peels are all great methods by which to exfoliate your skin by removing the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Each is also available for in-home use if you are unable to afford treatments at a spa, so try one of these at home and you’ll notice that your skin is not only clean, but also glowing. Beauty experts do not recommend toners, but others say they are the key to their facial skin routine. Stick with what makes your skin look the best for you.
4. Moisturizing your skin is a wonderful way to remain looking young and have soft skin as well. Even if you have oily facial skin, be sure to use a moisturizer, even if it’s only a little each time. Make sure to apply a moisturizer all over after you’re out of the bath or shower.
5. Apply your makeup with clean sponges each time.
6. Give yourself a facial at home once a week or so. There are several facial "recipes" out there.
7. Puffy eyes in the morning can be tamed by placing slices of potatoes or cucumbers over them for a few minutes. For some reason, the puffiness is eased.
8. Bathe only once a day to minimize the possibility of depleting your skin’s moisture. Use lukewarm water (instead of extremely hot or cold water), a soap less cleanser, and limit your bathing or showering times to under 15 minutes to keep your skin from drying out.
9. Sunscreen is a must and probably the most important step when it comes to protecting our skin from harmful environmental factors. Make certain to use a sunscreen or moisturizer containing at least 15 SPF and apply it daily to every area that is exposed to the sun.
10. Hair care is essential for good health as well. If your hair appears healthy, you look younger. Shampoo your scalp at least two or three times a day in order to avoid developing dandruff.
11. When you shampoo your scalp and hair, use your fingertips to scrub your scalp thoroughly to loosen up dirt, oils, and debris. Rinse your hair with cool water and you’ll notice it has more body as opposed to rinsing with hot water.
12. Before going to bed each night, be sure to brush your hair to remove tangles and redistribute natural oils in the hair.
13. If possible, allow your hair to air dry rather than subjecting it to blow-drying which can rob your locks of essential moisture.
14. Use a wide-toothed comb to comb out hair when it is wet to avoid breakage.
15. Regular trims will prevent split ends and give you a new, polished look.
16. Believe it or not, proper nutrition and ample amounts of rest contribute to healthy skin and hair, so make sure to get the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in your food or via supplements.
17. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up the same time each morning.
Note: The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider.