Skin Care Essentials - The BeBeautiful Series 3

Have you had a dream in which you look at yourself in the mirror but you’re not sure if that’s you because you feel like your skin isn’t like it used to be? Well, that sure happens in real life as well. Over a span of time, when we neglect our skin, it eventually starts to lose the elasticity and glow. Good skin care and a healthy lifestyle can help delay the natural ageing process and prevent various skin problems. I am born with dry skin, which means my skin will age faster than oily or combination skin. And that certainly isn’t great news! So here’s how you can take cues from me and get your skin rejuvenated my way…

Skin Care Essentials – Reach out for apple cider vinegar

As we know skin problems like acne are correlated to stomach problems. For the past 2 years , I wake up each morning and drink a glass of lukewarm water with a shot of apple cider vinegar and honey in it. It has antibacterial properties that keep the stomach clean and skin healthy.

Skin Care Essentials – Promise to keep the body hydrated

Your skin is 64 percent water. So not drinking enough will only dehydrate my skin further. Hence, I try and drink lots of water every day because it flushes out all the toxins from my body making me feel refreshed. I also use skin products that give me utmost hydration. My face wash, toner and moisturisers are all very hydrating.

Skin Care Essentials – Swear by SPF

I can’t imagine stepping out of the house without sunscreen! Exposing your skin to the sun or the UV rays can cause skin pigmentation, wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems. Since I’m prone to pigmentation, I wear generous amounts of sunscreen every time I step out. In fact, a dermatologist once told me that the Indian skin requires a broad band spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 35.

Skin Care Essentials – DIY once a week

When it comes to DIYs for your skin, I swear by papaya. This fruit is available all year round and works wonders for my skin. Why? Well, it’s packed with antioxidants like flavanoids, Vitamin A and Vitamin C that have the power to repair damaged skin caused by pollution, sun damage, etc. Here’s how you should prepare this mask:

What you need: A slice of papaya, 1 tsp honey and some lemon juice.

Preparation: Mash the papaya and add the honey and lime juice into it. Apply this paste on your face and wash off after 20 minutes.

Skin Care Essentials – Get your dose of antioxidants

I’m a berry-holic. I can gorge on fruits and berries all day. Blueberries have a high concentration of salicylates, which is basically the salt of salicylic acid—the acid hugely beneficial for acne and blemishes. So I make sure I indulge in some of the exotic seasonal berries. Just a handful everyday can give that flush to my skin and I suggest you try it too!

Skin Care Essentials – Sip on green Tea

On an average, I drink up to 2 to 3 cups of green tea every day. It helps flush out toxins from the skin, heals blemishes and scars and reduces inflammation. It even improves the skin’s elasticity. But the problem here is that green tea also has caffeine, which can dehydrate you and hence, you should continue drinking your daily dose of water as well.

Skin Care Essentials – Pamper yourself with a massage

Nothing can be more relaxing than a good body massage. It doesn’t just increase blood flow but also plumps up slack skin. It reduces stress levels and I feel less fatigued. I prefer the deep tissue massage over a facial as I feel when the body feels calm and relaxed so does the face and there is a ‘happy nourished glow’ that appears on the face.