Normal skin Care

CLEANSING FOR NORMAL SKIN

If you have normal skin, count your blessings, because you are one lucky woman! You've got the best deal! Use a cream based cleanser - which is suited to most skin types anyway. Take a few drops of your cleanser, spread it on your palms and apply it to your face. Wipe off with damp cotton wool.

Tip from the kitchen shelf
Try this homemade cleanser. Take a tablespoon of raw, unboiled milk and put it in akatori. Dip a ball of cotton in this milk and wipe your face. The dirt will come off on the cotton ball.

As you are 25 years of age and have a normal skin type, there is no cause for worry - yet. But don't neglect to take care of your skin. Remember, ageing is an inevitable occurrence, and if you disregard your skin now, your skin will pay the price in the later years.

Exfoliate

This is the process of removing dead skin cells from your face so that the only layer visible is one of bright and healthy new cells. The average human generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks and while new skin is being generated, cruddy old skin cells just sit around on your face. You can improve your complexion tremendously by sloughing off the garbage to show off the new stuff. Exfoliators usually contain minuscule pieces of grit that, when rubbed on your skin, dislodge the dead skin cells. Don't be fooled by the pretty names like apricot scrub. The stuff can really hurt and you've got to handle with care. Be gentle when you're rubbing it on your face. Nothing can ruin your skin like rough handling.

The older you grow, the less frequently you should exfoliate. As you are 25, exfoliate once a week.

TONING FOR NORMAL SKIN

As your skin is normal and you are 25 years of age, you could use any toner.

After cleansing your skin, the next step is toning. Toning removes the leftover cleanser and any make up that hasn't been removed by the cleanser. In addition, toners restore the Ph balance of your skin. Toners also act as skin fresheners, as they freshen up your skin, giving it a warm, healthy glow.

Tip from the kitchen shelf
Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice, mixed with rose water are excellent toners as well. Add a pinch of alum and two drops of spirit of camphor. Keep a bottle of any of these toners handy for frequent use during the day. This toner is great for normal skin types.

MOISTURISING FOR NORMAL SKIN

Having cleansed and then toned your face, you're going to need to do a little mending. Even if you've used products especially formulated for your skin type, you probably have dried it out a little. Remember, moist skin is happy skin, so always, always moisturise, even if you have oily skin. In that case, simply use an oil-free moisturiser. And as you have dry skin, you've got to lather it on generously.

How often should you follow this cleansing routine?
Twice a day. In the morning, and at night before going to bed. It is a good idea to let your skin breathe while you sleep, so wash your face about half an hour after applying moisturiser, so it would have absorbed a sufficient amount by the time you wash it off.

Tip from the kitchen shelf
Try this great homemade moisturiser for normal skin. Mash a banana and beat in a teaspoon of salad or vegetable oil. Brush it on to the face and leave it on for twenty minutes till it dries. Then rinse it off. This nourishing mask should be used at least once a week.

Sun protection

Never step out without lathering on sunscreen. Though most of us hate it's unsightly white texture, it's better to put up with that than to roam around with crow's feet at the young age of 35. A moisturiser with a built-in sunscreen may not provide as much protection, but it's a pretty decent alternative if you're not going to be hanging around outdoors. And yes, you should apply sunscreen during the day even if you are going to be indoors.