Perfect Skin - the Do's and Don'ts

Do exercise

People who are physically fit look good and feel good. Exercise brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin so that it is firmer and better nourished. It is also thought that exercise slows down aging. A regular exercise program will help to lengthen your life, improve your appearance, build your self-confidence and reshape your figure. Exercise also benefits the skin by helping to maintain a clear circulation, calming the nerves and promoting a deeper, more revitalizing sleep. So move more, be younger, look better!

Do use products

You should cleanse your face every day using three different products. cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Use products only for your skin type (i.e. Oily, dry etc). Note that SkinStore offer 5% off you first order.

Do drink water

Water is essential for the hydration of the skin to keep it moist, soft, supple and clear. Loss of moisture from the skin is one main cause of wrinkles. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Do rest

We don't get enough rest or sleep and are often tired. The average amount of sleep we need is 8 hours a night but less than half of us only have 5 to 6 hours. Not resting or sleeping properly will start to show as you age. Not only does lack of sleep make your eyes puffy but will make your skin look dry and dull.

Do eat properly

It is very important that you maintain a proper diet. You should eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day to keep your vitamin levels up. Take multivitamin if you don't think you are getting enough. Try to avoid fatty foods as they cause spots and will make your skin greasy.

Don't smoke

Cigarette smoking robs the skin of its vitality and potential for being smooth and attractive. Smoking also restricts blood flow and toxin to and from the skin. People who smoke have a depleted, pallid complexion and skin that wrinkles prematurely.

Don't stress out

Not only is stress bad for your physically as well as mentally but it is also bad for your skin. Your face can break out with spots, inflammation and make it sensitive and dull looking. So chill out!

Don't fry

Avoid rays when they are strongest always use a high factor sunscreen (SP15 or higher). Don't over do sunbeds. Sunbeds also damage your skin and can cause dryness as well as skin cancer. The safest way to get a sun tan is to FAKE IT.

11 Dont's(Skin Care)

1.Not Drinking enough water: 

This is perhaps the most repeated advice and the least followed. Your body needs at least two litres a day to remove toxins from your system, partly through your kidneys and partly through your skin. Lacking this, toxin build-up will affect your skin as well as your general health, making you tired and dull. Keep that bottle on your desk, and drink! 

2. Picking your pimples: 

We do it unconsciously, when nervous, or just as a habit. pimples don't harm your face permanently. What leaves untreatable scars is your picking, pinching and playing with them -- scars so deep that even dermatologist cannot get rid of them 100 per cent. Prevention is the best cure, so stop touching your face and start proper anti-acne treatment. 

3. Smoking disrupting the normal breathing of Skin: 

Smoking beedi,cigar and cigarette blocks the pores on the skin thus disrupting the normal "breathing" of the skin. So a smokers skin grows "older" much faster than that of a non smoker. 

4. Shaving the wrong way: 

And it isn't just men I'm talking to. Women who use razors for body hair also beware -- shaving against the direction of hair growth (ie from below upwards) causes ingrown hair, damaged follicles and introduces infections into your hair roots that can cause painful recurrent boils. Shave only in the direction of hair growth -- this will prevent damage to your skin. 

5. Not using sunscreen on a hill station 

You've gone for a high altitude vacation and the cold weather makes you believe you don't need sun protection -- wrong! At higher altitudes, there are lesser layers of atmosphere between you and the sun to filter UV rays, so your ultra-violet exposure increases. You need your sunscreen all the more! 

6. Taking hormone supplements for body building: 

It isn't just the men, even women who want a 'toned' look quickly take DHEA (DeHydroEpiAndroste rone) supplements. These are known to cause acne even in normal skin, and flare up existing acne. Protein supplements are fine though, and actually help your skin. 

7. Not reapplying moisture / sunscreen: 

Are you the jet setting type who slaps on lotion in the morning and then spends the next two hours at work without a further thought about your skin? Air conditioned offices sap moisture from your skin in a couple of hours. Also, no sunscreen retains its effect beyond two hours. Apply frequently -- at least during your lunch break, after a quick face wash. 

8. Waxing your upper lip / facial hair: 

A total nightmare for your delicate facial skin -- the trauma causes tiny microscopic bleeding into your hair follicles that, over time, heal with scarring and end up causing roughness and pigmentation that is extremely hard to treat. 

9. Going on a 'proteins only' diet: 

Fad diets deprive your skin (and body) of essential nutrients. You need vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and various micronutrients that a single food diet cannot give you. Talk to a professional dietician before embarking on drastic diet plans and get them to prescribe the appropriate nutritional supplements. 

10. Late night partying: 

Your body sleeps at night, but your skin doesn't -- most of its repair and renewal work is done while you're in bed. Depriving it of the nightly eight hours of rejuvenation will obviously leave it looking dull and tired. Good sleep is a must for good skin! 

11. Stressing out: 

Stress shows up after years on your heart and blood pressure, but almost immediately on your skin. So listen to your skin when it is trying to tell you something -- patchy complexion, blemishes, dullness, itchy redness, rashes appearing at periods of high stress, acne flare-ups -- all point to unwarranted high stress levels. Try yoga, meditation, exercise, or whatever your best stress buster is. 
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Effective methods for removing Blackheads

It is most important to keep the skin scrupulously clean

Use an oatmeal or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water 

Apply undiluted lemon juice, two to three times a day, on the affected areas

solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astrigent

Warm a little honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after 10-15 minutes

Try out these home remedies for cleaning out your blackheads yourself or get in touch with a qualified beautician

Skin Care

1 Keep it clean. 
Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good. 

Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Deodorant soaps shouldn't be used on your face. They cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This may irritate your skin and will clog your pores. Go natural. 

A good scrub is essential for healthy clean skin. It will remove dead cells and smooth the surface of your face. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts. They will tear and damage the skin. A good scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you. 

Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don't forget your neck! 

For an intensive moisture treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. It is available in liquid form, or just break open a capsule and apply the oil directly to the skin. This is a great under eye treatment. Remember it is very important to moisturize this sensitive area of the face. It is one of the first places to show age because the under eye skin secretes no necessary oils on its own. 

#2 Keep it toned. 
Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin's health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. 

As skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids work the best for toning the face. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. Remember to look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light). 

#3 Treat your skin. 
Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin's needs. 

All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment. 

After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin. 

Skin that is too shiny doesn't look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Blotting papers or a light powder that will give you a more natural finish, are both good options to try. 

Don't forget about your lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and keeps the lips looking luscious. 

#4 Protect your skin. 
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health. 

Here are the key techniques: 


Avoid over exposure to the sun. 
Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face. 


Stay in shape. 
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young. 


Eat right. 
Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen. 


Everything in moderation. 
Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

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