The 10 ‘Must Have’ during winters

Winters are on, so do our skin is on to get dry, dehydrate and itchy. Followed by various skin disorders (which are directly related to level urbanization of a city).

So, CB is giving its piece of advice, The 10 ‘Must Have’ during winter, to combat the harsh weather and can keep you carefree and beautiful. 

 Face:

1. Face Wash/ Cleansing Milk

Cleaning of face is very important. Because, if we apply a layer of skin crème or lotion on an unclean face, the pores get clogged by dirt and impurities. This proliferates acne and the emollient does not penetrate through epidermis.

2. Skin Crème/ Moisturizer 

A skin crème/ moisturizer is the most critical product of any winter.  Choosing its type depends on the topography, humidity, temperature and other geographical factors. In India, most of the people with a normal and dry skin type use Nivea or Ponds skin crème.  Such crèmes are made of key ingredients like Glycerin, Mineral oil and Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5). All of these have nourishing, hydrating and moisturizing properties. However, these are greasy and thick substances and are not suitable for oily and mixed skin types. Therefore, those with the latter type of skin should use a crème or water based gel which is non-oily yet moisturizing and penetrates easily into the skin instantly (please refer http://carelessbeauty.blogspot.com/2010/12/essential-vitamin-e.html ).

3. Protein Face Mask/ Pack

These masks are hydrating and help to remove dead epithelial cells and cure white patches which is quite common during winters. A face pack rejuvenates our skin and removes the debris.

Note:  Protein based face mask is not recommendable to acne-prone skin.

Body:

4. Body Lotion / Oil/ Moisturizer 

During winters Body lotions/ oils are essential, as like our face our body also tends to dry and dehydrate. There are many brands manufacturing these moisturizers in various kinds. A few of them common in India are- Vaseline, Nivea, Ponds, Lotus, Emami, etc. 

However, you may also opt for light body oils like Keo-Karpin, Vitamin E oil, Olive oil.

CB’s secret:  Add 50 ml of Glycerin, 100 ml of Rose water and a few drops of Almond oil and apply it on the body.  This is a tested winter shield for your skin!

Face and Body: 

5. Sunscreen/ Sun block

This is an unavoidable product throughout the year for any skin type. During winters many of us avoid sunscreen assuming that sun rays are of low intensity and a source of vitamin D.  This concept is illogical as the damage by the sun on the skin remains the same as it is during summer time (Please refer http://carelessbeauty.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-lotus-herbals-sun-block-spf-30.html)

6. Scrub lotion

In winters as our skin tends to dry and gets rough, therefore it requires regular exfoliation, which also removes the flaky skin. Thus, scrubbing helps to soothe our skin and remove the dead cells.  One may also try various home-made scrubs.

CB’s secret:  Before bathing, rub a mixture of Coffee, Common salt and Vegetable oil into your skin, and get a baby soft skin.

Lips:

7. Lip Balm

During winter, lip guard or balm is very essential, because harsh winter conditions make lips chap and crack.  Most of the balm contains paraffin wax which smoothen the skin, providing adequate moisture.

CB’s recommendation: Tender Care Protecting Balm by Oriflame. This multipurpose balm contains beeswax and can be used in lips, elbows, heels or any dry part of the body.

Hair:

8. Ketoconazole shampoo

Winter leaves our hair dry, brittle and frizzy. The weather also accentuates dandruff, resulting itchy scalp.  Use any Ketoconazole shampoo to prevent dandruff and apply conditioner to infuse moisture and prevent frizz.  You can also opt for Hot Oil treatment which nourishes the scalp and hair follicle.

Hand & Foot:

9 + 10. Hand & Foot crème 

 

Like Sunscreen hand crème and foot crème are inevitable products throughout the year. Hand crème protects our hands from dryness, removes cuticle and keeps our hand soft.  However, a Foot crème prevents from corn, hard skin, cracked heels and dry and tired feet.

These crèmes contain Glycerol/Glycerin, which has moisturizing properties. It draws moisture up through skin layers and slows or prevents excessive drying and evaporation.

All these products make me ‘Winter Ready’! ARE YOU??

Vitamin E for your skin

Vitamin E is a fat- soluble antioxidant which protects our cells from the damage by free radicals (reactive oxygen molecules). Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly known as vitamin E that helps in regulating vitamin A and vitamin C in the body, resulting to healthy skin. Thus, it is a quintessential nutrient for our skin.

 Benefits of Vitamin E for our skin:

1. Work as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. 
2. Acts as an UV guard - This natural antioxidant protects our skin from harmful sun rays, pollution, and other harsh environmental effects. It also mitigates the damage caused by free radicals that breaks the cells and deteriorates elasticity and suppleness of the skin.
3.  Moisturizes and rejuvenates skin from dryness.
4. Topical application of Vitamin E oil or with sunscreen protects and treats our skin from sun burn.
5. Keeps skin wrinkle free - It prevents from aging of our skin as its antioxidant role reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
6. It helps in erasing acne scars by softening our epidermis. Also its anti-inflammatory property cures acne and pimples. 
   
   
   Careless Beauty recommends:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The Body Shop – Vitamin E Moisture Crème (All Skin Types)
   Daily antioxidant protection and moisturisation.
   
   
   Size: 50 ml (1.7 US FL OZ)
   Price:  INR 695
   
   
   The Body Shop’s Bestseller. The crème is non-greasy and gets easily absorbed deep in the skin, leaving it soft, smooth and healthy looking.
   
   
   Key Ingredients:
   
   
   Cinnamyl alcohol – esterified form in storax, balsam Peru and cinnamon leaves acts as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. 
   
   
   Isopropyl palmitate – works as a skin conditioner/ moisturiser/ emollient. The purpose is to seal in the moisture so that it can't escape from the skin. Especially important during the winter months. 
    
   Tocopheryl acetate-  also known as Vitamin E Acetate is a natural preservative, anti-oxidant and moisturiser. It reduces de-hydration of the skin and defence against harmful UV rays, preventing hyper-pigmentation and sun damage.
   
   

   Sorbitol - Helps the skin to retain moisture.
   
   Lanolin - one of nature's richest moisturisers. It is readily absorbed and so provides good protection for the skin.

   
   
   
   
    
    
   

Easy Manicure treatment

A Manicure treatment not only involves nail care but also supple our palms, improves blood circulation and prevents our hands from wrinkling or ageing.

Manicure can be performed at home with an ease and one can get the same treatment as various salons offer. 

A Manicure kit must have the following tools and materials:

Nail clipper/ cutter

Cuticle clipper

Cuticle pusher (metal or orange stick/ hoof stick)

Nail file / Emery board

Buffer

Nail brush

Shampoo / Hand cleanser
Scrub lotion

Message lotion / Hand cream

Cotton balls

Acetone / Nail polish remover

Nail polish (base coat, colour varnish, top coat)

Towels

Procedure for the treatment:

1. Remove old polish with acetone damp cotton. (You can also use peel off whitener to remove traces of nail polish)
2. Take a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of shampoo/hand cleanser, liquor ammonia,  hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic (Dettol/ Savlon/Suthol), fresh rose petals(if available).
3. Soak your hands in it for 10-15 mins. 
4. Remove your hands from the bowl, wash them in cold water and dry. 
5. Rub scrub lotion gently on the hands. Remove the excess with a wet towel.
6. Use a nail file or an emery board to shape your nails. (Note that you are filling in one direction) 
7. Gently massage nail cream / lotion on the enamel of nails. 
8. Remove the cuticles with the help of cuticle clipper and pusher. (You may also apply cuticle remover cream) 
9. Polish your nails with buffer. 
10. Massage your hand and palm softly with a hand cream, this will help in blood circulation and will nourish the skin. (A regular use of hand cream makes our hands supple and wrinkle free) 
11. Brush the nail surface and clean corners of the nail with an orange stick  to remove the creamy residue. 
12. Now you can varnish your nails with colour. First, apply base coat to fill the ridges and then the colour lacquer. To add extra sheen, apply top coat. This will also make the colour to lasts long.

This treatment will take approximately 40 mins and will keep your hands healthy and nails free from damages like chipped and fragile nails.

All the above mention tools and materials are easily available in the market or in any cosmetic shops.
Manicure kits by Tweezerman is one of the bestsellers . You  may also opt for Vega manicure kit which is locally available.