Welcome 2014 with a glow

This New Year, the hectic socialising and sugary treats may take a toll on the natural glow of one’s skin. To prevent acne, and to rejuvenate the skin, one needs to cleanse, detoxify and nourish it. While parlour treatments like facials never lose their popularity, it is the home remedies that interest many. For cleansing the skin, it is a good idea to use facemasks in order to clear it of impurities.

Natural extracts of aloe vera and papaya are beneficial to cleanse the skin along with moisturising it. One can make a paste of honey, lemon and rose water to reinvigorate the skin. After-partying, detoxifying the body becomes even more essential as toxins lead to breakouts, uneven skin tone and overall dullness of the skin. It is recommended to drink lots of lukewarm water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Follow a detoxifying diet for two days after festivities. Green tea, fruits, green vegetables, dates are popular anti-oxidants that help in detoxification.  Moisturising and nourishing the skin is a pre-requisite to healthy and gorgeous looks. They act as an elixir for nourishing the body, especially in the winters. While we all focus on nourishing the face, it is equally important to nourish certain parts of the body that lack natural moisture. For instance: elbows, knees, arms, etc. Scrubbing is the key to get rid of dead skin cells. Exfoliate the skin with a mild scrub that does not rob the skin of its natural oils. Make a resolution to scrub every 15 days to remove blackheads, whiteheads and to clear the skin of dead skin cells.

For men, using a similar formula of cleansing, scrubbing moisturising is essential. After-shave care is also vital. Also, while travelling on two-wheelers, men should ensure that they use appropriate sun protection.

A 10-hour sleep for skin renewal is recommended after the nights of partying. Our skin undergoes its repair process when we’re off to bed. For the same reason, it is important to make sure we remove all our makeup with a makeup remover. Use an effective night cream to relieve all the stress and damage caused to the skin. Apart from skin, our eye muscles are also under constant stress. After festivities one might notice added puffiness, dark circles and fine lines around the eyes. Indulge in a luxurious eye cream before going to sleep to combat these problems. Use your ring finger to gently massage the cream around the eye area in an inward circular motion.

The author is beauty and makeup expert, Oriflame, India