Red raspberry seed oil and shea butter have natural sun protection factor and do not contain harsh chemicals, says aromatherapist Rupal Tyagi
Your face is the first part of the body that is viewed by the outside world. Whether you are meeting strangers or meeting long time friends, your face allows people to observe your general state of health. Before starting on a skin care program it is important to know your skin type. One should not overlook this aspect since the result of the programme will majorly depend on this. As you observe your skin, pay close attention to any unusual bumps, moles and changes in pigmentation or structure. These irregularities could indicate problems that need medical attention.
Apply a light moisturiser in the morning with SPF if you will be in the sun. It will provide moisture as well as protection for your skin. Use a sunblock with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are inert so they won’t cause allergy. They are minerals so there are no chemicals in them. They actually work best at blocking the harmful sun rays.
For night time, use a light or rich cream which ever suits your skin type best. Preferably give your skin a relaxing face and neck massage. Your moisturiser should be capable of repairing and nourishing your skin as you sleep. Do not to apply too much moisturiser at night.
In addition to daily cleansing, toning and moisturising the four steps performed less frequently which will help keep your skin looking radiant and healthy are: exfoliation (once or twice a week), steam (two to three times a month), mask (few times a month) and hydration. Use a mist bottle containing floral waters like rose, lavender or jasmine to energise your skin.
Do not over wash your face even if you have an oily skin as this stimulates the oil glands further making your skin more oily. Twice a day is enough.
Choose a cleanser that works with your skin type whether oily, combination or dry. Don’t over exfoliate. Our skin does a good job of exfoliating itself. But if you like the feeling of exfoliation, and it does help clean out pores, once a week with something fine grained is plenty.
Sun days are fun days but not when they leave sunburns behind. Essential oils are very useful for the minor ailments. There are four oils to help you deal with these minor
inconveniences: lavender (lavendula angustifolia): It can be used in a wide variety of situations including minor burns, sunburn, rashes, bruises, wounds and insect bites. It is helpful for easing sore muscles and headaches. Apply to minor burns as soon as possible to ease the pain and prevent blisters.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita): A drop of peppermint essential oil rubbed into the soles of your feet can help bring your temperature down if you are suffering from the heat. Peppermint is also useful for headaches due to digestive issues and sinus congestion as well as relieving the nausea associated with travel sickness. Use peppermint to help keep you alert when you feel mentally fatigued due to the heat or driving long distances.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): This is a good oil to have on hand for summer. Use to treat inflamed, irritated skin including dermatitis, boils, acne, nappy rash, eczema, psoriasis and dry itchy skin. It can also be used to relieve the pain associated with burns, sprains, cramps and insect bites.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata): Eucalyptus is useful for bringing down fevers and treating the symptoms of summer colds. It can also be used for easing muscular aches, pains and strains, wound healing and insect bites.
In my personal opinion, responsible sun exposure, combined with a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, is essential to every human. Responsible exposure is an important part of keeping your body healthy as supplements don’t replace actual sunshine. Being said, it is equally and extremely important to protect your skin from overexposure and sunburns. Nature has given us essential oils that are a natural SPF like red raspberry seed oil (SPF between 30 and 50), carrot seed oil (SPF 30), wheat germ oil (SPF 20), hazelnut oil (SPF 15), coconut oil (SPF 10), soybean oil (SPF 10), shea butter (SPF 6-10), macadamia oil (SPF 6), jojoba oil (SPF 4), rice bran oil (SPF 4), sesame oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, peanut oil(SPF between 4 and 10) and vitamin E helps protect against UV damage.
Hair can also suffer from over exposure to sun, wind and chlorine in swimming pools. Essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, lavender et al can be combined with grape seed oil, wheat germ oil and olive oil to form a good conditioning treatment.
Prickly heat is a rash of tiny blisters that look like little pink or red spots. It is caused by blocked sweat glands and are extremely itchy. A blend of German chamomile, lavender and eucalyptus combined with aloe vera gel can be very beneficial in such a condition.