What is a serum?

For skin: A serum is a liquid meant to treat ailments such as dehydration, redness and fine lines. Though it is similar to a moisturiser in design and purpose, it contains highly concentrated ingredients chemically formulated into molecules much smaller than those in a moisturiser. That’s why a serum gets absorbed into the skin quickly and more deeply for a more intensive effect than a cream or a moisturiser. These small molecules enter the inter-cellular space immediately and start working faster and better, giving phenomenal results. The epidermal cells gets stimulated, their division and renewal accelerated. Thanks to the better penetration, the results are more visible and long lasting.

For hair: A serum is a highly concentrated homogenised mixture of liquids. Its main ingredients are proteins, amino acids, sugars and fats. They are made mainly from plant extracts such as sage and jojoba seeds. Serums act like an antibiotic, protecting your hair against the harmful effects of pollution, UVA and UVB rays, blow-drying, ironing, curling and poor handling. Serums penetrate the hair to improve the manageability of every kind of hair.

They come in the form of a capsule, bottled and are for external use only.

How to choose the right one?

There are different kinds of serums for different purposes.

For skin: Just like creams and moisturisers, you need to choose serums for your skin type and requirement. You will find a variety of serums available in the market. You would also find some amazing multi-vitamin serums available meant for all skin types. Serums are designed to smooth, soften, and hydrate the skin and to minimise the appearance of fine lines.

Skin serum and their uses:

• Lemon aroma: A serum for oily skin, it helps balance the excess oil in the skin keeping it matt, but glowing.
• Peach aroma: A serum for dry and dull skin, it allows optimal hydration and softens the skin.
• Mango aroma: A serum for combination skin, it restores the balance of sebum production, provides optimal hydration and softens the skin.
• Activator complex Gatuline R: A serum for sensitive skin, it effectively prevents against premature wrinkles.

There are several more serums for different purposes in the market. The ones mentioned above were just some of the more popular ones. Serums are good if you have an oily skin, as it gives the right amount of hydration for the skin without giving it an unnatural shine.

For hair: Specific serums work for specific hair problems. So there are serums for split ends, for detangling, heat protection and for moisturising. Use a serum as per your requirement. For instance, if you are to undergo a thermal service, apply a heat protective serum before that to protect your hair from the heat. It will prevent extreme loss of moisture from your hair and keep the physical structure intact. The plant fats and the oils extracts will help restore moisture.

There is also an effective concentrated non-oily emulsion for all hair types. It is designed to protect your hair contains an important ingredient like serine, an amino acid which acts like a barrier against harmful environmental agents.

You can even use serums to keep your hair healthy. The unique plant proteins present in the serum act as a protective element, keeping it smooth and tangle-free.

How and when to apply?

For skin: Apply only a drop of the serum to your fingertips and massage it gently onto your freshly-cleansed skin in the morning and at night. Then use your usual moisturiser. Serums are concentrated, so only a drop or two is enough for your whole face and neck.

For hair: Use very little—as much as a dime—for your hair. Apply on the length of the hair avoiding the scalp skin. Hair serums are viscous but not sticky. While applying, massage on the ends and the lengths and proceed until the smoothness on the fingers disappears completely. Do not rinse your hair; leave it on for a day as it also acts as a leave-on conditioner. Take special care when applying a serum on damp hair. After you apply, comb your hair from the back to the front with a wide-tooth comb or massage a little at its length and ends to ensure that it spreads evenly. You can even receive a hair treatment if you like after you’ve applied a serum.

Even though serums are highly concentrated, they are not greasy and don’t make your hair look heavy and oily. They are non-greasy and act immediately on your hair, giving it a healthy shine. Just a single application is enough.

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As the skin loses water, it becomes dull, dehydrated and dry. Dry skin, if not treated soon, becomes cracked, and can look dreadful and cause pain. It leads to an early appearance of fine, wrinkled lines. Dry skin may feel itchy, but be careful not to scratch, as it makes your skin thick and rough. If you do not take proper care of dry skin problem, it can lead to other skin aliments.

Skin layers

The upper layer of the skin consists of dead skin cells embedded in a mixture of natural oils that are made by underlying living skin cells. These natural skin oils keep the water inside our body from escaping into the air and also keep harmful substances and germs from entering the body. Both, the skin oils and the dead skin cells, hold some amount of water and this water helps keep the skin soft and smooth. Dry skin results when there is not enough water in the outer most layer of the skin. As this layer is directly exposed to sun, harsh cold winds and pollution, there is constant loss of oil and water in the skin leaving it dry, dull and itchy.

Ways to protect your skin

As the upper layer of the skin protects the entire body, it is essential to have a healthy skin to have a healthy body. Here are a few simple ways to protect your skin.

Use lukewarm water for bath or showers. Keep the process short and restrict the frequency to once a day. Hot water can be relaxing but will make the skin drier. Avoid using soap as much as possible [use shower gels and face wash instead]. Do not use products with strong perfumes as high alcohol content in these make the skin dry. Do not wipe your skin hard; just pat dry to prevent loss of moisture. Apply moisturiser immediately after shower, as it locks the water in the skin. This is effective as pores are open after a bath and there is better penetration of the product.

Take good care of your lips, hands and feet as they are the most exposed and least protected parts of the body. Use a lip balm regularly [lipstick also gives protection] and do not lick your lips as licking leads to evaporation and thus worsens the condition. Use a hand and foot cream at least twice. Getting a manicure and pedicure regularly is also helpful. You can try a quick pedicure at home—soak your feet in a mild shampoo or a Pedi-soak for five minutes, clean and file your nails, use a foot scrub to remove the dead skin. If your skin is very dry, use a foot mask. Take similar care of your hands.

Use a sunscreen. Most people believe that they need to apply sunscreen only in summer. But that is not true, as the effect of UVB rays remain the same, irrespective of the place or season, and they accelerate ageing.

Use floorboard settings in cars to avoid direct contact with warm air.

Use both day and night creams. People with dry skin should opt for creams over moisturisers. Use creams with essential oils as they give better penetration over mineral oils. Creams usually do not penetrate the pores and hence do not benefit the skin. They essentially coat the skin with a layer of cream which comes off when you wash your face. Only products that penetrate the skin can truly benefit the skin. Use a cleanser and toner over a face wash. Use a night cream as they rich in nutrients as compared to day creams. Most night creams also have anti-ageing properties.

Flying makes your skin dry. When flying, remember to carry a moisturiser and apply it on your hands, feet and face several times. Also drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Get a body massage. Just taking care of the face is not enough; you need to take care of the entire body. The most affected area of the body is the back. As it is a little difficult to massage the back, visit a salon or spa for a treatment. If for some reason you cannot, use a moisturiser or massage oil every day. It is recommended to do so immediately after shower, over a damp body. You can simply pick a massage oil, or body lotion or try an essential oil like rosemary oil, almond oil or olive oil. Also scrub your body once a week giving special attention to you knees and elbows. Dry skin generally leads to dark knees and elbows. They are the places to first show sign of wrinkles on your body.

Exfoliate [scrub] your face and body regularly. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and refreshes your skin.

Go for a facial once a month. Facials not only hydrate the skin, but also relax the mind and body. For best results, choose a facial for as per your skin type.

You need a healthy body for a healthy living, so take good care of yourself. If, in spite of all the care, dryness and itching persist and if there are any patches on the skin, consult your dermatologist immediately. Just as most of us wrap bread in a silver foil or a cling wrap to keep it fresh, our skin too needs to be protected to keep it fresh, healthy and young.

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Let us discuss eight such common, but unintentional, mistakes in skin-care that many women make –

• Using soap is the most common mistake. Switch to a gentle cleanser instead. Soap completely dehydrates the skin. It strips it of all natural oils that are essential for healthy and supple skin. Soap is like detergent. It’s advisable not to wash the face than to use soap.
• Most women have a morning routine but skip the night time, where as it is more important to sleep with a clean face. Even if you are not wearing make-up, you must clean your face before going to bed. Cleansing and toning is the best thing to do every night before you go to sleep. It is good to wash your face more than once, especially if you are going out again. But, remember to apply your cream/sunscreen after wash. People with acne problem are generally recommended to keep their face clean. However, remember excess of any thing is bad; excessive washing can make your skin dry and dull.
• The skin around the eye is very thin and delicate, and needs extra care. Yet, most women avoid using eye creams. The eye area is the first part of the face that shows aging and so, using an eye cream is important. Splurge on a good eye cream and use it every morning and night. Products specifically formulated for the area around your eyes give you more nutrients than your regular moisturiser. Look for something lightweight. Avoid eye creams that are too greasy, they may cause puffiness.
• Drink water. Water is actually a beauty secret. This natural solvent actually helps dissolve your skin problems from the inside out. It plumps the skin and helps circulation. You should drink enough water so that you are never actually thirsty. Refrain from sodas and other aerated drinks as they dehydrate your skin.
• A general myth is that people who stay indoors do not need sunscreen. Wear a sun block with natural filters everyday to protect your skin from premature wrinkling, age spots and a leathery texture.
• While buying your skin-care products, keep the requirement of you skin in mind. Do not buy products just because your friend liked it, or because it has an impressive advertisement, or you like the smell. Buy products for your skin type. If you have oily skin, do not buy anti-wrinkle creams. { Choose products with essential oils over those with mineral oils, as essential oils give better penetration.
• Another common mistake made by women with acne is pricking their pimples. Pricking may give a temporary relief but can lead to a permanent scar. It can also spread the infection. Also avoid scrubbing over the pimples. Scrubbing leads to spreading of the infection to other parts of the skin.

These are little things that we all generally know but forget to follow. But, they do make a difference and help you get a healthy and glowing skin.

Skin-care tips for men

Gone are the days when beauty and good looks were only associated with women. Nowadays, the modern man has to work equally hard on beautifying himself. Here are some tips to help him do so –

• One of the best things men can do for their skin is to keep it clean. Washing the face twice a day keeps skin healthier and vibrant. This tip sounds simple, but is something that most men tend to forget or maybe simply ignore.
• Just like women, men also have acne. But, to convince them to use mud packs takes a lot more effort. By the time they are convinced the problem gets aggravated. Also, pricking of acne is more common in men than in women. Many a time acne gets pricked due to shaving. In that case, they should clean their razors well and use a disinfector.
• Men with acne should use a gel-based shaving cream, an oil-free face wash and an alcohol-free aftershave. They need to check their dandruff as that can also aggravate acne.
• If you have oily skin at 16 does not mean you will still have oily skin at 60. Your skin type changes due to age, hormones, sun exposure and weather. So, having an oily skin does not mean you would never need to use anti-wrinkle creams. You might need them much later than your other friends, but you still need to watch out for those fine lines.
• It is essential for men to know their skin type and use skin-care products that only suit them.
• Men are also not very comfortable using sunscreens. However, the truth is that men need sunscreens more than women. This is because they comparatively spend more time out in the sun. Sunscreens protect the skin from the harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancers and allergies.
• Men usually tend to ignore their hands and feet. Use a hand cream and a foot cream at least twice a day.
• Another very important skin-care routine that men must follow is to regularly tone and moisturise the face. This not only firms the skin but makes it soft and supple.
• Once in a while, men should pamper themselves with a good facial, pedicure or manicure.
• Take multi-vitamins or other health supplements [if only recommened by the doctor]. This will help overcome the nutrient deficiencies caused by improper eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle.
• Last but not the least, eating a balanced diet and staying active have a vital role in keeping the skin looking more youthful and healthier.

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On the other hand, fruits like lemon and orange do well for oily skin. Fruits like strawberry, aloe, and lemon are recommended for oily skin. However, fruits like banana, almond and olive need to be avoided as they can aggravate acne. Also, scrubbing is not recommended for oily skin.

People with dry skin can use all the above mentioned fruits. To target the dryness of the skin, they need to use fruits like banana, almond, olive and the other fruits that are acidic in nature. They act as good exfoliators. These fruits are also rich in vitamins.

Fruits can be used either alone as facials or can be mixed with other face packs.

Few things that you must keep in mind when you make a fruit pack are:

1. Choose the right fruit. It is not only important to use the right fruit for your skin type but also to check if the fruit is fresh and of good quality. Organically grown fruits give better results.
2. Fruits and fruit packs should be prepared and applied on the same day, so prepare only the required quantity.
3. Take the fruit out of the fridge and keep it for at least half an hour before using them. Also don’t let them get warmer than room temperature.
4. Clean and sanitize all counters and utensils used in preparing these packs. Wash your hands well [if some one else is preparing them for you make sure his/her hands are clean] before preparing the packs.
5. In spite of all the precautions, if you feel any irritation on the skin remove the pack immediately. Some ingredient in the pack might not be suiting you.
6. Do not overdo. Most fruits are acidic in nature and excessive use of these packs can cause damage to the skin. It is best to use them two to three times in a month, depending on the skin type.

Most people in today’s times have busy schedules and do not get the time to pamper themselves with these packs. For them, there are a lot of products available in the market that are made from natural ingredients and give the same results as fresh fruits do. So go ahead and pamper you skin.

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