It is important to as certain what kind of skin you have so that you can tailor your beauty
preparations to your own individual needs.
Normal Skin
Normal skin in smooth, soft and supple and has a healthy shine and a fine texture.
It generally is free of problems and requires only the simplest care to keep it looking good.
Even normal skins, however, tend to become more dry and sensitive with age.
Dry Skin
Dry skin tends to be more delicate than normal skin, and has less glow. It is thin, flaky and
prone to fine lines. It can feel taut across the face especially after cleansing or toning, and
requires careful moisturizing. It needs gentle care, only mild cleansing, and light oils or
lotions for moisturizing.
Dry skin is often caused by overuse of soap on the skin, or frequent exposure to the harsh
winds or the drying effect of air conditioning or central heating without the protection of
moisturizes. It can also be related to stress, tiredness or poor diet.
On dry skin you need to use soothing and hydrating herbs such as comfrey, rose and chamomile
to soften and lubricate the skin.
Oily Skin
Oily skin tend to be shiny, sallow and coarser in texture than normal skin, often with
enlarged, open to blackheads and acne. It tends to wrinkle less than other types of skin,
staying supple longer, and is less vulnerable to the drying effects of the wind and sun.
Oily skin is caused by excess sebum secreted by overactive sebaceous glands, and may be
related to the hormonal imbalance, poor diet or stress. To improve an oily skin, you need both
internal and external treatments.
Avoid rich, greasy and fried foods, junk foods and sugar, eat plenty of fresh fruit and
vegetables. Cleansing teas of herbs such as dandelion, cleavers and borage are also helpful.
On the skin you should use in your preparation astringent herbs which reduce oiliness, tighten
the skin, help close the pores and heal blemishes. Such herbs are calendula, witch hazel,
yarrow, horsetail, sage and elderflower.
Oily skin requires more thorough cleansing than other types of skin as grease attracts dirt
and is a breeding ground for acne and infection. However, cleansing that is too vigorous can
over stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce even more oil, so cleansing must
always be gentle.
Combination Skin
Some parts of the face have normal to dry skin, while others, particularly around the nose,
mouth and chin where there are more sebaceous glands, tend to be oily. If you have this type
of skin you will need certain beauty preparation for the dry to normal areas, and others for
the oily ones. Alternatively you can use those herbs which are suited to all skin types,
including chamomile, comfrey, elderflower, fennel and rose. Cucumber is also useful for
combination skin.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive Skin tends to be on the dry side, finely textured and prone to rashes or allergic
reactions. There may be broken capillaries in the skin and red, inflamed patches. Gentle care
is required when looking after such skin ; use light lotions for cleansing and moisturizing
and mild toners which are soothing and healing. Suitable herbs are chamomile, coltsfoot, rose,
fennel, rose, fennel, comfrey, elderflower and borage. Cucumber is also soothing and healing
and helps restore the acid mantle of the skin, important for its protection.
Mature Skin
As the skin ages so it tends to lose its tone and elasticity and its ability to hold moisture
and so it becomes more dry. This process is accelerated by poor diet, stress, unhealthy
lifestyle, pollution, central heating, grimacing and lack of adequate moisture in the skin.
It is important to include plenty of protein in your diet as well as vitamin A , B , C, and E
to provide the building blocks for skin cells ensure skin regeneration.
Mature skin can be cleansed, toned, softened, and nourished to maintain a healthy glow.
Useful herb include comfrey, marshmallow, rose, fennel, elderflower, and chamomile. Cucumber
and vitamin E in wheatgerm oil are very beneficial. Dilute cider vinegar and lemon juice, as
well as cucumber, should be used regularly on the skin.
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