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Ask shahnaz

Beautician Shahnaz Hussain offers tips and answers queries. You can send your queries to shahnaz_press@yahoo.co.in

I have oily skin. Should I use a moisturiser daily? What kind of routine should I follow for my face? How do I get rid of a tan? — Ramya

Oily skin may not need a moisturizer. Use an oil-free day cream or lotion. Usually, this is mentioned on the label. However, in the winter months, if the skin feels dry, mix four parts of rose water with one part of pure glycerine and store it in a bottle. Apply a little of this after washing the face. It can also be applied on the hands. For oily skin, wash the face twice a day with a medicated soap.

Then mix lemon juice with rose water in equal quantities and apply it on the face, washing it off after 15 minutes. You can also use a facial scrub two or three times a week. Once daily, mix half a teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of curd and a little turmeric. Apply this daily on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes. It would keep the skin moisturised and also remove the tan.

In what way olive oil is useful for the skin? Will it make the skin darker? I have a one-month old baby. Which oil will be good for her? I have small hairs standing up even after I comb my hair. Is this because of the climate? — Meenakshi

Olive oil is nourishing for the skin. It restores the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin and contains vitamins and minerals. There is no evidence to suggest that pure olive oil makes the skin darker. For a baby, pure olive oil or pure sesame seed (til) oil may be applied. The hairs on the head are at different stages of growth. The little hairs are the new hair. You can put a drop of leave-on conditioner or oil on your palms and smooth them over your hair to tame it.

My skin is dry. I also have dark patches on my face. Sometimes I get pimples. My lips, hands and feet have become dark. — Pratibha

If you get pimples, you may be having combination skin. Use a sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun. Wash your face with a mild glycerine soap morning and night. Wipe the pimple-prone areas with an astringent lotion. Mix rice powder and curd and apply it only on the pigmented (dark) patches, rubbing gently with small circular strokes and washing it off with water. Once daily, mix one teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of curd and a little turmeric. Apply it on the entire face, washing it off after 20 minutes. It will relieve dryness and also help the pimple problem. On the lips, apply pure almond oil at night and leave it on overnight. For the hands, mix granulated sugar (sugar with large grains) and lemon juice. Rub it on the hands till the sugar dissolves. For the feet, take a piece of lemon and rub it daily. After a bath, massage a cream on the hands and the feet.

I have oily skin. Is there any way to reduce the excess oil? — Vijayanthi

After washing the face, apply an astringent lotion. Or, mix lemon juice with rose water in equal quantities and apply it on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Use a facial scrub daily. Tomato juice or tomato pulp applied on the face can also reduce oiliness. Lemon juice and tomato juice also help lighten skin colour. To reduce oiliness, you can mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply it on the face, washing it off when it dries.

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