A flawless skin is the basis of good make-up

Press, 18 August 1979, Page 10

A flawless skin is the basis of good make-up

FASHION AND BEAUTY

By

Paula Ryan

Many teen-age girls will be starting holidays so I thought this week I’d devote a few lines to their skin care.

I place the importance of skin care away above that of make-up and its application. It is wise to spend time getting your skin looking flawless before you even start considering make-up. Cleaner, better-behaved skin can. be yours, but it requires serious thought and action about your diet and other health habits, and a knowledge of your skin type and how to cope with it.

Let’s begin by determining what type of skin you have. It’s surprising how many girls are not really sure whether their skin is oily, average or dry, but there is a simple way of finding out. Before going to bed wash your face with a mild face soap (like “Neutrogena”) and water. Blot it dry and leave your face bare overnight. In the morning examine your skin closely in the mirror. If there is a glossy sheen on the surface you probably have oily skin. To make absolutely sure, Wipe one half of your face with a tissue and then compere the two sides of your face. If there is a big difference in the degree of gloss on the two sides, your is oily. If the difference is only slight, you have average skin. If there is nu difference at all and your face feels slightly tight, you have dry skin.

The oil-producing glands are more thickly clustered down the centre panel of the face so if your skin is basically oily, it will tend to be oilier towards the centre.

In caring for oily skin, the most important thing is to keep it clean to prevent a clogging of the superabundance of natural oils.

Fortunately, oily skins tolerate soap very well, but always use a face soap.

Should you wear a little make-up, it should be removed first with a milky cleanser. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry. Just before going to bed apply a little moisturiser suitable for an oily complexion. Repeat the process each morning. The girls with average and dry skins can follow

the same daily routine. However, soap is a drying agent and should be used only occasionally on dry skins.

Always use moisturisers suitable to the skin type. An occasional steaming is an excellent way to deep-cleanse your skin, Simply bend over a basin of very hot water. Drape a towel over your head — covering the basin also. This traps the steam and acts as a mini steamtent.

Stay in your steam-tent for five minutes, allowing the steam to penetrate every pore. Afterwards rinse your face with warm water, followed by a cool (not cold) water splash.

A little moisturiser should be applied every morning and evening. Do not use mother’s as it is quite possible that while

your skin is oily hers is dry. so you would only be adding to your oily problem.

Every time you apply a cleanser or moisturiser, use gentle upward circular movements. I emphasise the word “gentle,” as harsh movement will stretch the skin — encouraging early lines. When you are in good health your complexion shows it. The very things you do to keep healthy are exactly the things that give your skin a special glow.

Try to exercise outdoors every day. A good night’s sleep brings excellent suits also. If you cheat at sleep, your looks will be the loser.

Try also to consciously “eat for beauty.” Each day include fruit, vegetables, lean meat, dairy products,

whole grains, and cereals. Also drink a lot of water and fruit juices. There are two important things to remember about your face. First whatever you do for it you must do regularly. The occasional crash programme won’t work — the care has to be regular and constant. Second, your face is a living, ever-changing part of the total you. As your expression reflects your state of mind, so your skin reflects your state of health.

Keep a careful watch on your complexion and always be prepared to adapt your skin-care programme to suit its changing needs.

Next week we will concentrate on some of the problems associated with teen-age skin and how to solve them.