Water is the primary component in make-up in summers. Use light colors which gives feeling of refreshment. Moisturisation is the most important part of daily skin care, since skin needs more moisture (water) than it does color sheen or gloss. Herbal beautician Shahnaz Husain says that flower-based lotions like rose water can be sprayed on the face to tone and refresh it. Besides this, make a habit of splashing your face gently with water for instant freshness (try and use mineral water). You can splash as many as 20 times as long as you don't use very hot or cold water on your skin (which can cause fine vein to appear on your face). Steam face regularly to release dirt (five minutes for dry skin and 10 minutes if it is oily). Pat dry with tissue and moisturize. Moisturizers should be used damp on the skin. This seals in the water and helps skin to hold the moisture better. BLACKHEADS - A GENERAL PROBLEM Blackheads are so common, yet many of us do know what they are. We know even less about dealing with them. However, they can be controlled and even prevented by taking regular care of the skin. Blackheads are caused by over active sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands of the skin). The excess secretion of oil expands and thickens the pores of the skin. The oil collects in the pores and hardens into a plug. The pores are then clogged with hardened sebum or oil. Since the pores are open, the tip of the clogged grease is exposed to the air and oxidizes, turning black. Hence, blackheads are formed. Effective methods for removing Blackheads. It is most important to keep the skin scrupulously clean. Use an oatmeal or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention to the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water. Apply undiluted lemon juice, two to three times a day, on the affected areas. A solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astringent. Warm a little honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after 10-15 minutes SKIN CARE FOR WINTERS: During olden days, massaging body oil and lying in the open, under the sun, was a regular practice. It not only helped in pigments to synthesize but also to retain the Vitamin D needed for the bones. With maturity, the teenage girl would be asked to pamper her skin with pastes of turmeric, besan and fresh cream. In those days these simple products were just brought in from the kitchen and never sold in attractive containers with costly herbal labels on them. For a working women, parlour is the best solution to go for a quick facial and apply a night cream during the dry winter months. During winters skin shrinks and you look older. Good skin is not one that has been taken for granted and abused with a variety of products, but one where you know what products your skin needs. The texture of all skin types are not same and nor do they have the same requirements. The first step of our skin care treatment is to have knowledge of the skin type - whether it is dry, oily or neutral. What one needs is a healthy diet and a peaceful mind. However, application of various products only on the outer surface does not lead to an ultimate healthy skin. The meals should have ample amount of juicy fruits and vegetables along with at least ten glasses of water a day. Intake of liquids help your skin to retain the essential oils automatically and acts as a natural protection against dryness. The diet should be deficient in vitamins, specially vitamin C and vitamin E. Both these vitamins are essential to keep the skin soft and supple. Though most of the modern skin care products contain vitamin E, it is advised to drink milk and eat the black of an egg to assure regular intake of vitamin E. And as far as vitamin C is concerned a lot of green vegetables and fruits will serve the purpose. Again, there are certain parts of the body that require special care during the winter months. These are you feet and hands. Specially the feet tend to crack and they are the most neglected areas, constantly exposed to dirt and dryness. Your scalp too needs special mention as many of us suffer from the dandruff that can have long term effect on the hair fall. And what about your lovely nose? It must look horrible with the blackheads crowding on the soft exposed part. Three elements of skin care are needed for any skin during winter. These are a deep cleansing milk to remove the dirt or excess oil adhering to the skin. This is followed by astringent applications that cools, tightens and tones the skin enabling it to maintain a natural balance. And last but not the least an oil based nutrient rich in vitamin E to nourish the skin and keep it supple.