A flawless skin is a skin without blackheads, pimples, acne, open pores, dry red patches, flaking skin, dark patches and so on. Knowing your skin type is the basis of regular skin care, so that you can select the products according to the individual needs of your skin. Apart from external care, pay attention to your diet and lifestyle. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, lightly cooked vegetables, sprouts, and adequate proteins in your diet. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to get rid of toxins. Avoid too many sugary foods and have healthy fats and omega 3 fatty acids. Take daily exercise. Breathing exercises and meditation help to reduce stress. Being stress-free is necessary for flawless skin. Get adequate sleep. The repair and renewal of cells take place when we sleep. It is a great restorer of both body and mind. Flawless skin and internal good health are two sides of the same coin.

Skin care according to skin type is the secret of a flawless skin. Skin types fall into four major categories – normal, dry, oily and combination. A normal skin is balanced, neither oily nor dry, but it needs daily care too. A dry skin lacks both oil and moisture. Dry skins flake and chap easily. In oily skins, the oil glands are overactive. They are prone to blackheads, spots, pimples and acne. Combination skins are mixed type skins. They have a greasy area, (usually forehead, nose and chin, comprising the T-zone), while cheeks are dry or normal.

For flawless skin, you would need a cleanser, toner, scrub, protective moisturiser or day cream, as well as mask, according to skin type. For oily skin with blackheads, go for “clean-ups” to a good beauty salon, where blackheads will be extracted. The removal of blackheads helps to prevent acne. Exfoliation with scrubs helps to dislodge and discourage blackheads. Use a facial scrub twice a week. Avoid scrubs on pimples, acne or rash. Avoid scrubs also on dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin. Get professional help for acne in good time to prevent scarring.

You would also need a sunscreen to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. Most sunscreens have built-in moisturisers. For sun-sensitive skin, apply a sun block with high SPF of 40 or 60. For normal to oily skin, a sunscreen gel may be used. Apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before sun-exposure.

Avoid washing the face more than two or three times a day. Too much soap and water washing can make the skin too alkaline and leave it predisposed to an acne condition. Night time cleansing is most important, in order to remove make-up, impurities and pollutants that may have been deposited on the skin during the day. A daily routine really helps. It keeps the skin in good condition, cleansed, hydrated, protected and flawless.