Shahnaz Husain
Make-up cosmetics can actually have undesirable effects on the skin, especially if they are left on for too long. For one thing, they have a drying effect on the skin by causing moisture depletion. Wearing make-up for long hours also clogs the pores and can lead to problems like blackheads and pimples. Some people can also develop an allergic reaction to make-up cosmetics. Cleansing the skin at night, before bedtime, is very important, in order to remove make-up, along with dirt, pollutants, oil and sweat deposits and other impurities. At night, the pores should be left free and unclogged. The skin should not be smothered with heavy make-up or cream during the night while we sleep. The repair and restoration work of the body takes place at night, while we sleep and the skin should be clean while this goes on. The best way to remove make-up is to use a cleansing cream or gel. It is better than soap and water, as a cleansing cream or gel helps to soften and dissolve the make-up and allows easy removal. It also keeps the skin lubricated and soft and is useful for removing eye make-up and lipstick. The skin around the eyes and on the lips is delicate and thin. Therefore, a cleansing gel should be used. To remove foundation and blush on, apply the cleanser on the face with a light massage and then wipe off with moist cotton wool. We recommend a cleansing gel containing aloe vera and lemon. Aloe vera is a powerful moisturizer, while Lemon is a powerful natural cleanser. Therefore, it helps to cleanse the skin without disturbing the moisture balance. It also softens and dissolves make-up cosmetics, including eye make-up, and facilitates their removal. If you have an oily skin, use a cleansing lotion, or cleansing milk to remove make-up. Apply it on the face and wipe off with moist cotton wool. However, for the area around eyes, a cleansing gel would be more suitable. The area around eyes should be wiped gently, without pulling or stretching the skin. Using your ring finger, apply cleansing gel and wipe off gently with moist cotton wool. Wipe in one direction only and not back and forth. To remove mascara from upper lashes, put cleanser on moist cotton wool and wrap it around your index finger. Brush the cotton wool through the lashes from underneath. To remove mascara from the lower lashes, use a cotton bud, which has a little cleanser on it. Also clean the corners of the eyes with a cotton bud. To remove lipstick, put cleanser on moist cotton wool and gently wipe in an inward direction, from the corners to the center. I would advise that lipstick be removed every night with a cleansing gel, containing aloe vera. It would be better than using soap. A cleansing gel helps to dissolve make-up and facilitates its removal. Aloe vera also helps to nourish the skin and keep it soft and smooth. After cleansing, an almond cream should be applied on the lips and left on overnight. We have seen that it also helps to lighten the skin colour on dark lips if used daily over a period of time. Or, apply pure almond oil daily at night and leave on, to soothe the skin and avoid dryness. Here are some home made cleansers: Cleanser for Dry Skin: For a cleanser for dry skin, take half a cup of milk and add five drops of any vegetable oil (til, olive or sunflower oil). Put this in a bottle and shake well. Apply it on the skin using cotton wool and then wipe off with moist cotton wool. Keep left-over mixture in the fridge. Remember that home recipes should not be kept for more than 4 to 5 days. Cleanser for Oily and Combination Skin: To one-fourth teaspoon of lemon juice, add one teaspoon each of cucumber juice and rose water OR cool milk. Apply on the face and wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes. However, for the area around eyes, use the cleanser for dry skin.
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