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Even skin needs a spring clean

1/ 4/2002

YES its that time again - a time to spring clean the home, the car, the shed and along with everything else, a time to take a closer look at our skin condition.

As a rule, skin texture changes during the year at least two or three times. It's always wise to check the condition of the skin on a regular basis and to see if there is a need to change the type of skin care range you use. For example during the winter months, many of us find that our skin becomes quite dry, tight and rough. This is the time to invest in skin care range, which contains a lot of moisture.

When looking for new range of skin care, you may come across ingredients with which you may not be familiar with, one of which is AHAs - Alpha Hydroxy Acids. This is a new ingredient in the cosmetic industry. They work on the outermost levels of the skin and their main effect is the elimination of dead skin cells, and from this come a series of secondary affects.

Derived from fruit and milk sugars, AHAs are used to help reduce wrinkles, spots and signs of ageing. These acids have been developed from chemical peels used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. The simple theory is that the acid causes the skin to lose its outer layer, revealing a fresher and more youthful looking layer of skin. Moreover, it is argued, fruit acids contain high levels of vitamin C causing skin restructuring.

AHAs work by exfoliating the upper layer of the skin, thus causing hydration of the outer layer of the epidermis, making the skin more flexible. These acids work off the available moisture, pulling it into the skin, so rejuvenating the new layer of the skin.

There are many benefits to be had from using AHAs. By eliminating dead skin cells they make the skin more receptive and permeable. After repeated use, the results include easy exfoliation because the cohesion between the skin layer's have been weakened, improved natural moisture and finer, smooth skin with a clean complexion.

It is always wise to read the instructions before using any new product. Should you have any questions about AHAs or any other topic, please drop me a line at Asian News, Observer Buildings, Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PH

For this month's recipe I am going to give you a home made method exfoliator which will also acts as a nourishing mask.
It is called the whole-wheat flour mask.

Ingredients
1 litre water
4 tsp dried or 8 tsp of fresh rose petals
Peels from 1-2 organic oranges
6 tbsp milk
2 tbsp rose water
2 tsp honey
4 tsp of whole what flour

Method
1. Boil water and remove from heat. Add rose petals and orange peel, cover and steep until lukewarm.
2. In a separate pan, heat the milk, floral water and honey, remove from heat. Add flour and whisk into thick paste.
3. Apply the warm paste uniformly to the face and neck. Leave for 20 minutes.
4. Wash off the mask with fragrant orange rose water.
5. Apply your favourite moisturising cream to the skin.