Normal skin

cleanse the face with a cream or a creamy lotion. Next, tone it with a non-drying skin freshner. Use a moisturiser at bedtime and under make-up especially when the humidity is low.

Combination skin

Treat both dry and oily areas separately, using dry -skin preparation for the dry areas, and an oily -skin routine for the oily parts. Massage cleaners on oily parts and rinse off with first warm and then cold water

Dry skin

Remove make-up with two applications of cream or lotion especially formulated for dry skin . next, tone face with non drying skin freshner. Use a thin film of moisturiser under make-up during the day, and extra-rich cream on face, under the eyes, throat and neck at night.

If you have oily, pimple prone skin, cut down on fried food, wafers, spicy namkeens and soft drinks. Wash your face as often as possible and nourish once a week with masks speciallyformulated to suit your complexion type. Multanni Mitti (fuller earth), when mixed with rose water has tremendous cooling properties and can benefit those with an oily skin, but should be tested well in advance for an allergic reaction.

If a blemish does rear its ugly head despite all these precautions, don't squeeze it. Conceal it by simply using some matte foundation and lightly dusting with translucent powder. If it bursts, carefully squeeze it out and wash the area with soap and water. Follow up by applying a few drops of limejuice on the affected area with a cotton swab. The marks will disappear. As lemon is a natural bleaching agent, rubbing a slice on your face can also lighten your skin tone. Two spoonfuls of basen (gram flour) mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder and a few drops of lime make a good face pack.