I am a 28-year-old woman who will soon be getting married, in four months time to be precise. I do not follow any skincare routine. My skin is acne-prone with blemishes and blackheads. Could you please suggest how I could fix these problems to look good on my big day?  

Akriti

Congratulations for your new beginning ! Every bride wants to sparkle on her wedding day and besides the jewels and the outfit, her inner and outer beauty should shine through as well. All this, of course, takes a lot of preparation and hard work.
We all suffer from spots or acne at different stages and then go to great lengths to try and get rid of our spots. For acne-prone skin, it is especially important to not only use the right products, but also to use them in the right way. It is very easy to want to strip the oil, scrub the spots and be far too harsh with acne-prone skin. Stripping the skin of these will only make it produce more oil and harsh scrubbing not only dehydrates but also produces oil and spreads bacteria, which, in turn, can lead to more spots!

As part of the special care routine, look for cleansers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyle peroxide. These ingredients help to loosen dead skin cells, unclog pores and reduce the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

Follow it up with exfoliation. Do it once a week concentrating mainly on your T-zone.

Also, use an alcohol-free purifying toner.

As for the moisturiser, look for something oil-free that contains SPF15. Avoid the sun as it can cause damage and irritation to the skin. Choose a lightweight, water-based or gel-based oil-free moisturiser labelled ‘non comedogenic’. Also, look for ingredients with hyaluronic acid, which holds moisture to the skin. Try Hyaluronic Power Booster serum from Skeyndor.

Here are some tips on how to take care of acne prone skin:
♦ Avoid using oil-based cosmetics.
♦ Never forget to remove your make-up at the end of the day.
♦ Do not apply hair oil and go to bed.
♦ Avoid touching, picking or squeezing at your pimples.
♦ Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin from both within and outside.

Remember, taking care of your skin needs attention on a daily basis. So, make sure you get your beauty sleep of seven to eight hours daily.

SURBHI PANSARI
♦ designer
Since I am blessed with normal skin, I don’t need to use too many skincare products to maintain it. I follow a simple regimen to take care of my skin and hair. I generally wash my face every time I come back from work which keeps my skin healthy and clean.

For everyday use, I apply Dior Skin Nude Air Powder, kajal and a lipstick. It suits my skin and keeps it looking perfect the whole day. Since I have long straight hair, I follow a regular oiling and hair spa routine that keeps it in perfect condition. This apart, I feel being happy and smiling work as the best natural cosmetics.

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