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Many of us have a misconception that it takes long hours of grooming to look good. If you can spend two-and-a-half minutes everyday brushing your molars, it takes just five minutes to a clean glowing skin.

Although, most people do not even know their skin type. Here's how to do it.

OILY SKIN: Looks greasy and dull, and is prone to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

DULL SKIN: Lacks shine and lustre, and shows signs of dryness and flakiness. Prone to lines and wrinkles.

COMBINATION: This is identified by an oily T-zone, greasiness on the forehead, nose and chin and dryness on the cheeks.

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FIVE-MINUTE CLEANSING PROGRAMME FOR OILY SKIN:

Wipe skin with the following several times a day — a diluted mix of 2 tsp powdered camphor and 100ml of rose water. Store in a bottle in the refrigerator. To reduce surface oiliness use this several times a day.

Apply the following pack daily:

• 2 tsp Fuller's earth

• 1 tsp camphor powder

• 1 tsp sandalwood powder

• 1 tsp mint powder

Mix all the above with cold water and apply on face and neck for five minutes and wash off with cold water for squeaky clean skin in no time at all.

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FIVE-MINUTE CLEANSING PROGRAMME FOR DRY, DULL SKIN:

Wipe skin with cotton pad dipped in a mixture of rose water and cold milk. Apply the following cleansing pack:

•1 tsp milk powder

• 1 tsp almond powder

• 1 tsp China clay powder

Mix the above ingredients with full cream milk to form a smooth paste and apply on face and neck. Wash off scrubbing gently in a rotating motion.

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FIVE-MINUTE CLEANSING PROGRAMME FOR COMBINATION SKIN:

Wipe the face with cold rose water. Apply the following natural pack on the T-zone:

• 1 tsp Fuller's earth

• a pinch of camphor powder

Mix the above with water and apply. Smear milk powder mixed with rose water on the rest of the areas. Leave this on for five minutes and wash off. Apart from this, try and drink at least 10 glasses of water daily. You'll not only be flushing out the toxins, but also achieving a clearer complexion.

If your meals are always rushed, erratic and eaten at odd hours, keep a supply of apples, pears, oranges, sprouted lentils, carrots handy to munch on. This will keep your energy level higher and bring down chances of acidity and heartburn.

Avoid heavy gravy and fried foods. They tend to make you feel sluggish and do nothing at all for your skin.

Follow these five-minute easy tips everyday and in a short time — give it 10 days at least — you'll start to look and feel better... Naturally.