Oily Skin

Overactivity of the oil-producing glands in the face often occurs as a result of hormonal imbalances. It commonly develops during pregnancy or when taking oral contraceptives, stress, poor diet, and using the wrong cosmetics can also contribute.
Practical Advise:
Oily skin requires gentle treatment, so avoid using soap. Try washing with a mild lotion cleanser that does not contain drying agents, Rub it onto the skin with your fingers, wipe it off with tissues, then rinse the face with cold water. Use a light moisturizer and water-based cosmetics.
Once a week, make up a face mask with 1 teaspoon of brewer's yeast and enough water or plain natural yogurt to make a paste. Apply the mask after cleansing the face, allow it to dry completely, then rinse with warm water.
Dietary:
Avoid fatty food; eat plenty of fruits, raw and cooked vegetables. Vitamin B-complex is important for healthy skin. It is found in whole-grain cereals and liver. Brewer's yeast is also an excellent source: take 1 tablespoon mixed in a drink 3 times daily. Zinc helps regulate the oil-producing glands.
Aromatherapy:
After cleansing, morning and night, dab the face with a solution made up of the following: 4 drops of essential oil of lavender with 4 drops of bergamot or lemon, well-mixed with one third cup of spring water.

Dry-Skin

Dry skin usually occurs when the oil glands are inactive as a result of a hormonal imbalance or a nutritional deficiency. It can also be caused by exposure to harsh sun, wind, or cold, indoor heat, or air-conditioning. Crash dieting sometimes results in changes to skin condition.

Treatment
- Practical Advice
Use a moisturizer day and night to protect against water loss. Avoid using detergents on the skin. Use a lotion, not soap.
Add 2 cups of oatmeal to a lukewarm bath, and soak in it to soften the skin. Pat youself dry almost dry, and apply moisturizer to seal in the dampness. Distribute bowls of water around your home and workplace during the winter, or use a humidifier. Keep the temperature in your home as low as possible.

Dietary
Increase your intake of essential fatty acids, found in olive, sunflower or safflower oils. Increase your intake of vitamins A, D and E. Rubbing vitamin E oil on the skin will also help.

Aromatherapy
Essenial oil of geranium added to the bath, or used in a steam bath, helps balance the skin and regulate sebum secretion.

Some Uses Of Ginger

• To sharpen appetite and aid digestion: Chew a sliver of fresh ginger before meals.
• To relieve trapped gas or colicky pains: Make a tea with one quarter teaspoonful of ginger powder and sip. You can also use 1 teaspoonful of freshly grated ginger and boil for 5 mins, honey can be added before drinking ginger tea, but let it cool to drinking temperature.
• For a fever that starts in the morning or evening with goosebumps and shivering, body ache, backache, constipation, stiff joints and a rapid pulse: Take one half teaspoonful ginger powder plus equal amounts of cumin powder(geera) and myrrh powder, steep the herbs in a cup of hot water for 10 mins before drinking. It will help induce a healing sweat to reduce temperature.
• For Headache: Make a paste with 1 teaspoonful of ginger powder and water, apply to forehead and lie with it in place for half an hour. This can also help some types of migraines also.
• For cough, colds, congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, fever with chills and heaviness in the head: Take a tea of ginger, cinnamon and fennel. Make a mixture of equal parts of these and store it in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dark cupboard. When needed make a tea with 1 teaspoonful of the mixture in hot water, drink 2-3 times daily.