Stay cool this summer

Choose summer-appropriate fabrics such as cotton and linen that allow the skin to breathe. Similarly, for sportswear, go for fabrics like dri-fit; they wick moisture away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate quickly to keep you fresh.

Keep your armpits fresh by keeping a deodorant handy. Remember, antiperspirants should make contact with the skin to be effective. So, hold the bottle six to eight s inches away from the skin and spray to ensure even coverage. Never spray immediately after showering. Wash your feet daily in warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil to keep your feet bacteria free.

Feet have 2,50,000 sweat glands and can produce a lot of sweat. To minimise discomfort, wear cotton socks and leather shoes.

Keep your hair and scalp cool and fresh by washing with an anti-dandruff shampoo that has menthol. Menthol widens blood vessels and helps your body regulate its temperature. Its cools the scalp.

Reduce your caffeine intake as it increases sweat production. Swap tea, coffee and cola for water and fruit juice. Carry a bottle of water wherever you go. Also, increase your in take of fresh fruits and vegetables as they release the water content at a slower and more consistent rate than water - thus avoiding dehydration.

How to avoid oily skin

For many people, the skin on the face tends to get very oily during the day. However, not applying cream is not the way to avoid oily skin. Follow these tips instead.

Don't wash too much: This sounds counterproductive, but if you wash your skin too much, it will produce natural oils to compensate for the dryness. Instead, just wash your face once in the morning or evening.

Cucumbers: High on vitamin A and E and magnesium, cucumbers are great for oily skin. Their cooling and astringent properties also curb the skin from producing excess natural oils.

Lemon: Citric fruits have astringent properties, which soak up the oils of the skin. Plus, lemon juice is great for reducing blemishes.

Natural facewash: The chemicals in a facewash often dry out the skin, which causes the skin to produce more oil. Try a homemade facewash made from natural ingredients, which prevents dryness.

Start your morning with skin icing

Want to feel fresh early morning? Opt for 'skin icing' beauty fix that is said to reduce puffiness, wrinkles and skin pores. Here's your DIY guide:
- Cleanse your face thoroughly using a scrub.
- Wrap one or two ice cubes in a soft washcloth or a gauze.
- Gently rub the cubes, starting from the chin and the jawline to your cheeks and then forehead, in circular movements.
- Take extra care while rubbing it underneath the eyes.
- Don't hold it over a particular part of the skin for more than 10 minutes.
- You can infuse ice cube water with lemon, rosewater or green tea too.

Five foods for perfect skin

Here are five food items you can eat for great skin

Want smooth, soft and healthy skin? Try these five food items that promise to do so.

Bell peppers: They are low calorie and versatile - grill them, stiry fry them or eat them raw. These juicy, hot and sweet veggies have a flavour of their own and what's more - they help you get flawless skin too!

Dark chocolate - Yes, this sinful favourite can give you absolutely healthy and perfect skin by increasing blood circulation in the body. Plus, its full of antioxidants and so, you will detoxify your body with a piece a day!

Green tea - Replace your daily beverage with this healthy flavourful and fat free version. It detoxifies and cleanses your body from inside and the effects show outside!

Seeds - They are snacky and fun to eat and the essential oils present in sunflower, chia, flax, pumpkin and all kinds of different seeds, ensures that moisture levels are in control and the body gets enough vitamin E. Plus they are rich in protein too.

Papaya - Low calorie, sweet and great for the body papayas make great face packs as well as purify your insides. They are beneficial for women suffering from ovarian problems too and now, they make excellent skin purifiers. The vitamin C and E and beta-carotene present, helps cure inflammation

How to look stunning for a party

American dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia shares some easy tips for a great complexion before you head for any special event.

Drink plenty of water
It is vital to hydrate yourself. The less hydrated you are, the more dry and sallow your skin will appear! Try to drink juices or water with lemon for a nutrient boost!

Plan your waxing or laser hair removal in advance
Getting your hair removal done on the day of the event or the day before could make your skin more sensitive. You should have at least a 2-3 day gap between your method of hair removal and the occasion!

Home beauty 101
For those who love a good home mask, do apply it a day or two before. Mix together yogurt, olive oil and some papaya for a gentle home treatment that will help make your skin look a little brighter. For dry skin, you can apply avocado to the face for instant moisture!

Go scrub-free!
Don't scrub your face with harsh exfoliants. This can make your skin red and angry, making you look less than perfect on any festive occasion. In fact, you should avoid scrubs entirely in your skin routine!

Meet your dermatologist
For those who want to look absolutely ravishing with a dramatic difference in their look, go to your dermatologist. He or she can prescribe you a variety of treatments that will instantly give you a glow, along with permanent treatment for your various skin concerns.