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Three kinds of fruit yogurt masks presented by Skin Food |
Feeding Skin With Nourishing Foods
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Summer is often the season when people find it hard to care for their skin because of the heat and humidity, which turns skin oily and sweaty.
So many people think that not applying anything to the skin is the best way to prevent problems resulting from too much oil and sweat.
But this is a misconception. Actually, the skin is in desperate need of more intensive care.
The skin is being severely damaged by sun, salty seawater and a lack of sleep because of ``tropical nights'' to name a few reasons.
Despite such ``challenges'' for the skin, a simple approach makes a big difference in summer, especially for fatigued skin exposed to too much sun at beaches and mountains during your vacation.
 Just like the efforts to seek nutritious foods to boost your physical metabolism, good nourishment is also the key treatment for the skin.
Nutritious products such as black raspberry widely known as ``bokbunja,'' ginseng and other summer fruits are popular to care the skin.
Instead of letting your stomach consume these foods, why not let the skin do the consumption?
 Ginseng
From ancient times, ginseng has been highly appreciated as a plant good for health and vitality, and the enhancement of longevity and quality of life.
Even today, it has become one of the most favorable plants among many other medicinal plants.
Ginseng contains a variety of constituents that revitalize, regenerate and improve immunity, and qualities that are highly valued in skin care. So ginseng extract is the star ingredient in skin care products.
Many cosmetic products launch facial cleansing milk, ginseng tonic, lotion, and cream. Each formula is blended with quality pure plant oils and other genuine natural ingredients that activate and energize the skin.
 Sansim produced by Hankook Cosmetics (50,000 won) contains the extracts of wild ginseng, or ``sansam,'' to provide nutrition ideally suited for sluggish, congested, devitalized and lackluster skin.
Also, Suhyangjin Boyang Keumyul Pack by the Face Shop (10,900 won) retains herbal ingredients including ginseng and nano-gold, which all function to moisturize the skin.
Fruit and Vegetables
Vitamins might be the most important nutrient for recovering energy because the skin tends to easily lose this through sweating.
Fruits and vegetables are abundant in various types of vitamins and are used in cosmetics to create excellent masks and lotions.
Both have a revitalizing, nourishing and often astringent effect on the skin. Masks give a soft peeling effect that removes dead skin cells, blackheads and excess pigmentation.
Vitamin A, called retinol, prevents the skin from wrinkling and keeps it revitalized.
 Vitamin C and E protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, slow the aging process and make skin healthy and shiny.
Also, vitamin C is good for controlling the creation of melanin _ the source of skin pigmentation _ and whitening it.
For that reason, vitamin C-rich fruits such as black raspberry, grapes, lemons and lettuce, are referred to as basic food items for skin revitalization in summer.
Classic Homme Multi Energy (12,900 won) offered by the Face Shop targets men with its whitening and wrinkle-preventing effect.
The product contains extracts of ``bokbunja,'' or black raspberry rich in vitamin B and C, and steamed red ginseng extracts, which is antioxidant.
``The skin tends to sag and easily lose vigor as it suffers from strong sun in the daytime and a lack of sleep because of sweltering nights,'' Park Mi-ok, manager of the product development department, said.
 ``For fatigued skin, vitamins are desperately needed. Cosmetics containing rich vitamins such as black raspberry and other herbal elements are easy to apply to the face skin. Also massage packs made with natural ingredients using summer fruits are very effective to provide abundant moisture and nutrition for revitalization,'' Park said.
``Bokbunja,'' which refers to berry trees growing in Korea's mountains, is known to help men who have impotency, premature ejaculation, urinary problems and hyperactivity.
But also it helps promote healthy skin, vision and to maintain a healthy liver. The plant makes the skin turn soft and shiny.
Skin Food's Lettuce and Cucumber Water Jelly Cream (10,000 won) includes abundant moisture with cucumber extracts to repair damaged skin.
Also, Tomato Whitening Cream by Skin Food (13,900 won) whitens the skin with its tomato extracts, which contain arbutin, or a substance that prevents the formation of melanin.
Amore Pacific's Happy Bath Body Repair 24 Essence (12,000 won) contains extracts of squash and honey to enhance the moisture effect and tighten the muscles of the face.
 Self-Massage with Natural Ingredients
If you are keen on clear and vital skin, prepare a massage pack with natural fruits and vegetables that are easily found in the market.
However, you should be very careful in choosing which fruits or vegetables to use in making the pack. If you are allergic to certain fruits and vegetables such as peaches and kiwis or cucumbers, do not use them in the packs.
Also, keep in mind that you should make a small amount as natural ingredient packs should not be used more than once.
 Watermelon
Watermelons are one of the most popular summer fruits in Korea and easily available.
Use the white parts of the watermelons because they are rich in fructose and glucose, sources of abundant moisture. Grind them and mix with wheat flour and milk. Then apply the result to the face and cover with gauze. Wash away after 15-20 minutes.
Peach
Peach skin is effective in improving the complexion. Softly massage the inside of peach peelings on the face every night for a few minutes. The moisture will thoroughly cleanse the skin and pores. It also has an astringent effect and tightens the muscle of the face slightly, thus preventing sagging tissue.
Cabbage
Grind a couple of cabbage leaves and extract juice. Dissolve one-fourth teaspoon of yeast in it and stir in one teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply thickly over face and neck. Keep it on for 15 minutes. Remove with cotton wool soaked in water. This mask will work against wrinkles and dryness and will revitalize your skin.
 Tomato
Tomato is also good for getting a good complexion. Apply the pulp of a tomato to the face. Leave for a while and then wash off with warm water. Repeat this daily. You will have a good complexion. It will also quickly remove pimples.
Cucumber
Grind a cucumber. Apply this over the face, eyes and neck for 15 to 20 minutes. Regular use of cucumber prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles, and facial dryness.
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
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