Bare Necessities

Business trips leaving you drained, dehydrated and decidedly irritable? Jennifer Thomas, former air stewardess, and now proprietor of two upmarket beauty salons in Chennai, takes Susan George through the basics of skincare for the businessperson on the move

There's simply no masking the fact. Erratic schedules, jet lag, and air travel can take a toll on your skin. A high-stress work environment, coupled with uninterrupted air-conditioning can leave your skin dehydrated, itchy and stretched. A pragmatic skin care routine, which cuts through beauty-babble, is a must for every professional - especially one on the move.

‘Plenty of water’ is the beauty mantra that has held good for centuries. Relatively inexpensive, and easy to implement, drinking eight or more glasses of water in a day is fundamental to skincare. Give yourself reminders through the day, as in the chaos of corporate life, skincare may hardly be a priority. Setting one's digital diary or cell phone to beep a 'down the H2O' prompt can be one alternative, at least till it becomes part of your everyday routine. Feeling thirsty is a clear indication of the onset of dehydration.

Moving on to another basic skincare dictum: Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise, referred to in the beauty biz as CTM. The days when applying a couple of lotions equated with being sissy are long gone. Professionals today, both men and women, are clued into the fact that an integral part of the corporate package is appearance. Cleansers can be cream-based, oil-free or medicated, and the specific cleanser should be used depending on your skin type (oily, dry, and acne-prone). Toners come with or without alcohol, and for dry skin it's best to avoid toners with alcohol, as they will only make your skin feel more parched. Before you set the cash registers ringing, read the fine print on the product - take note not to prioritise suave packaging over a product geared for your skin type. It's recommended that you start and end your day with the CTM routine. (No, they don't come in a three-in-one formula). Good skin is not about an overnight transformation. While on a business trip, carry a travel kit with the three essentials. Throw in a lip balm as well, as air travel tends to dry lips. Though you may like to catch up on sleep on the flight, wait till the airline crew offers you the moist towelette. For long flights, when you're hopping in and out of aircraft, carrying cleansing pads can prove a quick-fix solution to dry skin. Some cleansing pads have a moisturising effect.

At any business destination, long days and lard-laden meals tend to be the norm. Sensible eating can go a long way in solving your complexion quandaries. Pile up on the salads, avoid spicy food and remember that organic is in. You can't take the stress factor out of your corporate life, but you can calm down with deep breathing exercises. If your conference happens to be at a beach resort, or for that matter any sunny destination, sun block is a must-have.

For those inconvenient corporate predicaments - when your peaches 'n' cream complexion turns blotchy just before the mega presentation - a concealer can be your lifeline. Just remember to dab the concealer on the blemish, it isn't an alternative to foundation. You might want to keep a lip brush handy (borrow one from your significant other if you'd rather not buy one) to apply the concealer uniformly over the "breakout zone".

In giving all your attention to your face, don't neglect your hands. A body moisturiser can be the optimum great way to smooth out a sandpaper handshake. Just make sure you choose one that doesn't overpower you with its "natural" fragrance. Or one that stays greasy all day - a firm handshake is still the best way to seal a deal.

Deconstructing Myths

• Cold creams add glow to my skin. The truth, in fact, is that moisturisers are the best option. They act as a protective barrier, holding in the body's natural moisture. In India, except in extremely cold climate, creams are best avoided.
• Soap Still Rules. You may be thrown off by the plethora of lotions, creams and whatamajiggs in the market, but don't simply stick with your soap and water routine. Soaps tend to dry the skin.
• Phoren Equates to High Quality. While its important to avoid unknown brands and newfangled instant remedies, the market is competitive enough to ensure that the recognised Indian brands sell good quality, reliable products.