Beauty queries: My nails are dry and more...

I’m 19-years-old. Since the past two years I’m using Adapalene gel and taking Aquasol vitamin A capsule twice a day but with no effect. I also wash my face thrice a day with Pears soap. While washing it leaves a oily lubricant on my face. I’m confused what to do. Please give me some advice. —Junaid
Adapalene gel is used for the treatment of acne which means you must be having excessively oily skin. Using Pears soap will make it more oily and will lead to clogging of pores leading to an increase in the existing acne.

I suggest you wash your face thrice a day with a cleanser suitable for oily skin like Keracnyl or Cetaphil OS or Fash foam. This will help in clearing the excess oil from your face.

Consult your dermatologist for further medical treatment for your acne.

I have a wheatish complexion. But my hands are darker. I apply a sunscreen and moisturiser too. I have quite dry skin. Please recommend some homemade remedies for whitening of my hands. —Trupti
It’s normal to have hands that are a bit darker than the other body parts which are mostly covered and not exposed to sun. Your habit of using a sunscreen and a moisturiser is absolutely perfect and I would ask you to continue with it.

I would just like to suggest that you use a sunscreen with SPF of 50 on all the exposed parts including your hands and reapply after three hours if you are going to be in the sun for longer time. This will ensure complete sun protection  if it was lacking earlier.

For dry skin, you can use a nice moisturiser like Exomega or Cetaphil DAM. I would  suggest you start using medical creams like Ban a tan or Kojic cream for lightening of the hands which are tanned rather than to expect whitening. It’s nice to have a uniform wheatish complexion.

Since the past five years or so my nails have become very soft and dry. They have vertical lines on them and tend to crack easily. I don’t use nail polish often nor do I do much housework. What could be the problem and any solution —Ariana
Soft and dry brittle nails do tend to crack very easily. I suggest you start using Si nail varnish and Si nail polish remover to improve the condition. You can also start with a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral capsule Epiglow forte for correcting the deficiency if any.

I’m a 25-year old woman. While my hair is dry my scalp tends to get oily and flaky. Should I shampoo more often and which brand should I use? Any solution for the flakiness. —Kavya
I think you are suffering from dandruff which makes the scalp flaky. I suggest you start using No Skurf lotion on your scalp at night twice a week and wash the hair the following morning with a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo like Arcolane or 8X or Scalpe.