The following are ways of caring for the mammalian skin EXCEPT

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the option that is NOT a proper way of caring for the skin. Four options are healthy skin-care practices, and one is harmful or unnecessary.

Step 2: Concept Healthy skin care involves:

• Good nutrition: vitamins A, C and E and enough water keep skin healthy.
• Moderate sunlight: the skin uses sunlight to make vitamin D, which supports strong bones.
• Cleanliness: washing with clean water and mild soap removes dirt, sweat, and germs and prevents infections.
• Moisturising: prevents dryness and cracking, especially in the harmattan.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Balanced diet: good care, because it supplies nutrients for skin growth and repair.
• B. Adequate sunlight: good care, because it helps make vitamin D (adequate means not excessive).
• C. Skin toning creams: not good care. Toning creams (often skin-lightening products) usually contain harmful chemicals such as hydroquinone, mercury compounds, and strong steroids. These damage the skin, thin the epidermis, cause blotchy discoloration, and increase the risk of infections and skin cancer.
• D. Moisturising creams: good care, because they prevent drying and cracking.
• E. Washing with clean water and soap: good care, because it keeps the skin clean and free of pathogens.

Step 4: Answer The practice that is not a way of caring for the skin is C. using skin toning creams.

Tip: In "EXCEPT" questions, first mark the options you know are correct and eliminate them. Here, any option about diet, cleanliness, moisture, or moderate sunlight is a healthy habit, so the odd one out involves chemical alteration of the skin's color.