Summer has arrived and most of us are excited to step out for workouts, meet friends and take that much-needed vacation.
On the other hand, stepping out on a sunny day can result in some serious sun tan as a result of unprotected exposure to the sun’s rays.
Skin tanning is one of the most common and severe problems during summer when the sun’s heat is more intense. The risk rises if tanning leads to sunburn.
While sunscreen, on most days, can be your saviour, it isn’t always fully effective.
If your skin is excessively tanned, face packs can smoothen, moisturise and protect your skin.
These Ayurvedic face pack recipes will not only keep your tanning under control but also enhance your skin’s health.
Natural ingredients like saffron, turmeric, cucumber, lemon, oranges, ripe papaya, almonds, turmeric, yogurt, buttermilk, tomato, etc., help to remove tan. These are certainly safer than chemical bleaches and actually benefit the skin in other ways too. For example, cucumber has an astringent effect, while turmeric is a natural antiseptic and skin softener. Yogurt and buttermilk also help to nourish and soften the skin. Similarly, almond is extremely nourishing for the skin, apart from its gradual skin-lightening effect. Such ingredients keep the skin healthy and preserve its youthful properties.
Here are some anti-tan face packs:
Add a little turmeric (haldi) to gram flour (besan) and curd into a paste and apply daily. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes.
Mix one teaspoon each of honey and orange juice with egg white. Apply on the face and wash off after 20 minutes. It removes tan and also nourishes the skin, making it soft and smooth.
Cucumber juice (or pulp) and watermelon can be mixed with two teaspoons of powdered milk. Put the ingredients in a blender, for a smooth paste. Apply on the face and neck and rinse off with water after half an hour.
Mix cucumber and ripe papaya pulp with curd and two teaspoons of oats. Lemon juice can also be added. Apply on the face and neck, twice a week. Wash it off after half an hour.
Add cream of milk, a pinch of turmeric, and oats to tomato pulp and half a teaspoon of honey. Apply on the face to remove tan and nourish the skin.
Take honey and yogurt and add a few tablespoons of red wine. Apply this on the face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with plain water. This removes tan and adds a glow.
Mix ground almonds with curd and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on the face. After 15 minutes, rub gently with circular movements. Wash it off with water.
For oily skin, mix multani mitti with rose water and lemon juice into a paste. Apply on the face and wash off when it dries.
Mix together two teaspoons of honey, a little milk, and rose water, dried and powdered lemon peels into a paste. Apply two or three times a week on the face and neck. Wash it off after 20 minutes.
Soak one tablespoon of moong dal in water for a few hours. Make a paste and add one tablespoon of tomato pulp. Apply on the face with a light massage. Wash off with water after 20 minutes.
Take one tablespoon of choker (wheat bran), one teaspoon of each orange peel powder and curd, and one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Mix together and apply on the skin, washing it off after 30 minutes.
