Summer has arrived and so have all the skin problems, such as oiliness, acne and dullness.
Summer can be a challenging season for our skin, especially if we live in hot and humid areas or spend a lot of time outdoors
With the scorching heat wave engulfing us as soon as we step out, the excessive sweat makes it extremely difficult to keep on any skincare or makeup product, naturally turning the face dull, greasy and prone to infections. Taking care of the skin is essential to avoid common skin issues and maintain healthy and glowing skin.
Going for a facial every time you feel your skin unattractive is not a healthy practice as the salons are expensive, time-consuming and use nothing but harsh chemical products.
If you want to rejuvenate your skin by removing excess dirt, dead skin cells and oil in your face without spending a single penny for a salon-like effect, then head for your kitchen pantry for organic face masks which will also save money and time.
Many ingredients available at home make ideal ingredients for face packs for refreshing and revitalising the skin, as well as enhancing beauty. Fresh home ingredients leave the skin refreshed and glowing.
With homemade packs, allergic reactions are rare. You can relax and pamper yourself at home, where many ingredients with beauty benefits — such as honey, curd, milk, eggs, fruits, and spices — are easily available. These can be easily mixed into a face pack. Other ingredients — such as rose water, dried and powdered orange and lemon peels, ground almonds, oats, wheat bran (choker), gram flour, chocolate and wine — can also be added. Applying such ingredients can nourish and revitalise the skin powerfully, while others, like tulsi, neem, fenugreek, cinnamon, sandalwood and turmeric have antiseptic, healing and soothing properties.
Here are a few home-made packs for refreshing and revitalising the skin:
Make a cold infusion of Hibiscus flowers by allowing them to stand overnight in cold water in a ratio of one to six. Next morning crush the flowers. Strain and keep the water. Mix the flowers with three teaspoons of oats and two drops of tea tree oil and add the water to mix into a paste. This hibiscus pack helps to cleanse, refresh and tone the skin, adding a glow. Apply on the face and wash off after 20 to 30 minutes.
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 softens and moisturises the skin, removes tan and adds a glow.
Avocado pulp can be mixed with aloe vera gel and applied to the face to nourish and moisturise the skin. Wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. Fresh and raw avocado should be used. Avocado contains about 20 vitamins and minerals. It is rich in antioxidants, which help to delay visible signs of skin ageing.
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. Wash it off after half an hour. This helps to remove tan and brighten the skin.
Soak one tablespoon of moong dal in water for oily skin 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. This reduces oiliness and brightens the skin.
Take two teaspoons of choker (wheat bran), one teaspoon each of ground almonds, honey, curd and egg white or rose water. Mix and apply on the face, avoiding lips and areas around the eyes. Wash off after 30 minutes.
Allow marigold flowers to stand in warm water overnight. Add yogurt and sandalwood paste and mix them to make a smooth paste. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and the area around the eyes. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Marigold has a soothing and germicidal effect on skin irritation and eruptions. It may be used to control pimples and rashes. It has an astringent effect, reducing oiliness and closing the pores. It is ideal for normal to oily and combination skin.
Add red wine to aloe vera gel and dried milk powder for dry skin. Apply on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes.
Add a few strands of saffron to warm milk and wheat bran (choker). Let it stand for a couple of hours. Then apply it on the face, using cotton wool. It is said to lighten skin colour over time.
Mix three teaspoons of cocoa powder and two teaspoons of oats with egg white and one teaspoon each of honey and curd. Adjust the ingredients, so that it is a thick paste, which does not drip. If it is too thin, add more cocoa powder. To make it thinner, add more curd or milk. For dry skin, add egg yolk, instead of egg white. First, cleanse the skin and then apply the mask, avoiding the lips and the area around the eyes. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes with plain water.
