Sindhu Vinod Narayan

May 22, 2021May 27, 2021

When patriarchy needs to walk out

If patriarchy had a specific beginning in history,

It can also have an end.

– Maria Miles

Patriarchy is a system in a society, where the male gender hold the power and the females are excluded. Given a super power this word is in the top of my list of words to be removed from dictionary.

The term in itself might sound new to many but is an age old practice that’s been there in the families for long. A lot more women and a handful of men who understand that this needs to end have taken necessary steps to get this out. But the efforts are all still only a drop in the ocean. But nevertheless it cannot be ignored and such experiences can motivate more people to come forward to get rid of it permanently.

What made me write this article is a recent movie that me and the hubster sat down to watch during one of the weekends.

“ The Great Indian Kitchen” it is. The movie has been getting attention from all directions as in the sub titles made it easier that people from er languages also geared interest to watch it. Not to forget the fact that the movie got released in a much lesser known OTT platform, people even went to the extent of paying the membership just to watch this movie. Thank goodness the movie stirred up a lot of news and Amazon decided to stream it on their platforms , that it saved me from spending on a new OTT membership. Glad this happened else that would have been one more reason for me to brood.

The film is set in Kerala, where in a newly wed couple start getting to know each other. That’s what happens in arranged marriages. You don’t immediately let your husband take up kitchen duties or pitch in to help, because it’s a society governed by patriarchy.

A typical morning in the house, and as the scenes unfold the husband does not even drop his coffee mug in the sink and that is the duty of the wife. Should I mention as one of the duty? The mother in law makes elaborate preparations chopping vegetables, grinding, tossing vessels, cookers what not. What I thought was supposed to be a lunch preparation turned out to be the scene for breakfast.

Not to mention the chutneys being ground on mortar and pestle and dosas straight to the plate from tawas. To top it all the way in which the father and son eat literally got me sick as I was having my lunch.

The mother in law and daughter in law sit down on the same table which the daughter in law finds difficult to cope. It looks like the mother in law has no voice to speak against such practices or is gotten used to adjusting. The level of treatment the men expect goes to Himalayan heights when the father in law is given the toothbrush with paste in hand to go brush the teeth and slippers being delivered right at his feet when he steps out. Blood boiled that I had to turn it off to calm myself for a while before I resumed watching.

The mother in law leaves abroad to help her pregnant daughter leaving all the responsibilities and duties to take care of the immature children of the house( the father and son). What started off to be a little hectic gets worse in one or two days. The never ending chores in kitchen , house cleaning , washing clothes makes her tense. To add to the woes the kitchen sink starts to leak which is left unattended even after multiple reminders she does so that her husband calls up the plumber.

The husband who is a shabby eater in the house is a perfect gentleman with table manners at the restaurant. When commented he gets pissed and makes the woman apologize. Atrocities!

The poor thing when she decides to take up a job is being advised by the father in law to leave all the thought because that’s what the mother in law did. Makes me want to question, who are these people to give opinions if a girl should work or no? All the education and experience only to wash clothes by hand and pound chutneys in mortar is highly unacceptable. It is really saddening to see that women in yester generation continue to do all this for their husbands and son and also give unrealistic hopes that the daughter in law who comes in will continue to do the same.

Being a millennial parent, it is our duty to raise sons who will equally respect the female gender. Raise sons who will cook, clean and help the women in the family. Raise sons who will do their own chores which includes keeping their rooms, tables clean , help in putting away dishes to sink and give some rest to the ever working women in the family.

Do not glorify if men in the home do this or tell the woman she is lucky to have them do all this. Let’s normalize such behaviour from men.

It was said in olden days that” the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Whoever said that only meant tasty food not sumptuous spreads for every meal of the day that also includes room service to clear away mugs, plates and not to mention the leftover clean up after they ate.

Mentioning the clean up, I feel even diaper duties were far better after I saw the table in that movie.

The generation we now are supports equal parenting and gender equality. Let the men of the family take up kitchen duties during the period when the women menstruate, not citing purity as reasons as I also do not believe in it. This is just to make them capable of taking it up and not just relying upon women for food and everything.

Stop practicing that women should serve food to men and should serve themselves. Change that. Either sit together for a meal or have the men serve you once they finish. I don’t think that is going to reduce their worth or what so ever.

Raise your sons equivalent to your daughters. Do not practice gender based chores at home, it has to be shared equally. Only if this is done , your daughter in law would be happy that she is into a home that believes in modern way of thinking rather than surrendering to patriarchy.

Recently a picture that brought tears was a woman with an oxygen concentrator cooking in the kitchen captioned unconditional love= mother. This is the result of patriarchy. The person has no shame in portraying the suffering of the mother. The picture brought in a lot of negative traction. The women need to stand up against such practices.

It all comes down to making a change . Be the change to see more people joining you.

Men can make their own coffee or tea and can clean up. They can also look up simple recipes to cook, just saying.

If the daughter in law decides to make a change support them and don’t stand as a hindrance as push them into the same pit.

Do not raise sons with expectations that the wife will take care of everything for him just like how she does.

This post is part of #causeachatter for blogchatter.

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021

5 reasons to use rose in skincare

Pick up roses when you find them. This is not just to smell their fragrance but as a perfect skin food. So next time don’t just buy roses for you vase. Be it a cleanser,toner, soap, face scrub, face mask, body butter or rose water the ingredient just works wonders on skin.

Why should you include rose in skincare routine?

POWERHOUSE OF ANTIOXIDANTS: We all know that anti oxidants are great for skin. In terms of protecting against sun damage, neutralizing free radicals and skin regeneration. They also work great to delay premature ageing .

HYDRATION AND HEALING: When it comes to dry skin, the skin lacks moisture and also develops cracks. Roses help in providing moisture and helps in preventing moisture loss and keeps the moisture barrier at check. For other skin types, roses help in providing necessary hydration to skin.

REDUCE OILINESS: Roses help in balancing moisture which would also mean that it regulates excess oil secretion. The natural pH of the skin is maintained due to the astringent properties of roses which help in eliminating dirt and oil from skin. As mentioned above by increasing hydration roses also help keeping the oils at bay.

CALMING EFFECT: Roses have anti inflammatory properties in abundance that they can help in soothing skin from redness and irritation. Skin conditions such as eczema could also result in irritated skin which is eased by using roses because of it containing fatty acids and antioxidant combination.

WRINKLE FREE: We already know that antioxidants are in abundance when it comes to roses but it also contains vitamins A and C which are great for anti-ageing properties. So rose does not only help in reducing wrinkles but also dark spots and age spots. They’re a vital source of retinol and also aid in collagen production.

I recently loved incorporating two rose products from Deyga organics into my skincare routine. I always choose products after going through the ingredients and the process from which they are derived; which also means strictly no harsh chemicals.

ROSE & GERANIUM BODY BUTTER:

Body butters are generally helpful to provide more moisture to skin. Especially if you have dry skin, body butters are prepared than body lotions because of the hydration and their heaviness. The rose and geranium body butter helps keep dryness away by providing good amount of moisture. The butter spreads easily and keeps skin supple for longer duration. Since roses help in anti-ageing the butter helps in keeping skin free from spots and wrinkles.Best results when used post bath and night time before hitting the beauty sleep.

INGREDIENTS: Shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, geranium oil and rose oil.
PRICE: Rs. 550 for 100gms

ROSE SCRUB

The ultimate goal of using a scrub is exfoliation which involves removing dead skin cells, dirt and help in regeneration of new skin cells. It helps in polishing the skin and also makes it smooth by drawing out impurities. This one form Deyga has semolina and rice flour which helps in exfoliation whereas rose, aloe vera help in hydration post exfoliation. Beetroot extract provides a rosy glow. Scrubs are mechanical exfoliation so needs ingredients which help soothe skin for which we have the rose. I mixed it with milk for usage and loved how it worked on my combination skin. Best results when used twice a week.
INGREDIENTS: Rose petal, lotus petal, semolina, rice flour, aloe vera powder and beetroot extract.
PRICE: Rs. 570 for 100gms

ABOUT DEYGA:

A brand where purity meets wisdom. This is proven as all products are handmade, organic and gentle on skin. Each product is carefully chosen by hand, formulated and crafted to suit skin types by craftsmen.

May 10, 2021

What’s a lemon squeezer doing in my vagina? Book review

The author’s memoir of her five year long battle to become a parent is what I’d like to put it as compared to the battle with infertility. “infertility” is actually considered a taboo topic to be discussed? No that would have been few years back. We now live in a period where women come forward to share their experiences as stories of inspiration to many women out there.

The biological clock ticking is often a very commonly heard or discussed term once a woman is married. The very society that helped in applauding her victories, her career progress and her married life suddenly turns all its focus only to look forward to hear that she is pregnant.

Whether the person is closely related to you or a random aunt from either the groom or the distant relative or a neighbour of yours the one question which they do not think of to ask is “have you missed your period or is there a good news?”.

Million Dollar question : aren’t you pregnant or do you have any good news ? ( No career prospects or wealth, they only mean a baby .)

The woman buying a property or moving up the career ladder or even moving out the country is no big thing. Because the only thing they expect after marriage is a child bearing woman. It is saddening to know that quite often people even the close ones be it the parent or the in-laws fail to notice or care about the relationship between the man and wife. All they expect is a kid. Doesn’t matter even if they are not in good terms they need to make a baby.

And if you do not say that you’re expecting in a year or two, you will definitely have to answer this question or plans if any you had to postpone baby making at least a twenty times when you attend events or gatherings. And that also comes with a question of doubt that there might possibly be an issue between the couple in making the baby and often it is the woman who is made the scapegoat.

In this book, Rohini recalls her feelings and her journey that she traveled to become a mother. What Rohini tries to explain is that though there was no medical in-capabilities for both she and her husband something was not clicking right. They decided to get that fixed by visiting a fertility specialist Dr. Leela. Rohini explains in detail about the procedures, the lemon squeezer that she mentioned in the title, the complexities of numerous IUI and its failure making them proceed with an IVF.

Rohini’s anxiousness in becoming a mother, her partner whom she expects to be her wall throughout and needs support and shoulder to lean on make the narration much interesting.

Managing work, the innumerous procedures that the women is supposed to undergo in comparison to the male who only ejects the semen and waits until the baby is delivered to be held is definitely strenuous and mentally too much for a woman to take in.

No matter the part played by the male partner is small, it is their support and shoulder to lean in the women expect in return. Not being able to open up about the procedures, trying to manage the whys, what ifs, why nots of the society and in-laws is something that the married women go through in every household.

Rohini’s mixed feeling of being happy for her sister-in -law’s pregnancy and at the same time pushing her behind in the queue depicts truly what a woman would brim with. The cycles in IUI or IVF making you drain physically, mentally and financially all for one positive result of the two pink lines.

I absolutely loved how honest she was in using the words to bring out what she actually felt in going through this struggle to conceive though she was fit in every aspect.

Rohini’s happiness when her nurse who accompanies her for all procedures being pregnant and there she is still trying to cope with failed IUIs and getting herself ready for IVF shows her strong will.

Rohini echoes her thoughts with thousands of women who experience the same battle of trying to bear a child. Her mothers subtle way of expressing her desire to play with grandchildren or Ranjith who stays by Rohini with her decisions though he doesn’t express much is something that is not cliched.

Her story is an inspiration to many women out there who share the same thought by not being able to be there immediately sends out a strong message that it does take time to get there. The path might be tough with hurdles and failures, but do not give up.
Nowhere I felt any emotion was overboard.

I loved the cover design that covered all aspects of a married woman’s worry like the pill, the clock ticking and the calendar to plan.

Rohini’s book is an inspiration to woman who are trying to conceive and gives them the courage to move on and also talk about the struggle openly.

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

4 Reasons why not to use chemical fertilizers

The lockdown made me think on a lot of aspects. It was also the time that I had delivered and I needed something to keep myself occupied and not get into PPD. That is when I stumbled upon kitchen garden.

Growing up I’ve always enjoyed watching Nigella Lawson use herbs in cooking from her kitchen. The sight of bright green tiny herbs that are brimming with freshness definitely could be felt even if I am watching it over television.

I did set up one in my balcony that had spinach, coriander, mint , chilli and mustard. I also did try and have some microgreens since I recently read about the benefits of consuming them, so I thought why not give it a try. I did and I succeeded. I had good yields but not for long. My plants needed something more.
What was it? Fertilizers. They help in boosting the growth of plants offering necessary nutrients to the soil. That is when I started my web search to understand more about fertilizers.

I also read about the harmful effects of pesticides and fertilizers that are being used to give quicker yields. The health hazards that are waiting to attack once you consume the yield made me think that if this is what we have been consuming all along.

These fertilizers though are being used to boost the growth to meet the rising food demand of the growing population. Though on one hand it is deemed to be a scientific evolution that fertilizers and GMOs can give you tremendous yield. The effects in long run on both the humans and on mother earth is definitely going to be of humungous amounts.

What are the effects on environment?

Poor quality of soil

Using too much of fertilizers can give you yield results in multiples but on the longer run the usage of the same oil will become a bigger question mark. On repeated usage of fertilizers the acid levels in the soil seem to be getting higher upon each yield. Acidic soil does not give any or much yields so in the longer run it would be of no use. So it is paving the way for slow depletion.

CHANGING WATER BODY BIOLOGY
The fertilizers used contain phosphates and nitrates which when combined in the sewers are released into the oceans. This results in increased growth of algae and decrease in oxygen levels. SO therefore we see a lot of destruction in marine life resulting in an imblance in the food chain.

HEALTH OF HUMANS

The nitrates and phosphates also contaminate ground water which the humans consume resulting in various health hazards. Not only ground water but also the vegetables and grains that are yielded with excessive use of fertilizers will lead to human body collapse involving the failure of multiple organs.

CLIMATIC CHANGE IN THE WORLD

The nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide have also contributed on a large scale to the emission of green house gases. The global warming and drastic weather changes are the end result of excessive fertilizer usage. So in order to satisfy the demand now we see to be digging ourselves and the world we live in into bigger problems.

Let’s take a look at using options at home that help make good fertilizers.

BANANA PEELS: Bananas are rich in potassium which make them the main reason for us to consume. The peels are rich in potassium as well. So they make great alternatives to potassium fertilizers. Simply burying them in the soil in a hole beside the plant gives you the needed benefit. This works best for roses. So as it grows you could bury on the layer at the top.

EGG SHELLS: Egg shells are great sources of calcium carbonate or lime as its commonly known. Its main benefit is to reduce the acidity of the soil. Plants do not grow in highly acidic soil. Next time don’t throw away the egg shells. Crush them and use it up.
COFFEE GROUNDS: Some plants like tomato only thrive in acidic soil. The use of coffee grounds is to increase the acidity in the soil. Or alternatively you could also pour in the decoction.

FALLEN LEAVES: Leaves which fall in have some trace minerals and also retain moisture and hold the soil tight. They also attract the earthworms which are known as the farmers friend.

KITCHEN SCRAPS: These include vegetable and fruit peels. You could add them to your compost
They release nutrients in a slow manner but yield good results. This does not require any application of fertilizer even up to a year. The compost also has moisture holding capability which is must needed for plants to make them thrive under the dry summer conditions.

WEEDS: Weeds are unwanted plants that grow alongside in the garden . Though they are deemed unwanted they are rich in nitrogen so its a reason to retain them to extract that benefit. So prepare a weed tea , by soaking the weeds in a bucket and fill up with water. After two weeks when it turns brown you could just use it on your garden.

Using these alternatives as fertilizers are small steps that we could take in order to bring in big changes.Lets hold hands and keep mother earth safe for future generations.

‘This post is part of #CauseAChatter with Blogchatter’.

April 30, 2021

Z’s which help in skincare

The final alphabet, the final post for this season and the last of ingredients from this series of mine.
This was the most difficult alphabet for me to find ingredients, try out the DIYs and then put them out here.

So here they are, the Z’s which help in skincare.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a type of summer squash. This dark green vegetable also is rich in nutrients which help in maintaining good skin.

Zucchini is rich is water content and thereby it helps in maintaining great skin health.

Zucchini is rich in riboflavin which helps in maturing of collagen.

Synthesis of collagen is very essential for good skin health, hence the vitamin C in the squash that is present in abundance helps in collagen synthesis.

Collagen and elastin is very essential for radiant healthy looking skin. The production of latter is boosted by vitamin C which also helps in reducing cellular damage.

Collagen also helps in keeping skin firm and wrinkle free. So the vitamin from zucchini is very much essential.

Zucchini helps deal with summer heat and helps in hydration which is the reason it is known as summer squash.

The lutein in zucchini helps in dealing with inflammation. Thereby when inflammations are reduced, skin tends to be healthy. The damage to the skin from sun is minimized thereby the moisture barrier is left untouched. Which is the main reason to mention that zucchini helps in hydration.

The water content in zucchini is 95%, which makes it great for consumption as well. So in way you are contributing to the hydration through food so it also helps the skin.

The antioxidants help in protecting against free radical damage.

DIYS:

Blend zucchini peels with overnight soaked masoor dal. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Blend two tablespoons of zucchini paste with a teaspoon of oatmeal. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for oily skin.

Blend two tablespoons of zucchini paste with one teaspoon of olive oil and oats powder and a egg yolk.Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for dry skin.

Slice zucchini and place them over the eyes and face. This is for reducing dark circles and also providing natural glow.

ZINC:

Zinc is a very essential mineral to be included for a healthy body and is also great for skincare, especially in fighting against acne.

When we term it essential it means the body cannot prepare or produce zinc and it needs to be included in daily diet.

It’s known as trace mineral because it is needed only in minute quantities on a day to day basis

Zinc helps fight against viruses and bacteria. Zinc also has anti inflammatory properties which help in healing the redness and sensitivity caused by acne.

It could also help in making the scars disappear.

Zinc protects skin from sun damage and is a common ingredient in the topically applied sunscreens.

Zinc works as an antioxidant but not technically. It helps fight against free radical formation and protecting the cells which helps in formation of collagen.

How can you include zinc in diet?

By including below in your daily food

Beans, nuts, whole grains, poultry and dairy products.

On another note, the body finds it easier to absorb zinc from animal based food than plant based because the latter has phytates which inhibits the absorption of zinc. So in that case you could consult a doctor to take a supplement.

As one of the DIY I’m sharing a smoothie that is rich in zinc.

ZINC SMOOTHIE

Blend the below ingredients

Nut milk two cups

One tablespoon of hemp hearts, coconut oil and vanilla essence

Mixed nuts 1/3 cup

One frozen banana

2 dates deseeded

Protein powder two scoops

3 teaspoon cocoa

You could add in stevia in case you do not prefer bitterness.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

April 29, 2021

Y’s which help in skincare

We’re almost at the tail end and yes its the day of the Y. So what could I think of for Y. I did manage to find some that would help you out and I hope all the ingredients mentioned from A-X and the DIYs were useful. Do let me know if you would want me to write about anything in particular.

Let’s get to the topics and take a look at the Y’s which help in skincare.

YOGURT

The always available ingredient in fridge is also the fountain of youth. Its a rich protein source. So protein be it when applied or if consumed helps in repairing skin cells. It makes the skin appear more radiant and youthful.

What protein does to the body when consumed like strengthen ,repair and nourish is what it does when applied topically over the skin.

The lactic acid in yogurt helps in shrinking pores and tightening skin thereby having an effect in reducing the fine lines and wrinkles.

It has great exfoliating properties and guarantees transformation of dry skin to smooth skin.

Rich in vitamin B it makes skin glow and also aids in skin cell growth and regeneration.

The probiotics present in yogurt help in healing inflammation due to sunburns.

The zinc content helps in regulation of oil secretion and keeping breakouts at bay due to which it is best suited for oily skin.

On the whole yogurt is an all round multitasker when it comes to beauty.

DIYS

1.Crush some rose petals and add in rose water. Mix in a teaspoon of yogurt and honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

REDUCE SUNBURN IRRITATION: Mix in few drops of chamomile oil to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

2.PIGMENTATION: Add in few drops of lemon juice to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

3.SLOW DOWN AGEING: Mix in a teaspoon of olive oil to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

4.Mix in a tablespoon of oats to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Let it soak and mash. Apply on to face and do gentle circular motions of scrubbing before washing off.

5 MOISTURIZER: Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa and honey to 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

6, ACNE AND DARK CIRCLE : Dab cotton pad in yogurt and apply on to affected area for acne. Similarly apply under the eyes for dark circles.

IRRITATED SKIN: Mix in a tablespoon of honey and aloe vera gel to 1/4 cup of yogurt. Apply on the specific area and wash off in cold water post 15 minutes.

OILY SKIN: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of honey and turmeric powder to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to skin and wash off after 15 minutes.

EYEBAGS AND DARK CIRCLE: Blend half a cucumber with half a cup of yogurt. Apply under the eyes and wash off after 15 minutes.

YOLK:

The egg yolks are rich in fatty acids which help in providing necessary hydration for the skin and helps in moisture lock.

The yolk is best suited ingredient for dry and dull skin.

Hydration, nourishment and moisturisation is what the egg yolk helps in providing the skin.

DIYs:

Mix in half a mashed avocado an egg yolk and a teaspoon of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for skin glow.

Mix in a teaspoon of honey, almond oil to an egg yolk. Whisk it until it froths. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes. This is for acne.

Mash one ripe banana. Add in a teaspoon of olive oil and an egg yolk. Mix well and apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Supple skin: Mix in an egg yolk, few drops of rose water, one tablespoon of honey and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Please be very careful to not get the yolk into the eyes, nostrils, ears and mouth to avoid salmonella infection.

YELLOW BELL PEPPER:

This beautiful vegetable in itself is a wonder ingredient for youthful skin. Yes it is, but not by applying it on skin. But by consuming the vegetable in itself it weaves a magic to keep skin looking younger and youthful.

Collagen from vitamin C present in yellow bell peppers helps in keeping the skin firm and guards the cells from getting damaged. Bell peppers help in skin protection from free radical damage.

Antioxidants and the phytochemicals which are present in abundance help in making the skin appear youthful.

The antioxidants helps in reversing the signs of ageing. Making skin appear firmer and youthful by fighting against sun and free radical damage which involves no formation of fine lines or wrinkles.

Carrot and bell pepper combination is said to even out blemishes and improve skin tone.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

April 28, 2021April 28, 2021

X’s which help in skincare

Today we talk about X’s which help in skincare. I chose to write about the two main processes which help in keeping skin clear and healthy. Of course , yes I’d also include ingredients at home that can be used in these processes.

DETOX

In the fast paced world we expose skin to dirt, pollution, makeup and chemical exposure. This in a way is a reason for clogged pores. We usually mention the term “DETOX” only for the body, but it’s time that the skin also needs to be included. Because the skin is your largest organ and needs to have a detox as well.

The skin helps protect against infection, excess water loss, production of vitamin D and helping in regulating the temperature of the body.

Swelling, itching, breakouts and redness are results of skin erupting because of not doing a detox. But on the other hand if detox is being done religiously and on a regular basis, you could reverse the adverse effects and in fact help in boosting skin health.

FACTORS:

STRESS: Stress often brings out its effects in the form of acne and inflammation.

SUGAR: If in take of sugar is more, it could result in breakouts and pimples.

LIFESTYLE: improper sleep cycle, inadequate hydration , drinking and smoking also have adverse effects on skin.

SIGNS THAT YOU BADLY NEED A DETOX:

Dry and dull skin.
Patches and blemishes
Wrinkles and sagging
Oily skin
Sensitive and dry skin

WAYS TO DETOX:

WORKOUT: Exercising indirectly contributes to skin detox. When you exercise you sweat it out and that helps in flushing out toxins.

FACIAL OR SPA: Taking up a facial at home or at a parlour or going for a spa actually helps in skin detox.

HYDRATE SKIN INSIDE OUT:
Hydration from inside involves drinking adequate water.
Hydration from outside is applying moisturizer or a serum that suits your skin type. Make sure to do it twice.
Also when you use a serum it not only helps in hydrating the skin but in a way it also helps in better absorption of other skincare products.

CLEANSING:
Cleansing is a great way to remove off dirt and make up form skin. Ensure to do a double cleansing and make it part of your daily skincare routine.

TONER:
Toners help in eliminate any residue oil from the cleanser, It prepares the skin for the products that follow. It helps in maintaining the pH of the skin. Also helps to shrink the pores.

EXFOLIATION:
Exfoliation is done to remove the dead skin cells and dirt. This is one of the secrets to glowing skin.

MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Give up on alcohol and smoking. Smoking causes the fastening of the ageing process.
Alcohol promotes dehydration . So both are a no-no if you want clear skin.

CUTTING DOWN ON SUGAR:

Sugar consumption in excess is one of the major reasons for breakouts and acne. Cutting down on sugar helps in a great way to maintain good skin. Fruits and dark chocolates would be great alternates for your sugar craving.

STEAM:

Going in for a hot steam helps to open pores and release the dirt and other residue.

BALANCED DIET: Eat a well balanced diet that include more of fruits and vegetables. Limit intake of carbohydrates, sugar loaded food and fried food.

PROPER SLEEP CYCLE:

Skin needs its repair time just like the body. Dark circles would first pop out indicating that the skin doesn’t have enough repair time and needs a detox badly.

DETOX BATHS:

You could also go in for detox baths like adding epsom salt, ACV, sea salt or coffee grounds to warm bath water and enjoy a relaxed bath.

SWITCH FROM CAFFEINE : Make a switch to eliminate caffeine and to include green tea. You will start noticing wonders.

DETOX DRINKS:

VITAMIN C: Squeeze in some lemon juice in two liters of water. Add in some pineapple, kiwi amnd let it infuse. Drink it the whole of the day.

ACV water: Mix two tablespoons of water to 2 liters of water. Not more than two tablespoons of ACV a day , keep that in mind.

TURMERIC WATER: Add 3-5 fresh turmeric slices in two cups of water and boil. Add some honey before drinking if needed.

EXFOLIATION:

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the external skin. It helps in brightening the skin by removing the dirt, boosting blood circulation and improving the appearance of the skin.

Types of exfoliation

MECHANICAL: Mechanical exfoliation involves removing the dead skin cells using a scrub, brush or a sponge.

CHEMICAL : This involves using acids like AHAs and BHAs.

More details on exfoliation here.

DIY Scrubs:

Blend a cup of strawberries, two drops of ACV, half a cup of yogurt and half a cup of almond powder. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix in half a teaspoon of lemon juice and water. Add one tablespoon of salt. Apply on to face and gently scrub and wash off.
Blend one kiwi, two tablespoons of brown sugar and add in a teaspoon of olive oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix three tablespoons of coffee grounds to a cup of yogurt. Add in some honey and apply on to face. Gently scrub and wash off after 15 minutes.
Mix in two teaspoons of tomato pulp, yogurt and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021

W’s which help in skincare

We’re almost at the final leg. Today’s post is on W. The same time last year, I went into labour last year as I was typing my post for W. Brings back nostalgic memories.

Today lets look at the ingredients in W that help maintaining great skin. For a bonus I’m also giving you all winter skincare DIYs from ingredients at home. Thank me later.

WATERMELON

High water content in watermelon can help in hydrating skin from within and make it smooth and supple. It’s a boon for people with dry and flaky skin.

Watermelon is a natural toner that can help in shrinking of body tissues.

The presence of antioxidants like lycopene , vitamin A and C help in fighting against free radical damage. Hence watermelon has great benefits for anti ageing.

Watermelon also encourages boosting production of collagen and elastin which help in making skin look young and firm.

Vitamin A in watermelon helps in shrinking pore size thereby reducing the oil storing capabilities. Hence this results in reduction of acne.

The lycopene and beta carotene help in protecting against sunburns.

DIYS:

ACNE PRONE SKIN: Mix a tablespoon of watermelon juice to one mashed banana. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

OILY SKIN:Blend half a cup of watermelon with a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

DRY SKIN:
Blend a teaspoon of yogurt with 4-5 slices of watermelon. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

ANTI AGEING:
Mix in a tablespoon of watermelon juice to half a mashed avocado. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BRIGHTENING PACK: Blend two tablespoons of curd with 4-5 slices of watermelon. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

GLOW MASK: Mix in a tablespoon of watermelon juice and raw milk. Dab a cotton pad in this mixture and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.

WATER

Adequate amount of water consumption is essential to maintain well hydrated healthy skin.

Only if enough water is consumed the essential nutrients get circulated around the body.

It will also help in improving skin elasticity and make it supple so you do not age prematurely.

Water helps in flushing out toxins and keep skin clear from any infection.Helps in keeping acne and breakouts at bay.

Drinking enough water helps in tightening the skin and therefore makes skin look more firm.

Water helps in maintaining the natural pH of the skin.

Water helps in reducing dehydration therefore makes eyes look sparkly and also reduce the puffiness around the eyes.

Intake of adequate water helps in maintaining healthy gut and thereby aids good digestion.

HOW TO INCLUDE WATER?

LEMON:You could squeeze in lemon juice on your salads or even infuse lemon in drinking water.

GINGER: Adding ginger to tea concoction can aid in digestion and reducing inflammation.

CINNAMON: Infuse cinnamon sticks in water. Helps cut down on sugar craving and also regulate blood sugar levels.

HONEY OR ACV: Adding few drops of honey or ACV will help in clearing out acne.

MINT: Mint aids digestion and is great for detox. Infuse few mint leaves in water overnight for a refreshing day ahead.

What kind of water for skin? It is always best to use lukewarm water on skin.

WINTER SKIN DIYS

Winter is known to be harsh over the skin. And if you already have dry skin then winter is definitely a season that you don’t wish for.

DIYs

MILK AND ALMOND: Mix in 3 teaspoon of almond powder to two tablespoons of milk. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

YOGURT AND HONEY: Mix in a tablespoon of honey to half a cup of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 10 minutes.

COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil is a great moisturizer. Apply a light layer to see smooth skin.

STRAWBERRY: Blend 2-4 strawberries with two teaspoon of fresh cream and a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BANANA AND MILK: Add in a tablespoon of milk to mashed banana. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

ALOE VERA AND SESAME OIL: Mix in a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to a teaspoon of sesame oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 10 minutes.

CARROT AND HONEY: Mix in a tablespoon of honey to one pureed carrot. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

April 26, 2021

V’s which help in skincare

I’ve already written a lot about ingredients be it spice, fruits or even condiments. So for V I decided to write about two of my favourite vegetables that help in maintaining good skin. Given that I’ve already stated benefits of tomato and cucumber let’s see what potato and carrot give us. There is also one surprise ingredient for which you will have to read till the end.

POTATO

Potatoes help in brightening and even out the skin. The catacholase enzyme in potato help in lightening the skin.

The above said is the very reason that potatoes help in reducing dark circles.

Potatoes also are beneficial to provide anti ageing effects.

Potatoes help in reducing inflammation.

Potatoes help fight against free radical damage.

Potato when made as juice is a hydrating ingredient for skincare and is best when used by people who have dry skin.

DIYS:

BRIGHTENING: Take two teaspoons of potato juice and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

BUGBITE: Take a slice of potato and apply on affected area. After 3-5 minutes remove the slice. Repeat if needed. This would help in lessening itching.

REDUCE PUFFY EYES: Refrigerate potato slices. Apply on the eyes and take off after 10-15 minutes.

FOR ACNE: Mix a tablespoon of potato pulp, tomato pulp and honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

FOR PIGMENTATION: Mix in a teaspoon of potato juice, rice flour, honey and lemon juice. Apply on to face and leave to dry. Gently scrub and wash off.

ANTI AGEING: 1. Blend one potato and two strawberries along with half a teaspoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off in 15 minutes.
Mix 2/3 grated potato with yogurt. Adjust consistency and apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

SKIN TIGHTENING: Mix one eggs white with juice of half a potato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

REDUCE SPOTS: Mix one tablespoon of multani mitti to two tablespoons of potato juice. Adjust consistency and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.

CARROT

Carrots prove greatly beneficial to skin health. Vitamin C and beta carotene are the best of anti oxidants that can fight ageing skin.

Vitamin C helps protect against free radical damage. Beta carotene helps fight against harmful UV radiation.

Carrots are great for flushing out toxins from body when consumed. Carrots also have abundance of Vitamin A which help in flushing the free radicals.

Beta carotene in carrots also helps in healing scars and blemishes.

Including carrots in diet can help form a protective barrier against harmful UV rays and also help in hydrating dry skin.

Vitamin A in carrots is responsible for firmer and healthy skin. The beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body.

The vitamin A that carrot offers helps in dealing with oily skin from inside out.

DIYS:

EXFOLIATION: Mix in equal quantities of carrot juice, egg white and yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

MOISTURE PACK: Mix in a teaspoon of milk cream, honey to two teaspoons of grated carrot and few drops of olive oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

FACE MIST: Mix in some orange juice to rose water which is the base. Fill in to spray bottle and use when you need to refresh skin.

OILY SKIN: Mix in a cup of orange juice and a tablespoon of curd, besan and lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 30 minutes.

DRY SKIN: Mix two tablespoons of grated carrot to a teaspoon of honey and milk. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Mix equal parts of carrot juice to aloe vera gel. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

VODKA

This was the secret ingredient I was talking about. Vodka is generally prepared from potatoes, cereals and grapes upon fermentation. Contains 40% methanol and preferred more by women in social gatherings.

WHY VODKA?

Vodka is a great anti ageing serum that helps in skin tightening and reduces wrinkles.

Vodka works as an anti septic. Helps in reducing the acne spots and also reduce dark circles.

Vodka helps in reducing pores due to its astringent properties.

Vodka is a great ingredient to remove odour from feet.

Vodka makes it easy to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Vodka as a cleansing agent is great for removing makeup.

DIYS

TONER: Mix in two to three teaspoons of vodka to two cups of water. Add lavendar or orange essential oil if needed two to three drops. Transfer to spray bottle.

CLEAR SKIN: Add in a teaspoon of vodka to freshly brewed green tea one cup. Apply this solution with a cotton pad and leave in for 5-10 minutes. Wash off.

MAKEUP REMOVER: Mix in a teaspoon of vodka to two teaspoons of water. Dab a cotton pad in this solution and apply on face. Wash off.

SMOOTH SHAVE: Immersing your razor in vodka helps to keep it rust free and keeps skin smooth after shave.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021

U which helps in skincare

Almost all of us dream of flawless,clear and healthy skin. Taking care of skin in best possible manner is what we need to do to achieve. You needn’t shell out extra money from your expenses for it.

Knowing which ingredients works how is of utmost importance. Also you need to check if the ingredient suits your skin. Just because there is a home remedy available you cannot go try everything on your skin.

Your skin is not a laboratory to conduct experiments. Make sure you do patch tests before applying anything over the face.

Let’s take a look at the U ingredients.

Urad dhall

The humble urad dhall not only helps in making fluffy idlis or crispy vadais, it also has benefits for skin.

Urad dhall helps in exfoliation. Helps to remove dirt, impurities and dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin.

The naturally present antiseptic properties helps urad dhall to fight against acne causing bacteria. It helps in controlling excess oil secretion and thereby reduces acne occurrence.

The nutrients help maintaining your skin. It is also a natural bleaching agent that upon continuous usage will yield radiant skin.

Urad dhall has cooling properties that helps in healing sunburn. It also helps in DETAN.

Urad dhall helps in skin regeneration and is a good ingredient for youthful skin. The anti ageing properties present in urad dhall helps in reducing age spots and fine lines.

DIYs

To reduce age spots and fine lines : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall and mix in 1/2 rice flour and some lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Glow pack : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall and 6-7 soaked almonds. Apply the paste on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Exfoliate : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall . Add in two teaspoons each of milk and ghee. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Remove tan : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall . Add in two teaspoons of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

For acne prone skin : Grind 1/4 cup overnight soaked urad dhall. Mix in two teaspoons of rose water and almond oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Ubtan for skin

An ancient skincare secret passed down generations and is now being incorporated by skincare brands to their products.

Each family has their own secret recipe. The ubtan is an ancient Ayurvedic mixture of ingredients that help the skin heal, exfoliate, detox and stay clear.

Benefits

Ubtan helps in bringing out the natural glow of skin from within.

It discourages growth of facial hair and ingrown hair.

Ubtan gives you youthful skin. It makes you look younger thanks to the presence of turmeric in ubtan which helps fight signs of ageing.

Ubtan helps in cleansing the skin deeply.

How to use

Oily skin : mix the powder with lemon juice and curd. This helps in controlling excess oil secretion.

Dry skin : mix the powder with milk to cream. This helps in moisturizing and hydrating the skin.

Ubtan recipes

Face: Mix one tablespoon each of sandal powder oats, half a tablespoon of fennel powder neem powder, three tablespoon of besan , a pinch of TURMERIC. Add overnight soaked and peeled grounded almond. Use rose water to make paste for oily skin and milk or cream for dry skin.

Body : mix in overnight soaked and peeled grounded almond powder to a teaspoon of neem powder , half a teaspoon of fennel powder, a cup of besan and half a cup of oats and a pinch of TURMERIC.

Ubtan is easy to make at home and ingredient are readily available doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. You could add more or reduce ingredients as per your convenience.

This post is written as part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.