P’s which help in skincare

P’s which help in skincare

The ultimate fruit that could help make your skin clear as glass. Ever heard of natural blush? That comes from within if you take care of your health. Pomegranate is one such fruit that makes you feel good inside out.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate


The fruit that lifts up your dahi bhallas, papdi chaats and chutneys is also a winder ingredient for skin health. Rich in antioxidants due to presence of vitamin C, pomegranate helps prevent premature ageing.


The arils or the tiny seeds are packed with minerals, antioxidants,fibres, folic acid and vitamin A, B and C. The antioxidant levels in pomegranate is said to be three times to that present in green tea and wine together.


It helps in neutralizing the effect of free radicals in the body. The anti ageing properties helps stimulate the skin cells and help in skin regeneration. This in turn keeps wrinkles , fine lines and sagging skin at bay.


Pomegranate is a vital ingredient to treat dry and rough skin. It shows much improvement when applied on regular basis on dull skin. The high water content also helps keep skin hydrated.
Pomegranate is also known for its anti inflammatory properties and is helpful in curing acne and zits.


The polyphenols in pomegranates help cure oxidative damage like age spots and wrinkles. These are cause by prolonged exposure to sun.


Pomegranates promote collagen and elastin production thereby making skin smooth and soft.



Let alone the fruit the peel has some benefits too. It helps in preventing breakdown of collagen. It helps to lighten pimple scars when applied topically.


It is most beneficial for people with oily skin and for those who have congested skin.

DIYS



TO HYDRATE SKIN: Blend three tablespoon of pomegranate seeds with a cup of oatmeal cooked, two tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.


Pomegranate juice can be a great ingredient to prepare face masks and scrubs. Its hydrating property works wonder on skin.



TONER: Mix in a tablespoon of pomegranate juice to 1/3 tablespoon of diluted ACV as toner.



EXFOLIATION: Grind pomegranate seeds to fine powder. Add rose water to adjust consistency. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.



COMBINATION SKIN: Grind a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds and mix with one tablespoon of rice flour and olive oil. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.


DRY AND DULL SKIN: Mix a tablespoon of pomegranate peel powder to a tablespoon of besan and milk cream. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.



Mix a tablespoon of pomegranate peel powder to a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and rose water. Apply on to face and wash off with water.



BLEMISH FREE SKIN: Grind a tablespoon of pomegranate pearls and add in a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.



Grind a tablespoon of pomegranate pearls and add in a tablespoon of yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

POPPY SEEDS OR KHUS KHUS


Rich in antioxidants, poppy seeds is a powerhouse of essential skin nutrients that help in maintaining good skin.


Linoleic acid is present in abundance in poppy seeds which help in curing eczema and acne .It helps reduce skin itching, redness and inflammation.


Poppy seeds aid as good moisturizer when used the right way. It helps keep skin supple by providing necessary hydration.


Poppy seeds are rich in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids which make it beneficial for skin.

DIYS:



MOISTURIZED SKIN:
Grind soaked poppy seeds with milk and apply the paste on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.


EXFOLIATION:
Grind soaked poppy seeds with yogurt. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.



RELIEF FROM INFLAMMATION AND :
Grind soaked poppy seeds with lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Papaya

Papaya

One other fruit that aids good skincare is papaya. The bright yellow flesh has numerous benefits that make it one of the most sought ingredients in skincare.



High presence of antioxidants and vitamin C can definitely do wonders to your skin in terms of delaying premature ageing. It helps removing dead skin cells and regenerate skin .



Helps in providing moisture to dry and dull skin.


Papain in papaya helps remove tan in combination with presence of vitamin A and C.


Papaya benefits in fighting against acne and also prevent dark circles.
It helps in reducing inflammation due to presence of anti inflammation properties.

DIYs:



OILY SKIN:Blend few pieces of papaya, two to three orange pieces and a tablespoon of aloevera gel. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.


DRY SKIN : Blend few pieces of papaya with milk.Add in a tablespoon of honey. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.


PORE REDUCTION: Beat one egg white until its fluffy. Add in mashed papaya and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.


TAN REMOVAL: Mix two tablespoons of mashed papaya to pulp of one tomato. Apply this on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

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

J’s which help in skincare

J’s which help in skincare


Essential oils are great to use for skincare. But you need to know how to use them. They cannot be used directly but can be used in combination with carrier oils. Right from curing ailments , relaxing your mind to healing skin issues essential oils have varied benefits.



Now lets see how we could used jojoba oil and its benefits for skin.

JOJOBA OIL

Jojoba oil



Jojoba oil was long ago used by native Americans for its cosmetic and healing properties. They ground the seed with pestle to use the buttery residue that has many benefits.



Jojoba oil is a humectant. It helps to seal moisture and also act as a barrier preventing bacterial infection and acne.



Jojoba oil is rich in antioxidants and contains vitamin E. The antioxidants help protect against pollution effects on skin. Since antioxidants also help in collagen production it helps skin look younger and firm.



Jojoba oil is said to be noncomedogenic. Its similar to sebum secretion in skin.When applied on skin, it helps in less building up of sebum and thereby does not clog pores which eventually is the primary reason for acne or breakouts. This is because when applied the body is signaled that there is similar substance already present and does not need anything in addition to be secreted.



Jojoba oil is a hypoallergenic and does not cause an allergy when used on skin. It is easily absorbed because of its waxy texture.



Jojoba oil is a good ingredient to be used as cleanser. Soaps or face wash could be avoided and the oil can be used to remove dirt and impurities. Its an excellent makeup remover and makes it easier to remove it with ease.



Jojoba oil is a common ingredient in many sunscreen due to its healing abilities. It helps heal sunburns.


Jojoba oil helps in healing because of its anti inflammatory properties. Skin issues like dry skin, eczema, psoriasis ,acne and scarring can be healed. Topical application over skin can help in relieving itching, dryness and flaking.



Because of its oily consistency and texture it is suitable for treating dry and chapped lips.



USES:

  • Jojoba oil can be mixed with peppermint oil to ease pain.
  • Jojoba oil can be mixed with eucalyptus oil for stress relief.
  • Jojoba oil can be used to massage dry lips. This can be followed by using your regular lip balm. Visible difference on continuous usage.
  • Massage jojoba oil on skin around nails to moisturize the cuticles and to prevent infections in nails.
  • On prolonged usage it helps in lash growth.

DIYS


LIP SCRUB: Mix 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoon jojoba oil, few drops of peppermint oil, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of honey to make your own lip scrub. Store in an airtight glass jar.


FACE MASK: Blend 1/2 cup oats to powder, mix in 1.5 tablespoons of coconut oil, honey and greek yogurt to it. Mix in few drops of jojoba oil and vitamin E oil. Oats helps in exfoliation and jojoba oil helps in moisturizing.


BODY SCRUB: Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with one teaspoon each of jojoba and sweet almond oil. Mix in one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of lemon juice for your very own body scrub.

JUICES :

Juices


Juices are perfect to be taken in for glowing skin. After all a healthy body shows in the glowing skin. So your skin condition also depends on what you consume in.


Let me list down some juices that also guarantee glowing skin.

  • Beetroot juice: Beetroot is best to cure blemishes and dark spots. It also helps in purifying blood. Best time to consume would be in between meals.
  • Carrot juice:Helps ward off sun damage, acne and pigmentation. It also helps even out skin tone. Best time to consume would be early morning.
  • Tomato juice: Rich in antioxidants helps achieve younger looking skin. Also helps reduce dis-colouration and large pores. Best time to consume would be early morning.
  • Spinach juice: Helps lightening the tone and enhancing complexion. Best to be consumed as a meal replacement.
  • Orange juice: Prevents skin from getting dry and flaked. Boosts collagen and reduce premature ageing. Best time to consume is early morning or before meals.
  • Lemon juice: Cleanse the body and flush out toxins. Best time to consume is early morning with honey.
  • Aloe vera juice: Helps in skin healing and maintain natural glow. Best time to consume is early morning before meal.
  • Gooseberry or amla juice: Boost collagen production and delays ageing thereby reducing wrinkles , fine lines and dark spots. Best time to consume would be early morning or before meals.
  • Cucumber juice: Helps keep skin nourished and hydrated. Also helps in flushing out toxins. Best time to consume would be early morning in empty stomach.
  • Sweet lime juice: Helps purify blood and heals dry skin. Best time to be consumed is early in the morning.
  • Pomegranate juice: Slows down ageing, purifies blood, keeps skin hydrated and renews skin cells. Best time to consume is early in the morning.
  • Apple juice: Helps keep skin firm by boosting collagen and has antioxidants which delay signs of ageing. Best time to consume is early morning in empty stomach

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

D’s which help in skincare

D is for dates. Lets start with this little brown powerhouse of nutrients and what it has to offer for skincare. These brown treasures are beauty balms of skin illumination.

Dates is an excellent source of vitamin C and D which helps in maintaining the elasticity of skin. It also helps in keeping skin buttery smooth. Dates play a major part in being one of the main foods which have anti ageing properties and also helps in reducing melanin supply.

Packed with vitamin B5, the highly nutritious dates also helps deal skin frustrations. B5 also known as pantothenic acid is a water soluble vitamin that finds its place in most lotions and creams. This helps in healing the skin.

Dates help in treating skin allergies that occur in the form of breakouts.

Tannin in dates helps in cell damage and reduces inflammation since it is rich in antioxidants.

Softer and smoother skin is definitely guaranteed since its rich in nutrients which strengthen the skin tissues from within resulting in smoother skin.

The vitamin A helps reduce black heads and dark spots and help you in getting healthier skin.

Dates in paste form when applied on skin is a natural moisturizer.

Daily in take of dates can help treat dry lips. Try taking date with milk post dinner to see the difference.

Dates mixed with lemon and orange juice can help heal insect bites and itching caused by it.

DATE FACIAL MASK

FOR RADIANT SKIN:
5-6 dates
One cup of boiled milk
One tablespoon each of semolina and honey.


Blend dates( soaked in milk for an hour)( and milk initially followed by honey and semolina.
Apply the grainy textures paste over face and neck, leave for about 30 minutes. Wash off to discover buttery smooth glowing skin. Repeat this once a week to see visible difference in skin.

FOR FIRM SKIN

5-6 dates
Half a cup of boiled milk
One tablespoon of oats
One tablespoon of honey

Blend dates(soaked in milk ) with milk, oats and honey.
Apply on to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off to discover firm hydrated skin.

Drumstick leaves (moringa)

Drumstick leaves or moringa as it’s commonly known is definitely one of the hidden gems that nature had to offer for skincare. It recently gained more limelight as a magical ingredient for almost certain number of ailments including being beneficial for good looking skin.

Moringa is enriched with vitamin A which is responsible for building up collagen which forms the major part of your skin. Vitamin C which helps fight signs of ageing and vitamin E which is anti inflammatory.



LIP CARE

Moringa is known to have moisturizing properties which is why it could be found as an ingredient in lip balms and cream. Makes lips soft and supple.



ANTI AGEING
The vitamin C present in moringa helps fight signs of ageing. The antioxidants help fight against free radical damage which play a major role in wrinkle formation. The cytokinins present help in increasing cellular growth and prevent cell destruction. It is beneficial in both the powder and oil form. So with moringa you could wave goodbye to dull sagging skin and say hello to firm and healthy skin.



REDUCE DARK SPOT AND PREVENT ACNE
Moringa powder when taken helps in purifying blood and flush out toxins from the body.Toxin buildup is one of the major reasons for breakouts and acne. Flushing them out helps prevent acne.



REDUCE OPEN PORES

Moringa helps in firming up the skin by boosting collagen production, hence also helps in reducing open pores in the skin.

DIYS



For problematic skin
A tablespoon of moringa, honey, rose water and lemon juice.
Adjust consistency and apply on to face.
Wash off after ten minutes.



MORINGA WITH AVOCADO for refreshed skin
One tablespoon of moringa powder, honey and lemon juice to be mixed with 1/2 mashed avocado

Adjust consistency , apply and leave on for about 10-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.



BLEMISH REMOVER MORINGA PACK
One tablespoon of moringa powder and honey mixed with one teaspoon of lemon juice.

Mix all these with 1/2 mashed banana. Apply this paste on to the blemishes and wash off after 20 minutes.
Repeat to see best results.

MORINGA BODY SCRUB
Mix one cup rolled oats(powdered into flour) with 2 tablespoon of moringa powder, one cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of coconut oil.
This exfoliating scrub gives best results for both face and body. It has a shelf life of about a month.


Moringa has become a superfood in addition to being applied externally over the skin. With its re-entry into the skincare industry matcha and turmeric have taken a back seat.

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

B’s which help in skincare #blogchatterA2Z


Let’s take a look at the B’s which help in skincare today.

BEESWAX:


Prominent ingredient in lip balms but did you know that this ingredient has innumerable benefits to skin as well. One of the best ingredients that people with dry skin would be thankful for, since it helps soothe dry skin.


A humectant in itself which means that it helps retain the skin’s moisture. Which is why beeswax is a prominent ingredient in moisture lock skincare products like lotions and body butters.


Unlike petroleum jelly that’s most commonly used, beeswax doesn’t suffocate your skin but still provides the protective barrier and helps seal moisture.


The vitamin A in beeswax helps improve hydration and also regeneration of skin. Which is why now you know that this marvel ingredient is present in many skincare products.


Beeswax also help in attracting water molecules, hence it also aids in your skin getting the extra moisture it needs.


Beeswax has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help keep the skin away from bacterial, fungal infections and also inflammations. As a result the skin is clean and clear of impurities.


Makeup products which contain beeswax stay on your skin for longer duration naturally in place of pore blocking primers which have silicone in them.


Beeswax helps in the thickening of many homemade skincare products. If you are someone who makes your own lotions, lip balms or body butters you know that this magical ingredient helps in blending the other ingredients and maintains consistency of the end product.

Especially if you use ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax helps in keeping the thickness since coconut oil has low melting point.


Since it forms a protective barrier on the skin, it does not let sweat stains on the clothes so makes a great ingredient for homemade deodorant .


HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE DEODORANT
Take equal parts of arrow root, baking soda and mix with coconut oil ,essential oil , beeswax, Mix well so that they blend with each other. Freeze.
If you would want a variant you could also add shea butter to half the quantity of coconut oil.

BANANAS


B is for banana can not only be taught to kids but also for skincare enthusiasts.

The nutrient rich fruit is not only a energy powerhouse for the body but also a powerhouse of magical benefits for the skin.


Anti-ageing– Bananas are known as nature’s botox since they contains antioxidants which help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
DIY: Mash a small banana, one tablespoon of orange juice and a tablespoon of yoghurt. Apply and rinse of after ten minutes in cold water.


Anti-acne – Acne causing bacteria and resultant blemishes would vanish off if you massage with a banana peel since they are loaded with Vitamin A , zinc and manganese.
DIY: Mash with a fork a small ripe banana, half a spoon of baking soda and half a spoon of turmeric. Apply and wash off after ten minutes in cold water.


Oil control: Bananas are boon for people with oily skin. They act as excellent exfoliator to remove the excess oil(sebum) from the skin.

DIY: Mash one ripe banana with a spoon of honey and half a spoon of lemon for an oil control face mask. Wash off after 10 minutes with cold water.


Moisturizer:
Bananas act as good moisturizers to skin, by keeping them well nourished and hydrated. They also add nourishment to dry skin. Vitamin A present helps even out skin texture of flaky skin and nourishes skin by restoring moisture.


Lessen dark spots: Whether its pigmentation or spots post acne, bananas help in lessening the dark spots. Applying mashed banana as a face mask twice a week indeed helps in this aspect.

DIY: Mash a banana with one tablespoon of honey and one table spoon of lemon juice. Apply and rinse after ten minutes with cold water.


RELIEF FROM CRACKED HEELS:
If you’re someone who has cracked feet, a banana foot mask is all you need to get it fixed. Soak foot in warm lemon water for about 2-3 minutes. Mash bananas into paste and apply on to the feet. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes and wash off. The banana pulp gives you a soft supple crack free feet by penetrating into the skin and cracked heels.


RELIEF FROM PUFFED EYES:
The blood vessels under the eyes need to be calmed in order to not puff up the eyes. The nutrients in bananas help in this case. The potassium present in banana also helps in drawing out excess fluid and helps relieve tired eyes. A banana mask made of mashed bananas that’s generously applied helps relieve from puffed eyes. You could alternatively use the peel as well for the same benefits.


BASED ON SKIN TYPE:
OILY: Mash banana with honey and lemon juice. Apply and rinse after ten minutes.
DRY: Mash banana with one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon avocado puree.

BESAN:


Besan or gram flour is an ancestral magic ingredient that has been handed down to generations as the secret to healthy glowing skin. An easily available ingredient in every household has a place in major DIY face packs.


EXFOLIATE SKIN: Besan works great as a scrub for the face and body. Mix besan, oats and corn starch in the ratio 3:2:1 with rose water or milk. Apply and then scrub off to remove excess oil, dead skin and impurities.


DECREASE OILNESS IN SKIN: Besan with raw milk mask helps in cleansing the skin and reducing oiliness.


FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL: Those tiny fine facial hairs are always a concern. No worries when you have besan at home.

DIY: Mix equal quantities of besan and methi powder/ fenugreek powder with water. Apply the paste and wash off when it dries. You will see a gradual decrease in facial hair.



ANTI -ACNE: Besan helps in preventing acne. The zinc present in besan helps fight against acne causing bacteria. The fibre present helps stabilize the sugar levels in our body. The skin experiences breakouts and acne when the sugar levels are not well balanced leading to stressed hormones.
DIY: Mix a spoon each of besan, lemon juice, honey and turmeric powder. Apply on face and neck, wash off after ten minutes.


TAN REMOVAL: Besan is good ingredient to remove tan and impurities from skin. Mix a tablespoon of besan, yoghurt and lemon juice. Apply and rinse after ten minutes. This can be done on a daily basis before taking a bath for better results.



So I hope you will start using these B’s into your skincare regimen. Do let me know your feed-backs.

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