scrubs – That Madras Mom

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 8, 2021

G’s which help in skincare

Let’s take a look at the G’s which help in getting you wonderful skin.

Green gram

An age old ingredient that has been passed down generations for maintaining good skin. Being used as the green gram or moong this little ingredient definitely guarantees flawless radiant skin when used on regular basis.
Enriched with vitamin C and A this ingredient can give your skin natural glow.

SKIN HYDRATION: Green gram helps in boosting hydration in dry skin. The cell rejuvenating enzymes and vitamins present in green gram help in moisture lock.

DIY:
Soak 2 teaspoons of green gram in 3 teaspoons of raw milk overnight.
Grind them to a fine paste in the morning and apply on face and neck.
Wash off after 20 minutes.
Can be used weekly thrice.

REMOVAL OF FACIAL HAIR
No more threading or shaving . This pack sure does reduce fine facial hair growth and guarantees result.

DIY: Soak 4 teaspoons of moong overnight. Grind I 2 teaspoons in the morning with 2 teaspoons sandalwood powder and 2 teaspoons orange peel powder. You could add milk to adjust consistency.
Apply on face and gently scrub in circular motion.

REDUCING SUN TAN EFFECT
Green moong helps in healing sun tan and restoring skin to its original form.

DIY:
Soak 4 teaspoon of moong overnight. Grind to a paste and mix in yogurt. Apply on face and neck. Wash off after 15 minutes.

PREVENT ACNE:
Popping out pimples or taking ITC medication is not going to reduce occurrence of pimples.

DIY:
Soak 4 teaspoons of moong overnight. Grind to a paste, add two teaspoon of ghee and massage skin. Wash off after massage. When using this pack on regular basis you could see visibly acne free skin.

SKIN BRIGHTENING:
Green moong is an excellent ingredient for exfoliation. Regular exfoliation when properly done does give you radiant glowing skin. The dead cells and dirt when taken out during exfoliation make skin glow from within.

DIY:
Soak two teaspoons of moong overnight. Grind to a paste and add 1-2 two drops of almond oil and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this pack on face and wash off after 15 minutes. Repeat twice a week.

BATH POWDER/FACE WASH:
Dry green moong powder can be used daily on a regular basis. You could mix it with turmeric or besan and use it as cleanser or a face wash.

Green tea

Widely wanted drink next to water on this planet. Starting your mornings with this wonder drink has innumerable health benefits to offer. But if you have not applied this ingredient topically your skincare routine needs to be revisited.

Green tea when consumed has a lot of health benefits and also helps flush out toxins thereby aiding clear skin. But this wonder ingredient has now found its way into almost all skincare product range by almost every brand.

Right from a face wash, moisturizer, toner, face mask,scrub and sleeping mask ; you name it and green tea is surely listed as one of the ingredients.

Why green tea?

Fights against premature ageing : The antioxidants present in green tea helps in rejuvenate skin cells. Green tea combats signs of ageing and helps make skin look healthier by repairing them and protecting them. Vitamin B2 in green tea helps boost collagen production thus makes skin look more firm.

Reduce irritation: Polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing swelling or redness. For dermatitis and psoriasis green tea can help in soothing and reducing the itch feel.

Moisturize skin: Vitamin E in green tea helps in nourishment of the skin cells. On continuous application you can visibly notice reduced roughness and enough hydration in skin.

Protects against skin cancer: The antioxidants present in green tea help fight against free radical . Free radicals could be harmful to the body and green tea helps in repairing the DNA due to damage caused by exposure to harmful UV rays.

Helps in acne treatment: The polyphenols have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which help in treating acne breakouts effectively.
The polyphenols also help in regulating the production of sebum which are main cause of acne.
Green tea also helps fight against bacteria which cause acne.

Helps maintain skin pH: Some blends of green tea have natural oils which help nourish the skin and maintain their pH.

Helps tone the skin:
The astringent nature of green tea helps in shrinking the pores making it free from grease and dirt. Hence skin transforms having even tone.

Remedy for chapped lips: Green tea has excellent hydration properties which make it a great option to treat chapped lips. Use a brewed green tea bag over chapped lips. Remember not to scrub the lips.

Reduce puffiness and dark circles:The presence of tannin and antioxidants in green tea help shrink blood vessels under the eyes and hence make the skin tone lighter and reduce puffiness of the eyes. Regular usage will lighten the dark circles.

DIYs

For natural glow and moisture: Brew 1 tablespoon of green tea in water and mix honey(1 tbsp). Apply this onto face and let this sit for about 20 minutes. Wash off in cold water. Repeat twice a week.

For soft and supple skin: Mix two egg yolks, a tablespoon of oats, 3 green tea bag contents, one spoon sugar and half a spoon honey. Apply onto face and wash off after 20 minutes in cold water. Repeat once a week.

For oily skin: Mix content of one green tea bag, a teaspoon of rice flour, half a teaspoon honey and drops of lemon juice. Apply onto face and wash off after 15 minutes. Repeat once a week.

For sensitive skin:Mix content of one green tea bag, a teaspoon of yogurt and honey and few drops of lemon juice. Apply onto face and wash off after 15 minutes. Can be applied daily.

For oily skin: Mix half mashed banana, one teaspoon of yogurt and honey and content of one green tea bag. Apply on to face and wash off after 5 minutes post massaging.

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

October 13, 2020October 20, 2020

Skin exfoliation – How to and how not to. #myfriendalexa

What is exfoliation ?

Our skin sheds dead skin cells on a periodic basis, removal of the dead skin cells from the topmost layer is called exfoliation. This removal is done by using granular products or chemicals. Each one of these has its own effects.

Benefits of exfoliation

Exfoliating the skin by removing the dead skin cells results in clearer and brighter skin. Skin exfoliation helps to unclog pores and remove the dry flaky skin that is caused when skin doesn’t shed completely. There is no use of applying skincare products on skin that is not exfoliated. Only when the dead cells are removed, it paves way for good absorption of skincare products.

Breakouts can be minimised when you do not have any clogged pores due to regular exfoliation.

Reduction of fine lines, sagging are what we want to keep skin healthy and for anti-ageing. Collagen is the key for the spotless and younger looking healthy skin. This protein helps in skin elasticity. If you need glowing skin, collagen is the secret ingredient behind it. Long term exfoliation, helps in increasing collagen production the natural way.

How often to exfoliate ?

If you are person with normal skin, you should do this thrice a week.

But if you have acne-prone skin, it is best to do it everyday. This should be done before using your cleanser since that will not completely remove the accumulation.

If you have sensitive skin, stick to exfoliating once a week.

When to exfoliate?

The ideal time would be morning, since at nights the skin goes to the repair and rejuvenate mode. This can soak up all the benefits. Make sure to use a good moisturizer post exfoliation.

Types of exfoliator

Manual exfoliators which can be the scrubs available OTC or DIYs at home. They can be abrasive so you must be careful while choosing them.

Chemical exfoliators are those with AHAs, BHAs and salicylic acid. They’re chemicals with acid which react with skin to remove the dead skin accumulation. They give you a uniform exfoliated look compared to the manual one’s.

Don’ts of exfoliation

1. Exfoliate very often if you have normal skin. Twice or thrice a week should be fine.

2. Exfoliate broken or irritated skin. Especially if you have shaved or waxed.

3. Use random exfoliators that you get.

4. Rub the skin or use rough motions to exfoliate.

5. Use body scrubs for face. They are harsher and apt only for body. The facial skin is delicate and requires specific product.

Do’s of exfoliation

1. Pick the right exfoliator that suits your skin.

2. Apply moisturizer generously post exfoliation.

3. Exfoliate in the morning and stick to the time. Not alternating day and night.

4. Invest in a good gentle scrub if you place to do it daily.

5. Wash off with cold water and pat dry.

DIY scrubs at home

Salt scrub – One tbsp of salt, half a tbsp of almond, coconut or sesame oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Sugar scrub – One tbsp of salt, half a tbsp of almond, coconut or sesame oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Oatmeal scrub – Two tbsp of oats, two tbsp of sugar, one tbsp of oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Coffee scrub – Two tbsp of coffee powder, two tbsp of sugar, one tbsp of oil and 2 drops of essential oil.

These are readily available ingredients at home that can help you with exfoliation and also ones with which you can alternate. If you find any irritation or redness post exfoliation discontinue using it.

It is widely said that chemical exfoliators are better since they are less abrasive. The acids react with the skin and peel of the dry and flaky skin. But these exfoliators need to sit on the skin for a longer duration for the reaction to happen. However in a physical exfoliator do not rub and perform circular motion for more than three minutes.

I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa

Image source : pixabay.