skin problems skincare products

November 25, 2021November 25, 2021

Must know benefits of Arbutin

Arbutin is the newest name that rides the bandwagon of active skincare ingredients. Extracted from plants like pear,blueberry and cranberry , the ingredient is mainly used in skin brightening. Treating blemishes and uneven pigmentation are major benefits of using alpha arbutin.

Dermatologists trust this ingredient much more than other active ingredients to treat blemishes than other active ingredient counterparts.

Termed as one of the safest ingredients to provide skin brightening and helping in fading out scars left by acne and breakouts.

It is termed safe than the counterpart hydro uinone but has the same skin brightening benfits without the process of bleaching that could be harmful. Hydroquinone is banned in Europe and Australia which paved way for arbutin to replace it in the shelves.

Arbutin works to suppress the enzymes which produce melanin thereby reducing pigmentation. A slow down happens in process by which the UV rays cause pigmentation. As a result arbutin works to prevent as well as treat pigmentation.

Post blemish redness, dark spots and age spots denote pigmentation in various stages. Arbutin works to treating thse conditions by reducing the redness and making the skin tone even. People with sensitive skin can best chose arbutin over harsher counterparts like retinol and lactic acid.
BENEFITS:

Treatment of hyperpigmentation

A cosmeceutical that helps to fade out scars, age spots and melasma.Arbutin also works to prevent future freckles and hyperpigmentation even after sunburn.

Arbutin stops any extra production of melanin. Melanin production involves a chain of processes. Simply put arbutin stops the chain to treat pigmentation.

BRIGHTER SKIN

Arbutin aids in making skin tone even and to brighten the skin. This makes skin glow and appear healthy. It is a skincare beauty blender that is naturally blending the skin instead of using a foundation.

SAFER AND POWERFUL ALTERNATIVE TO HYDROQUINONE

Traditionally hydroquinone has been used in treating melasma and pigementation because of its ability to clear out scars. But the synthetic hydroquinone thats been used in products is aggressive in nature causing skin damage if not used in proper application methods. Results show that improper usage can lead to blue or grey patches on skin, When compared arbutin is much safer for topical application and it also being a natural derivative makes it a better choice. Arbutin has been proven to work even on the toughest pigmentation conditions and extreme cases of melasma.

What should you keep in mind?

One thing to keep in mind is that alpha arbutin is safe when used in 2% concentration and beta arbutin concentration can go upto 7% for safer limits.

Arbutin is great on all skin types and tones.But few suggestions to improvise the application benefits would be to include vitamin C alongside to boost the brightening benefits or to exfoliate using an AHA and then follow up with arbutin.

Do not use beyond three months and the improvements take at least 1-2 months to show up.
Patience and perseverence are two most important things to keep in mind when treating skin conditions. No product is magical to just make your skincare concerns disappear in a day. Make sure to give time for the product to work and to trust your body.

How to use?

Can be used in forms of gel,cream or a serum.

The sequence in usage would be,

Cleanse
Exfoliate
Tone
Arbutin
Moisturizer
Sunscreen

Use it initially as a spot treatment. Always begin with a patch test. Can be done on forehead when skin is thickest. Gradually increase areas of application to pigmentation prone area or even entire face. Massage for two minutes to get the product absorbed by skin.

Follwo up with moisturizer to keep skin hydrated. The arbutin must be dried up before appying moisturizer else it will not absorb into skin and do its job.

Arbutin makes skin susceptible to sunburn and UV radiation effects. Since arbutin works to inhibit melanin production the skin is delicate and can be damaged easily. So always make sure to use sunscreen when using arbutin.

ARBUTIN PRODUCTS

Minimalist 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum for Pigmentation, Dark Spots & Tan Removal with HA

The formulation is made up of 2% alpha arbutin with a combination of hyaluronic acid. Proven to be nine times more effective than beta arbutin. Can be used daily. Promises even tone in 5 weeks.
Suited for both AM and PM routine . To be followed up with sunscreen.

Price: 549 quantity : 30ml
Click here to buy:

The Derma Co. 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum For Dark Spots & Uneven Skin Tone

The formulation contains 2% alpha arbutin in combination with hyaluronic acid and tartaric acid to reduce pigmentation and stop melanin production. Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant and also boosts collagen productions whereas tartaric acid on the other hand is naturally derived from grapes to work on lessening pigmentation and spots.

Suited for both AM and PM routine . To be followed up with sunscreen.

Price: 449 quantity : 30 ml
Click here to buy:

Dot & Key Alpha Arbutin + Azelaic Biphasic Serum Radiance Concentrate

It is india’s first two phase serum that combines oil and water. Natural oils are infused with active ingredients to provide skin brightening benefits.
Formulation has alpha arbutin in combination with azelaic acid , peony flower rich in antioxidants, mulberry and rosehip oil.

Advised to be used in AM and PM routine.

Price: 491 quantity: 20ml

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

Must know benefits of retinol or retinoid

Retinol or retinoid is a derivative of vitamin A. Known for its ability to boost cell turnover, it is one of the widely used ingredients incorporated into daily skincare routine.

Whether you want to maintain a fine glow or shoo away the fine lines and signs of ageing, this is one ingredient that you should be reaching to. Though it is not very tough to source it as its readily availble over the counters in departmental stores, drug stores or over ecommerce websites, it is the ingredient that s often misinterpreted or misused.

One most important factor to take care is to use it during the nights as sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product. And also that using it makes skin more sensitive to UV rays, it is advised to use sunscreen in the day and retinols at night.

HOW TO START?

Thirties are termed to be banner age for retinoids however the mid twenties would be much better to start off with. It has to be incorporated slowly into your routine, say about twice in a week and peas sized amount to start off. In earlier stages make sure to wash it off post two hours.

The side effects are mild with redness, itching, dryness and sensitivityduring the course of time the normal skin gets adjusted to the ingredient. However the sensitive skin reacts triggering acne and rosacea so people with highly sensitive skin can stay away from using this and have many alternatives to choose from to incorporate into their routine.

When you’re getting started you can wash face, wait for sometime for the natural facial oils to set in and then apply retinols. Or in other ways you can incorporate the sandwich technique wherein you can dab the moisturizer, apply retinol and then seal it with moisturizer again.

Start with a lower strength like 0.75% and then proceed to 1%. While the retinols that are available over the counter are for fighting the signs of ageing, The ones that are given in prescription are for treating acne.

When you are using retinold it is best prefered to use cream base under the eyes and for the face use a serum followed by moisturizer.

CONDITIONS BEST TREATED BY RETINOLS

acne
fine lines
wrinkles
age (sun) spots, freckles, and other signs of sun damage, sometimes called photoaging
uneven skin texture
melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation
large pores caused by acne, oily skin, or collagen loss

WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL?

Unlike other anti-ageing products , this ingredient does not just stop with removing dead skin cells, they also penetrate deep into the epidermis.

They help in neutralising the free radicals and help in boosting production collagen and elastin. This creates a plumping effect and helps in reducing fine lines, dark spots and wrinkles. Since it also helps in exfoliating the skin the texture is improved to a greater extent.

It is very helpful in clearing out acne, it unclogs pore by forming comedolytic agents to prevent forming blemishes and comedones. If acne is very severe the retinol is prescribed along with antibitoics. It doesn not show results instantaneously, it takes upto six weeks minimum to show visible results.

PRODUCTS IN INDIA

Olay Night Cream: Regenerist Retinol 24 Moisturiser

The cream promises 24 hour potency and hydration on skin. Suited for dry, normal and combination skin. Proven to penetrate 10 layers deep. The formulation works in combination with niacinamide.

The same formulation is available as a serum as well. But it is best to use either one of them and not together since they are of high potency.

The reason the formulation includes niacinamide is to reduce the redness upon using the product.

Price: 379 Quantity: 8gms
Click here to buy :

Dot & Key Glow Night Reset Retinol + Ceramide Cream

The formulation includes provitamin B5 and vitamin E along with hyaluronic acid to improve hydration. The other ingredients include hibiscus because of presence of AHAs, seabuck thorn oil, evening primrose oil which help in acne prevention and keeping skin moisturized.

Price: 531 Quantity: 25ml
Click here to buy:

The Derma Co. 0.3% Retinol Face Serum For Spotless Skin

The formulation works in combination with vitamin C to fight signs of ageing and alter the aged cells. Also contains glycerine to act as a humectant. Advised to do a patch test before application , especially people with sensitive skin.

Price: 719 quantity: 30ml
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Nykaa SKINRX 2% Advanced Retinol Anti-Aging Face Serum for Wrinkles & Fine Lines

The formulation consists of 2% retinol , along with 2% lactic acid that stimulates collagen renewal and 1% Australian caviar lime extract for it being a rich source of AHA and gentle exfoliant.

Suited for normal, dry , combination and oily skin but no mention about sensitive skin.

Price: 899 quantity: 30ml
Click here to buy:

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

Must know benefits of Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid, I know its difficult to pronounce but even more difficult to get the right spelling. A skincare ingredient that has recently found its place in almost all serums, sheet mask and moisturizer. And the reason why is that it can be your mandatory addition to daily skincare routine. It is a naturally occurring molecule in your skin that gives you the dewy look.

It helps to bind the water to skin giving it all the more a glowing look. More than retaining moisture it also has various other benefits.

What is hyaluronic acid?

It is a naturally occurring sugar molecule on skin that helps in binding of collagen and water and making the skin look plump and dewy. It helps boost hydration in skin to make it look glowing. The acid molecule binds collagen to one end and water to the other thereby adding to the plump factor of the skin.

What is the need to include hyaluronic acid?

As humans we age so does our skin and in the process there is a decrease in collagen and hyaluronic acid, this makes the skin look dehydrated. Harsh weather conditions like winter, existing skincare problems may cause tiny breaks through which water could leak. So there is a need to include a humectant in skincare regimen to attract the water molecules. Some of which are hyaluronic acid, glycerine and oatmeal.

Hyaluronic acid gets easily absorbed to skin and thereby attracts a lot of water keeping the skin hydrated. This is the reason it finds itself as one of the major ingredients in skincare products.

Skin types

Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that suits all skin types. It does not cause acne, eczema or rosacea.

People with dry and mature skin and those with ageing symptoms might need more of hyaluronic acid. This is because as we age we lose the ability to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid and it is necessary to be supplemented.

On the other hand, since the name contains the term ‘acid’ people with sensitive skin might fear to incorporate products with this ingredient. That is not the case because it is a naturally occurring molecule in skin that is produced by our very own bodies and can be safely used on sensitive skin.

BENEFITS

A molecule of HA can bind about 100 molecules of water of its own size , come to think of the goodness that it has to offer the skin.

TEWL or trans epidermal water loss is a very commonly known term in the skincare industry that describes water loss on the skin. It is a term that denotes the amount of water evaporated from skin.

A product that prevents TEWL actually helps in keeping your skin hydrated. HA does this by slowing down the rate of evaporation of water from the skin.

HA also apart from being a humectant helps in faster healing of wounds.

The other benefits that HA offers are

Anti-ageing
Reducing redness
Moisturizing
Treat acne
Treat eczema
Increasing the elasticity of skin

It also helps in treatinf dry eye and reduced tear production conditions since it is known for its hydration properties.

It has been proven that the naturally produced hyaluronic acid in body helps in lubricating the bone joints.

PRODUCTS WITH HYALURONIC ACID DOING WELL IN INDIAN MARKETS

Loreal paris revitalift 1.5% hyaluronic acid serum

The serum is non-sticky and promises 21% increased plumpness, 42% skin radiance and intense hydration.

Can be used in both AM and PM routine.

Price: 474 Quantity: 15 ml

Click here to buy :

Ponds Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E

This is probably the cheapest and one of the effective options to incorporating hyaluronic acid to skincare routine. I’ve personally used this, its non-sticky and does help in retaining moisture , doesn’t give an oily appearance. I loved the fragrance and the gel consistency. Although I felt the packaging can be much more improved.

Price : 149 Quantity: 73gm

Click here to buy:

Nykaa SKINRX 2% Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum For Intense Hydration, Plump Skin with 1% Vitamin B5

The formulation has 2% hyaluronic acid, 1% vitamin B5 and 1% marine algae extract.

Can be incorporated in both AM and PM routine. Suits all skin types.

Price: 799 Quantity: 25ml

Click here to buy:

Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-replenishing Hydrator(15ml)

The product promises hydration that penetrates 10 layers deep and that lasts for 100 hours. He formulation has hyaluronic acid, activated aloe water and aloe bio ferment.

By far the costliest range I’ve seen in products containing hyaluronic acid.

Price: 950 quantity: 15ml

Click here to buy:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Mini(15gm)

The formulation incorporates a patented technology that includes prebiotics to boost hydration in combination with hyaluronic acid.

The incorporation of prebiotics helps in 50% boost in HA production.

Price: 370 quantity: 15gm

Click here to buy :

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021

Must know Benefits of Kojic acid

You have a mountain of beauty brands to choose from. These are days where we not only want to choose the brand but also make a choice of ingredients that will work on your skin. The term active ingredient has been making rounds recently and you see a line up of products getting released be it whatever brand there is an active ingredient addressing a skin concern.

When you decide to incorporate products into skincare routine the most important step is to understand your skin and to choose products which are made of ingredients that would suit your skin. Just because there is an ‘XYZ ‘ brand advertising their vitamin C range promises clear skin in 10 days, it doesn’t mean the result is guaranteed, the range of products will work for you, they will not give you side effects. So take time in learning about the ingredients, the problems they can address or the benefits they have for your skin and then choose a brand.

Or if you have complicated skin conditions it is best suggested to consult a dermatologist and proceed with what they describe. Whatever you see on social media is not going to work for every person who purchases the product.

As a skincare blogger here and an influencer on Instagram, when I promote products I leave an honest review after 2-3 weeks of usage of products. However I also leave a disclaimer that what works for me might not work for everyone else as every skin is unique.

The second ingredient that I want to talk about is kojic acid. The first time I hear the term I was like , “Kojic what?”. Using acid on skin sounded to make me terrified.Though I have been someone who has been using lemon peels on skin for the vitamin C absorption, I do it with water sprinkled and patted on skin to not make the acid act directly on skin.

I decided to read through what kojic acid is and what benefits of kojic acid would my skin agree to and who can use it. I tried some and there you also have my reviews on them later on this post.

What is Kojic acid?

Mushrooms are the basic sources of kojic acid or simply put it is a natural by-product derived from various fungi and fermentation of foods like soy sauce and rice wine. Benefits of Kojic acid is it’s mainly used to lighten the skin pigment and helps treat discolouration and reduce dark spots.

How does it work?

Melanin is responsible for providing colour to eyes , hair and skin. An amino acid called tyrosine helps in melanin production. Kojic acid works to block tyrosine production which in turn stops melanin production leaving the skin light.

BENEFITS OF USING KOJIC ACID

ANTI -AGEING

Kojic acid lessens dark spots and helps lighten the skin which in turn gives anti-ageing benefits when used on skin.

TREATS MELASMA

Pregnancy can induce melasma which is pigmentation that causes your complexion to be uneven. Kojic acid works to neutralize the pigmentation there by giving you lighter skin.

SCAR DISAPPEARANCE

Usage of kojic acid can lessen the presence of scar by making it appear light. Though the thick tissue might be there, it’s presence can be greatly reduced by lessening it.

ANTI-FUNGAL BENEFIT

Being derived from various fungi, kojic acid provides anti-fungal protection from diseases like athlete’s foot and yeast infection.

SIDE EFFECTS:

When used over a long period of time kojic acid can make your skin susceptible to sun. Rashes, itches and irritation are commonly observed side effects. So always make sure to incorporate a sunscreen when using kojic acid in skincare routine.

PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The derma . co kojic acid cream for pigmentation

This cream works with a formulation that incorporates 2% of kojic acid in combination of vitamin C in reducing dark spots and improving pigmentation. I really liked the pump method to get the cream out which is light on application. I do it post cleansing in both AM and PM routine.

Price : 449 quantity: 30 gm

Click here to buy

Kozicare skin lightening serum

This is a serum that is formulated with kojic acid along with aloe vera, arbutin, glutathione,glycerine. Compared to a cream base this is lighter because of its serum consistency and requires application through a dropper.

The serum does not leave a oily residue post application.

Price : 399 quantity : 30 ml

Click here to buy

Make sure to do a patch test before trying out any new product on your skin.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with VoxBox and Journery Matters.

April 23, 2021

T’s which help in skincare

Did you know that over usage of chemicals could be harsh on your skin? Do you do patch tests before you try out new products. Be it a product that uses extracts from natural ingredients it is always advisable to do a patch test.
If you have been following my posts or you are someone new reading this, I’d suggest you to do a patch test before you try any of the DIYs. Because what works for me might not work the same way for everyone, because every skin is different and every body is different.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients T which help in skincare.

TOMATO:

Tomatoes cannot be claimed to be sunscreen replacements, but could offer sun protection due to the presence lycopene.

Tomato balances skin pH and also helps fight against acne causing bacteria.

Tomato helps in controlling excessive oil secretion which is a majorly concern for acne occurrence.

Enzymes present in tomatoes help in mild cleansing and exfoliation thereby removing the dirt from skin.
The vitamin B present in tomatoes helps fight signs of ageing.

The anti-inflammatory properties of tomatoes help in soothing skin from irritation and helps in providing cooling effect to skin.

The high potassium and vitamin C content in tomato helps in transforming dull skin to glowing skin.

Tomato helps in tightening the pores and gives skin a firm uplift.

Tomato helps in regulating excessive sebum secretion and helps combat formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

The lycopene in tomatoes help fight against free radical damage.

Tomato is a natural astringent that helps in preventing surface buildup of oils.

Tomatoes are great for detan. It also helps to combat dryness caused by sun tan.

Tomatoes help in collagen stimulation thereby enhancing the texture of the skin and also the elasticity.

DIYS:

TOMATO TONER: Blend one cucumber and tomato. Strain the juice to a spray bottle. Spray on to face when skin feels tired and lifeless.

ACNE SKIN: Mix one tablespoon of multani mutti to puree of one tomato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

DETAN : Grate one potato and strain the juice. Mix with puree of one tomato. Make sure both these are of equal quantities. Apply on to face. Let it dry. Continue to apply about 3-4 times. Remove with wet cloth.

Mix in a teaspoon of honey to the pulp of one tomato. Apply on to face and wash off after 10 minutes.

GLOWING SKIN: Mix in a tablespoon of honey to puree of one tomato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

DARK CIRCLE: Mix in a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to puree of one tomato. Blend well and apply over under eye area and wash off after 10 minutes.

OILY SKIN: Mix strained juice 1/2 tomato to 1/4 grated cucumber. Apply on to face and wash off in 15 minutes.

DRY SKIN: Mix a teaspoon of olive oil to puree of one tomato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

PORE REDUCTION: Mix in two teaspoons of lemon juice to puree of one tomato. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

ANTI AGEING: Mix in pulp of one tomato with 1/3 of mashed avocado.Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Rub half a tomato directly on to skin to fight cellular damage and promote cell regeneration.

YOUTHFUL SKIN: Mix in a tablespoon of yogurt to pulp of one mashed tomato. Apply on to face and wash of 15 minutes.

SKIN RADIANCE: To the juice of one tomato mix in a teaspoon of turmeric and sandalwood powder. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

TOMATO SCRUB: Blend two tomatoes, mint leaves and two lemons including the peels. Add about three tablespoons of sugar and mix well. This scrub works well in terms of exfoliate, rejuvenate, detan and moisturize. Use this only for your body.

REDUCE SUNBURN IRRITATION: Mix in little buttermilk to tomato juice and apply on affected areas.
Wash off post 5 minutes.

TURMERIC

The orange yellow tint stick mostly available as powder for ease of use mainly has anti-inflammatory properties. Passed down by generations as secret to flawless beauty and is easily available for procurement.

The antioxidant properties that it possesses helps in giving the skin, the natural glow.

Turmeric helps in clearing out acne scars and prevent further acne formation.

DIYs:

DETAN: Mix in a tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric and two tablespoons of raw milk. Apply on to face and wash of after 15 minutes.

ANTI ACNE: Mix in two tablespoon of sandal powder to pinch of turmeric and milk. Adjust consistency. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

EXFOLIATION: Mix in a tablespoon of oats ,1/2 teaspoon of turmeric , one tablespoon of powdered masoor dal. Mix either with milk or rose water. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

STRETCH MARKS: Mix in a tablespoon of lime juice to a pinch of turmeric and soaked saffron water. Apply on the marks and notice them getting lighter upon each usage.

DRY SKIN: Mix in a tablespoon of coconut oil and a pinch of turmeric. Apply on to affected area. Wash off after 15 minutes.

UNDER EYE BAG: Mix in a tablespoon of curd to two teaspoons of turmeric and some drops of lemon juice. Apply on affected area and remove with wet cloth.

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

April 13, 2021

K’s which help in skincare

Taking in good food that is rich in nutrients,vitamins and minerals is not only good for a healthy body. Eating a healthy meal also is good to maintain skin and keep it free from skin problems. It is not that chemical compounds in sleek tubes, shiny tubs can get you clear skin that you dream of. The steel containers, ceramic jars in kitchen and also the fruit basket on your dining table can help you achieve the same.
Let’s take a look at K’s which help in skincare.

KIWIS

The fuzzy hairy brown outer skin might not seem appealing but the bright green pulp and black seeds sure do have a lot of skincare miracles hiding inside.

Vitamin C is one of the richest sources of antioxidants that helps fight against sun damage and free radical damage. Kiwi is rich in vitamin C and can help heal skin by revitalizing it. Kiwi can give expensive cosmetic range a run. Kiwi can be used as an astringent when applied topically on the skin and helps lighten the skin.

Vitamin C helps in skin hydration. That said kiwi can help increase lipid barriers which protect against moisture loss and gives a dewy skin which gives a youthful appearance.

Vitamin E is also present in kiwi which is helps in providing nourishment to skin. The combination of vitamin E and vitamin C is more beneficial than vitamin C alone.

Oxidative stress causes dark patches and dark spots as signs of ageing. The phytonutrients in kiwi help in shielding the DNA from this kind of damage.
Kiwi has the ability to influence the age cells because of presence of Vitamin C , vitamin E and phytonutrients which help in boosting collagen production. Kiwi has the healing capability to cure cuts, saggy skin, dark patches and spots and bruises.

Lutein present in kiwi helps protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation. It also has anitinflammatory properties that help in lessening rashes, allergy and swelling.

The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of kiwi help in fighting against acne causing bacteria and thereby reduces chances for acne occurrence. Kiwi also helps in lightening dark spots left behind by acne.

Kiwi has AHAs naturally present which help in boosting skin radiance and skin cell turnover. This helps remove impurities which stand as hindrance to achieve even tone. Now this can be achieved from comfort of home just by rubbing kiwi slices on to skin.

Healthy blood vessels and oxygen circulation is essential to prevent eye bags or dark circles. Kiwi helps in improving blood circulation to achieve the same.

Potassium is necessary to keep skin firm and prevent sagging. It also helps against dryness. Kiwi contains potassium which helps keep skin firm and free from wrinkles and sagging.

DIYS:

Brightening mask: Just peel the skin of one kiwi. Blend the pulp and apply on to face. Wash off after 15 minutes.
Glow mask: Peel skin and blend the pulp and a cup of yogurt. Apply paste on to face and wash off after 30 minutes to discover glowing skin.
Hyperpigmentation and blemish mask: Peel skin and blend pulp . Add few drops of lemon juice. Apply on to face and wash off when it dries.
Mask for dry and dehydrated skin: Make a paste of one ripe banana. Mix in blended pulp of one kiwi and yogurt. Mix all the ingredients. Apply on to face and wash off after half an hour.
Beauty mask: Peel skin and blend pulp of one kiwi. Add one tablespoon of besan and ground almond powder. Mix all and apply on to skin. Wash off after 30 minutes.
Exfoliation mask : Blend one kiwi pulp, half a cucumber and five strawberries. Apply on to face and wash off after 30 minutes post gentle massage.
Acne prevention mask: Mix in one tablespoon of sandalwood powder to one kiwi’s pulp. Apply on to face and wash off after 30 minutes.
Radiant, skin rejuvenation mask: Mix in pulp of avocado and kiwi one tablespoon of each. Make a uniform paste and apply on to face. Wash off after 30 minutes.
Healthy skin mask: Mix in one tablespoon on olive oil to one tablespoon of kiwi juice. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
Glow mask 2: Blend one egg yolk, 10 drops of olive oil and pulp of one peeled kiwi. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Kalonji(Nigella seeds)

Kalonji or nigella seeds oil is antibacterial and helps fight against acne causing bacteria.

Popularly known as black seed oil it is rich in antioxidant. It helps fight against free radicals in body. Helps improve the quality of skin and acts well to heal inflammation.

Kalonji seeds can be a good remedy to cure cracked heals. You could simply apply the black seed oil to heal the cracks or mix in lemon juice with oil to massage the feet.

Black seed oil on regular usage helps lighten dark spots and patches.

It is a great remedy to combat eczema.

DIYS

Anti acne mask: Mix one teaspoon of kalonji powder, a teaspoon of lemon peel powder and half a teaspoon of ACV. Mix well and apply on affected areas. This also helps balance skin pH.
Skin detox mask: Mix in a tablespoon of kalonji powder, a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and a teaspoon of skimmed milk. Mix all and apply on to face. Wash off when it dries.
Basic mask: Mix a teaspoon of kalonji powder and a teaspoon of milk. Apply on to face and wash off after 15 minutes Evens skin tone and removes impurities.
Brightening mask:Mix in one teaspoon of oats powder, kalonji powder,half a teaspoon of honey and almond oil. Mix in some milk cream. Apply on to face and wash off when it dries post a gentle massage.
Detan mask: Mix in a spoon of kalonji powder. A teaspoon of rice flour and sesame oil. Add milk to adjust consistency. Apply on to face and wash off wen it dries. Heals sunburn and prevents tan.
Glow juice and mask: Mix in half a teaspoon of kalonji oil to one glass of orange juice. Drink in empty stomach to flush out toxins.
To remove tan this mixture can be applied on affected areas and washed off after 10 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.

April 3, 2021April 5, 2021

C’s which help in skincare

We are surrounded by a lot of C’s that can be incorporated into your skincare habits to get you the healthy glowing skin.

Coconut oil:

Coconut oil with its combination of natural fats makes it one of the staple in the kitchen. The fats present like the linolic and lauric acids makes it a good skincare ingredient. But do keep in mind that only pure coconut oil or extra virgin coconut oil will yield you the benefits.

HELPS IN LESSENING PIGMENTATION AND DARK CIRCLES
Coconut oil helps in lessening of dark spots or pigmentation under the eyes when massaged generously. It also helps in reducing the puffiness or eye bags as commonly known due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

ALLEVIATES STRESS
Stress can be induced any time and for people at any age. A calming coconut oil massage is all what you need to soothe your senses. The subtle fragrance also helps you calm your mind and make you relaxed.

HIGHLIGHTER
A highlighter is what elevates the beauty in your makeup especially at the cheeks. Just a squeak line of coconut oil over the cheeks sure does give you a glow that reflects light. This is one of the major reasons coconut oil is one of the major ingredients in base makeup products.

REMOVING EYE MAKEUP AND A GOOD EYECREAM
Though we generally prefer using waterproof kajal or mascara for their long lasting smudge free looks, it is highly a tiresome job to take them out. Coconut oil works like a wonder in such cases and makes removal of kajal and mascara pretty much easier. If your skin under the eyes is dry due to weather or dehydration all you need to do is to dab a light layer of coconut oil under the eyes and pat gently. This sure does help in eye relaxing and also improving complexion of the darker areas.

LIP BALM OR LIP SCRUB
Coconut oil can be used as an ingredient in lip balm and also lip scrub.

If u mix it in with brown sugar and honey and apply foe a gentle exfoliation it works great as a scrub.
For a lip balm mix in coconut oil, bees wax and cocoa butter and heat using double boil method. Once melted you could add them to lip balm containers and if needed also include essential oils.

You could play with the ingredients in terms of quantities so that you get the desired consistency.

GREAT USAGE AS CLEANSER
As a first step to face wash, you could apply coconut oil on your face and massage with circular motions and wash off with your regular face wash. Due to its anti bacterial, anti fungal and moisturizing nature its the best nighttime skincare product that most women could vouch for.

COFFEE GROUNDS

Next time after making coffee if you are left with coffee grounds that you decide to trash, you may rethink and pause. The caffeine in coffee grounds has antioxidants that help prevent sun damage. They can be repurposed into excellent exfoliators for both the body and the face.
But if you have sensitive skin this might not be great for you as coffee grounds could be harsh on your skin.

EXFOLIATION
Mix in coffee grounds with a spoon of yoghurt and apply on to face and neck. Once dry rinse with warm water for glowing skin. Make sure you use this only once a week.

BODY POLISH
Make a mixture of granulated sugar, almond oil and coffee grounds. Apply on your body and gently scrub especially the dry areas like the knees and elbows. Say hello to shiny skin.

FOOT SCRUB
Coffee grounds can also play a good role in making them one of the best foot scrub. Mix in coffee grounds with epsom salt and olive oil. Apply on to feet and heels. Scrub gently and wash off to discover feet with baby soft skin.

REDUCE CELLULITE APPEARANCE

As we age one other major concerns are the cellulite marks that make you embarrassed.Worry not when you have coffee grounds. Mix in coffee grounds with water or coconut oil apply on areas where cellulite marks are visible. Wash off after a gentle massage. Do this twice a week to see the marks making slow disappearance. The scrub breaks down the fat and increases blood flow to the area thereby visibly reducing the cellulite marks.

CUCUMBER

Cucumber is packed with skin loving nutrients . They particularly contain vitamin C which is an antioxidant and caffeic and folic acid which help in boosting collagen production and help fight signs of ageing.

KEEPS SKIN HYDRATED
When skin is well hydrated it has good elasticity and firmness. When its not the skin becomes dry and flaky. Include a lot of cucumbers in diet to keep skin hydrated. The 96% of water present in cucumber is the main reason cucumber provides superior hydration to skin.

GREAT ASTRINGENT
Astringents help to tighten pores in skin and is especially beneficial to acne prone skin. Cucumber is a mild astringent that works great for acne prone skin.

HELPS TREAT PUFFY EYES
Cucumbers are perfect to treat puffy eyes. Just cut few slices of chilled cucumber and place over eyes for a cooling effect.

DETAN AND SOOTHE SUNBURN

Cucumber juice when applied on affected area can help in removing tan and also provide soothing sensation to areas of sunburn.

DIY

FOR DRY SKIN: Mix in equal parts of cucumber juice to aloe vera gel to boost hydration to dry skin. Let this sit for 15 minutes and then wash off.

ACNE PRONE SKIN: Mix in cucumber juice to oatmeal one table spoon and honey one tablespoon. Apply and wash of after 15 minutes. Cucumber juice helps in soothing, honey provides anti bacterial goodness and oatmeal helps in removing excess oil.

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