skincare – Page 2 – That Madras Mom

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 2, 2021April 5, 2021

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.

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

Five habits of people with good skin

Some people when you look at them, the immediate thought that strikes up your mind is “my my, how clear is the skin?” . Sit down and think if you have asked this question at least once.

For some people, they are blessed with genes who have clear luminous skin. But if you still want to have that beautiful skin that would make eyeballs roll, you need to make sure the below pointers are what you follow. You need to religiously take good care and simple steps to maintain skin. Glowing skin doesn’t appear in a jiffy. It needs your dedication to keep you devoted to follow that regimen.

Here are five most common habits which people who have good skin follow.

1. Hydration

The key and the foremost habit that you need to cultivate if you aren’t doing. At least two liters of water a day. Drinking plain water is the natural way to flush out toxins. If you still don’t drink enough water, you would probably making way for the toxins to pile up and result in clogged pores. Your skin needs to have proper elasticity, be supple enough and free of any wrinkles. For this, drinking water is the first and easiest habit that you can cultivate. Not only good for your skin and great for your body too. Not drinking enough water makes skin dry and lose its shine. The skin deserves its dose of nutrition every day and no better simple food that giving it enough water.

Therefore hydration is the most easiest and first step to good skin.

2. A goodnight’s sleep

Have you ever wondered why the term is coined as ‘beauty sleep’. The repair process of the body needs sleep to be a most important factor. An essential routine that boosts blood circulation and takes care of skin repair. So make sure you have a goodnight’s sleep and sleep like a baby.

3. Sunscreen or SPFs for the rescue

Photo aging refers to skin damage caused to longer exposure to sunlight and UVA /UVB rays. Invest in a good sunscreen and your skin will thank you later. Fine lines, pigmentation showing up as blemishes are often result of sun exposure leading to premature ageing. So make sure before you take your wallet next time you step out, apply a generous amount of sunscreen on face, neck and other exposed parts of body.

4. CTM- Cleanse, Tone and moisturize

Cleanse– Washing off impurities and thereby unclogging the pores.

Tone – Toner removes last trace of dirt or impurities from skin post face wash. When done regularly you could see a visible difference in skin tightening due to lesser pores.

Moisturize– A gentle way to keep your skin hydrated and not becoming dry. You could avoid using soaps often and go on to opt for a humidifier.

Above in short in known as CTM routine and is predominantly carries out before bedtime. Doing this religiously helps skin heal of any skin related problems and provides a routine for it to run the repair and regeneration process during the night time.

Also one important point to keep in mind is to choose products for CTM according to your skin type. This will not only prove beneficial but also prevent any side effects by using products which don’t suit your skin type.

5. Eating a healthy and a balanced meal

A proper meal that has all vital nutrients aids a lot of benefits to your body. So when your body feels good, it immediately shows up on your skin. Not only eating nutrient food, eating right food in the right way is what I’d want to suggest. Foods rich in anti-oxidants like oranges, tomatoes and berries provide a lot of skin benefits. These foods help delay skin ageing and improve collagen building. Avoid foods having excess oil, sugar, preservatives and foods that are processed to flaunt that healthy skin.

As mentioned above, these are five most common habits that are followed by people around the world to maintain good skin. The priority or importance is not strictly based on the order that I have mentioned.

Make sure you do a patch test every time you try out a new product. Do not go by blind recommendations. Make sure to check the ingredients and suitability to skin type before purchasing a new skincare product.

If you experience or suffer from a skin problem do not hesitate to reach out to a dermatologist. Do not go by following everyone’s advice. Until and unless they have experience in the field, do not reach out to random people on social media asking for skincare advice.

Not all highly priced products give you good results and those which are priced less result in failures. Keep that in mind and start taking care of your skin.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and happily SPONSORED BY RRE Studios and SHOWCASE Events.

October 28, 2020October 29, 2020

Things you never knew about facial massage and rollers

What is a facial massage?

A facial massage is a technique, that can be done manually by hands or with helps of facial roller available in the market. The technique involves gently massaging the facial skin.

Why facial massage?

A facial massage helps in increasing blood circulation, destressing and decreasing puffiness. The result of which is a smooth glowing healthy skin.

Typically the face has over 40 muscles, so a massage is great for resolving sinus issues , decreased puffiness with lymphatic drainage. The excess fluid us diverted to the lymph nodes later flushed with the toxins out of the body.

Manual facial massage

Manual facial massage involves applying slightest pressure while massaging the facial muscles with hands. It’s one of the most simplest way to having a healthy skin.

How to do facial massage with hands?

Make sure you wash your face and your hands are clean.
Take a little amount of cream or serum you use in your palms.
Apply gentle pressure to massage face.
Massage lymph areas under the ears and side of neck.
Smooth the lines on forehead.
Use fingers to massage eye area and slide along temples.
Use only light strokes.

Directions to use in facial massage

Chin to lip.
Nose, nostrils and lips to cheekbones horizontally. To be precise along the smile lines.
Massage neck from bottom to chin vertically.
Eyebrows to forehead.

Massaging with facial roller

A small roller pin like tool with rollers of different sizes on both ends. It’s used in facial massage and can be made out of gem stones.

Typically these rollers are used to distribute the facial care products over the face evenly. Also guarantees a deeper absorption into the skin.

Facts about rollers

Facial rollers cannot slim the face. Removing puffiness can temporarily make it appear slim.
Facial rollers can contour your face when using them up at an angle. Pushing the movement by down the ear.
They help flushing out the toxins, by stimulating lymphatic drainage. This achieved massaging in a particular direction.
Since it helps in destressing, it helps you in changing your mood.
Most importantly helps in deeper absorption of skincare products.

How to Massage using facial roller?

Generously apply serum or moisturizer. Lubrication is key else the roller might tag skin. This could even result in wrinkles.
Roll up from the neck. No back and forth movement.
From the jawline to ear. Apply gentle pressure on both sides.
Forehead to the temples. This should be done only in upward direction.
Horizontal over the eyebrows. Use it flatly.

How often and how long?

A facial roller can be used daily typically for a few minutes to get destressing benefits.

Types of facial roller

Jade
Rose quartz
Amethyst
Obsidian
Metal
Teak wood

Jade and rose quartz are most commonly used rollers. Jade and metal are cold natured materials. So in order to have a cooling effect they needn’t be stored in refrigerator.

Rose quartz can withhold temperature, so for cold massage you can store the roller in refrigerator.

Jade is soft in terms of fragility with respect to quartz, hence quartz can last longer without breaking if accidentally dropped down.

Jade isn’t smooth in terms of stone texture, which helps in contouring due to the natural friction present.

Of all the rollers mentioned above , amethyst is said to give the skin purifying effects and also effective in treating acne.

On a concluding note, a facial roller is a good investment for healthy looking skin.

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

October 24, 2020October 24, 2020

Charcoal for skin? Why should you choose Supersmelly?

What is activated charcoal?

A form of carbon that has low volume pores but can increase surface area for adsorption.

Why is it used in Skincare?

As mentioned above it could magnify the amounts of absorption and there by bring out dirt and impurities from skin. So skin looks clear and dirt free. This is why, activated charcoal finds it’s place is a wide range of skincare and personal care items.

Benefits of activated charcoal for skin

Removes impurities

Since activated charcoal can absorb out toxins from body, the masks can help remove dirt and impurities from skin.

Reduces acne

Collection of sebum(facial oil) in skin pores can make them clog as a result of which you could see acne breakouts. Activated charcoal helps to bring out the excess oil from the pores and keeps them free.

Reduces oiliness

Activated charcoal helps in removing dead skin cells by exfoliation and helps in absorbing excess oil present in skin, there by reducing oiliness in skin.

Doesn’t adsorb vitamins

Though activated charcoal helps in clearing out toxins from skin, it doesn’t adsorb the needed vitamins and nutrients. Therefore skin remains healthy in a natural way.

Doesn’t cause allergy

Due to the nature of being inert, activated charcoal doesn’t call any allergies and most importantly it suits sensitive skin.

About the brand Supersmelly

Founded by a Super mom, Dipali Mathur Dayal and her friend Milan Sharma. Dipali Washington shocked to see the labels when she went to pick a deodorant for her tween. The ingredients listed made her think that this is not what teens would want. They need products that are all natural , safe and effective to use and not some pesticide in attractive labels and catchy bottles.

The brand name absolutely makes your head turn and ask many questions. One answer that is all the more satisfactory to give you a go and make you pick it up , they’re India’s first brand of natural and toxin free personal care products for tweens and teens.

Bright and glow regime from Supersmelly

A combination of face wash and face pack formulated to give you the bright and glowing skin.

Charcoal and aloe Vera face wash

Contains activated charcoal, Asian ginseng and aloe Vera . Activated charcoal helps in flushing out the toxins and helps in deep cleansing the skin.

The consistency isn’t runny and is just pasty enough to be squeezed off using. Upon continuous usage , the results are visible with bright and glowing skin. The face wash also helps in removing excess oil, there reducing chances for breakouts to occur. Also helps in killing acne causing bacteria.

I also noticed that acne marks which I had previously have started to lighten on continuous usage.

The face wash is made of natural ingredients with no toxins and parabens. Most importantly no chemicals.which would cause skin irritation.

The face wash helps in exfoliation thereby removing dead skin cells.

Suited for all skin types, the face wash is a good option to be included in Skincare routine.

Helps in de-tanning and achieve even skin tone.

The facewash is suited for anyone above 7years of age.

Activated awesomeness is the name of the face wash and keeps up to it name by giving you a bright skin.

Ingredients

Activated charcoal – Helps eliminate dirt and excess oil from skin.
Aloe Vera – Helps combat harsh effects of pollution,UV rays and acne.
Vitamin A C & E – Helps in boosting collagen production and healthy skin . Also helps against sun damage.
Asian ginseng – Remove dead skin cell and promote elasticity.

Price: Rs. 379 for 100ml on Amazon and on their website.

How to use ?

Wet face with water.
Squeeze little amount on hand or to a sponge.
Apply evenly, massage in circular motion.
Wash with cold water and pat dry.

Natural go glow activated charcoal face pack

The face pack acts like a magnet. Yes, it pulls out all dirt and impurities from skin. Absolutely love how it removes effects of pollution and dust.

The face pack removes tan and gives bright glowing skin.

This is a cleanliness freak, because it helps wiping away dirt accumulation in the pores and helps in unclogging.

Helps in rejuvenation of skin, keeping it healthy.

Ingredients

Activated charcoal- removes dirt and excess oil. Helps in exfoliation as well.
Aloe Vera- Combats effects of pollution, UV rays. Provides moisturization.
Cocoa powder – Helps in brightening skill. Also reversal of damage from sun and tanning.
Bentonite clay or volcanic ash – prevents blackheads, helps unclog pores, flushes out toxins and skim regeneration.
Kaolin mud – Helps in cleansing and absorption of impurities.
Argan, olive, peach and apricot oil- helps in skin nourishment.
Multani clay : Helps in maintaining even skin tone and brightness.
Coffee seeds – Helps reduce puffiness and boost blood circulation.
Green clay – Exfoliates skin and reduces inflammation.
Dead sea salt – Helps in removing toxins, boost blood circulation and balance skin pH.

The mask doesn’t smell overly pungent, compared to the other charcoal mask that I have used previously. It’s light on the skin and easy to wash off.

Price : Rs. 599 for 70gms available on Amazon and on their website.

How to use?

Apply the mask evenly on to skin with bare hands or with a brush.
Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
Wash off with cold water by gently applying circular motion on skin.

The mask and the face wash are available together as a combo known as bright and glow regimen for Rs. 978. They can also be purchased individually.

Reasons why you should try Supersmelly

Cruelty free as it’s not tested on animals.
Vegan friendly certified
Australian allergy certified
Dermatologically tested as hypoallergenic.
Made safe , nontoxic certified.
Australian certified as allergen free.

They also have a wide range of other personal care products like deodorants, moisturisers, lipbalms and sanitizer.

The products are available individually or as combos.

Check out their website to know more about them and to purchased products.

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

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.

September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Facial at Home – Indrani facial kit

What is facial and why is it necessary?

A Skin treatment that happens in multiple steps like exfoliation, nourishing, steaming, bleaching is called a facial. Proclaimed to be one of the best ways to take care of your skin, facial helps to maintain healthy, hydrated, and younger-looking skin.

How often should you opt for a facial?

If you have a normal, dry, or oily skin ideally doing a facial once a month should be fine. If you are someone with sensitive skin you could opt for a facial once in two months.

How long does the effect of facial last?

The effects of glowing skin due to boosted blood circulation typically last from 48-72 hours.

FACIALS AT HOME

Now that we have a pandemic in place, stepping out for a facial is probably not a safe decision. Even though you know if you are visiting a posh salon that takes all the highest measures of safety and hygiene, you never know where you might get infected. In such cases, facials at home are saviors.

So what do you require for facials usually?

Cleanser
Scrub
Massaging gel or cream
Face pack
Astringent

INDRANI ORANGE FACIAL KIT

Being a person with combination skin, predominantly oily I would say, I was on the lookout for a good facial kit that suits oily or combination skin. Since I wanted to opt for something that had citric acid (good for oily skin) I decided I should check those options which had citrus fruits.

I stumbled upon this orange facial kit online. Checked out the contents, pricing, reviews and decided to buy it.

What does it contain?

Lemon cleansing milk
Apricot scrub
Orange massaging gel and orange nourishing cream with vitamin E
Orange face pack
Astringent

Steps to do facial at home

Cleansing with lemon cleansing milk

Cleansing being the first and foremost step to prepare your skin for the treatment, take 2-3 drops of cleansing milk and massage onto face in an upward circular motion for 2-3 minutes. Wipe off with cotton pads.

Exfoliation with Apricot scrub

Exfoliation is the next step, where you remove dead skin cells and unclog the pores. Take a small amount of scrub, massage onto your face in a circular motion for about 3-5 minutes. Wipe off with damp cotton pads. Do not scrub harshly. Gentle circular strokes would suffice.

Massaging with gel and cream

Orange nourishing massage cream with vitamin E oil

Take equal quantities of orange massaging cream and orange massaging gel and mix. With upward and circular strokes massage the mixture until it is absorbed into the skin. You could do this for 10 minutes.

Face pack

Mix Indrani orange face pack with water or rose water and apply evenly onto face and leave on to dry for about 10-15 minutes. Wash off gently with water and pat dry.

Astringent

Add two to three drops of astringent on to the cotton pad and dab it on the face to complete the facial and close the pores.

Skin feels fresh and renewed post-facial. Orange being a citric fruit is great for oily skin and vitamin C present is known to remove blemishes and give a glowing skin.

Price: Rs. 162 for all the six items included

Shelf life: 24 months

Packaging

The packaging was neat and sturdy with a hard cardboard box casing the six items needed for facial. Each item comes handy in small boxes and bottles that can be easily stored post usage. One kit would last for 2-3 facials for the minimal amount used.

Each liquid or cream is either a 10ml or 10g pack. You need not buy big packs and keep them stored in your closet. This is just the right amount.

Looking for a good facial at home and affordable too, then head right to purchase this kit. The kit can be purchased for Flipkart and Indrani cosmetics official website.

September 2, 2020September 4, 2020

Rose glow kit – Deyga organics

About Deyga

Deyga is a brand that believes in all natural ingredients for skin and haircare. Their products are aimed at giving you flawless skin by keeping skin safe. All their products are made from natural ingredients or at least the base ingredients for processing are naturally procured.

Their products are aimed at providing skincare by using pure and organic materials. A combination of high performing antioxidant with naturally occurring vitamins and essential oils are used for formulating their products.

Quality being their priority, each ingredient is carefully sourced from the best farms across the country. The products do not contact SLS, parabens and SLES.

The rose glow kit from their range is one of their best selling products and I am glad that I had the opportunity to try them out for about two months , post which I reviewed them.

Rose glow kit

Price : 3500

Contains

Rose pink clay soap
Rose glow serum
Rose scrub
Rose and mulethi face pack
Rose powder
Rose water facial toner
Rose and geranium body butter

Rose pink clay soap

Ingredients

Rose extract
Pink clay
Sweet almond oil
Shea butter
Extra virgin coconut oil
Olive oil

Price : Rs. 370

The soap is handmade and cold pressed. Helps in micro exfoliating dirt and oil. The soap has natural fragrance and no additional fragrance is added . Helps in treating skin irritation. The soap lathers well in normal water and keeps skin soft. Coconut and almond oil along with Shea butter helps keeping skin smooth.

Rose glow serum

Contains

Rosehip oil
Saffron
Rose essential oil
Jojoba oil
Almond oil
Vitamin E oil

Price : Rs. 790 for 30 ml

The serum smells heavenly with the natural fragrance of essential oils. It is light in consistency which makes easier to be absorbed by skin. It is apt for night routine so that the serum helps in skin repair throughout the night.

Rose scrub

Contains

Native rose petals
Lotus petals
Beetroot extract
Semolina
Rice flour
Aloe Vera powder

Price : Rs. 570 for 100g

The scrub can be used for hands/ feet and the underarms. It just take 60 seconds for absorption into skin. Wash off with warm water. Rice flour as we know is a great kitchen ingredient for scrubbing. In addition to it the rose and lotus petals help in making skin soft and smooth.

Rose and mulethi face pack

Contains

Native rose
Oats
Mulethi or licorice
Skin cherishing essential oil

Price : Rs. 490 for 200g

Helps in giving the skin instant glow and brightness. The pack upon continuous usage helps lighten dark spots. It can be mixed with milk or rose water toner for usage. Apply, leave on for 15 minutes and wash off with a massage. It’s as easy as that. It can be used in combination with the rose scrub. It is suited to be used for all skin types.

Rose powder

Contains

Organic arrowroot powder
Kaolin clay
Rose essential oil
Zinc oxide

Price : Rs. 600 for 100g

The powder can be used for hot and humid weather to keep away from body odour. The natural scent from English rose leaves a sweet fragrance. It is suited for both men and women. Can be used as a dusting powder post bath. Helps in preventing perspiration and drying of skin. Most importantly it’s talc free.

Rose water facial toner

Contains

Steam distilled rose

Price : Rs 430 for 100ml

The fragrance is absolutely heavenly with the only ingredient being steam distilled roses. It’s apt for astringent and helps in balancing the skins pH value. It is a great option to be used to dilute your face packs. Just spray and pat skin dry to get it absorbed. Can be used in combination with rose mulethi face pack.

Rose and geranium body butter

Contains

Rose essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Extra virgin coconut oil
Unrefined shea butter
Jojoba oil
Sweet almond oil

Price : Rs. 550 for 100g

The body butter helps in rejuvenation of skin by keeping the moisture sealed. The essential oils provide natural fragrance that keep you fragrant. Helps in healing of dry and chapped skin. Apt for using post bath and massaged onto skin until the butter is absorbed completely.

The kit can be purchased from their website. The products are available individually as well. This review is post my usage for two months. I’d suggest a patch test before you use any new product.

Also do read Cindy’s post about 25 barely known facts about her and Artis post about Masaba on Netflix.

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August 21, 2020August 21, 2020

Review of oils and herbal powder – Shesha beauty

Ayurveda and usage of herbs in skincare and haircare has been done generations past. Usage of herbs, concoctions to make oils and powders for cleansing and wellness has been there for ages.

I recently came across shesha beauty which has a wide range products for hair and skin which help you combat all skin and hair problems.

Their products are made of goodness of natural Ayurveda and from our very dear god’s own country , Kerala. It’s the brainchild of an ex-amazon engineer, Renji , who hails from a family of naturopaths and Ayurvedic Doctors. She missed the goodness of authentic Ayurvedic products from her very own land which gave birth to shesha’s evolution.

Their oils are cold pressed and all natural. The powders for face and hair are all from natural ingredients like tulsi, orange peel, rose petals and so on.

The products are 100% natural and cruelty free. They are free from paraben and sulphates which makes them skin and hair friendly.

Having a no stretch mark belly and a clear and healthy skin is all what women dream about. This combination of oils and powder from shesha will surely make your dream come true. I’d definitely say these are my postpartum saviours and a regular in my skincare regimen.

I tried a couple of their oils and powders for a really long period before I came up with my review.

Nalpamaradi tailam . Known as natural illuminator, this oil is used to illuminate skin and to remove tan. Helps clear scars, acne marks and uneven skin tone that causes pigmentation. Usage is really simple. Take the required amount and massage on to skin until it gets absorbed and leave on for half an hour. You can then wash off with mild soap. The oil is beneficial is removing scars, pigmentation and is all natural.

I started using this when I was pregnant and pigmentation was a problem that led to stress. The oil has been working well to remove blemishes.

Price : Rs .250 for 50ml

Dhanwantram tailam. Pre and post natal massage oil. A traditional oil that helps in alleviating pain, rejuvenates muscles and increase immunity this oil is apt for pre and post natal massages. These are period which require massaging of skin to improve elasticity and strengthening of muscles. Regular usage also reduces stretch marks effectively during and post pregnancy. Made from authentic Ayurvedic formulation this oil is made from all natural ingredients and is not so sticky when applied. The oil can be massaged until absorbed by skin and left for half an hour. This can be washed off with mild soap in a warm bath.

I’ve been using this regularly post delivery and trust me it’s been the best savior of postpartum recovery.

Price : Rs. 250 for 50 ml

Tejaswini face wash powder. Green gram Bengal gram are skincare secret ingredients passed on from generations. This face wash powder is soap free , and helps absorb oil and makes its oil free. Can be used as daily scrub for face and suited for all skin types. Helps prevent acne and blemishes updated n regular usage. What else does a girl need when there is an all natural face wash. Usage is making the powder into a paste with water or rose water applying on face , scrub for 15-20 seconds and wash off for all day glow.

I’ve been using this for about two months and feels so good to be back with grandma’s Skincare secret.

Ingredients : almond, green gram, bengal gram, orange peel powder, rose petal, aloe Vera, avarampoo, hibiscus.

Price : Rs. 399 for 50gm

Kasturi manjal powder . Known as wild turmeric this is a staple in all Indian households. A must have ingredient for natural Skincare, this powder helps protect skin from harmful radiation. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties which help fight acne causing bacteria. A lovely uplifting aroma arises when using this powder. Helps in removing blemishes and acne marks this powder also helps in increasing skin luminosity. When mixed with Coconut oil can be used for spot reduction of scars. When mixed with water can be applied on to face, massaging in circular motion and washed off with warm water.

Kasturi manjal is a staple in our routine from being a baby. It is incorporated into bath powders to reduce hair growth and keep skin healthy.

Ingredients : Wild turmeric, lemon, orange and tulasi leaves.

Price : Rs 399 for 50gms.

Extra virgin coconut oil . Made from 100% natural coconut milk, the oil is apt for haircare in treating dry and sensitive scalp. Helps boost volume and improve hair growth.

An excellent massage oil for babies with all natural nutrients. A natural makeup remover this can be used in daily Skincare routine. I’ve been using it for me and as well as my baby for regular oil massage.

Price : Rs 299 for 200 ml.

A 100% all natural and trusted brand where you can buy Ayurvedic products for skin, hair and body wellness from our god’s own country. You can shop them at https://www.sheshabeauty.com

Check out what seems has to say about jaggery and what Amritha has to about gardening.

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