Beauty Potions From Your Kitchen
Arundhanti Rai, a naturopath, believes that no skincare regime is complete without a dose of the ‘naturals.’ But you don’t really need to scour exotic food stores to pick up imported herbs or extracts Just head to your local supermarket and stock up on the regular items that you can use for a healthy diet and apply on your skin as well. According to Arundhanti, if fruit remains on your fruit platter after a meal, put it on your face instead of discarding it.
Coconut Oil
Contains linolenic acid and has a straight chain composition (meaning molecules in this compound are aligned straight) and so, it penetrates into the skin and hair more easily as compared to the rest of the oils that stay on top, forming a barrier.
Coconut milk
This is a great hair conditioner and masque for soothing dry brittle strands.
Coconut Cream
Grate a coconut, extract its milk and keep it in your fridge. The next morning, after the water settles, take out the top layer of the cream and use it as a moisturizer or a mask.
Tender coconut water
Dab some on your tace to heal dehydrated skin and scars.
Coriander seeds
These can be great eye soothers. Soak the seeds overnight and then put it into little gauze bags. Put these over your tired eyes and they will look bright in no time.
Cucumber
It soothes tired eyes and minimizes dark circles.
Sugar
It is a great skin polisher.
Eggs
It is a skin and hair nourisher An egg mask lifts and hydrates the skin instantly, but remember to put in some essential oil (jojoba if the skin is dry, lavender if the skin is flushed, or basil for acne prone skin) to mask the smell,
Fenugreek seeds
Soak the seeds overnight and grind them into a paste the next day. It makes for an excellent hair pack.
Gram flour
If you are indoors most of the time and your skin does not have any particular issue, gram flour acts as a great replacement for soap and can be used as a gentle skin exfoliator.
Honey
Gives you dewy. glowing skin in an instant. Superb hydrant.
Milk
Soothes sun-irritated skin. Milk can also be used as a medium to make any paste or mask, like when you use it while rubbing sandalwood on a rough stone to make a paste.
Oatmeal/rice powder
The ideal body/face scrub to treat dry, itchy skin.
Tomatoes
Lighten acne scars, pigmentation, and excessive oiliness by applying this.
Yogurt
When consumed, the good bacteria not only helps the tummy, it also brightens tired skin. When applied, the acid in the curd helps in lightening and hydrating the skin.
Lemon
Give your skin a big dose of vitamin C. It is a natural skin lightening agent and acid peel.
Sandalwood Paste
Get a piece of sandalwood and rub it on a wet stone with milk or water. The paste helps fight acne and pigmentation and also calms irritated skin.
Strawberries/grapes
Give your skin a dose of antioxidants and vitamin C with these.
Turmeric
A natural antiseptic and best anti-inflammatory ingredient. You will find its powder in every Indian kitchen. Get fresh turmeric root and rub it on wet stone to make a paste.
Used teabags
Reduce puffy eyes with these.
Masoor dal(red lentils)
Ideal for using as a scrub or mask to treat dry skin.
Potatoes
The juice of potatoes can fight pigmentation.
Papaya/greenapple
Both are rich in enzymes. They loosen dead skin by exfoliating it and give your skin a nice glow.
Wheatgrass
It is a shot of pure health when freshly extracted and gives a good dose of iron.
Tulsi(basil)
Treats acne and skin irritation.