Shahnaz Husain
Fruits have been traditionally used for beauty care. Ayurveda also makes use of fruits in remedies for skin and hair problems. Various fresh fruit packs are even used in high end beauty salons. One such fruit is the Apple. A common saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” implies that apples are of great benefit to the health. Apples have many beauty benefits too. Apart from being packed with vitamins and minerals, apples also contain pectin and tannin, which help to tone and tighten the skin. Pectin is said to have a soothing effect on sensitive skin. Apples are wonderful skin toners, helping to tighten the skin and stimulate blood circulation to the skin surface. They also have anti-oxidant properties, helping to prevent oxidation damage and thus delaying visible ageing signs on the skin.
Recent research has revealed that Green Apples may be of great benefit to the hair, in terms of controlling hair loss and promoting hair growth, because they contain polyphenols, which are said to be nature’s perfect antioxidant. Apples contain fruit acids, which have a powerful cleansing effect on the skin, loosening and removing dead skin cells. This helps to brighten the skin and gradually clear away blemishes, like dark spots. Raw apple pulp or apple juice can be applied on the skin daily and then washed off with plain water after 20 minutes. It stimulates blood circulation to the skin surface, adds a glow and helps to reduce lines and wrinkles on the skin. The fruit acids also reduce oiliness, discouraging and reducing blackheads and whiteheads. Apples can also be used as a scrub, mixing it with ground almonds and a little milk or curd. This can be applied on the face and body and rubbed gently on the skin with small circular movements.
Apples have a healing effect and can benefit acne-prone skin. Grated apple can be mixed with a little curd and applied on skin with acne. Grated apple can also be added to face masks. Mix oats with curd, honey and apple pulp or grated apple into a paste. Apply on the face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes.
Apple cider vinegar, which is obtained from apples, is one of the most useful remedies for common beauty problems. It helps to restore the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin and scalp. That is why it is of help to pimple and acne prone skin. All said and done, apple cider vinegar, like all vinegars is acidic. The main component is ascetic acid. It also has other acids, along with vitamins, mineral salts and amino acid.
As far as external beauty care is concerned, apple cider vinegar has been used for a number of skin and hair problems. For example, it makes a good hair rinse, restoring normal balances and adding shine to the hair. After shampoo, add two tablespoons apple cider vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse.
If you have dandruff, wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo three times a week, using less shampoo and rinsing very well with water. Half an hour before shampoo, apply two tablespoons vinegar on the scalp, massaging it lightly into the scalp. In case of sticky dandruff that adheres to the scalp, soak cotton wool in apple cider vinegar and rub gently on the scalp to dislodge the flakes.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used to restore balance to acne prone skin. Mix one part vinegar with three parts water. Soak cotton wool in the solution and dab on the face. The skin has a natural acid mantle and restoring the acid-alkaline balance helps to keep the skin healthy.
If there is itching on body skin, apple cider vinegar helps to relieve itching. Add some vinegar to bath water and rinse the body with it, specially the parts with itching. It is said that apple cider vinegar also helps warts. It is best to refer warts to a dermatologist, or go for homeopathic treatment, but if you wish to try home remedies, apply the vinegar on the warts daily using cotton wool. It is said that this causes them to finally fall out.
Yes……an apple a day also keeps beauty problems at bay!
Follow our WhatsApp channel
