Shahnaz Husain
Coconut water
Coconut water inside a tender green coconut can be used for cleansing the face. The water is clear and sterile and also contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes. As such, it is highly nourishing. The face can be washed daily with coconut water to refresh and cleanse. It is said to impart a smooth and glowing skin. It helps to remove oil and other impurities. It can also be mixed with multani mitti into a paste and applied on the face. Wash it off when it dries. It is ideal for reducing oiliness and clarifying an oily skin.
Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice has several beauty benefits. It is an astringent and helps to tone and refresh the skin. It closes the pores and reduces oiliness. It also helps to lighten skin colour over a period of time. The effect of cucumber juice is gentle on the skin. That is why it is a traditional remedy for the delicate skin around the eyes, helping to reduce dark circles and brighten the skin. Cucumber juice may be applied daily on the skin around eyes, washing off with plain water after 15 minutes. It helps to reduce dark circles around eyes.
For a cooling face pack, mix Cucumber juice with two teaspoons powdered milk and one egg white. Put the ingredients in a blender, for a smooth paste. Apply on face and neck and rinse off with water after half an hour. It will also help to remove tan. To tone the skin, mix cucumber juice with rose water in equal quantities. Apply on the face and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. For a skin lightening pack, mix cucumber juice with ripe papaya pulp and yogurt. Apply on the face and wash it off after half an hour.
Rose water
Rose water contain Vitamins A, C, D. E and B3. The best part is that it suits all skin types, including sensitive skin and acne conditions. Rose water based skin tonics have helped to improve skin texture, reduce oiliness and soothe acne prone, rashy skin. Rose water is a powerful natural skin toner and also helps to refresh the skin. It is a natural coolant. Due to its cooling effect, rose water is ideal for Indian summers as a skin cleanser and freshener. It can be used several times during the day to wipe the face and remove dirt, oil and stale sweat. For oily skin, mix rose water with witch hazel in equal quantities and apply on the face, after cleansing. It helps to complete the cleansing process and also tones the skin. Rose water is versatile and can be mixed with many ingredients. Mixed with rice powder, it forms an ideal scrub for cleansing the pores of oily skin. Mixed with multani mitti into a paste, it forms an ideal cleansing pack.
Watermelon
Watermelons contain more water and help to replenish the water which the body loses through sweating during summer. It also has a cooling effect and prevents dehydration, checking the loss of fluids from the body. Watermelon is a real thirst-quencher during summer. Extract the juice, add one or two small chunks of watermelon, lemon juice and crushed ice. One teaspoon rose water can be added for flavour. Instead of having rich desserts, take fresh fruits. Watermelon not only makes a delicious dessert, it also helps to lose weight.
Like most other fruits watermelon can be externally applied on the skin and hair for its beauty benefits. Watermelon is rich in antioxidants, Vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as amino acids. These help to keep the skin healthy, improve blood circulation and protect the skin’s youthful properties. Amino Acids help to promote hair growth and keep the scalp healthy. It also contains minerals and antioxidants, which not only moisturise and nourish the skin, but also help to delay visibly ageing signs. Watermelon helps dry skin. It helps to seal in moisture and keeps the skin hydrated. In fact, it helps to soothe and improve dry, scaly skin. Applying watermelon pulp or juice helps to soften and smoothen the skin.
Watermelon is a powerful skin toner and also moisturises the skin. It suits all skin types. It moisturises oily skin, without making it oily and closes the pores. In summer, it has a cooling, soothing and refreshing effect on the skin. Apply watermelon pulp on the skin, or add it to fruit packs. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off with plain water.
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