For better skin

Home remedies

Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain has always believed that internal health and external beauty are two sides of the same coin.

She says that an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of sleep and exercise, stress, nutritional deficiencies — all reflect on the skin, making it dull and lifeless.

*  Tone the skin daily with chilled rose water, using cotton wool pads. Wipe and stroke the skin with them. Then, pat briskly with the rosewater-soaked cotton wool pads.

*  Exfoliating the skin twice a week works wonders. Mix ground almonds with yogurt and a pinch of turmeric. 

*  Take sesame seeds, dried mint leaves and honey. Crush the sesame seeds coarsely and powder the dried mint leaves. Mix them with a little honey and apply on the skin. Leave on for five minutes. Rub gently and wash off with water. Sesame seeds actually have sun protective properties and also soothe sun-damaged skin.

* Mix cucumber juice (or pulp) and watermelon fruit with two tablespoons powdered milk. Apply on face and neck and rinse off with water after half an hour.

*  Take half cup water and bring it to a boil. Put green tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for two minutes. Strain and cool the liquid in the refrigerator. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin.

* Cucumber juice (or pulp) can be mixed with two teaspoons powdered milk and one egg white. Apply on face and neck and rinse off with water after half an hour.

*  Take one tablespoon lemon juice and one tablespoon rose water. Add crushed mint leaves and let it stand for one hour. Strain the leaves and apply the liquid on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

*  Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the skin to soothe and add a glow. The nutritive mineral zinc present in this healing plant keeps the skin healthy.

* Apply cold compresses of chamomile tea on the face. It tones the skin.