If you wish to keep pimples, blackheads and acne at bay, it is important for you to clear the clogged pores in your skin. Deep cleansing and exfoliation at regular intervals help in doing away with the dead skin cells, oil, dirt and impurities that clog the pores. Keep reading for the best tips and tricks to unclog facial skin pores naturally.
How To Unclog Facial Pores Naturally: Top 3 Tips
1. STEAMING: Steaming is one of the cheapest yet most effective natural treatments that help remove the dirt and grease that have accumulated in the pores of the skin. Heat water in a pot and cover it with a lid. As soon as the water starts producing steam, remove it from the source of heat and lean over the pot of steaming water, while covering your head with a towel. Make sure that the steam touches your face. For added benefits, add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the water. Steam your face for about 5 to 7 minutes. Whenever you feel that the steam is too hot for you to put up with, take a short break. After you are done with steaming your face, pat your skin dry and follow up with a toner and a mild non-comedogenic moisturizer. Steaming your face once a week is indeed a great practice.
2. EXFOLIATION: Exfoliate your skin to chuck out the impurities off the pores of your facial skin. Mix baking soda (2 tablespoons) with cinnamon powder (1 tablespoon) and honey (4 tablespoons). Add the juice of half-a-lemon to the mixture and apply the concoction on your face. Rinse with water after 5 minutes. Baking soda is an excellent exfoliating agent that is gentle on the skin and helps unplug clogged pores. If you are not comfortable using baking soda and lemon juice on skin, you can try out the honey-sugar scrub recipe. Mix 4 tablespoons of green tea with honey and sugar, a tablespoon each. Scrub your face with this homemade scrub and wash off with water. Follow up with a mild moisturizer.
3. APPLICATION OF CLAY MASKS: Clay masks are known to draw out the oil and grease from the skin pores efficiently. Mix bentonite clay, oatmeal powder and water, one tablespoon each. Apply this clay mask on your face. Once it dries up, rinse thoroughly with water. Follow up with a good quality moisturizer to prevent dryness.
A weekly skincare regimen, consisting of steaming, cleansing, scrubbing, toning and moisturizing could go a long way in preventing clogged pores. Unclog your facial pores naturally and keep your skin smooth and glowing, always!
Editor’s Note: Totally believe in all three, while steaming doesn’t happen always. Even a warm muslin cloth works at times. And clay masks are so amazing to pull out the dirt and perfect for oily skin to keep oil at bay.
Trending Beauty Hacks That All Lazy Girls Should Know
Sadly girls today don’t find much time to indulge in relaxed beauty services at home due to demanding work-life balance. With these simple yet quick beauty hacks, it’s possible to look your best without feeling guilty and out-of-date.
So here you go lazy girls, incorporate these effective beauty hacks, without all the time and effort in the world!
Brighten up your tired eyes
A little bottle of mascara cab does the trick. If you are suffering from puffy/swollen or sleepy eyes? Mascara application can immediately brighten your face.
Define your bushy eyebrows
If your busy schedule as well laziness has resulted in bushy and unkempt eyebrows than simply swipe two coats of clear mascara. It will automatically hold and define your eyebrows.
Facial Bliss
If you are suffering from tired and dull skin and have no time for facials than simply get facial sheets. It’s easily available in the market, are super effective as well as easy to use. However, if you have time over the weekends and are looking for a relaxed and professional service, try UrbanClap app for salon services at home. It is a one-stop destination for all urban lifestyle services.
Dry and rough toes
No time for pedicure? While taking a shower simply use pumice stone and say goodbye to dry and uneven skin. Do it regularly for a prolonged effect.
Fight disobedient hair
When your hair seems super messy and as usual you are running late for office, then making a top knot is the safest bet.
Perfume that stays effective for long
If you want your perfume to last longer, simply rub Vaseline on your pulse points before applying the perfume i.e. behind the ears, on the wrists and behind the knees. It will save you from having to re-apply.
Say no to dry hands and feet
Dry hands and feet can leave you embarrassed. Keep your moisturizer next to your bed and religiously apply it before bedtime. Every morning you will wake up to soft and supple skin.
For effortless waves
If you have washed your hair but have no time for a blow dry then simply tie up your hair into a bun and let it stay like that. Once it’s dry just shake it and voila you achieve soft curls instantly.
Quickly dry nails
Painted nails can instantly make your hands look beautiful. However, on the other hand messy nail paint can be a big turn-off. To quickly dry nail paint, dip your freshly painted nails into ice-cold water.
Use in a shower gel combined with moisturizer
Applying body lotion can take a lot of time. In order to save on time, purchase a shower gel with moisturizer.
Fast and easy blow dry session
Blow dry your hair upside down, not only it saves time but also adds volume to your hair.
Cover those roots
In order to get thicker mane as well to hide those incoming roots, it’s best to brush a little black eye-shadow onto your parting.
Concealer for dark under eye circles
Nothing looks worse on your face as compared to deep and dark under eye circles. A concealer can come handy to quickly achieve a flawless look.
Credit card usage
Applying eye-liner or mascara can easily turn into a messy affair especially when you are running late. Worry not, simply hold your credit card underneath your lashes, excess of product will stick to the card instead of your face and within no time you will get bright and beautiful eyes.
Achieve squeaky clean scalp
Baking soda has multiple uses. Apart from being used in kitchen, baking soda can also help you get rid of hair buildup. Just sprinkle a little amount into your shampoo and get light, clean and fresh strands.
Have fun while using these simple yet effective beauty hacks!
To begin with, I have extremely sensitive, acne prone, oily skin that is always on the verge of breakouts. Due to this reason, I avoid moisturizers (except for aloe vera gel) all my life. However, as I am approaching towards late 20s, I have been noticing that the texture of the skin looks very unhealthy and that natural glow is missing somewhere. Hence, I wanted something to rejuvenate and nourish the skin. After searching high and low for all the ingredients that works on acne prone skin without giving much trouble, I made this night serum for myself and to my surprise, I did work! I have been using it past a month and thankfully I observed some good changes in my skin. Firstly, it never broke me out and also nourished the skin. Secondly, it hydrates the skin throughout the night with getting oily or greasy. So, here goes the night elixir for acne prone skin.
INGREDIENTS:
Aloe Vera Gel – you can either take it directly from the plants and blend it smooth to have the gel consistency or simple buy one!
Jojoba Oil – Works wonder for oily acne prone skin. You can also substitute it for Avocado OR Almond Oil for preference.
Rose Water – either homemade or store-bought will work.
Vitamin E Capsule – easily available across the counter otherwise you can also opt for Vitamin E oil.
Sanitized Bowl – since it is a face product, it is better to have a sanitized place to start with and then transfer it to a dropper bottle or any container.
STEPS
Step 1
Add 1 tbsp. of rose water in the bowl.
Step 2
Next, add 2 tbsp. of aloe vera gel. Mix it thoroughly as both the ingredients have different consistencies and takes effort to blend well. You can also add 1 tbsp. if you want a runny consistency but I wanted sort of a slightly thicker one, so I added 2 tbsp.
Step 3
Add 2-3 drops of Jojoba Oil and again blend it in.
Step 4
Lastly, take out 1-2 Vitamin E Capsules and poke them to take out the oil. Add the mixture very comprehensively unless you see a uniform consistency without any lumps.
Final outcome
And Voila! You night serum is ready!
TIP: Do not make it in a large quantity because it is handmade and hence, the preservatives are missing. Make it enough for a week or two at the most.
FOR DRY SKIN – Since dry skin or mature skin needs more than just aloe vera gel, they can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead of aloe vera gel. They can also incorporate the essential oils like Almond, Rosehip, Grapeseed, etc. as per their own preference.
BENEFITS OF THE INGREDIENTS –
Vitamin E – Vitamin E is the main ingredient I would vouch for. It has excellent properties to revive and renew the skin cells at night. It treats the scars and marks on the skin due to ageing or acne. Being a great moisturizer, it nourishes the skin well without making it greasy or clog the pores when applied. It soothes and treats the sun burns and regular tanning of the skin. Most prominently, it make collagen that decreases the rate of aging signs like wrinkles, fine lines, etc.
Aloe Vera Gel – this is the HG for every oily skin. Seldom moisturizers suit us and we always find our way back to this. Aloe Vera, known as “plant of immortality”, it has numerous benefits for skin. It moisturizes the skin, heals the scars and soothes the skin from acne and nourishes without any greasy layer which gets absorbed in a jiffy. It also lightens skin pigmentation and slows down the ageing sign.
Jojoba Oil – it is known to fight wrinkles, stretch marks and cellulite. With high amount of ceramides which cover skin cells, it hydrates and nourishes the skin like no other. Oily skin doesn’t go well with other oils but this is an exception. It is so light weight and gets blended very easily. It also has anti-bacterial properties that treats acne and allergies.
Rose Water – the beauty of rose water in indefinite. From toner to face packs, makeup setting spray to hydration – it can do everything. It treats acne, soothes the skin from sun burns, refreshes and invigorates and has many anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties for sensitive skin.
Do let me know how you liked the DIY.
Editor’s Note: I swear by Vitamin E capsules, but they are so sticky and messy while applying. I guess the mix of rose water and aloe vera gel will make applying Vitamin E easier. Also I am all for essential oils, I love using them. Definitely trying this Sanchita.
Today I am reviewing one of my favourite products from the Lotus Herbals YouthRx Range, the Serum + Creme.
It contains the highest concentration of the revolutionary ‘Gineplex Youth Compound’ which gives it 10 times the anti-ageing power of a day crème. It’s a 2-in-1 formula of Serum + Crème –
1. Serum penetrates the skin quickly and delivers 10X* more ‘GINEPLEX YOUTH COMPOUND’ to the dermal layer, boosting collagen production.
2. Crème nourishes, hydrates and restores skin moisture.
MRP: Rs.695/- for 30ml
Directions:
Ingredients:
One of my most favourite product from this range. It comes in a very thick glass bottle with a cap and a pump dispensor. Again a mix of gel+cream consistency. It is very light and gets absorbed into the skin in a jiffy. I just need one pump and it hydrates and nourishes the skin. I can even skip a cream post using this, coz it hydrates wonderfully even in these winters. Skin feels soft and smooth instantly.
It smells really nice and the packaging is quite good. The bottle is sturdy and perfect for travel too. I only carry this when I am going to my parents’ place for 1-2 days as it solves the purpose of both a serum and a moisturizer.
Skin feels soft and supple immediately, it hydrates the skin but does not leave a heavy, greasy feeling. You can use only this in summers, for winters, I would suggest following up with the Day Cream from the same range.
I love the Ginseng, Ginger, Milk Peptide i.e. GinePlex ingredients, you can feel it working on the skin. It is definitely soothing, I can’t really comment on lifting but skin does feel firmer with regular usage.
It is not just meant for 30+ or anti-ageing, I would recommend it to everyone in mid 20’s too, I am in my late 20’s and definitely loving it.
Even though it is slightly on the expensive side, but the ingredients are impressive and it definitely works. Also a little goes a long way.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Have you tried the new Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème?
So I got these 4 body lotions from Nivea to try out and review for you guys, and I did so one by one, here are my thoughts on each.
They have an interesting concept of hydration, they have 1 to 5 range of hydration and each body lotion would fall in between 1 to 5 where 1 is light and 5 is the most rich lotion. Also each lotion also mentions if it is meant for ‘dry skin’, ‘very dry skin’ or ‘all skin types’. The smaller bottles comes in a curved shape, and the sizes vary from the smallest bottle to the huge 400ml pump bottle. The smaller ones are perfect for travel and the pump ones are handy and quick to use at home.
Nivea Smooth Milk Body Lotion
What the Company claims: The new non-greasy softening formula now with double amount of precious Shea Butter, repairs skin dryness to give deep moisturisation and long lasting smoothness.
The moisturising body milk for dry skin
Experience a unique care experience. NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion with Hydra IQ and Shea Butter provides long-lasting moisture. The formula absorbs quickly and pampers your skin with a velvety feel. For an irresistibly beautiful skin: NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion.
RESULT:
The formula with Hydra IQ technology provides long-lasting moisture.
Cares for the skin with a formula with valuable shea butter.
Velvety texture is quickly absorbed and gives a smooth feel.
Apply regularly to experience a smoother and softer skin for days
The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use.
This Smooth Milk Body Lotion falls in the mid in the light to rich parameters, so it would be ideal for all skin types, especially in winters. In summers, would suggest it for dry skin. It is slightly runny but easy to blend and gets absorbed quickly.
It has shea butter and is quite moisturizing yet not super rich at the same time. If you are someone with very dry skin and use only body butters, you might feel the need to reapply at the end of the day, for me it gives just enough hydration and I do not feel the need to reapply.
I love the soft floral smell and definitely recommend this to everyone.
Nivea Oil in Lotion Cocoa Nourish Body Lotion
What the Company claims: Enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter. The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use. It provides deep moisture and smoothes away dullness
MRP: Rs.215/- for 200ml, Rs.330/- for 400ml (BUY HERE for 264)
Ingredients & Claims:
It has coconut oil and cocoa butter, as the name goes ‘Oil in Lotion’, it has actual oil and is obviously on the richer side. It is 4th in their light to rich parameter. It’s a little thicker and not like a lotion, but like a liquidy body butter. It takes some time to blend and has a cocoa smell. Quite moisturising and perfect for the current winters and for people with dry skin. Even dry skin will not feel the need of reapplication, skin stays hydrated, moist and supple throughout the day. Perfect for people with dry, itchy, flaky skin, you should give this a try.
Nivea Body Milk Nourishing Lotion
What the Company claims:The formula with Almond oil softens the skin. Give your very dry skin intensive care. Long-lasting softness and protection
This comes in the rich category and is 5th in their hydration parameters, so it is one of the richest (or the most rich) Nivea body lotion. Surprisingly it is quite runny and not as gooey and thick and blends easily too. It has a soft floral smell. Going by the texture and the way it blends easily, you will not expect it to be that hydrating or rich. But the skin feels super soft and smooth in an instant, I think it is all thanks to the almond oil in it. Though I would recommend this for dry to very dry skin and people who have itchy, flaky dry skin, this would be the perfect post shaving body lotion for everyone. As it rich but not sticky and greasy and is super easy to apply. Definitely recommend this!
Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair & UV Protect Body Lotion
What the Company claims:
Formulated with super fruit extracts of camu camu and acerola cherry, this lotion offers 50 times higher Vitamin C*, and helps to repair the years of dullness and damage on skin
The formula with SPF 15 is free of Paraben, Mineral Oil, Colorants and Bleaching, proven to protect the skin from sun effectively without leaving harmful residues
NIVEA Extra Whitening Cell Repair and UV Protect Lotion with SPF 15 helps repair: Accumulated dull damaged skin, dark spots, uneven skin tone, rough skin, flaky skin, cracked skin, itchy skin
It is the one of the most expensive of all Nivea Body Lotions, but I would say rightly so. One of my friend never gets tanned during summers even when she wears sleeveless and when I asked, she said she swears by the Nivea Extra Whitening Body Lotion. You know those tan lines of sleeves, shorts, necklines, etc, they are the most irritating. And although we have a lot of DIY’s to remove tan (Read HERE), admit it we are too lazy most of the times and if a body lotion moisturizes our skin and removes our tan at the same time plus gives SPF, then why not! We all need such good things 😀
It is quite runny and super light, it falls 2nd in their hydration parameter, I would not recommend it for winters as you would need to reapply quite a few times but for summers, this is an absolute must have! Get SPF, get rid of your tan plus moisturise your skin, this is all in one and more. It has 50 x Vitamin C and will also work on spots and uneven skin tone, we do work on our face and use all the Vitamin E and C for it, but hardly ever for our body, and body obviously needs equal care and attention.
I would highly recommend this one for summers.
L-R: Nivea Smooth Milk, Cocoa Nourish, Body Milk, Extra Whitening
Overall I would say I love the fact that all Nivea Body Lotions come in different sizes from the smallest to the biggest and different price points, each one is meant for different skin type and use, and can be used accordingly. I suggest Smooth Milk & Extra Whitening for Summers and Cocoa Nourish and Body Milk for winters.
Have you tried Nivea Body Lotions? Which one is your favourite?
Today I will be reviewing another face wash from Curatio. I have already reviewed their Fash Gel Face Wash and liked it. This is a foam based variant of the the face wash. I haven’t come across many foaming face washes till now. Himalaya has the Neem Foaming Face Wash which is good. The ones from Sebamed and Vichy are expensive. And then there are the Saslic foaming face washes which are a little strong. This one from Curatio is a milder as well as an inexpensive option. Read on to know how it works and whether you should go for it or not.
Product Claims: Fash Foam is an innovative approach to gentle skin cleansing. Fash Foam helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Wet face. Pump adequate foam onto the palm of your hand. Gently apply the foam on the face and massage for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.
Packaging: The face wash comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a convenient pump. There is a sturdy, plastic cap covering the bottle. The packaging looks attractive. Also, there is an outer carton to house the bottle. It is no doubt bulky for carrying around. But you can be assured there won’t be any leakage with this double protection.
Texture and fragrance: The face wash looks like a blue liquid in the bottle. But on pumping, it dispenses as a bluish white foam. The fragrance is very mild and not bothersome.
My experience: I have combination skin type which gets oily in summers. But some of the oil-control face washes I have used tend to dry out my skin excessively, causing an uncomfortable stretchy feeling. But Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash has worked well for me in controlling oil as well as not drying out skin much. I need about 3 pumps of the foam to cover my entire face and neck. I massage for a minute and then wash off. Unlike the Fash Gel, this is very easy to apply and rinse owing to its foam texture. It deep cleanses my face of all dirt and oil and gives a squeaky clean feeling. It also makes my face feel very smooth and fresh which I think its because it removes dead cells too to an extent. Although, it doesn’t cause any dry, stretchy feeling, I need to follow up with a good moisturizer, unlike the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash while using which, I used to skip moisturizer at times. It also gives a matte look and helps to control oil for a long time, around 5-6 hours. My combination skin is very prone to whiteheads frequently. After continuously using this face wash, I can feel my whiteheads have reduced considerably. The cleansing effect of this foaming face wash is deeper and thorough than the Fash Gel. So I feel its apt for oily-combination skin people. Dry skin people can skip this. One bottle of this can easily last for two months so its not expensive either. Coming to the availability of this brand, I have not seen it in regular shops/supermarkets but it can be easily got in any pharmacy.
Pros:
* Deeply and thoroughly cleanses pores of all dirt and oil.
* Keeps face oil-free for 5-6 hours.
* Makes skin smooth by removing dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t cause a stretchy feeling.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.
Cons:
* Contains SLS.
Price and quantity: Rs.270 for 100ml.
Rating: 4.3/5
Verdict: I liked both the face washes from Curatio. They are not harsh on the skin but still deeply cleanse the skin. Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash is a great option if you have oily-combination skin and don’t mind SLS face washes. Especially in summers it can help control oil effectively. Normal-dry skin types or those who prefer SLS-free face washes can go for the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash.
Editor’s Note: This looks quite good, I too have combination skin. And it controls whiteheads which is fab, would definitely give it a try.
Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 Review
By Archana
Hi all,
Today, I am reviewing a sunscreen from the brand Nature’s Essence. They have a wide variety of products at very budget-friendly prices. All their products are made primarily with natural ingredients. This is possibly one of the cheapest sunscreens available in the market. Read on to know how the ‘Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60’ fares.
Products claims: SUNBAN is a moisturizing sun protection lotion which provides full spectrum protection to the skin from UV rays. The natural added extract protects the skin against suntan. Good for all skin types. Can be used on all skin types.
Directions to use: Apply Sunban lotion on face, neck and other exposed parts of body before going out. Avoid contact with eye area.
Packaging: The sunscreen comes in a yellow squeezable tube packaging with a flip-open cap. Nothing fancy in the packaging but a basic functional one. Its convenient to be carried around in your handbag without any fear of leakage. But one thing though, the cap seems to be flimsy and it broke within few uses as you can see in the pics.
Texture and fragrance: The sunscreen is sandal-colored with a slightly thick and creamy consistency. It has a mild herbal fragrance which is not bothersome. The fragrance proves that it contain natural extracts unlike other sunscreens I have used which usually have a chemical smell.
My experience: I have always chosen sunscreens based on the SPF factor. But till now I have never heard of TPI factor. So I googled around a bit and found that TPI is Tan Protection Index. Basically SPF helps to protect the skin against UV rays, cancer and sun burns. Whereas TPI specifically helps to protect the skin from tanning. This was a new info to me.
So coming back to this sunscreen from Nature’s Essence, this has both SPF and TPI. It takes a little time to blend it in completely. Though it appears tinted, after applying there is no tint whatsoever and it gives a natural finish. Unlike other sunscreens, this doesn’t leave any whitish cast. I have oily-combination skin and I find it little heavy and greasy for use nowadays as summers have started. Within 3-4 hours, my face starts becoming oily. I think it might be more suitable during winters. Dry skin people can use it year around.
Now the strange thing that I have observed is, although it claims of TPI 60 and SPF 30, I am still getting tanned. I don’t know if it is just me or anyone else too felt it, but overtime of trying out different sunscreens, I have observed that those from higher end brands like Avene, Vichy, TBS, etc. or even mid-range brands like Neutrogena, Plum, Christine Valmy, etc even if they have lower SPF of 20, they seem to prevent tanning to a large extent, while those from budget brands, though they claim of higher SPFs, they fail to prevent much tanning. Am not sure about it, but I feel sunscreen is one product where the ones with completely natural ingredients might not really be effective. While we can opt for natural products in face washes, face packs, shampoos, etc., when it comes to sunscreens I don’t think they are much effective. Its just my observation. Please share your views and experiences with natural sunscreens in the comments below.
Pros:
* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.
* Has TPI along with SPF .
* Contains goodness of natural ingredients like aloevera, turmeric and basil.
* Suitable for normal-dry skin.
* Very affordable.
Cons:
* Might not suit oily/combination skin.
* Not much effective in preventing tan.
* Complete ingredients list missing.
Price and quantity: Rs.95 for 60ml.
Rating: 3.7/5
Verdict: Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 is a very budget-friendly sunscreen with natural ingredients. But the results are average and its not very effective in preventing tan. Maybe if you are spending most time indoors, you can try it. But skip it if you spend more time under sun or going on a vacation or beach holiday.
Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous review Archana, from whatever little I have read, heard and interacted with dermatologists, they all say sunscreens are good for protection but they cannot prevent skin from tanning. I am not sure how TPI works but I haven’t heard of any full proof sunscreen which prevents absolute tanning when you are out in the harsh skin for a long time. I remember using the Avene SPF50 spray all over my body during the Beauty & The Blogger shoot and we were out in the super harsh summer sun from 11 to 3 and I get tanned super easily, the area of the skin within the clothes and the area exposed to sun went black and white literally, that tan took almost 8-9 months to go away completely! So to prevent tan, one has to be covered and protected all the time, sunscreen will only help in protecting and this one sounds good for winters or for dry skin.
Sorry for the long rant 😀
Have you tried the Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60?
Acne Scars – Causes, Prevention Measures and Home Remedies
By Archana
Hi all,
After many product reviews, I am back with an informative post today. Acne is one common skin condition that many people suffer from. Though it mostly occurs in teenagers, many adults too face it. In today’s post, I will explain the common causes for acne, prevention measures and some home remedies to cure acne scars.
What causes acne?
The four main reasons for acne are:
* Excessive oil production
* Dead skin cells
* Clogged pores
* Bacteria
When our body secretes excess sebum/oil, they build up in the hair follicles and form a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive in. This bacterial infection causes inflammation eventually leading to pimples. Whiteheads and blackheads too are actually clogged pores with bacteria and oil.
Some factors like hormonal imbalance, certain foods, stress, etc can trigger or aggravate the acne conditions.
How to prevent the occurrence of acne?
It’s always better to prevent the occurrence of acne in the first place with some good skin care routine.
* Keep your face clean by washing your face atleast twice a day to remove impurities, dead skin cells and extra oil.
* Use a separate towel for your face.
* Change your pillow covers and bedsheets weekly.
* Avoid or limit the intake of deep-fried foods, dairy products, sugar, salty snacks and junk food.
* Avoid using oils, gels and fragrances on your hair.
* Wash your hair often as oily hair can add to the oil on your face.
Home remedies for acne scars:
When a pimple occurs, it can leave behind marks and scars. Though there are many pigmentation creams and anti-acne gels available in the market, home remedies are always more effective and with no side effects. Only thing, they need to be followed diligently for atleast two weeks to see improvement. Here is a list of easy remedies at home to cure acne scars:
Lemon mask for acne scars:
* Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
* Honey – 1tbsp
* Milk – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 1 tbsp
Mix all the above together and using a cotton wool apply on the acne scars. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent which helps lighten the scars. The rose water helps to soothe the tingling sensation caused due to lemon.
Aloe vera gel for acne scars:
Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the plant and apply on face. You can leave it overnight. Do it regularly for two weeks for the acne scars to fade. Aloe vera not only soothes inflammation but also helps in regenerating damaged tissues and speeds up the healing process.
Blend the cucumber into a smooth paste. Add the gram flour and turmeric powder and apply as a face pack. Leave for 20-25 minutes and then wash off. This treatment is good for sensitive skin also to get rid of acne scars.
Potato and tomato mask for acne scars:
* Half a potato
* Half a tomato
* Honey – 1 tbsp
Grate the potato and extract the juice from it. Blend the tomato into a fine paste. Add the potato juice and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this mix all over your face and wash off after 15 minutes. Tomatoes contain the enzyme lycopene which help to lighten pimple marks. Potatoes also have skin lightening and bleaching properties.
Cinnamon and honey mask for acne scars:
Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one teaspoon of honey and apply on your acne scars. Leave it for an hour and then wash off. This mixture has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is effective in treating the acne.
Tea tree oil for acne scars:
This is a proven remedy for reducing acne scars. Tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral essential oil. Just dilute some tea tree essential oil in water and apply this solution on your acne scars everyday. Leave it overnight. Follow it regularly to see visible reduction in scars and blemishes.
Apple cider vinegar for acne scars:
ACV is a natural astringent and balances the pH level of your skin. It is effective in the treatment of acne too. Mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar with 1 part of water and 1 teaspoon of honey. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply on scars. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off. Do this once daily.
Sandalwood and orange face pack for acne scars:
* Sandalwood powder – 2 tbsp
* Orange peel powder – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 2 tbsp
Mix all the above into a fine paste and apply as a face pack. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off. According to Ayurveda, sandalwood is a effective soothing and cooling agent to treat skin inflammations. Orange peel powder helps to lighten the marks.
So these are some of the home remedies you can follow to cure acne scars, pimple marks and blemishes.
Editor’s Note: This was a really well written post Archana and the remedies are fab. I think I always stick to Aloe Vera Gel and the fuller’s earth, sandalwood mix. I will surely try the other home remedies mentioned by you.
Which ones have you tried? Share your experiences below.
Winters are almost getting over and sunny days have started. I can feel my skin which suffered from excessive dryness during winters is going to back to its usual oily-combination self. When it comes to face washes, I was using more of creamy cleansers during winters. But now I have to change them to a more deep-cleansing face wash which can control oil for a longer time. Thanks to Bhumika, I got to try this Fash Face Wash from Curatio at the right time. Read to know whether it is a hit or a miss.
Product Claims: Fash Face Cleanser is an innovative approach to healthy skin, which regulates the skin ecosystem. With its specially developed formulation, Fash helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil without leaving skin feeling dry. Regular use of Fash cleanser helps maintain clean, youthful and radiant skin.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Wet face with water, pour sufficient quantity of Fash face cleanser on palm, develop a rich lather, and gently massage on face for 2 minutes. Rinse off. Repeat if skin is very oily. Use 1-3 times a day.
Packaging:
The face wash comes in a sturdy plastic tube with a flip-open cap. The blue and white color graphics of the tube looks fresh and energizing. I have carried around the tube in my handbag and there has been no leakage or spillage. So packaging wise, the face wash looks good as well as convenient and travel friendly.
Texture and fragrance:
The face wash is blue colored with a mild, fresh, menthol-kind of fragrance. The texture of the face wash is one of the weirdest I have ever come across. It is gel-like and sticky.
My experience:
I have been using the face wash for the past two weeks and have been pretty satisfied with it. Except for the weird, sticky texture that I have mentioned above. When I squeeze the face wash into my hands, the gel just sticks to my hands. I have a hard time spreading it on my face as it just sticks to the skin, even though my face is wet. I need to massage well for it to work. It doesn’t create any lather as such. But on massaging for some time, the blue gel texture turns into bluish-white paste like a face pack. On the directions, it is mentioned that the face wash has to be massaged for 2 minutes. And I felt, it works well only when used that way.
Initially, I was using it in the usual quick way of applying and washing off like any other face wash and it didn’t work well. Also, owing to the sticky consistency, it becomes difficult to wash off as well and takes time to remove it completely. Even I have a hard time washing it off from my hands. While washing, if any gel accidentally drips into your wash basin, it sticks there as well and you have to scrub to get rid of it.
But for all this hard work in using a face wash, the results are very satisfactory. It deep cleanses the skin and removes all oil, dirt and gives a fresh look. Am not sure if it contains menthol or not, but it gives a nice cooling and fresh feeling just like a menthol-based face wash. It doesn’t dry out skin much and I don’t feel the need to immediately reach for a moisturiser, though that might not be the case with dry skin people. It keeps my face fresh and oil-free for around 4-5 hours which is pretty good. Also, as mentioned in the product claims, I feel that it removes dead cells too and the whiteheads which I used to get frequently are more in control now.
Pros:
* Deep cleanses skin and gets rid of all dirt and oil.
* Gives a nice cooling effect.
* Keeps face oil-free for 4-5 hours.
* Removes dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t dry out skin.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.
* Nice and travel-friendly packaging.
* Free from SLS and parabens.
Cons:
* Sticky texture.
* Difficult to wash off.
Price and quantity: Rs.190 for 100g.
Rating: 4.3/5
Verdict: Overall, Curatio Fash Face Wash is a good face wash for oily-combination skin especially in summers. It gives a nice cooling feeling, deep cleanses skin and keeps it oil-free for a long time. Only con is the sticky texture which takes a while to spread and then wash off.
Editor’s Note: Oo..this is something quite unique and interesting. I have never tried something like that, but since this is specially meant for acne prone skin and controls that, it will be a boon for acne prone people. Nice review Archana 🙂
Have you heard of Fash Face Wash from Curatio yet?
So after the Feb Fab Bag yesterday, it’s time for the Feb My Envy Box, and this time they are celebrating 15 years of Luxurious Ayurveda and it’s the Forest Essentials Special Box.
All the products are from Forest Essentials and it is one of my favourite brands that actually works and shows results on your skin and is all natural and free of chemicals.
The prices of the smaller 8g samples mentioned on the card are not really justified coz the difference is huge compared to the original price of the product, so there must be a mistake. But still the products are pretty decent sized and the body lotion, soap and shower wash are perfect for travel too.
The total value of the products in the box comes to around Rs.1650-1700 which is still pretty good coz you are paying Rs.850/- per month which is half of that, and even lesser with 3 months of 6 months subscription.
I love FE products and these samples are perfect for me to try and know if it’s worth investing in the full sized product coz FE is not exactly cheap. I definitely recommend getting this month’s My Envy Box, even if you have never tried Forest Essentials products or you swear by them, either way it’s a win-win.
Also there is a special discount card and you can get 10% off on all purchases above Rs.1000/- on Forest Essentials India website using ‘FE15YRS’. My Envy Box has come up with a luxury jewellery subscription in association with NIMAI and currently there is 10% off for the month of Feb using ‘JEWEL10’
Do you like Forest Essentials? Which is your favourite out of the lot. in this month’s box?
