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6 Ways to use Potatoes for Skin Care

6 Ways to use Potatoes for Skin Care

DIY, Skin care, Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Ways to use Potatoes for Skin Care

By Aakriti

We all desire flawless skin. While some beauty products do give us temporary results , I for one tend to stay away from chemicals. I prefer to use enzymes and chemicals present in natural foods to address my skin skin care needs.

One such holy grail product in my vanity is potatoes.

Since potatoes grow easily they are cheap as well as most likely to be organically grown. Potatoes are also packed with nourishing nutrients which can help address skin care needs if used in the proper way. Following is why potatoes are beneficial for the skin.

  • Potatoes contain potassium which helps to add moisture and hydrate the skin
  • They contain calcium which helps in healing dry skin
  • Calcium also helps to protect and renew the top layer of the skin
  • They contain an enzyme called catecholase which is responsible for reducing acne scars, blemishes and dark spots
  • They also contain magnesium which helps to fight free radicals which are responsible for causing wrinkles and fine lines
  • Topical application of potatoes provides some mild bleaching by reducing melanine production.

Below I have mentioned ways in which you can incorporate potatoes in your skin care routine-

1. For removing tan and achieving an even complexion

Cut a potato wedge and rub it in a circular motion all over the face. Let the juice sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Alternatively, one can grate the potato and squeeze the juice. Apply this juice on the face and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing away with cold water.

The best time to do this is when using potatoes for cooking. This way you do not need to remember and prepare specially.

2. For treating dark circles

Grate about 1 tablespoon of potato. Apply the grated potato on the under eye area. Lay back and relax for 10 minutes. Wash with cold water. Regular application of this helps in lightening the dark circles significantly

3. Face mask for treating age spots and tan removal (dry skin)

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with two tablespoons of honey to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

4. Face mask for treating age spots and tan removal (oily skin)

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with 1 tablespoon of fuller’s earth and 1 tablespoon of potato pulp to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

5. Face mask for hyper pigmentation and tan removal

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with two tablespoons of tomato juice to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

6. Face mask for glowing skin

Mix one tablespoon of potato pulp with one tablespoon of cucumber pulp. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1/2 a teaspoon of lemon juice. Add in a few drops of rose water for toning. Apply this mask for a maximum 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

One important point to keep in mind- After using any treatment with potatoes, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3-4 hours and always apply sunscreen. ( This is because topical application of potatoes leads to mild bleaching of the skin)

Have you tried any of these?

P.S.: Images from Google. I don’t own these

4 DIY Powders For All your Skin Care Needs

DIY, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

4 DIY Powders For All your Skin Care Needs

By Aakriti

Hey Guys,

With all the focus on natural skin care now-a- days, natural skin care brands are cropping up everywhere. Everything from natural powdered face washes to body scrubs is being presented in fancy little jars. Our grandmas are not the only ones promoting these now!

Although these brands do feature promising deals, they do come with a hefty price tag. What if you could make the same concoctions in the comfort of your home without the ugly hole in your precious pair of denims? I am here sharing 4 do-it- yourself miracle powders which you can add to your multani mittis (fullers earth) and besan (bengal gram) and be assured of the purity of it.

I say it’ll do half the good to your skin just because of the psychology (in that being it is 100% pure without any preservatives and additives)

So here we go.

DIY Neem Powder

Grab a handful of neem leaves from a tree near you (they are easy to find, practically planted all over India). Or, if you’d rather not , than you can buy neem leaves easily. Wash them thoroughly with water and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Lay them out in a single file out in the sun for 1-2 days. They will crisp up (meaning all moisture will be soaked out). Now all you need to do is powder them in a food blender and store in an airtight jar.

This one wont get spoiled for years and years (provided you had been patient enough to let the sun do its magic)

Recipe for neem powder face mask:

You will need- 1 tsp besan (powdered bengal gram), 1 tsp neem powder, 1 tsp multani mitti (fuller’s earth) , a pinch of turmeric , 1 tbsp milk, a few drops of rose water

Mix all ingredients thoroughly for a glowing face mask

2. DIY Orange Peel Powder

Eat 3 oranges to get your dose of Vitamin C. Save the peel 😀 Lay them out in the sun to crisp up and shrink ( for all the moisture to be soaked out). Powder them in a food blender and store in an airtight jar.

This too will not get spoiled for years and years. (provided you had been patient enough to let the sun do its magic)

Recipe for orange peel face mask:

You will need- 1 tsp orange peel powder, 1 tsp neem powder, 1 tsp besan/ multani mitti, 1 tbsp
milk, a few drops of rose water

Mix all ingredients together for a weekend face mask.

3. DIY Cinnamon Powder

You will need : 4-5 cinnamon sticks, 1 pan

Warm up the pan on a medium flame. Toss in the cinnamon stick and roast them for one to two minutes. Remove pan from heat and let the cinnamon sticks cool down completely. Once cooled completely, powder them in a food blender. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe for cinnamon powder spot treatment

You will need- 1 small pinch cinnamon powder and 1-2 drops honey.

Simply mix the honey and the cinnamon and apply overnight on any upcoming pimples.

4. DIY Oats Powder

You will need a cup of quick cooking oats (I use Quakers quick cooking oats). Roughly blend the oats in a food processor and store in an airtight container.

Recipe for a skin softening and nourishing body soak/ foot soak :

Add a cup of oats to your warm your bath for a body soak. Add a couple of drops of an essential oil. For a foot soak, add 3 tablespoons to warm water and soak feet for 15 minutes. Powdered oats can also be used to replace your face wash. Simply use a tablespoon of powdered oats and work them in a circular motion on your face. Helps to keep skin clear of acne.

Hope you guys find some useful tips and use these homemade powders to create your own luxurious concoctions.

P.S: I do not own the images

5 ways to use Onions for Skin and Hair

DIY, Hair Care, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 ways to use Onions for Skin and Hair

By Aakriti

Hey Guys,

As odd as it may sound, onions are very beneficial for skin and hair treatments. These sweetly pungent dumplings are extremely effective for treating various skin and hair conditions if used in the right manner.

Onions are a rich source of vitamins A, C and E; sulphur and B-complex, thereby helping to improve blood circulation which in turn helps in rejuvenating a dull complexion and protects the skin from free radicals. Onions also contain a plant pigment known as quercetin which is known to be one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. Quercetin helps to fight free radicals which in turns protects our bodies from diseases. Onions also help fight acne since they are antiseptic and contain anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Onion juice helps in unclogging blocked pores which can help treat various skin and scalp conditions.

The best part about using onions for your beauty care is that they are a kitchen staple in most households and are easily available. They are also most likely to be organically grown unlike most other vegetables.

Below mentioned are some of the ways in which you can incorporate these pungent little beauties for your skin and hair care needs –

1. Acne Face Mask -Onion Juice + Neem Oil + Tomato Juice

Make a blend of 1 teaspoon onion juice with 1 teaspoon tomato juice and 2-3 drops of neem oil. Cleanse skin with a mild cleanser and apply this concoction directly all over the affected areas. Regular application will help to reduce inflammation as well as reduce acne scarring. Onion juice helps to kill the germs in the pimples thereby treating acne.

Also read: Benefits of Onion Juice for Hair

2. Anti-hairfall Hair root treatment- Onion juice + coconut oil or olive oil

Add 2-3 tablespoons of onion juice to 1/4th cup coconut oil or olive oil. Apply this in circular motion all over the scalp avoiding the length of the hair. Keep this mixture for 20 minutes before rinsing off with your regular shampoo followed by conditioner. This pack helps to strengthen hair follicles and stimulate healthy hair growth. Onion juice also helps to reduce and treat dandruff and promotes hair growth since it revives the hair follicles.

3. Face pack for rejuvenating dull skin- Onion juice + gram flour + milk + rose water

Mix 1 teaspoon of onion juice with 2 teaspoon of besan (gram flour). Add enough milk to make a thick paste. Optionally, you can add a few drops of rose water. Apply this pack all over the face and neck. Relax and lay back for 15- 20 minutes before rinsing away the pack with cold water. This mask works as an excellent homemade and natural skin exfoliator, thereby helping to rejuvenate dull skin.

4. Lip pack- Onion Juice + vitamin E oil

Mix a drops of freshly squeezed onion juice with a few drops of vitamin E oil. Apply this mixture on the lips and let it sit for 10 minutes. Regular application of this pack will make the lips soft and pink.

5. To treat insect stings and bites

Insect stings and bites can be very painful. Onions are very effective in treating insect bites and bug stings. In case of such an event, simply slice an onion and apply it on the affected area. This will reduce the inflammation, sting, pain swelling and itchiness caused due to insect bites or bug stings and calm the affected area.

TIP- To make onion juice, grind or mash one onion. Take this onion pulp and strain it through a tight wire
mesh to obtain onion juice.