Clear, Glowing Skin for Diwali | Remove Tan & Dead Skin Cells | DIY Natural Skincare
Hi guys,
This is how I prepped my skin today for Diwali, using all natural skincare available at home. So read on to know how to get clear, glowing skin for Diwali
Step 1: Gramflour + Turmeric + Rose Water
For step 1, I take a mix of 1 tbsp gram flour, 1/4 tsp turmeric and 2 tsp rose water. Do not add too much of turmeric as that would stain your skin yellow. Add more rose water if needed.
Gramflour (Besan): – Absorbs Oil – Removes Sun tan – Gently exfoliates – Removes dead skin cells
Rose Water: – Calms and soothes skin – Reduces irritation & redness
Turmeric (Haldi): – Anti Bacterial & Anti Fungal – Prevents acne – shrinks existing acne
The mix of these three is amazing, and is also the ubtan we use for Haldi ceremony in Indian weddings. Apply the mix all over face and neck and keep it for 10-15 minutes till it completely dries. Then damp/wet your hands and scrub the pack. Keep adding water to hands and scrubbing, this will exfoliate the dead skin cells.
I have done a detailed video on how and why I shave my face, linked above. Watch the video for more information, you can obviously skip this step if you don’t shave. You can pluck some stray hairs with a tweezer, if you wish to.
Step 3: Yogurt + Honey
For the final step, I take a mix of 1tbsp yogurt and 1tsp honey and mix it well to form a smooth paste. Apply evenly on face and neck and keep it for 10 minutes before washing off.
Yogurt: – Lactic acid gently exfoliates, natural AHA – Softens the skin – Moisturises & Hydrates – Removes tan & dead skin cells
If you can find raw organic honey, that is even better! If not, honey that is available will do.
That’s it! Easy and quick, with all natural and easily available ingredients. I loved the results and my skin was instantly softer, smoother and hydrated. I could definitely see a visible glow, do try this out and let me know how it works for you.
Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil, Kiss Kiss Matte Lipstick Review
Hi guys,
Guerlain has relaunched in India and I had attended their event last month. They launched the Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil and the Kiss Kiss Matte Lipsticks. I have been trying them out since quite some time now and here are my thoughts.
About the Abeille Royale Range: Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil offers the skin all the power of Guerlain-exclusive ingredients: Ouessant Black Bee Honey and exclusive Royal Jelly. This revolutionary formula combines the power of a serum, the richness of an oil and the freshness of a lotion. The skin appears instantly smoother, plumper and revitalized. Replenishing micro-drops of oil* are released at the very last minute, leaving the complexion looking radiant. The skin feels incredibly silky and baby-soft to the touch.
Abeille Royale: repair born of science and the bee. In research going back ten years, Guerlain has scientifically proven the effectiveness of bee products in boosting the skin’s repair mechanisms. Abeille Royale offers an advanced solution to effectively combat the visible signs of ageing, namely wrinkles and loss of firmness.
Inspired by the latest discoveries in neuroscience, the new Abeille Royale Repairing Concentrate goes even further and, for the first time, targets the damage suffered by the skin’s nervous system with exposure to UV rays and other external aggressions. So the skin can repair itself more effectively and fully.
Directions for use: Shake the bottle. Take 2-3 drops of the oil. Apply morning and night to the face and neck before the cream, instead of, or before the serum. For greater effectiveness, use the special lifting application technique.
MRP: Rs.6025/- for 30ml
Ingredients:
It was so interesting to know about Island of Ouessant in France and how it is situated in a way that it is far off pollution and diseases and also the wind blows in a way that no polluted air comes on the island. It is a natural habitat for the black bees, one of it’s kind and a unique species. The honey from these black bees is of unraveled purity and that is used by Guerlain in it’s products. If you see the black bee sign on a Guerlain product, it contains this purest honey from those black bees. Guerlain works closely on maintaining and preserving the island and the bees.
The oil comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. It has royal jelly beads settled down and you need to shake the bottle before dispensing the product. The texture is almost like water, it doesn’t feel like an oil at all. It’s more like a watery serum but you can definitely feel the hydration once you use it.
I love how light weight it is, have been using this since the past 3 weeks now and I love how it makes my skin feel. I even got a small pimple in between but this dried and settled the pimple and inflammation. You don’t feel like you have anything on your skin, yet still get the moisture boost. It has slight tackiness and works great as a primer.
I am in love with this light weight watery oil, skin feels softer, smoother, plumped and nourished. Highly recommend this.
Coming to the Kiss Kiss Matte Lipstick.
Claims: Guerlain imagines KissKiss Matte, a hydrating and plumping matte lipstick, intense like a lipstick and comfortable like a balm! The subtle spice extract it contains gives the impression of voluminous lips while the precious oils and the hyaluronic acid smooth and hydrate them. KissKiss Matte offers 9 captivating shades for all special occasions. The iconic packaging is adorned with a golden matte veil.
Ingredients: 1. Imperceptible spice extract giving the illusion of voluminous lips. 2. Precious oils to nourish, smooth and hydrate the lips. 3. The new generation of hyaluronic acid brings volume and curve to the lips.
Directions: KissKiss Matte routine : 1. Apply Liplift primer before lipstick and slightly beyond the lip contour, then blend in with the fingertips. 2. Apply KissKiss Matte directly to the lips for a matte finish and hydrated lips all day long.
MRP: Rs.2775/-
Shades Available: 9
First of all, look at that gorgeous and luxurious packaging. It looks and feels like a bar of gold, it is quite heavy and feels fancy on touch.
A matte lip colour which is hydrating and comfortable, don’t we all need that? They have a mix of reds, nudes, orange and plums.
I have the shade Wild Plum with me. The pigmentation is amazing and it glides on really well. It doesn’t emphasize dry lines or bleed on the lips. It’s pretty easy to use and goes smooth. It does have a little bit of sheen on application but that wears off in a while. The colour settles to a matte one and stays for 4-5 hours without eating or drinking. With eating and drinking, about 2-3 hours but leaves a nice stain behind for few more hours.
Wild Plum is a gorgeous medium mauve plum. I love the colour, pigmentation, formula, packaging, everything about these lipsticks. My favourite out of the lot was Crazy Nude. Highly recommend these too, they are better in terms of quality than Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown and around similar price point.
Guerlain is available at Shoppers Stop, currently Juhu and Malad. But they are launching it online soon, mostly on Nykaa.
Have you tried Guerlain skincare or makeup? What do you think?
Decoding the Korean Skin care: 8 Steps to flawless skin!!
By Ankita
When it comes to modern day skin care, Koreans are a step ahead. Korean skin care lines are flooding the Indian Market and NOT for no reason. Skin care is not just a regime for them, it is more of a ritual. They stick to their age old rule and result? Flawless, translucent skin.
Disclaimer!!! Of course, genetics and geography play an important role in determining skin condition, but hey! how you treat your skin has an equal impact on how it feels and looks.
So, here are the 8 essential steps that are basic to any Korean skin care regimen, broken down and simplified just for you.
1. Oil Cleansing:
Sounds scary? Oil cleansing has proven extremely beneficial all skin types when it comes to cleansing. The idea is to break down the dirt and impurities stuck in pores and wipe them off easily with a warm damp cloth. All you need to do is take a few drops of cleansing oil and massage it into your skin in upward and circular motion. Take a few minutes of steam or put a damp warm cloth on your face. Then wipe it off using the same cloth and you are all ready for the next step.
Product Recommendation: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil
Oil cleansing removes all traces of makeup and other product built up. Using a foam based cleanser post oil cleansing ensures that all the residues impurities are stripped off and you get a clean canvas to work on. The added advantage is that your face won’t feel oily.
Product Recommendation: The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam-Aloe
Exfoliation is the key to a smoother skin. Using an exfoliator removes the surface layer of dead skin cells and reveals a fresh skin. It is however very important to remember not to use an abrasive scrub. A gentle foam based exfoliator would do the trick. I stick to the rule of 2 times exfoliation per week, you can, however, increase the frequency with prior consultation with your dermatologist.
Tired of open pores? DO NOT skip on your toner. Toning balances the pH level of skin and helps in shrinking the size of pores. Some toners even have the added advantage of reducing inflammation and fighting acne. To get the maximum benefit out of it, take a cotton ball and gently dab it on your skin (not swipe) for a couple of times. Koreans even use these moisturizing toners for 7 times, as it adds the required hydration to the skin.
Product Recommendation: The Faceshop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Toner
Although essence and serum are confused to be the same, they have some points of differences. An essence is traditionally a light weight, almost watery formula, with hoards of benefits. They target an overall skin condition, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and dull skin. Dab it gently into the skin. Leave it for some time, for the skin to soak in all the goodness.
Product Recommendation: MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
Now, I believe I do not need to say tons about sheet masks. They are in a rave, convenient, efficient and all the blah. But trust all the blah is true! Sheet masks are cotton masks soaked in goodness and target a specific skin condition. All you need to do is, put them on for 15-20 minutes and wait for the magic to happen! Korean women swear by using one mask a day.
Product Recommendation: Innisfree Its Real Squeeze Mask Sheet Aloe
Now a serum, is somewhat, a first cousin of an essence. They are however thicker in consistency and address a specific concern such as anti-aging, skin brightening, and the sort. Serums are power houses and are more concentrated in nature. A pea size amount would be enough for the entire face.
Product Recommendation: The Face Shop Chia Seed Moisture Recharge Serum
So, we have arrived at the final step: Moisturization. A light weight cream ensures that the moisture stays locked up and gives the skin a final touch of glow. Again, there are a lot of moisturizers to choose from. But I would suggest going for something that is light weight and non comedogenic. This kind of cream ensures your face does not turn into a grease ball.
Product Recommendation: Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Cream
My skin suddenly started getting dry and dull. There was always a glow but of lately I have seen it getting dull day by day. I have naturally oily and acne prone skin and therefore I never had to face skin peeling off my face. I tried facial oils and moisturizers but nothing could make a difference. I searched the internet for the ingredients and made this customized face pack. I have used this face pack throughout the winter and still using it. I noticed that with continuous usage, it kept my skin hydrated, glowing and pimple-free.
Read on to know how I prepare this face pack.
Ingredients
Besan/Gram Flour – 1tbsp.
Yogurt – 1tbsp.
Red Sandalwood Powder – ½ tbsp.
Rosehip Seed Oil (or any other facial oil that works for you) – few drops
Instructions
1. In a clean bowl, add 1tbsp. of Besan/Gram Flour.
2. Next, add ½ tbsp. Red Sandalwood Powder.
3. Add the 1tbsp. yogurt.
4. Add few drops of Rosehip Seed Oil. For extremely oily skin, you can also skip this step and add Aloe Vera juice instead.
5. With the help of a spoon, mix it well.
How to Apply
Always apply this face pack after cleansing your face. This will help the skin to benefit better from the ingredients.
Take a face pack brush and apply the face pack all over the face, leaving the eye area.
Keep it for 20-30 mins and wash off with cold water.
Pat the skin dry and apply a facial oil or moisturizer.
Benefits of The Ingredients Used
RED SANDALWOOD POWDER
First and foremost, it nourishes the skin and offers the glow and radiance. The skin remains oil free yet sufficiently hydrated and also helps to exfoliate gently. It also prevents excess secretion of oil, even out the skin tone, remove sun tan and soothes flamed skin.
Yogurt is rich in lactic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid that dissolves dead skin cells. It hydrates the skin without making it oily, prevents breakouts and also helps to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Also, yoghurt helps to lighten the blemishes and pigmentation.
BESAN/GRAM FLOUR
Besan works magically for my oily skin. It is one of the best natural cleanser and helps to lighten the dark spots and acne scars. It reduces excessive oiliness from the skin and fight pimples naturally.
ROSEHIP OIL
Rosehip Oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, Vitamin A (retinol), and linoleic and linolenic acids. It is the only facial oil that works wonder without making my face oily. It is anti-ageing and never broke me out. My skin was peeling due to dryness but this oil prevented and also brought back the radiance and glow to the skin.
Summers are at it’s peak right now, as it’s May, the hottest month in India. And we all face a lot of skin problems in summers. Let’s talk a bit about that..
Skin problems we face in summers
The scorching summer heat, dust, pollution, stress and our lifestyle impact the oxygen levels in our skin. That brings along a lot of skin issues like
Dull Skin
Uneven Skin tone
Dead Skin Cells
Sun Tan
Dark Spots
Today I am reviewing the new Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach. I am not someone who bleaches regularly, I was a little wary of bleaching and used to do it occasionally. I met Dr. Rashmi Shetty at an event and asked her about bleaching, if it is bad for the skin, and to my surprise, she said not at all. She said you just need to add moisture and hydration to the skin, if you take care of it, then bleaching does no harm.
So I am quite confident about bleaching now. I have used the Oxylife bleach previously, but not this new variant and I thought of giving this a try.
Claims and Features of Oxylife Natural Radiance Creme Bleach: Gone are those days when bleaching caused a row of sirens blazing in your head. With Oxy Life Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach, your skin will feel pampered like a queen.
Enriched with active oxygen and post bleach skin radiance serum, here’s a bleach wonder that will make your life easy
Helps in eliminating dark spots
Helps even skin tone and remove sun tan
Helps repair dull skin and cleanses dead skin cells
Suitable for sensitive skin
Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach has patented German Technology – Oxysphere, which enables Pure Oxygen molecules to be penetrated inside the skin, giving it pure boost of Oxygen, leaving it naturally radiant.
It is also enriched with Vitamin E and Glycerin to help condition, brighten and nourish the skin and help solve 5 skin problems to give a naturally radiant looking skin.
MRP: Rs.35/- for 9g (one time use), Rs.80/- for 27g (3 uses)
Benefits of Bleaching
Bleaching helps add oxygen to the skin, making it brighter and helps in evening out skin tone and fading acne spots, etc. It also helps remove dead skin cells and repair dull skin, making it look more vivid and glowing. If you are targeting to eliminate acne scars and spots, you should do it regularly. Bleach can be used every 21 days.
How to use:
Oxylife is widely used in salons, and anytime I happen to go and ask them which bleach do they use, majorly it’s always Oxylife.
It comes with the creme bleach, powder activator, spatula, post bleach serum and an instructions manual. The creme bleach and powder activator is to be mixed in the ratio of 7:1. If you are not sure of the measurements, you can buy the one time use pack and mix both in the quantity given.
I have the 3 time use pack with me, and if you follow me on Snapchat, you must have already seen me using this.
You can mix the creme and powder in the dish that comes in the creme tub. Mix it well till the powder dissolves.
Steps of application:
Remove all makeup with a makeup remover and wash your face.
Pat dry with a tissue/paper towel.
Apply the bleach first on the Y zone i.e. the neckline, jaw and chin
Then on the the T zone i.e. the forehead, upper lip and nose
And in the last 5 minutes on the C zone i.e. the cheeks
Avoid eyes, lips, eyebrows completely. Keep it on for 10 minutes if you have deep skin, 15 minutes for wheatish skin and a little bit longer if you have fair skin.
I kept it for 10-15 minutes and washed it with normal water. I saw an immediate difference on my skin! Skin was more even toned and clear looking. The tan was all gone, and there was a fresh glow to the face.
It also works on dark spots, but with regular use, once every 21 days.
Few Pointers:
A patch test is recommended for first-time users.
Cleanse the skin well and pat dry, before use.
Creme Bleach and the activator powder should be used in the ratio of 7:1, Mix the crème bleach and powder activator for 2 minutes with the spatula provided till powder activator completely dissolves.
Apply the mixture on the area to be bleached.
Avoid application on eyebrows and around the eyes.
Wash off the application with water and Apply the post-bleach serum.
Bleach should be used once in every 21 days
Do not use soap/face wash for 5 hours after bleach.
Avoid going into sunlight immediately.
Why Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Creme Bleach
It comes with the post bleach skin radiance serum that is very moisturizing. I can feel the glycerin in the serum and it hydrated the skin well. I do not use anything else on my face for about 12-15 hours and avoid going out. I would recommend bleaching in the evening, so that you can skip direct exposure to sunlight. Learn more about how to use oxygen bleach for face (OxyLife)
I love the fact that this is ammonia free. Whenever you bleach, go for ammonia free bleach only. My eyes get irritated and water a lot during bleach, and I was surprised that this did not irritate my eyes at all.
It fights all skin problems that come along with sun exposure, stress and pollution and gives a healthy looking radiant and glowing skin! Skin gets more oxygen, and it repairs dull skin and helps in fading acne scars/spots.
It comes in different sizes, the one time use pack is perfect for travel too.
Overall, I am really happy with the results. It does what it claims, and I highly recommend trying this out.
Stubborn acne? Avoid these 5 foods! Results in a month!
By Ankita
Let’s start with a scenario today. It’s a beautiful morning and your alarm goes off. You wake up to a fresh new beautiful day, get off the bed, go to your bathroom, look at the mirror. And, there it is another tiny little bump on your face. Darn it!!! Not now! Not today! You got your big meeting at 11 and date at 8! You have tried every little thing. Serums, treatments even the dermats know you by name now.
Frustrating isn’t it? Been there, done that. Although my acne story was much different, as I never (touchwood) faced severe acne, but one of my closest cousins did. Last month she got married and we haven’t had been in touch for about a year lately. I don’t exactly know what magic potion worked for her but, there she was on her marriage day, without a bump on her face (before makeup) and glowing. I couldn’t help but ask her, what really worked for her.
Me: Hey, like…what did you eat? I mean you look gorgeous girl, not that you didn’t before but your acne problem..?
She: Haha..Nope ask me what I DID NOT eat.
Me: Okay, go on!! I am all ears.
And the conversation went on…
However me being the curious little Nancy Drew that I am, did a little bit of my own research to testify her words, and guess what? She was right
So, my lovelies here is my list of top 5 baddie food you should avoid when going through bouts of acne.
WOAAH WAIT WAIT!! HOW DOES THIS EXACTLY WORK??
Well, this is called the process off elimination. If you can’t find out what is causing your acne outbursts, try eliminating some food items from your diet that have a bad reputation of triggering acne. Otherwise healthy, these 5 foods can worsen existing acne.
1. Fast Food
I bet you love your plate of ‘Gol gappa’ and ‘Aloo tikka chaat’ with extra Mirchi. But hold on their sweetheart. Did you know greasy fast foods will leads to body inflammation that causes pimples appear?
We all have our sweet tooth, and sometimes it’s too hard to resist. Excessive sugar intake shoots up your blood sugar level causing pimples. Try to avoid candy bars, sugary drinks as well as other sweets saturated with sugar. Follow this with dedication and you will soon see a major difference.
Cow’s milk not only shoots up blood sugar levels leading to pimples, it also leads to growth in hormones resulting in overgrowth of skin cell that leads to blocked pores. So, you might just want to avoid dairy products for a while and check if it does any good for your skin condition.
Includes: milk, cheese, yogurt, other cultured dairy foods, ice cream etc.
4. Coffee
Nothing wakes you up better than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Ahh, the smell! But hold that thought. Science has shown that an organic acid inside coffee beans that raises cortisol levels.
Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can act like an androgen. It stimulates sebaceous glands and inflammation, a.k.a PIMPLES. You might want to skip that and check for some results
Includes: Expresso, mocha, latte, cappuccino, even the decaf versions
5. Soy:
Soy is one of the richest sources of protein you can lay your hands on. The natural plant oestrogen is found in soybeans. “Phytoestrogens” which are otherwise good, mimic natural oestrogen levels and play around with our hormones. Result? Acne and more acne. So if you are experiencing any bumps around your mouth and chin, the culprit MIGHT be soy.
Includes: Soybeans, soy milk, soy sauce, soybean oil, tofu etc.
SO YOU ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO STARVE ME TO DEATH.RIGHT??!!!
Not at all. All I am saying is, eating in moderation never hurts. Once you find out what triggers your acne, yes you definitely have to cut it out from your diet sweet heart.
A FEW TIPS FOR THOSE HORRIBLE PHASES OF ACNE:
1. Visit a good dermatologist, home remedies and DIYs do work, however, common guys those guys have sweated their brains out in med school for 5 years. Let’s give them some credit.
2. Keep your skin as well as belongings clean. Do not let any product build up on your face, neck as well as other affected areas. It is equally important to keep your sheets and phone germ-free.
3. Avoid using a lot of makeup ( I recommend no makeup at all!!!) for the time being. Although a lot of companies claim to be safe to use on any skin type, it is always better to let your skin breathe. Give it time to heal.
4. Check your stress levels. Now this one is the most difficult, at least for me. You all must be thinking “better said than done”. This one is coming from a person who has years of history of anxiety and depression on her sleeves. What helped? Yoga, meditation, and good life practices. Before I was a Life Coach, I used to be a wacko. If I can do it, you can too.
5. Keep your scalp clean and dandruff free.
6. Finally, have patience. I get it. I totally do. Dealing with acne can be a lot irritating, but don’t let that put you down. It might be difficult, not irreversible. And you cares if you have acne or not, you are gorgeous anyway!!
Hakuna Matata baby!!!
Any comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome 🙂
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” – Marilyn Monroe
Editor’s Note: That’s a nice and informative post Ankita
Do you suffer from stubborn acne? Try eliminating these from your diet, I am sure you see a difference!
TRY THIS OVERNIGHT DIY SERUM FOR A TRANSLUCENT GLOW
By Ankita
With the changing environment and lifestyle, there is no escaping from skin issues. The good old CTM works, no doubt. However is it good enough? I won't agree to that. Hence, serums came into being. The usual cleansing-toning- moisturizing regime is now better replaced by cleansing-toning- TREATing-moisturizing. This is where the serums come into action. You can pretty much say in an Army of soldiers, they are the marines, employed for specific target oriented operations. Let’s have a look at them,
WHAT IS A SERUM
Face serums are lightweight moisturizers with a gel or light lotion consistency and have a higher concentration of ingredients meant to provide more effective and focused results.
HOW TO USE
These are used after cleaning and toning then face. Pat on the serum on with the help of your finger, gently dabbing and pushing it into the skin
SO…I CAN SKIP MY MOISTURIZER RIGHT?
Absolutely not. Serums are an addition to your CTM (Cleansing-Toning- Moisturizing) and no way substitute a moisturizer. They have targeted action and address a specific skin issue such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, aging etc.
There are tons and thousands of serum available in the market, and I won’t deny they don’t work. They definitely do. But, wait for it!!!What if I told you, you can make one in a jiffy, that won’t cost you gazillion bucks and works just as fine as any other serum? Actually more than fine. Shall I say….works BRILLIANT.
Ready? Ladies and Ladies, I give you my magic potion
DIY OVERNIGHT GLOW SERUM
YOU WILL NEED:
-4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil
-4 drops of pure rose water
-a pea sized amount of pure aloe vera gel
PROCEDURE:
1. You do not need a bowl for this as it is better to use it fresh every day. Take 4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil on your palm.
2. Add in a pea sized amount of aloe vera gel
3. Now finally add in 4 drops of rose water and mix all the ingredients with your fingers till they become an emulsion.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Dot it all over your face and neck and massage with very light hands in upward-outward motions, till you are satisfied that the skin has completely soaked in the product.
2. Follow up with a very light weight moisturizer and have off you go to bed Sleeping Beauty.
IS IT EFFECTIVE?
1. This serum works greatly towards brightening the skin and especially fading away dark spots.
2. Gives you healthy illuminating glow.
WHY THESE INGREDIENTS??
Virgin Coconut Oil: Cold pressed Virgin Coconut is a boon for the skin as it helps to improve certain skin conditions by healing wounds and reducing rashes. Its anti-inflammatory effect works wonders for soothing skin ailments. VCO contains Lauric Acid that helps to combat acne and even is a great whitening agent.
Rose Water: With its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties, rose water is the life saver for irritated skin. Apart from being an excellent skin toner, it also brightens up the complexion and makes the skin more radiant and even.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that work wonders for the skin. Application of aloe vera speeds up the process of healing of burns, lightens blemishes, reduces acne and also prevents wrinkles. It even acts as a great natural moisturizer.
Use it once a day, before you go to bed. You have to be consistent with the use to see great results, in less than a month.
IS IT SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
It is 100% safe for any skin type, however, it is always wise to go for a patch test first. In case you experience any irritation (which most probably you won’t), do not use it further.
Here is a little after picture of me. Unfortunately, I don’t have any before picture as I had never planned to write this piece. After a month of usage, it has reduced my marks and scars to a good extent.
In this image, I have washed my face with cold water, put on some lip gloss and tight-lined my upper lash line.
Why spend a portion of your kidney, if you can have it done at the comfort of your kitchen? Without a question of doubt, I honestly ask my dear readers to give this DIY serum a try and see the results for yourself.
However, you must not forget these few pointers:
1. Cut out processed food as much as possible from your diet.
2. Stay hydrated and stay away from aerated drinks
3. Nothing!!!!!can substitute a good beauty sleep of 6-7 hours.
Please come back and let me know your experience with this serum. Any suggestions, comments, and ideas are always welcome 🙂
Editor’s Note: You have amazing and flawless skin Ankita. I love DIY’s and would be surely trying this too.
Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil + Best Brands for Tea Tree Oil in India
By Sucharitha
Who would have thought that this small bottle of oil can be such a miracle for our body? I believed it only after using it myself.
Tea-tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil, it is a yellowish coloured essential oil that is made from the leaves of the plant ‘Melaleuca alternifolia’ which is found in Australia. It is a plant with many medicinal properties and has been used since ancient times for various issues. It does have a very strong smell but the benefits can easily beat the smell.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
So here is a list of some of the benefits of Tea tree oil:
1. Acne: Tea tree oil is one of the best ingredient to reduce acne, it is known to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide. You can dilute tea tree oil with water or mix it with a carrier oil and then apply it on areas with acne. Otherwise, you can just buy products such as face wash or toners with tea tree oil in it.
2. Acne marks: Tea tree oil can not only remove acne but can also help with your acne marks. It won’t get rid of them completely but it would still work to an extent. You can dilute tea tree oil with some water and apply it on the affected areas. But the method that I like to use is, to mix two drops of tea tree oil with a pea sized amount of moisturiser and then apply it on my face. This would give an extra boost to the moisturiser and would help in removing those acne marks and spots.
3. Scars: Other than acne marks, tea tree oil is one of the most natural and efficient ways to treat scars. No wonder, in olden times’ people used tea tree oil to heal their cuts and wounds. Take few drops of tea tree oil and dilute it with water and apply it on the scar.
4. Itchy skin: Our skin itches mostly due to the presence of bacteria, so in order to stop itching the bacteria has to be killed. Tea tree oil is the best ingredient to kill bacteria, therefore dilute it with water or a carrier oil and apply it on the area where it itches or mix it with your moisturiser and apply it. You can also use body washes or lotions with tea tree oil. Or just add a few drops of tea tree oil daily in your bathing water.
5. Skin infections: Tea tree oil can cure so many skin infections such as warts, boils, chicken pox, Psoriasis and Eczema. For warts or boils, mix few drops of tea tree oil with water and apply it. For chicken pox, mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil with olive oil and apply it twice a day. For Psoriasis and Eczema, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and apply it. The properties in tea tree oil will truly heal these infections and for skin infections, I would recommend you to use tea tree oil instead of products with tea tree oil.
6. Wrinkles: Tea tree oil is a magic product for young and supple skin. It has antioxidants which helps your skin remain healthy and its properties prevents spots, acnes and wrinkles. As I mentioned earlier, mix one or two drops of tea tree oil with your moisturiser. Or if you are making any home-made mask then just mix two or three drops of tea tree oil in it and apply it on your face. This would keep your skin healthy and young.
7. Hair growth and dry scalp: When you are giving yourself an oil massage with olive oil and coconut oil, add few drops of tea tree oil to get maximum benefits. It would help in hair growth and would treat dry scalp.
8. Dandruff: Other than acne, tea tree oil is also widely known to treat dandruff. Just like the moisturiser method, mix two to three drops of tea tree oil with your shampoo and wash your hair. Otherwise, you can use shampoos and conditioners with tea tree oil in it. When you are looking for a shampoo, try to look for the shampoos with 5% or less tea tree oil in it.
9. Nails: Tea tree oil can help in the removal of toe nail fungal. Just take pure tea tree oil and apply it on the nails which has toenail fungus and let it rest. Do this every day and you will see good results. While applying this, avoid the skin around the nail.
10. Others: Tea tree oil is antibacterial, hence it can treat cold. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in a small pan of boiling water. Take a steam for 10 minutes and it would work to heal your cold. It can also help with athlete’s’ foot and it is an ingredient with anti-cancer properties.
To conclude, you need to only use a small amount of tea tree oil and for everything other than your nails its best to dilute or mix it with something. Carrier oils are oils which are used to dilute an essential oil. Some of the carrier oils are coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and so on.
Precautions:
Tea tree oil should not be consumed, it is considered poisonous.
Do a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic to tea tree oil.
Do not use undiluted tea tree oil all over your face.
Avoid the area around your eyes or mouth
If you have severe acne or skin infections, consult a dermatologist before using tea tree oil.
Best brands of tea tree oil in India
These are the five brands of tea tree that I like and these are easily available online. These small bottles of magic can last a long time and help you. The prices mentioned below are standard prices but you can get a discount if you buy them online.
Apart from the famous The Body Shop Tea Tree oil, there is Fab India’s Tea Tree oil and a few other brands mentioned below which are quite good:
1. Aloe Veda Distil Aromatherapy Tea Tree Oil:Rs.260 for 10ml
2. Khadi Tea Tree Oil : Rs. 320 for 10ml (Buy HERE)
3. Aroma magic Tea Tree Oil: Rs.449 for 20ml (Buy HERE)
4. Soulflower Tea Tree Oil: Rs.450 for 15ml (Buy HERE)
5. Emami Aroma Miracle Tea Tree Oil: Rs.250 for 10ml (Buy HERE)
6. Aroma Treasures Tea Tree Oil: Rs.235/- for 10ml (Buy HERE)
Editor’s Note: That’s a nice detailed post Sucharitha
Neemli Coffee & Cocoa Body Wrap- Full size- Rs.550/- (75g)
Wikka Beauty Potion- Full size- Rs.700/- (15g)
Eyova Hair Oil- Full size- Rs.590/- (50ml)
All Good Scents Rose & Jasmine- 2ml vials
Gardner Street Tea Glow- 3 sachets
I am so glad they have added 4 full sized products this time. And also all 6 products are an interesting mix from tea to perfume to body wrap and one makeup product.
Essence lip liners would be in red, nude and pink. I got the red one and I don’t mind. It would work with all red lipsticks.
Neemli makes very good body products and this is a full sized body wrap, quite excited to try this one.
Wikka has aromatherapy products and this is a face moisturizer with Aloe vera, Avocado and Patchouli and Chamomile essential oil, I would be trying this tom onwards. Smells really good!
All Good Scents makes good perfumes, I wish they had included small 5ml/10ml bottles. Even one 10ml would do instead of 2 small vials. Considering they are not pricey, slightly bigger samples are better.
Lastly we have the Eyova Hair oil, this has egg yolk extracts and I have heard mixed reviews about this one. Some love it and some hate it. I am not sure if I will use this as I am a vegetarian, also the egg smell is pretty strong of this one. I might give it a try or give it to a friend.
Overall the box has products of value above Rs.2000/- and I am pretty happy with everything. Highly recommend this month’s box 🙂
Papaya is called the “The Fruit of the Angels” and it is a native to the tropical areas of Central America and Southern Mexico. Today, it is a popular fruit and often known as ‘papita’ in Hindi.
This amazing fruit is enriched in vitamins A, C, E and K and has various other antioxidant properties. Consuming the fruit will not only give you amazing skin and hair but it has various beauty benefits as well. It is applied on the skin and hair for natural beauty.
The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Skin are as follows –
Removal of sun tan – This is a common problem for summer. Our skin is prone to tanning and looks dull. The papaya has vitamins A and C in abundance along with a enzyme called ‘papain’. This helps to lighten the complexion, removing sun tan and dark spots with the passage of time. Simply make a thick paste of papaya and add honey and turmeric to it. Apply this face pack every day in a week and see how it improves the skin.
Skin hydration – Papaya is rich in water content and has various other elements as well which helps to keep the skin soft, smooth and moisturized. The hydration is smooth and will not clog the pores or make the skin look oily. Simply, blend ½ cup of ripe papaya into a fine paste, add honey and apply evenly on skin. Wash off after 20-25mins.
Anti-ageing – Papaya is anti-ageing in nature. It has vitamins C and E to rejuvenate the skin and the papaya skin has various enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. As a result, the age spots and wrinkles are prevented and removed. It also contains Retin-A which help reduce the signs of aging. Overall, you get younger looking skin with bright and radiant skin tone. Mash ½ cup of overripe papaya, add honey and yogurt and apply as a face mask. Wash off after 20-25 mins. You can also rub the skin of papaya for better results.
Prevention of acne and pimples – Papaya has an enzyme called papain that has natural skin- cleansing properties, which helps to get rid of clogged pores and greasiness. The exfoliating effect helps in preventing blackheads. The enzyme helps in preventing acne and improving the skin as well. It also helps to soothe the inflamed skin. Simply, apply a thin layer of ripe papaya pulp as face mask and leave on for 20mins. Wash off with cold water and pat the skin dry.
Brighten complexion and removal of dark spots – This is one of the most effective beauty benefits of papaya. The papain helps to lighten the dark spots, giving a bright and radiant complexion. It is known that papaya contains natural bleaching properties. The vitamin C has anti-oxidant properties and also helps in clearing the skin of impurities. Rub a fleshy part of ripe papaya every alternative days and wash off with cold water.
The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Hair are as follows –
Soft and healthy hair – The papaya is also very helpful for lustrous, healthy hair. It is enriched in several minerals, vitamins and enzymes that can improve hair growth and strength. Along with that, it will also help to thicken the hair and the protein in papaya reduces split ends. To prepare a papaya hair mask, blend a ripe papaya according to your hair length and mix with olive oil or almond oil. Apply this all over the hair, from root to tip and keep it for 30-40mins. Wash off with mild shampoo.
Reduces dandruff – Papaya helps in reducing dandruff and prevents dry scalp. It has various antifungal properties. Even the seeds of papaya prevents fungal infection. Blend ½ papaya with the seeds intact and apply the paste generously on the scalp. Leave it on for one hour and then shampoo as usual.
Caution –
Always do a patch test before using it on skin and hair.
Papaya can cause allergic reactions in some people, which might due to papain or the latex.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using excessive papaya.
