Summers in Dhaka are getting hotter every year, meaning pollution, hot winds and toxins cause skin damage, while dust and grime clog the pores. However, since we’re all stuck at home this year due to the pandemic, bring these kitchen ingredients to your rescue, and make sure you follow them religiously to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Exfoliate properly
The skin needs to be exfoliated frequently in this hot weather, at least two times a week, in order to keep the glow intact. A paste of gram flour and milk, with some oatmeal or turmeric and lemon will do wonders. Just rub this paste on your face and neck gently in a circular motion, and see the difference yourself. Better still, use a paste of Fuller’s earth, rose water and sandalwood powder for acne prone skin; whereas take sandalwood powder, curd and add a pinch of turmeric powder for mature skin for the same purpose. Another quick remedy is to mix rice flour with curd or milk and make a smooth paste out of it, and this mixture can be used as a gentle exfoliator for your face and body.
Remove tannin
Tanning is another big problem in summers that takes a lot of our effort and time to be treated. To remove tan, reach out for tomato juice. Tomato and lemon juices are good for all skin types and they are great at removing suntan. Mix a little sandalwood powder with these juices if your skin is too dry; Fuller’s earth if it is oily and prone to acne; and curd and sandalwood powder if it is mature. Leave the paste on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. You could also use a mixture of honey and lime to remove tan. Apply it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off.
A few ingredients that can do wonders to your skin in summer:
Lemon
Lemon juice alone acts as a natural bleacher, which may also help even your tone. However, it dries the skin. Therefore, make sure you apply a lot moisturizer after that to get a flawless skin. It is a rich source of vitamin C and can easily combat free radicals. So, consuming it every day will give you a bright and healthy skin. Plus, it also helps in detoxifying.
Aloe vera
The application of aloe vera gel gives your skin a soothing effect. Moreover, it also kills different kinds of bacteria, fungi and viruses. If your skin is affected by the sun, applying aloe vera gel will help your skin heal as fast as possible. One more thing that you can do is to freeze aloe vera juice into small cubes. You can use these frozen aloe vera juice cubes to rub on your face and it will leave your face fresh and glowing.
Papaya
Mash some papaya to make a paste and add some lemon juice to it. Apply the paste on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. You could also add egg white and honey to the papaya paste and apply it for 20 minutes. Papaya helps nourish the skin -- it may help remove dead skin cells and inactive proteins, thus replenishing your skin.
Banana
Another very skin friendly fruit is the banana. Mash a banana to pulp and add some milk or egg white to it. Apply it evenly on your face and keep it for about 20 minutes. Then wash it off with cold water. This will give you a smooth and flawless skin. Banana contains moisture, potassium, and vitamins E and C that are responsible for promoting clear, glowing skin. Make sure you use this pack regularly to ensure a perfectly even skin tone.
Neem leaves
Neem has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti –bacterial properties that not only benefit your health, but also can help you get rid of many beauty problems. Neem contains vitamin C, which helps in getting rid of skin problems like blackheads, pigmentation, dullness and ageing, thus leaving the skin with a youthful glow.
DIY watermelon juice face masks to detox your skin
Watermelon juice and yoghurt face mask for glowing skin
Yoghurt is known do to wonders for our skin and hair. The combination of watermelon juice and yoghurt can give you a supple and radiant skin. Regular use of this face mask will makes your skin look younger and healthier.
How to apply: Take a small bowl and add half cup of watermelon juice in it. Add one tablespoon of yoghurt, and mix both the ingredients well. Apply the face mask on your face and neck, and let it stay for 20 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.
Watermelon and lemon juice for dry skin
If you have dry skin, then bring this face mask to your rescue. Lemon will gently exfoliate your dry, dead skin cells.
How to apply: Take two tablespoons of watermelon juice in a small bowl; add one tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey in it. Mix all the ingredients very well. Apply this face mask on your face and neck. Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it off with water.
