There was a time when we pampered and looked after our beauty needs from simple, natural ingredients found in our kitchens or gardens. Some of these work great even today, so let’s take a look at the popular natural skin remedies.
Cleanse skin with yogurt
Normal or oily skin types especially benefit from daily cleansing with whole-milk yogurt.
Why it works: The milk fat collects and removes dirt and impurities. Yogurt also contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which dissolves dead cells, leaving your skin silky.
How to use: Bring one tablespoon of yogurt to room temperature [or you can warm it in your hands] and massage it onto your face. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.
Deep clean oily skin with honey
Why it works: Naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, honey makes a good cleanser for oily and blemished skin.
How to use: Once a day, slightly warm 1 or 2 tablespoons in your hand or the microwave to soften it, and massage it onto clean, damp skin, pressing and releasing with your fingers for deeper cleansing. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.
Scrub with strawberries
Why it works: Strawberries contain salicylic acid and ellagic acid which rids your skin of dead cells that can clog pores and helps heal blemishes. The high vitamin C content of strawberries also kills the bacteria that can cause or irritate blemishes.
How to use: Once a week, remove the stems and mash 5 to 7 strawberries. Gently massage the paste onto clean, damp skin. Keep it on for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse well with warm water and pat dry.
Exfoliate with walnuts
Why it works: Rich in oil and antioxidants, walnuts make for extra-gentle sloughing. This will help to remove the excess dirt from skin.
How to use: Blend ¼ cup shelled walnuts, ½ cup olive oil [for extra emollients], and a tablespoon of honey [to seal moisture into your skin] in a blender to create a fine-particle scrub. Scrub the mixture thoroughly over your hands and feet for a couple of minutes and your face for about half a minute. Rinse with warm water.
Exfoliate heels, knees, elbows with orange
Why it works: The fruit acid loosens dead skin cells.
How to use: Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice of one half into a bowl. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup olive oil and then blend into a moisture-rich scrub. Next, rub the exposed side of the other half of the orange over knees, elbows, heels, and any other dry spots. Last, rub in the sugar mixture to slough off dead skin. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.
Moisturise with banana and milk
Why it works: The antioxidant vitamin A and skin-softening potassium in bananas moisturises the skin gently, while the lactic acid in milk helps it to penetrate.
How to use: To make a facial mask, mash half a ripe banana with fresh milk and apply it to clean, damp skin. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry. Repeat once a week.
Manage puffy eyes with egg white
Why it works: Egg white has astringent properties that tightens pores and reduces puffiness. Additionally, its high concentration of the B vitamins promotes circulation and reduces inflammation.
How to use: Use your fingers to dab ? teaspoon of one raw egg white onto the clean, dry skin around your eyes, avoiding contact with eyes themselves. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, till it dries. Then rinse the area well with warm water. Tip: Use only fresh eggs.
Reduce wrinkles with papaya
Why it works: Unripe papaya contains papain, an enzyme, and antioxidants like vitamin C. These substances repair the free radical damage that causes premature ageing and gently dissolve dead skin cells and promote new cell growth to reduce fine lines.
How to use: Once a week, mash two tablespoons of papaya and massage it onto your face. Leave it on for 20 minutes; rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Soothe with oatmeal
Why it works: Silicon in oatmeal has soothing properties while beta glucan is a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
How to use: Place a handful of whole oats in a clean washcloth and using a rubber band to secure it. Immerse it in a bowl full of warm water and squeeze the bag 4 or 5 times. Once the water is cloudy, splash it on your face and then dry.
Eliminate dandruff with apple fenugreek paste
Why it works: The alpha hydroxy acids in apple kill the fungus that may cause dandruff while fenugreek conditions hair.
How to use: After you shampoo and condition, use a paste of apple and fenugreek mixed in half vinegar half water [tilt your head back to avoid getting vinegar in your eyes]. Comb through and rinse thoroughly with water.
Repair cuticles with wheat germ oil
Why it works: Wheat germ oil contains B vitamins, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and protein. These nutrients work together to soften and heal ragged, tough, or torn cuticles.
How to use: To treat damaged cuticles and maintain healthy ones, rub ¼ teaspoon of wheat germ oil onto your nails and cuticles every night. You can find wheat germ oil at natural food stores.
Brighten up with lemon juice and potato peel
Why it works: Lemon juice and potato contain high quantities of vitamin C which cleanses skin and brightens it up the areas.
How to use: Soak the peels in lemon juice for 15 minutes. Gently rub the peel on knees elbows and ankles to brighten. Use the juice leftover with your finger tips on face and rinse with warm water.
These remedies are just a few natural fixes that will help you get started. The only note of caution is that even natural ingredients can cause irritation and allergies, so do not use anything if it itches, burns or stings.
Note: Skin sensitivity can react to even natural ingredients and it is best to seek advice before doing it yourself.