Play safe with natural ingredients

Shahnaz Husain *

When you’re looking to solve your skin problems, Mother Nature often knows best . Each year more and more people are turning towards homemade natural ingredients for their skincare needs. Harnessing the natural potency of plant-based ingredients are now at the forefront of skincare and beauty research worldwide.

More people are searching for unprocessed natural ingredients to look naturally beautiful as an alternative to expensive, invasive procedures and toxic skincare company products . You can never replace the goodness of pure fresh home ingredients whether it is on your skin and hair or something you take internally.

When you use home made natural ingredients regularly for beauty regime , not only are you beautifying your skin, but you’re also absorbing antioxidants, enhancing your skin’s UV resistance, and stimulating your immune system, too.

The knowledge contained in the ancient texts has not only stood the test of time, but is still very relevant to the modern age. Many herbal ingredients help in caring for the skin and hair in all seasons.

Let’s have a look at some of nature’s wonderful home ingredients and see how you can use them in daily beauty regime to improve, soften, nourish and pamper your skin and hair .

Make your own mild Ayurvedic shampoo. Add a handful each of dry reetha, amla and shikakai to one litre of water and soak overnight. Next day, simmer over a low fire till water reduces to half. Cool and strain. Keep in fridge. The liquid is enough for four hair washes. Make small quantities at a time.

Use Neem oil for the hair. Heat 250 ml pure coconut oil, or sesame seed oil. Take a handful of neem leaves and add it to the oil. Keep in the sun during the day for 4 or 5 days. Strain the leaves and keep the oil for use to relieve itching and scalp eruptions.

Turmeric has many healing properties. It is a natural antiseptic and keeps the skin healthy. It also helps to remove tan. Mix together 4 parts of curd, add one part honey and a little turmeric. Apply on the face, neck and arms daily, Wash off after 20 minutes. It brightens the skin and makes it soft and smooth.

Crush sesame seeds (til) coarsely and soak in water overnight. The next day, strain it and use the milky liquid to wash the face, neck and arms. This helps to soothe sunburn. Sesame seeds have sun-protective properties. They have SPF of 6 and also soothe the skin.

Mix two tablespoons honey with half a cup of curd. Add a pinch of turmeric. Apply this on the face, neck and arms. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. Helps to remove tan during summer and soften the skin.

Apply Aloe Vera gel or juice on skin. It moisturizes the skin, relieving dryness. It also soothes sun burn. It contains zinc, which is anti-inflammatory. Take one tablespoon gram flour (besan), one teaspoon curd and one tablespoon aloe vera gel. Mix together and apply on the face, washing it off after 20 minutes.

Mix one tablespoon pure coconut oil with one teaspoon castor oil. Heat and apply on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times.

This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour. Marigold (gainda) flowers help to soothe skin and scalp irritation, which is common during summer.

Add a handful of fresh or dried marigold flowers to three cups of hot water. Allow it to stand for an hour. Strain and cool the water and use it to rinse the face and hair. Or, take a cup of marigold flowers.

Crush them with fingers and add 2 teaspoons olive oil. Blend well. Add the mixture to warm bath water.