Home-made Beauty Essentials To Try Especial During Lockdown

This article was written by Tania Bhattacharya on behalf of Sherley Altidor.

First of all, if you are reading this now, I assume that you and your dear ones are healthy; and that’s great news. I am very happy for you and pray that you continue to stay healthy.

I am so glad that you are here today.

The past few months have been so hard on all of us. Harder for all those who are fighting the pandemic from the frontlines. If you are one of them, thank you. It’s because of you that the rest of us are able to go on with our lives. We will be eternally indebted.

We do not know when and how this global crisis would end. But it’s a reminder for all of us to reassess the priorities of our lives, which in essence come down to this— taking care of our family and of ourselves.

So please stay home and please do take good care of yourself. And that includes becoming a little mindful of your beauty routine as well not only because it will make you look good, but also because it will make you feel good. And we all know how important it is to feel good about yourself when you are looking after everyone else.

Following is a list of quick fixes that you could try on the side, as you spend some extra hours in the kitchen.

Nothing elaborate, I promise.

But first things first

Remember that it all begins from within.

That means eating a lot of fruits, veggies and water. I know that you know that already, but let’s be honest… how often do we forget that?

However, the fact remains that that remains the biggest tip in any beauty book. Eat healthy and that will reflect on your skin. Now that all of us are eating home-cooked meals throughout the day, it is a good thing to remind ourselves to plan out the meals in such a way that it include all the essential ingredients in the right proportions.

Also read article on self-care: Why Self-Care is Vital / A How to Starter Guide to Self-Care

Ensure the full 8 hours of sleep

With all the difficult news doing the rounds, it could become harder to get some really peaceful hours of sleep. But well, it still remains essential because sleep rejuvenates our body and helps it heal. Think of all those times you had a bad cough and cold and how wonderful you felt when you had a hot bowl of chicken soup and good rest.

Plus, taking good amount of rest will keep those dark circles at bay, with no extra effort! And that’s a real bonus!

Now going back to the beauty business.

To begin with, always remember to include the three basic steps of any beauty routine: exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize.

Because sadly, the lockdown doesn’t work on dead cells. They keep growing and sitting on our skin, which is why, removing them becomes necessary.

Here’s a very easy way to scrub those dead cells off your skin.

Mix sugar (white or brown, whatever is available) with olive oil to create a coarse, granular paste. Put this on your face and rub it in circular motion. Be gentle on your skin and don’t put too much pressure as you massage your face. Let it sit for 10 mins and then rinse with warm water. You can apply this scrub to your whole body.

Easy, right?

For cleaning your face every day, you can simply mix milk (room temperature) and wheat or flour. Make a paste, apply it on your face and leave for a few minutes. Rinse it off with water for squeaky clean skin. Avoid putting it on your eyebrows, though, because it might get quite sticky and a little difficult to remove, especially if you are using white flour.

Moisturize

One of the natural and easiest ways to moisturize your skin is to dab a few drops of honey on it. Leave it for some time and wash it off with lukewarm water. Honey is very popular for its moisturizing properties and can be mixed with a number of ingredients to create nourishing masks. However, please apply it on a clean face.

If you have oily skin, you can add a few drops of honey to a freshly squeezed lemon juice. Apply it on your face and neck and leave it for 15 minutes. Try it for up to two times every week for best results.

Another easy yet wonderful way to keep your oily skin moisturized without feeling too greasy is using green tea. If you have green tea bags, steep a few in hot water for some time. Allow the bags to cool then open the contents in a bowl. Mix honey to it and make a paste. Use it on your face and neck and wash it off after 10 minutes. You can use this one to two times per week.

Also read article on skincare products from natural ingredients: How To Make Skincare Products From Natural Ingredients

Use face masks

Now, with the salons closed and the possibility of a professional facial looking bleak, here are a few easy masks that you can try at home. I bet you’ll feel great.

1. Egg and lemon

For this peel-off facemask, you need the egg whites alone. Add a few drops of lemon juice to it and apply the mixture on your face. Leave it on till its dry and then peel it off. You may also use water to wash it off. This facemask works wonders for acne. It even removes blackheads and tightens the pores.

2. Ripe banana and honey

Now, we all love this breakfast staple. But in case you have a banana that’s sitting in the fruit basket for some time now, don’t throw it. Use it to nourish your skin. Mash a ripe banana into a smooth paste. Mix a few drops of honey. Apply this mixture on your skin. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and wash it off. Use it up to thrice a week for soft, supple skin. This mask is great for dry skin. However, don’t use it if you have oily skin.

3. Oatmeal and honey

Sometimes I feel that someone must have come up with this mask while having breakfast 

But who cares, really, when you can have radiant skin in just a few minutes?

For this mask, mix oatmeal with honey and water to make a paste. Use it on your face and leave it on for around 10 minutes. Rinse it off with water. Oatmeal is good not only in your diet but also on your skin. It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Veggie face pack

All you need for this one is a slice of potato, tomato and cucumber. Put these in a blender and mix. Apply the smooth paste on your face and neck and leave it for 15 minutes. This is one of the easiest ways to remove dark circles, even out skin tone and get a natural glow.

If you have some time, consider putting this is a refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. You will love the cooling effect on your skin.

Also read: What You Eat Affects Your Hair

Don’t forget your night cream

If you are running out of supplies and want to create something at home, here are three things you could try.

1. Take two apples, cut them into small pieces and put them in a blender. Mix it with olive oil. Ensure that you have a smooth paste. Put this in a boiler and heat on a low flame. Remove it from heat and mix rose water. Let it cool and then store it in a clean container. Refrigerate it and use it for up to six days.
2. Take one tablespoon milk cream. To this add one teaspoon each of olive oil, glycerin and rose water. Mix it until you get a smooth paste. Store it in a clean container. Clean your face before applying it.
3. Mash one avocado. Add half cup yogurt and one egg to it. Make a lump-free mixture and store it in a cool, dry place. Apply this anti-ageing cream twice a week for soft, supple skin.

Looking good doesn’t mean visiting the salon. So what if we are locked indoors? We still have our kitchens to whip up awesome beauty potions. Don’t you agree?

How are you taking care of your skin? Do let me know in the comments below.

Articles you may enjoy on natural products:

Dry Scalp Hair Therapy Using Natural Products

Why You Should Not Wash Your Hair Everyday

My Top 15 Must Have Natural Products In The Home

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