The skin is the first to bear the brunt of the summer heat, leading to problems like sun tan, sun burn, skin-sensitivity, rashes and skin breakouts. There are several home remedies that can help you save your skin, say experts.
Bharti Taneja, CEO of Shahnaz Herbals Inc, and aromatherapist cum beauty expert Blossom Kochhar suggest remedies that can save your skin from the scorching sun:
» Sun tan removal scrub
How: Add a teaspoon of milk to two spoons of oatmeal. To it, add two tablespoons of tomato juice, some orange pulp and a few pinches of poppy seeds. Blend the mixture together to form a thick pack. Apply the mixture on affected areas and wait till the mask dries, scrub gently and wash off .
Why: The tomato and orange extracts will brighten your skin tone, while the milk will add glow.
» Secret to glowing skin
How: Make a mixture of milk and glycerin and apply it on the face for. Keep it there for 15 minutes and then rinse it off.
Why: The treatment softens, rejuvenates and restores the natural pH balance of the skin, protecting it from the harsh effects of the sun.
» Buttermilk
How: Apply buttermilk after being exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Why: Buttermilk soothes burning skin, along with the natural lactic acid in curd acting as a natural bleaching agent.
» Neem leaves
How: Simmer a handful of neem leaves on very low fire in four cups of water for an hour. Leave it overnight. Next morning, strain the water and make a paste of the leaves to use it as a herbal pack. The water can be used to rinse the face.
Why: Neem contains organic sulphur compounds, with versatile healing actions that are of particular benefit to the skin.
» Aloe vera
How: Scrape fresh aloe vera gel with a spoon and apply on your face and neck
Why: Aloe vera gel helps to soothe and heal sunburn. It contains zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
» Watermelon juice
How: Mash a few pieces of watermelon and form a thick paste. Apply this on the affected areas
Why: Watermelon is a good skin toner which helps in relieving summer dryness. It cools, refreshes and softens the skin.
» Papaya pulp
How: Mash few pieces of ripe papaya with some milk or curd. Apply on your face and neck like a mask, and wash it off after 20 minutes.
Why: Papaya contains enzymes that helps in removing dead skin cells. You may also add curd or lemon juice to the pulp to remove tan.
» Fruit pack
How: Fruits like banana, apple, papaya, and orange can be bled together and applied on the face. Keep it on for 20 to 30 minutes and rinse off.
Why: Papaya helps to cleanse dead skin cells. Banana tightens the skin. Apple contains pectin which tones the skin. Orange is rich in Vitamin C. It restores the normal acid-alkaline balance.
» Cucumber juice
How: Grind cucumber pulp along with two teaspoons of milk powder and some egg white. Apply it on face and neck and rinse off with water after half an hour.
Why: Cucumber soothes and cools skin, while milk has cleansing properties.
» Fuller's earth and rose water
How: Mix multani mitti ( fuller's earth) with rose water. Apply the paste on face and wash it off when it dries.
Why: It also shrinks the pores and keeps the skin clear.