Six Biggest Skin-Care Mistakes !

A Friend forwarded me this for putting it here on site, Awesome tips for healthy skin. Try them, they are neat.

1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents:

Many people assume that the suds of their vigorously foaming cleanser are a good sign -- surely they'll leave skin extra clean. Unfortunately, copious suds are generally a sign that your cleanser contains a harsh detergent, like lauryl sulfate, that strips skin of vital lipids. (And don't get me started on bar soap -- that is always a no-no.) Instead, look for cleansers that contain fatty acids and will actually fortify your skin, like Dove's ProAge products, or even simple cold cream. If you have particularly dry skin, I recommend cleansing oils, which remove dirt and makeup without disturbing your skin's natural protective barrier.


2. Not using a retinoid:

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the only topical ingredient proven not only to prevent lines and wrinkles but to minimize the ones you already have. Past the age of 30, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for a higher-concentration prescription retinoid (like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac, for example), but there are also many great over-the-counter creams that contain lower concentrations of retinol. I like Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Cream, and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.


3. Spending too much on skin care:

Splurging on the beautiful packaging and luxurious scents of pricey boutique skin care lines can feel wonderfully pampering -- provided you know that it's absolutely not necessary for great skin. In fact, many of my favorite products are made by drugstore brands, because those companies have the large budgets for top-notch research and development. If you have to choose, put your money toward that prescription retinoid, and buy the rest of your regimen at the drugstore.


4. Getting facials:

Yes, that's right -- you can strike facials from your skin-care budget and actually be doing your skin a favor! Studies show that as many as 80% of people break out after a facial. Aestheticians often don't know which products are right for the skin of each client, and may use ingredients that can worsen acne, or essential oils that tend to irritate sensitive skin. Even if you don't break out, there are really no long-term benefits to facials.



5. Washing your face at the wrong time:

Always wash your face after you rinse out your hair products and conditioner in the shower, never before. Many conditioners contain pore-clogging isopropyl myristate and other hair products often contain coconut oil -- both are common acne-causing ingredients that you don't want to leave on your skin.



6. Not using sunscreen every day:

Not just for your trip to the beach. Not just during the long summer days. Every day. Yes, it's important to be even more vigilant if you plan to spend lots of time in direct sunlight. But incidental sun exposure typically accounts for more of our lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays than those days at the beach. Walking to and from your car, dashing out of the office for a sandwich, or sitting outside for a few minutes adds up -- make sure you're covered with at least SPF 15, every day. Drink daily 8 Glass water.

Ayurveda Cosmetology - (Skin Care) Part II

Facts to remember

Ayurveda, the word being the combination of Ayur and Veda means as a whole, the knowledge of life or the science of life that not only cures illnesses but prevents the occurrence of the diseases in those who are healthy.

To keep oneself fit and healthy at all ages ayurveda has proposed numerous suggestions that if followed with dedication maintains health and skin. Some of the ayurvedic rules are as follows:

• According to ayurveda the natural urges should not be suppressed.
  
• The bathing water must be clean and processed with medicinal and aromatic drugs.
  
• Massage the body regularly with oil processed with varnya dravyas.
  
• Hair massage daily is a must to do to keep hair healthy and shiny. Natural products like bhringaraj oil, coconut oil, castor oil or any other processed with henna, amla, aloe vera, brahmi, neem and jatamansi should be used instead of chemical cosmetics. Massage also relieves insomnia and induces good sleep.
  
• The remedy of nasya (were medicines and oils are instilled through the nose) must be administered to cure diseases that effect head, nose and throat and increase the complexion of skin also.
  
• Regular exercise, walking and jogging is good to keep the physical and mental state of body in good shape.
  
• Proper care should be taken of the eyes by applying anjana (eye slaves) that helps prevent diseases, increase vision and relaxes eyes.
  
• After daily bath one must wear clean clothes and preferably light color clothes that give relaxing feel and absorb less heat.

Rasayana and Cosmetology

Among the eight branches of ayurveda rasayan is one that prevents aging of the skin and the entire body and deals with optimum life span. To maintain the balance between the doshas and the dhatus rasayan strives and contributes to the process. According to ayurveda rasayan and skin have an innate relation because of which the vitiation of rasa dhatu the skin gets erupted. To cure this and prevent these skin eruptions ayurveda has suggested following rasayanas that revitalize the rasa dhatu:

• Guduchi
  
• Amalaki
  
• Kharper
  
• Triphala
  
• Chyavanprasha
  
• Amalaki rasayana

It is believed that skin acts as the mirror of all that is felt by living beings and the face hence reflects all the mental stress, fatigue, fear, tension, happiness, sadness etc. Thus rise the question of a healthy and glowing skin.

Ayurveda believes that stress or fear or any other negative thought or emotion can hamper the skin's natural glow and shine. Besides emotions there are certain disorders also that have adverse impact on body and face skin. Few such ailments are:

• Eczema
  
• Psoriasis
  
• Acne

There are other diseases relating to hyper pigmentation also that spoil the skin. It is notable that mental stress can aggravate hyper pigmentation and thus achar rasayan (virtuous conduct and relaxed lifestyle) should be adopted to have truthful, calm and easy lifestyle and temper.

Ideal Diet for Skin

For the pathogenesis of diseases, including those of skin improper diet is one of the major factors. With the view to provide humans a glowing and healthy skin, ayurveda has mentioned certain diets that are nutritious and help eliminating the skin ailments. Although in today's busy world where refrigerated food and preserved food is preferred for convenience, it must always be kept in mind that in all circumstances if possible fresh food is always better than the preserved both in terms of nutritional value and health maintenance.

In ayurveda few recommended diets are as follows:

• Food eaten should be warm, freshly cooked and must be in proper quantity.
  
• All persons must eat after the previous meal consumed is digested and again the urge to eat (hunger) arises.
  
• Virudh anna (food that is incompatible with each other) should not be taken. Such as fruit salads prepared in milk or milk preparations must be avoided with fish.
  
• The food must be chewed properly before gulping inside to the esophagus and must not be eaten too fast or to slow.
  
• The environment around while consuming food must be clean, pleasant and hygienic.
  
• Spicy, very hot, oily, fried and pungent food must be avoided and thus junk food, fast food from outside must be avoided.
  
• The fat intake must be reduced and fiber fruits and vegetables must be consumed along with all substances that are roughage for the body as it is good for health and helps prevent constipation.
  
• Large amount of water, liquids, juices etc must be taken to reduce dryness of the intestine and drain wastes out of the blood through urine. Fluid intake also helps prevent skin disorders and makes it glowing.
  
• Fruit juice such as grapes, lemon, etc. is also recommended.

Skin Care - Part VI

Tips for Face Care

Cleansing Enzymes

• Mash two Papaya and pineapple slices. Rub this paste all over the face.
  
• Wash off after 5 minutes for a soft and squeaky clean feel.

Soft Lips

• Mix 2 teaspoon coconut oil, lemon juice, 3 drops of lemon oil and 1 teaspoon bee wax and warm.
  
• When it has melted, pour into a glass jar.
  
• Use this solution to mositurise your lips.

Dark Skin around Lips

• Use a scrub of Sandalwood power mixed with Almond powder and Milk, and massage gently on the area, darker then the rest of your face, around your lips.
  
• If done daily, you will see a difference in a week.

Under-eye Dark Skin!

• Massage the area under your eyes with a powdered Vitamin E capsule and wipe off with honey and egg white.
  
• Wash off with milk for smooth flawless skin.

Anti-Pimple Recipe

• Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water everyday.
  
• Eat plenty of green salads, vegetables and fresh fruit. Cut down junk food.
  
• Mix Rose water with one tablespoon of powdered
• Camphor and store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Wipe your face several times a day with it
  
• Also, make a pack with two tablespoons of Multani Mitti, five ground Cloves, a pinch of Camphor and Rose water.
• Apply the pack, daily, on the pimples and let dry. Wash off with ice-cold water.
  
• Done regularly, you will notice a difference within 10 days.

Shadows / Moles on Face Neck and Arms

• Massage the shadow patches / mole portions with almond oil mixed with oil of one vitamin E capsule.
  
• Leave it on for a couple of minutes and then wipe off with a cotton wool pad dipped in cold milk, and then with another pad dipped in water.
  (Three times a week for 15 minutes will show result.)

Clean and Clear Skin

• Take 30-40 Neem leaves and boil in one litre of water until the liquid turns to half.
  
• Drink three-four tablespoons of this syrup daily.

Skin Care - Part V

Look Beautiful - The Natural Way

Our skin faces a constant barrage of chemicals everyday from pollution to harsh chemically formulated products that strip the skin of its natural balance. These simple Ayurvedic home remedies help you to attain a clear, healthy and glowing complexion. Ayurveda mentions many simple natural ways to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. Using these natural ways, one can stay beautiful for a longer period without having to suffer the side effects of the chemicals.

Below are some simple 'secrets' to achieve a naturally beautiful skin.

• Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy.
  
• Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean the deep pores of skin.
  
• Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.)
  
• Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
  
• Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
  
• Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
  
• Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
  
• Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.
  
• Regular application of mint juice to the face helps to remove stains.

Try out some of these simple natural remedies for smooth, clear and radiant complexion.

Tips for Skin Care

Satin Smooth Skin

• When you have a Mango, do not throw the peels. Powder the peels. Add 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub all over.
• Wash off after 5 minutes for a satin finish!

Extremely Dry Skin!

• To treat extremely dry skin, mash a Banana and a tablespoon of Honey to it. Apply on the skin, leave on for 10 minutes and wash off.

Tired / Dull Skin!

• Mix together 24ml Apricot Kernel Oil, 5 drops of Petitgrain Oil, 4 drops of Sandalwood Oil and 3 drops of Chamomile oil.
• Apply as a mask for 10 minutes or massage on to your face.
  
• It will rejuvenate tired and dull skin.

Dry / Papery Skin!

• Blend together 24ml Jojoba Oil, 4 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil, 3 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil and 2 drops of Rosewood Essential Oil
• Use this blend for a facial massage to help dry/papery skin.

Body Exfoliator!

• Mix a 4th cup Olive Oil to half cup Brown Sugar and add 4 tablespoons grated Lemon zest - makes great low cost body exfoliator.

Skin Care, Honey!

• Moisturize your skin with honey!
• Take 2 tablespoons of Honey and 1 teaspoon of Glycerin.
• Massage it into the skin regularly and wash off after five minutes.
• This will moisturize your skin and avoid the greasy feel.

Soft and Supple Skin

• Scrub your skin with one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice.
• Great way to have a super soft and supple skin.

Remedy for a glowing skin in 15 mins

• Rub a piece of papaya to face and neck till 15 mins and feel the difference on the tip of ur fingers
• The best way for a golden glow in minutes
  or,
• 2 tbsp orange juice
  
• 2tbsp turmeric powder
  
• Mix well n use it as a scrub to face n neck for a golden glow.
  
• Leave on for 15-20 mins and wash off with water

Skin Treatment with Tomatoes!

• Tomatoes are slightly acidic in nature and contain potassium and Vitamin C. Tomatoes are excellent for oily skins and help the skin feel cleaner and tighter, as well as reduce open pores and blackheads.
• Cut the tomato in half and rub on the skin. Leave on for at least fifteen minutes to let the skin feed on the juice,so that it saturates into the pores. Wash off with water.

Sun Damaged Skin!

• If you have overexposed yourself to sun, to soothe your skin, take a lukewarm bath with 5-6 drops of Chamomile Essence diluted in a tablespoon of Carrier Oil.
• Repeat this at intervals of a few hours until the burning subsides.
  

Smoother Skin with Cabbage

• Cabbage is rich in minerals and vitamins.
• Next time you are boiling cabbage, don't throw away the left over water. Wash your face with this water and you will feel your skin growing smoother.

Blemishes On Face?

• Grate an apple and apply it as a face mask daily for a week.
  
• Blemishes shall fade away naturally!
  
• Soft & Clear Skin
• Take a Papaya and rub all over skin.
• This has cleansing enzymes which will leave skin soft and squeaky clean.

Healthy Glowing Youthful Skin

• Massage your face, daily, with a combination of fresh cream, lemon juice and honey.
• Then do a five-minute scrub of powdered almonds, walnuts and honey mixed with a little fresh cream milk.

Clean and Clear Skin

• Take 30-40 Neem leaves and boil in one litre of water until the liquid turns to half.
• Drink three-four tablespoons of this syrup daily.

Glowing Skin

• Take 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoon of almond oil and mix with milk.
• Apply on face, neck and the back. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and wash off.

Skin Care - Part IV

Toners

Thorough cleansing removes more than makeup, grime, and cellular debris. It also strips your skin of its protective shield. Toners, fresheners, and astringents restore the pH balance of the acid mantle; remove any remaining makeup that was not cleaned up, oily cleanser, or soap film.

After the skin is thoroughly clean, apply a skin toner or rinse that has an astringent effect. This will close the pores, tighten the skin, and keep it from being exposed to many of the toxins that are floating in the air or other environmental pollutants.

A wide variety of toners are available. It is recommend that you avoid those products that contain alcohol. Alcohol dries the skin and harms the soluble collagen below the surface of the skin.

The common herbs used in toners include witch hazel, geranium, honey, lemon, ivy, sage, nettle, and burdock. Witch hazel has a tendency to dry the skin. So, this should be balanced with moisturizers such as Vitamin E, honey, etc.

Essential oils are the gentlest way of toning up. Rose water for normal or dry/sensitive skin or witch hazel for oilier skins are ideal bases for fresheners. These can be applied with cotton wool or for a more refreshing tone, sprayed on to the face.

Herbal tea infusions are also ideal toners. Boil a cup of water and infuse chamomile, marigold, rosehip or nettle teas (you can also use herbal tea bags), add 2 drops of orange or lavender oil and leave to cool. Oily skin benefits from juniper or lemongrass whereas drier skins would benefit from rose or sandalwood.

Moisturizers

Water is the secret ingredient for dewy-fresh skin. Well-moisturized skin is soft and supple, reflects a healthy glow and ages less quickly. They prevent the skin from drying and chapping, thus slowing the aging process.

Water moves through the body to the surface in a process called "transepidermal water loss" leaving skin pleasingly plump and firm. If your system is deficient in water, the skin's upper layers become dry and brittle.

Drinking at least six glasses of water daily and eating fluid-rich fruits and vegetables help normalize dry or oily conditions, and is essential for preventing your body from robbing its necessary moisture at the expense of your skin.

In addition to internal liquid refreshment, skin requires external water replenishing. Moisturizers or humectants attract moisture to the skin's surface and hold it there.
Younger skin only needs light conditioning whereas older skin needs specific nourishing treatments.

A wide variety of moisturizers are available that range from very inexpensive to very expensive. Examples are: vegetable glycerin, rose water, jojoba oil, vitamin E oils, sorbitol (derived from plants), honey, aloe vera, and iris.

Aloe vera is very good for skin care. Since ancient times, it has been used effectively to treat everything from dry skin, burns, and insect bites to skin irritations, acne, cuts, and abrasions.

Mineral oil, used in many skin care products, can dry the skin, block pores, and prevent it from breathing and eliminating waste.

Most moisturizers soothe and sit on the surface of the skin, but essential oils, with their fine molecular structure, work their way through from the surface to the inner dermis. Mixed with the correct amount of base oil, these pure essentials do not clog up pores on lubrication. They are light enough to be absorbed spontaneously by skin.

Use 30 ml (2 tbsp) of base oil and add 6 drops of essential oil (maximum of 3 different oils) to suit individual needs. (See individual skin type description for recommendations on type of essential oil to use.)

Masks

Facial masks are some of the oldest known beauty treatments. The ancient Egyptians used mud and clay to remove dead skin cells and heal blemishes. Seventeenth century European women experimented with milk and egg masks. Fresh foods, flowers, and herbs were used to cleanse and nourish the skin. A mask softens the skin, unclogs the pores, and removes the impurities. It also replaces lost moisture and sooth the skin. It is also very relaxing.

Clay and oatmeal are ideal ingredients for any face mask. A natural powdered clay is fuller's earth, which can be mixed into a paste with hot water. Cool and then add yogurt for a smoother consistency.

Mix finely ground oatmeal into a paste. Let it cool down. Add 15 drops of essential oils that is recommended for your skin type for each cup of this paste. Apply this to your face. Let it dry slightly and then sponge off.

For particularly dry/sensitive skins add 15 ml (1 tbsp) evening primrose base oil to give a more moisturizing mask. Do not apply the mask on or near the eyes.

Mix regular or quick-cooking dry oatmeal with water or milk. Allow it to dry on your face and throat for 10 to 15 minutes. This will smooth, soften, and remove the dead cells. To multiply the benefits, blend 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon of instant nonfat dry milk, and 1/4 teaspoon almond oil with the oatmeal.

For sensitive skin, pulverize the oatmeal in an electric blender or food processor; or stir 2 tablespoons oatmeal into 1/2 cup milk and cook it to soft mush.

Yogurt mud refines pores and tightens normal or oily skin. Here are three recipes you can use:

Mix 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon yogurt, 1 teaspoon each fuller's earth and honey.

Mix 2 tablespoons yogurt, 2 teaspoons fuller's earth, a few drops of mint extract, and enough water to make a creamy paste.

Mix 1 tablespoon each yogurt and fuller's earth with 1/2 teaspoon honey and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda.

Skin treatment

Determining your skin type

To determine the type of skin you have, wipe your face with a dry tissue when you wake up in the morning. If there is oil on the tissue, the skin is a greasy type. If there is grease on the center panel only, then it is a combination skin. If there is no grease on the tissue at all, it is either a dry skin or a normal skin. If the skin is left feeling stretched or too tight, shiny and parched, it is dry .If the skin feels smooth, supple and elastic, it is normal.

Skin Care for Normal Skin

The only care this skin requires is cleaning it twice a day with a mild baby soap and water and toned with something mild, like rose water.

At night, to keep your skin's normal moisture- balance apply a thin film of home-made moisturizer.

Any time your skin becomes slightly oily or slightly dry in any area correct these tendencies by following the advice given regarding these types of skin.

Follow every cleansing with a mild freshener to keep pores tight and to remove traces of cleanser clinging to the skin. Use an astringent with a low alcohol content.

Avoid direct heat on the face-including that from blow dryers.

Always use a mild, oil-based moisturizer under makeup to help retain surface moisture.

Guard against the drying, aging effects of the sun by using makeup products that contain a sunscreen.

Once every two weeks, stimulate the circulation and smooth the surface of the skin by using a nondrying mask.


Facial Massage

Massage helps the skin to absorb oils and creams easily. It relaxes you. It relieves tension. It restores energy to your body by stimulating the blood flow.

1. Pour a small amount of the blended oil into the palm of your hand and gently apply all over the face. Avoid your eyes.
2. With the backs of your hands, gently tap the skin around the jaw-line and underneath the chin to stimulate the skin cells.
3. Apply small circular movements to the chin area, using your thumbs. This will tone, help circulation and eliminate toxins.
4. Make an "oooh"-shaped mouth. Massage either side easing out fine lines.
5. With your fingertips, press along the top of the cheekbones and massage outward up to the temples to release toxins.
6. With the middle fingers, apply pressure to points above the bridge of the nose and underneath the eyebrows. Hold for 5 seconds and smooth across from the inner to the outer corners of the eyebrows and continue up to the temples.
7. To relieve tension, apply firm pressure at either side of the temples, and rotate backward.
8. Stroke up the forehead to the hairline with the palms of the hands, smoothing out fine lines.

Skin Care - Part II

Natural aids for Beautiful Skin

Several natural aids have been found useful in promoting healthy and beautiful skin.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is an important natural aid for healthy skin.

1. Lime Juice Formula

Squeeze lime into a bowl. Add a glass of boiled whole milk and a teaspoon of glycerin to it. Stir well and let it stay for half an hour. Apply this mixture on the face, hands and feet before going to bed at night. This treatment every night will help you to look young and beautiful. It will also help cure pimples.

2. For very oily skin

Squeeze lemon juice in a bowl of iced water. Splash this over the face, massage for five minutes and then wash off with water.

3. T o improve a dull and greasy complexion

Mix half teaspoon of lime juice with one teaspoon of cucumber juice and a few drops of rose water. Apply on the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Remove with water.

4. To improve a dry and rough skin

Take an egg yolk and mix in a few drops of lime and olive oil. Spread on the face and leave it till the skin feels dry. Wash off with ordinary water and splash on cold water.

5. To relieve tired eyes

Take four tablespoons each of lime juice and iced water. Saturate cotton pads in this water and place over your closed eyelids for 10 minutes.

6. To remove freckles

Blanch and grind two almonds. Mix it with white of an egg to which half teaspoon of lime juice has been added. Spread on the face and leave it on till the skin feels dry. Then, wash off first with warm water and then with cold water.

Peach Treatment

The skin of the peach is useful in improving the complexion.

Gently massage the inside of peach peelings on the face every night for a few minutes. Don't rub off the moisture afterwards. This will cleanse the skin thoroughly and free the pores. It also has an astringent action and tightens the muscle of the face slightly, thus preventing sagging tissues.

Anti-wrinkle cream

Mix a teaspoon of olive oil with an egg. Smoothen the face and neck with it. Let it remain till the skin gets dry.

To Remove The Cream:
Add a teaspoon of soda bicarbonate to hot water. Stir. Dip a piece of cotton-wool to this mixture and use it to remove the cream.

Natural Beauty Mask

Ingredients
1 tablespoon of gram flour
1/4 teaspoon orange peel powder
1 tablespoon beaten yogurt
1 teaspoon olive oil

Mix the ingredients well and apply the paste to your face and neck. Let it remain till the skin starts feeling a little dry and then rub your face with your hands till it glows.

Wash your face first with warm water and then with cold water. This will remove all the embarrassing blemishes from the skin and make the skin soft and smooth.

To improve a dark and dull complexion

Ingredients
1 teaspoon of gram flour
pinch of turmeric powder
few drops of lime juice
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon milk

Mix the ingredients together. Apply the mixture to your skin. Leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with water.

Cleansing Lotion

To one-fourth teaspoon of lime juice stir in one teaspoon each of milk and cucumber juice. Apply on the face and neck and wash off after 14 minutes. This lotion cleanses and purifies the pores of the skin.

Cabbage Mask

Grind a couple of cabbage leaves and extract juice. Dissolve one-fourth teaspoon of yeast in it and stir in one teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply thickly over face and neck. Keep it for 15 minutes. Remove with cotton-wool soaked in water. This mask will counteract any tendency towards wrinkles and dryness and give your skin a flower-like bloom.

Tangerine Juice Treatment

The use of orange or tangerine juice has also been found valuable for a glowing complexion.

Dip your fingers in fresh tangerine or orange juice. Apply it liberally over your face, chin, neck, and forehead. Make a paste from the powdered sun dried pips of unripe oranges. Use this paste on the pimples and acne at bed time.

Orange Tonic

Blanch and grind a couple of almonds to a paste and mix in two tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon each of carrot and orange juice. Apply thickly on face and neck and leave on for half an hour. Removes scars and blemishes from the face and makes it soft and smooth.

Watermelon Juice

The juice of water-melon is useful in the removal of blemishes on the skin.

Prepare a lotion by grating and squeezing the juice of a small slice of water-melon. Apply this lotion over the face and neck for fifteen minutes. Wash with hot water. Follow this by a splash of cold water.

Tomato

Tomato, used externally, is good for getting a good complexion.

Apply the pulp of a tomato liberally on the face. Leave this for an hour. Then wash off with warm water. Repeat this daily. You will have a good complexion. It will also remove ugly-looking pimples in a short time.

Tomato Lotion

To one tablespoon of tomato juice add a couple of drops of lime juice. Apply on face and remove after 15 minutes. It is very effective for shrinking enlarged pores.

Tomato Tonic

To two teaspoons of tomato juice add four tablespoons of buttermilk. Apply. Remove after half an hour. It is excellent for removing sunburns.

Cucumber

Grate or blend a cucumber. Apply this over the face, eyes and neck for 15 to 20 minutes. It is a great tonic for the facial skin. Regular use of cucumber prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles, and dryness of the face.

Whitening Lotion

To one tablespoon of cucumber juice stir in a few drops of lime juice and a dash of turmeric powder. Apply on face and neck and wash off after half an hour. Makes an excellent whitener for all types of skins.

Cucumber Lotion

Mix one tablespoon each of cucumber juice and milk and a few drops of rose water. Apply on the face and neck. Remove after 15 minutes. Makes excellent whitener for delicate skins.

Apple Tonic

Mix one tablespoon of apple juice with one-fourth teaspoon of lime juice. Leave on for 20 minutes. Makes excellent tonic for combating oily skin.

Amaranth Juice Treatment

The juice of amaranth, applied over the face with a pinch of turmeric powder, bleaches the skin, prevents it from drying and wrinkling, cures pimples and makes one look fresh.

Add to this mixture milk and lime juice. Massage the mixture delicately over the face and neck for half an hour. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this every night before going to bed. This is an effective skin tonic that increases and retains its beauty.

Mint Juice

Application of fresh mint juice over the face every night, cures pimples and prevents dryness of the skin. The juice can also be applied over eczema and contact dermatitis with beneficial results.

Almonds

Make a paste of almonds with mild cream and fresh rosebud paste. Apply it daily over the face. This softens and bleaches the skin and nourishes it with the choicest skin-food. Regular application of this mixture prevents the early appearance of wrinkles, blackheads, dryness of the skin, pimples. It also keeps the face refreshed.

To improve rough and dry complexion:
Take a teaspoon of almond oil and mix it with half a teaspoon each of milk cream and lime juice. Apply every night before going to bed both on the face and on the neck.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a very important natural beauty aid.

Apply yogurt on the face every morning. Wash it off after a few minutes with cold water. This will keep the complexion smooth, healthy and fresh. A mixture of yogurt and lemon juice is ideal for softening hands.

A paste of lentil and yogurt, applied as a mask, cleanses the skin and gives it a glow. Let it dry. When dried, remove it with fingertips and wash off with water.
Honey, olive oil and a mixture of turmeric and sandalwood paste are all very effective in rejuvenating dry , parched skin.

Introduction - Skin Care - Part 1

Natural way to Healthy Skin

Causes of Unhealthy skin

Faulty diet. Refined foods like white flour, sugar and products made with them, tea, coffee, and soft drinks deplete energy, bring about wrinkles, unattractive skin and premature aging.

Lack of healthy blood. Healthy blood adds a glow to the skin and keeps it well-nourished, moist, and free from dryness and roughness.

Inadequate cleansing. Very often, our skin looks superficially clean; but they really are not. Dirt and dust particles can hide in the pores of the skin and clog sweat and sebaceous glands. Proper cleansing not only removes all the dust, dirt and make-up, which accumulate during the day, but also stops the oil-secreting sebaceous glands from getting clogged.

Diet

Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin. Diet should supply all the nutrients needed to build health, namely, protein, carbohydrates, fats, essential fatty acids and all the essential vitamins and minerals. Such a diet will consist of liberal quantities of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits, supplemented by special protective foods like milk, vegetable oils, yogurt, honey and yeast.

Nutrients play an important role in maintaining a healthy skin.

Examples:

Your skin is unusually dry and rough. You have blackheads and whiteheads. You are probably lacking sufficient vitamin A. You could also be suffering from the deficiencies in iron, iodine and the B Vitamins. Adequate amounts of protein and vitamin C are also important.

The vitamins of the B group are important in producing beautiful skin.

Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin deficiency can lead to brown pigmentation, or liver spots on the skin. These ugly spots usually disappear if generous amounts of vitamin B2 are given over a period of six months. Severe riboflavin deficiency can lead to oily skin and hair and small deposits of fat under the skin of the cheeks and forehead and behind the ears. More severe deficiency of riboflavin causes the skin under the nose and at the comers of the eyes and mouth to crack and become sore.

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency can result in dermatitis or eczema.

Niacin deficiency can also cause an eczema type of skin eruption with brown pigmentation, largely on the face, forearms and legs.

Deficiency of pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid, and biotin: This also leads to types of eczema. The symptoms will go away completely when these vitamins are generously added to the diet.

It is clear that Vitamin B plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy skin. So, diet that is rich in Vitamin B can go a long way in skin health. One of the important food in this connection is brewer's yeast. Even the person whose skin seems smooth and healthy usually notices improvement in texture and glow, a week after adding two or more tablespoons of brewer's yeast to the daily diet. Persons with eczema should, for an entire month, take a tablespoon of yeast stirred into citrus juice or water after each meal, between meals, and before retiring. If the diet is adequate in all other respects, the eczema is usually cured in a month 's time.

Anemia and Pale Skin: Anemia results from lack of protein, iodine, calcium, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, cobalt, copper, and iron. Take diet rich in Vitamin B. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are especially important.