12 PHENOMENAL KITCHEN INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY SKIN & STRONG HAIR
One thing we all wish for is to have healthy glowing skin & strong lustrous hair. Ayurveda has always been a storehouse for skin, health & hair beauty needs, it focuses on a holistic approach towards beauty.
However, we always forget that we are continuously exposed to chemicals through air as well as water. This continuous exposure can lead to skin impurities and hair problems. Thus it is important to go back to natural ingredients to nurture and improve your skin and hair texture.
We will repeat words that you’ve probably heard a thousand times from your grannies: all that you need is in the kitchen. And rightly so, a good number of natural remedies are already in your kitchen that can cure most of your skin and hair related problems. Read on to find out about 12 kitchen ingredients that are amazing for your skin, hair and overall health.
Honey
Honey is a great natural ingredient for your skin. It has all the essential vitamins and minerals which your skin needs to become healthy. Honey cleans up your pores and makes it glowing. Cleanse your face and then apply a thin layer of honey on your skin. Let it rest for 15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Rosewater
Rosewater is a great natural product for your skin. Applying rose water on your skin regularly helps balance the pH level of your skin and improves blood circulation. Rosewater is also a good toner for your skin. Using a cotton ball apply rose water to your face and let it dry naturally. Regular application will give you a beautiful glowing skin.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for your body. It has antimicrobial properties that keeps your skin clean and clear and make it glow naturally. Take some oil and use it all over your hands and legs. Massage it slowly on your skin for a couple of minutes, leave on for 30 minutes to an hour and then wash off. Watch your body glow through continues use!
Yogurt
Your body will love the “good” bacteria in yogurt. But it’s not just your digestion and immunity that benefit. Yogurt also comes with a good dose of calcium and vitamin D, enough for an adult’s daily need. Choose the plain kind without added fruit, as those are high in sugar content. You can always add your own fresh fruit, which tastes better anyway.
Tomato
Tomato is another ingredient that is extremely healthy as well as useful to the skin. Tomato helps in unclogging pose, soothes sunburn and reduces acne. Mix some honey in tomato pulp and apply the mask on your face and let it stay for 15 minutes before washing it off and almost immediately you will be left with a soft rejuvenated skin.
Gram flour
Gram flour or besan has been used as a face wash or exfoliator for ages and rightly so, it works amazingly even today. A skincare remedy handed down to us by our mothers and grandmothers, gram flour acts as a great cleaning agent. If you are out of your face wash, you can use besan instead and even use it as an exfoliator to scrub off impurities.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in wedding ceremonies in India for ages due to its magical healing powers. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric work on your pores to calm the skin. Turmeric is also known to reduce scarring and heal any kind of wounds faster due to its antiseptic qualities. You can mix small amounts of yogurt, honey, and turmeric together and apply to your face. Keep the mask on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water. Hello glowing skin!
Cucumbers
Thoughts of at-home spa days tend to conjure up images of bathrobes, bubble baths, and cucumbers — and there's a reason this vegetable became a DIY spa staple. Cucumbers are full of ascorbic acid, which decreases water retention. Leave a slice of fresh cucumber under your eyes for about 15 minutes and you will notice the redness and puffiness fading away.
Cloves
A traditional Indian spice that is used nearly in every Indian household, the power of cloves is extremely high and its usage widespread. It is a stimulating spice used vastly in face packs and tonics. Also, people who suffer from severe acne can use cloves in treatment. Because cloves have a stimulating effect on the skin, they make a wonderful skin tonic and astringent for the T-zone area of combination skins as well as oily skin types.
Aloevera
This humble plant has some of the greatest rejuvenating properties for skin and hair. Its gel can be massaged safely on dead dull and tired-looking skin and also into the hair scalp to prevent hair loss. It is widely used in today's skin and hair treatments.
Almonds
Almonds have an extremely high content of vitamin E and their usage both externally and internally shows effective results. Almond powder can be mixed with oatmeal and milk and used as a face mask and exfoliator to nourish dry dead looking skin. A fine paste of almonds mixed with grated raw potato applied as an eye mask will help reduce dark circles. You can also use almond oil to massage the eyes to reduce dark circles and a tsp of almond oil added to warm milk helps nourish the body internally.
Sandalwood
Be it the oil or powder, this powerful natural ingredient is a winner for most skin types. It helps lighten tanned skin and gives you that glow you've always wanted. Sandalwood oil has sun protective properties and can be used before stepping out in the sun. Check out our Face Brightening Daily Cleanser which is filled with the goodness of Sandalwood.
Apart from indulging in these natural products, you also need to fuel your body with a lot of goodness and positivity. Make sure you eat loads of green veggies and fruits that bring that natural glow from within. Add green tea to your diet as it is full of antioxidants which is great for your skin. Keep your body hydrated by drinking lot of water. You can prepare detox water at home using ingredients like lemon, mint, and cucumber and drink it throughout the day. A dedicated skincare routine with a healthy diet will definitely pay off well, and that is our promise!