Turmeric for Acne {DIY}

A long time back I had done a post on home remedies for acne. So, I had a recent outbreak of cystic acne (I suppose coz it was painful and had a white head) and I decided it was better to suppress it before it became a fully blown acne which has to treated properly by a dermatologist. So, consequently, I tried the first remedy which came to my head - Turmeric. 

Ingredients

• Turmeric
• Water / Mineral Water

Method 

Mix them both so that it forms a smooth lotion and apply a layer on the spot of acne. Keep it on for a minimum time of 10 - 15 minutes or as long as you can. Wash it off. 

Results 

Well, I used this remedy once in a day before having bath. I kept it on for 10 - 15 minutes usually and then washed it off with face wash. I did this for around 2 days before it started showing any difference and after that, the acne started to dry up and subsided completely within a week. I used this as a spot treatment and the results were pretty good so next time you get an outbreak, you might want to test this one. Since turmeric has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with problem skin.  

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Classic Face Pack Remembered {DIY}

Ok, so, I am not sharing anything new today. But, just reminding you all of the classic face pack which costs a zilch and the results are far better than any pricy product and this one has the simplest of the ingredients and is an answer to almost all the skin problems. 

Ingredients

• Multani Mitti
• Curd / Yogurt

Method

Mix them both and apply the pack on the face. Wait for it to dry. It might take long time, though but the wait is worth it. So, try this on a day when you can laze around. In the mean time, keep two chilled tea bags with you and apply them to your eyes and relax. After the mask gets dry, wash it off and rinse your face with green tea (warm or cold, anything). 

Results

A really fresh, hydrated and supple skin is revealed. It brightens the complexion in an instant, controls oil production and removes the dead skin cells. Multani mitti is great for oily skin and curd is great for troubled skin. But, this mask doesn't dry the skin at all. But, if you have dry skin, make sure to include honey as a precaution. But, even dry skin people should use clay masks once in a while coz it detoxifies the skin. So, a face pack which answers all the troubles of your skin and this can be done every alternate day by oily, combination and normal skin people and once in a week by dry skin gals (or guys!!!).

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Grape Juice Face Pack {DIY}

So, I had used this amazing face pack and the results were as good as it tastes :) Ok, so first let me share with you all how I like my fruit juices. First thing is a thumb of rule which I follow and have been regularly advising you all on. Reduce your sugar intake. I do not like sugar in my fruit juices and I abhor ice cubes too because they dilute the juice and you get less of the quantity for your money :D So, I can easily use these fruit juices as face packs too. 

Now, grapes are amazing for skin because they are rich in tartaric acid. Tartaric Acid is one of the Alpha-Hydroxy Acids which are natural exfoliators and provide antioxidants to the skin in abundance. Thus, grapes are amazing for wrinkles and skin softening.

Ingredients

• Grape Juice
• Multani Mitti

Method: Mix both the ingredients and apply on the face avoiding the eyes and lips. Now, apply only grape juice on the eye area and the lips. Relax and let the face pack dry. It will take around 20-30 minutes. Wash off with warm water flowed by a cold water splash. 

Results: Immediate brightened, soft, supple and well-hydrated fresh skin is revealed. Grape juice also controls the oil production in the skin so it is an amazing mask for oily and combination skin. If you have dry skin, use cocoa powder or besan or some other flour instead of using multani mitti coz grape juice and multani mitti combined can be drying for the skin. This mask is amazing to get rid of problem or troubled skin. But, if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test to check if it suits you or not. It might be irritating for sensitive skin because of the tartaric acid in it. Firms and tones the skin. Regular usage would help with wrinkles.

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Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits {Health}

Some days back, I posted on how drinking Apple Cider Vinegar helps with breakouts. In the post, I had mentioned very briefly that even people who do not suffer from breakouts can drink it. Why?? Because of the various health benefits it poses.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar???

As the name says, it is made from apples. It is actually made from apple skin and apple cores but not the meat and then it is actually double fermented using yeasts or bacteria. So, it is especially rich in nutrients and minerals due to the presence of apple and the enzymes created during the fermentation process. It is golden brown in color and has really high levels of acidity so it is used only in garnishing instead of intaking it raw.

Apple cider vinegar contains valuable minerals such as Phosphorus, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, and Chlorine. It also contains Sulfur, Copper, Silicon, Fluorine, Provitamin beta-carotene, Pectin and malic acid. (Source: Wikipedia)

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

• Weight Loss - It suppresses the fat accumulation in the body especially around the tummy
• Skin - It prevents against breakouts and acts as an anti-inflammatory
• Improves immune system
• Controls the cholesterol levels
• Increases the stamina
• Increases metabolism
• Improves digestion
• Prevents stone formations in the body

These are just a subset of the health benefits which can be acquired from drinking Apple Cider Vinegar regularly. You will get plethora of results when you google it so I have just summarized a few here.

Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

• Acetic Acid (present in any vinegar; ACV has high concentration of acetic acid) can lower potassium levels in the body and reduces the bone density making the bones weaker in the process
• Since ACV has high acidity, it shouldn't be taken raw

How to drink Apple Cider Vinegar??
The above mentioned risks are associated with intaking of ACV  on a regular basis for a very long time. Thus, keeping this in mind, I had advised to intake ACV during breakouts and dilute only a tablespoon of ACV per day in a liter of water.

To reap the benefits of ACV, drink ACV only once in three days (when not facing breakouts; during breakouts make it once a day) diluting only a tablespoon of ACV in a liter of water. This is safe and would give the amazing benefits of ACV.

P.S.1: Happy April Fools Day!!! Sorry for the belated wish. In fact, I had totally forgotten  about it. So, how many of you got fooled today???? Do share your amusing experiences :)
P.S.2: Finally, the world cup is here. So, lets hope India wins!!! All the best guys :)

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More benefits of Lemon - get rid of acne scars

I have talked about the uses of lemon sometime back. Here, I bring you more uses of lemon. And, the best one would be for people suffering from acne. So, read on to know more about how to use this beauty ingredient in your daily skin care.

• After you are done with drinking lemon water in the morning, instead of throwing the lemon rinds away, rub them on your skin. It serves as a good scrub and helps lighten the scars and blemishes. It is specially useful for acne scars.
• Cut lemon into two halves. Take a half and dip it in brown sugar. Now, scrub your elbows or knees with the lemon until sugar dissolves completely. This would remove the darkness prominent on the elbows and the knees.
• Lemon can be rubbed on rough skin spots like heels to soften them before using a pumice stone to scrub it off. 
• Put drops of lemon in your shampoo or body wash to refresh and tone your scalp and body. 
• Use lemon rinds to make a refreshing homemade face spray which will keep your skin fresh all day long even in hot summers.
• Pour lemon juice or essential oil while doing your manicure and pedicure. This would ensure clean nails. You can even rub lemon on your nails to make them appear white and clean. Make sure to follow up with moisturizer or oil on your nails to avoid drying them.
• Instead of throwing away the lemon rinds, you may boil them in water and take bath with the water. 
• If you have an oily or combination skin, using lemon regularly in your face packs would balance the oil production in your skin. It slows down aging process. 
• Use lemon juice in your pre-poo treatments if you have an oily hair.
• If you take herbal tea, squeeze lemon according to your taste in it. This would ensure you get all the benefits of lemon internally if you do not drink lemon juice in the morning.
• A great tip to clean utensils: If you do not want to use lemon rind on your face, rub them on the utensils well before washing them. This would remove all the grease and other deposits.
  

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