Grandma’s listen because they care and helpful advice always willing to share.
My Mom’s mother was a perfect “grandma”, the one’s you read about in fairy tales.Beautiful both in terms of looks and nature, she was the lady that we would always look up to.I remember her complexion, flawless without a single blemish on her face, fair and peachy. She had a naturally blessed skin.Her hair was thick and jet black. When we would ask her the secret, she would talk about the good unadulterated food they used to have and the care they would take when they were young girls, all gifts of nature that we today fail to take note of, besieged with brands that would do more damage than help us in the long run.So, here goes,a few ancient secrets that I was told about.
Amla(Indian Gooseberry): Amla undoubtedly is the best ingredient for a healthy and glowing skin.Loaded with vitamins, like vitamin C,it is said that fresh amla juice contains 20 times as much vitamin C as is present in orange juice.It is a natural antioxidant, which means that it protects against the harmful effects of free radicals. It helps in slowing down the aging process and is needed for collagen production hence keeping the skin healthy and at the same time supporting the immune system.Amla purifies blood and fights toxins which helps to get a beautiful and radiant skin. The rich antioxidants of amla also help delay the effects of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots thus giving a young and supple skin.
Gram Flour/Besan: Besan undoubtedly is popularly used as a facial exfoliant in India and is a grandma’s favourite for a beautiful skin.The flour is rich in carbohydrates and protein and contains no gluten.Two teaspoons of besan with a few drops of lemon juice or milk cream is a perfect face mask for a glowing skin.Mixed with a few drops of rose water to two teaspoons of besan tones the skin, as rose water is said to be a good skin toner.
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Have you been in the sun lately or are you back with a tanned skin from a holiday at a beach? A cheap and easy way to remove the tan, is a combination of besan, papaya(the papaya must be mashed into a pulp) and orange juice. It is a great way to even out skin and remove tan.
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Rose Water: Rose water is a liquid made from water and rose petals. It is used as a perfume due to its sweet scent, but it has medicinal and culinary values, as well.Rose Water has been used in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. The Romans were the first to classify and document the healing powers of the natural Rose Water.The beautiful and famous queen of Egypt, Cleopatra,was one of the biggest fans of the healing and beautifying qualities of the authentic Rose Water. Cleopatra, regularly used it for her face and bathed in Rose Water. In fact this was the secret of her timeless beauty. It was used for tightening pores to prevent ageing and wrinkles.
Rose water is great for toning and hydrating the skin. It is safe and effective for all skin types and helps balance natural oil production. Rose water encourages circulation and encourages a clear, bright complexion.
Turmeric:Turmeric is one of the most prized condiments in an Indian household.It contains curcuminoid pigments which helps the body in synthesizing antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the skin cells from free radical damage and even slows down the signs of ageing like dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. In fact one of the customs in a traditional Assamese wedding is a ceremony where the bride’s hand legs and face is applied with turmeric by all the female members of the family.Result, is a beautiful bride with a glowing skin. Grandma’s advise!
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Saffron: It is one of the most expensive ingredient in the kitchen, difficult to get and expensive beyond words.The exotic spice was used by the queens and princesses, royalty would add this precious ingredient in their baths as well as in their food.It possesses therapeutic properties, and the potassium in it helps with cell formation and repair. Saffron contains many vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin. It is anti-inflammatory and soothes the skin. It is anti fungal and can be used to treat acne also.It cures blemishes, lightens skin tones and brightens dull skin.A few strands of saffron soaked in milk cream overnight and applied on the face the next day, gives brightness to the skin.In fact, it also removes tan giving the skin a glow.
Eggs:It is believed that the Chinese had a renowned imperial consort, Zang Lihua who used to use eggs in her beauty regime. In fact not just her, but the world over,egg whites were used in beauty rituals from as far back as in 600 BC.Egg whites are rich in protein and albumin that have skin toning properties and promote wrinkle free skin. They are especially good for oily skin.It also helps in preventing acnes and acne scars.
Cucumbers: When I was a little girl and my eyes ached, tired maybe of studying too much, my grandma would cut two thin slices of cucumber, make me lie down and cover my eyes with a slice each. It used to have a cooling effect and after a while my eyes would feel calm and relaxed. This is a practice which I carry on even now when my eyes are a little sressed out. Cucumber not only cools the eyes but also removes the puffiness around them.It can also be used as a skin toner by mixing cucumber juice with juice from a lemon.It can also be used as a facial mask. The juice of cucumber or pureed cucumber can be used directly on the skin to remove tan or to relieve sunburn. A simple combination of pureed cucumber can be mixed with yoghurt to treat blemishes. This is good for dry skin.
Buy: Hydrating Cucumber Face Gel
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