Living a fast-paced lifestyle in the urban world means that our skin and hair are constantly exposed to harmful conditions such as air and water pollution, germs, radiation, harsh sunshine, air-conditioning, etc.

All of these take their toll and cause various problems such as dryness, acne, pimples, dark spots, rashes, premature ageing, etc. Most of us are quick to run to the pharmacy or the dermatologist for the immense variety of lotions, creams, face-washes, etcetera ,that all promise to work wonders and rid us of our beauty problems. But all these modern solutions often contain harsh chemicals that cause yet more damage in the long run. Instead, why not turn to simple natural remedies that not only work as well if not better than packaged products, but are also largely free of adverse side-effects and much lighter on the pocket?

Since very early times, people have investigated the healing properties of various plants, flowers and fruits. Natural methods of promoting and maintaining beauty have evolved through the ages by a meticulous process of trial and error. In fact, plants were sometimes thought to have almost magical powers due to the immensely beneficial properties they possess. In ancient societies, plants were often buried alongside people in their tombs, which proves the importance attached to them. Excavations in Iraq have revealed a 60000 year old burial site wherein eight different medicinal plants were found!

It was said that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra bathed in milk to preserve her legendary beauty and the advent of science has revealed that milk indeed contains ‘fruit acids’, which is one of the most significant anti-ageing cosmetic discoveries. Cleopatra was also known to use Aloe Vera as a skin cleanser. Moreover, the first skin cream was prepared centuries ago by the classical Greek physician, Galen, through simply mixing together the 100% natural ingredients of beeswax, olive oil and rose water.

The Romans too scented their bath water with rose water and aromatic oils to promote naturally radiant and beautiful skin. Aromatic oils are the oldest form of perfume known to humankind. Queen Elizabeth I of England was a great believer in using herbal mixtures to gently cleanse the skin. In all, plants and other natural ingredients provided the fundamental materials for beauty preparations, perfumes, dyes and medicines until the 20^th century, when they were replaced by synthetic materials.

As trade routes opened up, various plants as well as knowledge of how to use them, spread across countries and ancient recipes involving them have trickled down through the centuries to still be available today.

Even modern day cosmetic manufacturers use natural ingredients in their products but at the same time, they include chemical preservatives to lengthen the shelf-life of cosmetics. This eclipses the benefits of the natural ingredients and hence they are not able to function to their full capabilities. Therefore, preparing your own natural beauty treatments will open up a world of possibilities for new and effective ways to cleanse, nourish, and rejuvenate your skin and hair.

Here is a guide to solving some common skin and hair problems by use of completely natural and easily available ingredients:

Acne

To treat acne, make thin slices of an apple and gently stew it in a little water. When the apple is soft, let it cool enough to smooth evenly over the face. Leave it for fifteen minutes and rinse off.

A second treatment involves the use of papaya. Mash a small quantity of papaya to make about two teaspoons full. Add one teaspoon of plain curd to this and apply to the face and neck, avoiding eyes and lips. Leave for fifteen minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Use either of these techniques two to three times a week to see results.

Dry Skin

To rehydrate dry skin, cut enough banana to make one tablespoon. Blend it with 1 teaspoon of liquid honey and smooth over face and neck, leaving for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Oily Skin

Cut pineapple skin to a size that can rest easily on the face and neck. Place the inside of the pineapple skin in contact with your skin and relax for ten to fifteen minutes. Then rinse face with warm water and apply a basic moisturizing lotion.

Flaky Skin

Mash enough papaya to make 2 teaspoons and mix with 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to face and neck and leave for fifteen minutes before rinsing off.

Hardened Skin

To remove discolored or hard skin on elbows or on the feet, rub the area with lemon halves. You could also warm two tablespoons of honey and rub into the skin, leaving for twenty minutes before rinsing off and patting dry.

Cracked, Sore lips

Melt one tablespoon of liquid honey and mix with 1 teaspoon of rose water. Store this for up to 2 weeks in a small container and use as a lip balm whenever necessary.

Pimples and Boils

Grate a medium sized carrot and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Pat gently onto the skin and relax for five minutes. Do NOT keep for longer as the carrot may stain the skin if left on too long. Rinse with warm water and moisturize.

Sunburn

Apply grated carrot and leave on for five minutes before rinsing with warm water and moisturizing. Alternatively, combine half a cup of yoghurt (160 g) with two tablespoons (30 ml) of rose water and apply to the affected area. Leave for ten minutes and then rinse off.

You could also apply thin slices of apple, potato or cucumber to cool the skin and reduce inflammation.

Puffy, Swollen or Tired Eyes

Place thin slices of cucumber, potato or papaya over the eyes and relax for fifteen minutes before rinsing eyes with cool water. You could do this while using a face pack.

Dry Hair

Massage olive oil into the hair once a week or try the following egg treatment: whisk two eggs into half a cup (120 ml) of warm water and massage into the scalp and hair. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing. Simple coconut oil, Shikakai oil, coconut oil with bay leaves added in it , mustard seed oil are all good options for hair care as well.

Oily Hair

Whisk half a cup of yoghurt with one egg and massage into the hair after shampooing. Leave for ten minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Dandruff

Combine two tablespoons each of pure apple juice and warm water, and massage into the scalp. Leave for ten minutes then wash the hair. Repeat two or three times a week. Alternatively, rub the juice of one lemon thoroughly into the scalp. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing.

So there you are: your guide to beautiful skin using 100% natural ingredients. However, do keep in mind the following precautions before attempting any natural beauty treatment:

• Always avid the eye and mouth area when using any face pack and never leave on for more than the specified time, usually about 15 to 20 minutes.
• When applying a face pack, first tie your hair back and cleanse the skin thoroughly to remove bacteria and any make-up.
• Prepare the mask thickly enough so that it adheres to the skin but not so thickly that it pulls on the skin when applied.
• Do a patch test before using the beauty treatment. This is done by applying a small amount of the relevant substance (such as the face pack) onto the soft skin on the inside of your wrist or elbow. Cover it with a bandage and leave overnight. If any irritation occurs, you may have a sensitivity to the substance and should avoid using it.
• Remember that excess water can dehydrate the skin. Therefore, after rinsing off a face pack or beauty treatment, always use a basic moisturizer to ensure maximum nourishment and protection.

To conclude, it is worth mentioning that of all the many things said about beauty, nothing can be truer than the fact that it comes from within. Take care of your body by consuming a balanced diet and avoiding excessively oily and processed foodstuffs. Moreover, engage in regular exercise and keep your psyche healthy by practicing stress-busting techniques of yoga and/or meditation under a trained expert. Wherever you go and whatever you do, stay healthy, stay beautiful!

Consult a Dermatologist on OoWomaniya.com privately and anonymously HERE.

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