3 Best Natural Eyelash Growth Serums That Actually Works!

 

I wanted to share three of my favorite natural eyelash growth serums that I use regularly. We all want long and thick eyelashes and some of us are naturally blessed with thick eyelashes. But if you are a person who has got scanty eyelashes, please don't worry, there are wonderful remedies to thicken the eyelashes and these eyelash serums are the best. We get plenty of eyelash growth serums in India but they are really expensive and some people might be allergic to the ingredients in them too. The best answer is to make your own homemade natural eyelash serums. Usually natural eyelash serums are made with castor oil as a base but I prefer herbal extracts as serums made with herbal extracts are more lighter than castor oil based serums and they are so easy to apply on the eyelashes too. Herbal extracts are also equally effective in promoting eyelash growth like castor oil. But make sure to choose herbs that are very effective for promoting hair growth. I made three eyelash serums serum with three of the best hair growth promoting herbs. The herbs I have used are rosemary, peppermint and curry leaves. All these three herbs have amazing hair growth promoting properties and they also smell amazing. It is best to make the extracts with fresh herbs but if you don't get fresh herbs you can make the extracts with dried herbs too. These serums only differ in smell depending on the herb used but otherwise they are equally effective in promoting eyelash growth. Make the serum in small batches and use it within a week for best results. To make the serum, choose from anyone of the three herbs given and make an extract out of it. Then mix the extract with fresh aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil and mix well. Both vitamin E and aloe vera gel are very safe to use on eyelashes and they help in eyelash growth too. This serum if refrigerated will last well for about 7 to 10 days and if you use them everyday, you will experience amazing eyelash growth very quickly...

10 Top Benefits & Uses Of Washing Our Face With Rice Water Daily

 

Rice water is one of the best ingredients to use for skin care and especially if we use it to wash our face daily, we will get amazing skin benefits. I love to use rice water to wash my face, it keeps my skin blemish free and smooth. What Is Rice Water? The water in which rice was boiled is called rice water. In olden days, when the concept of rice cooker was not known, rice was boiled in clay pots with large amounts of water and once the rice got cooked, the water was drained. Since rice was consumed on a daily basis, rice water was always there at home and it was extensively used for both skin and hair care. Types Of Rice Water: There are actually two types of rice water. The first is the water in which the rice was used to soak before cooking. It is also called rice water and it will be slightly cloudy as rice releases little bit of it's starch in it. The second is boiled rice water got when we drain the water after the rice is cooked. I prefer the boiled rice water as it is more creamy and thicker. Rice Water Nutrients: The important bio active compounds found in rice bran are called ferulic acid, gamma-oryzanol, allantoin and phytic acid. They are wonderful antioxidants and have been used in many skin creams to prevent skin ageing and to repair damaged skin. They also have anti inflammatory properties. Rice water has these amazing skin benefits especially if we use it as a face wash daily:1. Lightens Dark Spots: If you are looking for natural ways to lighten dark spots then rice water will greatly help. To lighten dark spots, mix rice water with gram flour and use it as a face wash. 2. Treats Acne: Since rice water has anti inflammatory properties  it helps reduce the inflammation greatly. If you are suffering from acne, you can just wash your face with rice water and neem mix daily. 3. Soothes Sunburn: Rice water is very very soothing on the skin and is especially great for sunburned skin. You can just apply plain rice water on the face and then wash it off. 4. Lightens Scars: Since rice water has skin lightening properties, it lightens all scars well. Though it takes regular daily use to see results, you will definitely see results if you use it daily. 5. Prevents Skin Dryness: Many commercial face washes dry out our skin as they are loaded with chemicals and preservatives but rice water is hydrating and is great to use for dry skin. 6. Cleans The Skin Well: Try using rice water as a face wash once and you will be surprised how effectively it cleans the skin. It removes grime, dirt and excessive oiliness well especially if used along with ingredients like gram flour or green gram flour. 7. Evens Out The Skin Tone: Since it helps heal scars and reduce break outs, it greatly helps even out the skin tone very effectively. I would suggest using the turmeric, gram flour and rice water mix as it evens out the skin tone well. 8. Prevents Blackheads: If we use rice water face wash daily, it removes excessive oiliness which is the leading cause of blackheads thus greatly preventing blackheads. 9. Repairs Damaged Skin: Rice water is very very healing and helps heal even the most damaged skin very quickly. I would suggest using it as a face wash along with Castile soap like given below. 10. Makes The Skin Glow: Washing with rice water evens out the skin tone, reduces blemishes and literally makes it glow. I have given different rice water face wash recipes I have tried over the years below, choose the one you like and use regularly......

 

10 Top Laser Hair Removal Benefits, Side Effects & Cost You Should Know!

 

One of the most common problems we women face is unwanted facial and body hair growth. Some of the common methods for unwanted hair removal at home are waxing, threading, using hair removal creams also called as depilatory creams and epilators. But these methods are temporary and hair starts growing within a few days again. So people who are looking for a permanent solution opt for laser hair removal. If you are planning to remove unwanted hair using laser get to know the benefits and side effects before doing it. Laser hair removal is the process of destruction of hair follicles using laser light and the results are usually permanent. How Do Lasers Work? Lasers works by a process called selective photothermolysis (SPTL), it targets only dark matter (melanin) which gives hair the dark color. When laser enters our body, it heats up only the basal stem cells that contain the dark pigment matter and it does not affect the rest of our skin. It can be used to remove unwanted hair from all parts of the body like face, bikini area, back, under arms, chin, upper lip, etc. Types Of Laser: 1. Ruby Laser: Ruby has a high melanin absorption properties making it suitable for pale skin. Because it has high melanin absorption, if used on dark skin can leave it discoloured. 2. YAG Laser: This type of laser is best for dark skinned people because it has week melanin absorption properties. Since this type of laser targets very concentrated melanin, it is not suitable for fair skin. 3. Alexandrite Laser: What sets alexandrite laser apart from others is the repetition rate making it useful for doing large areas quickly. Though it has long wave length, it still has high melanin absorption properties so it should be used carefully else it will cause skin discolouration. 4. Diode Laser: It emits light of both long and short wavelengths. This type of laser was designed for fair to medium skin types and has good melanin absorption properties. 5. IPL Hair Removal: IPL also called as intense pulsed light is not laser, it is popular because it is cheaper. IPL produces a broad spectrum of light and only some of them are effective in hair removal. They also don't penetrate deeply like laser. Laser Hair Removal Treatment: Laser hair removal treatment is a three step process of cleaning, shaving and scanning and depending on the area and thickness of the hair, a person needs multiple sittings. With each sitting, 15 to 20 % of the hair follicle gets permanently damaged and stops producing any more hair. The treatment is spaced between 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area treated. After the treatment, the treated hair usually sheds within 2 weeks and there will not be any new hair growth. Pre Laser Hair Removal Treatment Care: No natural or artificial tanning should be done 2 to 3 weeks prior to laser treatment. The use of sunscreen with higher SPF is a must before and after the treatment to prevent sunburns. Do not take any photosensitive drugs 24 hours prior to the treatment. Use of exfoliating creams and lotions that are harsh on the skin should be avoided. On the day of the treatment, perfumes, deodorants and makeup should not used on the area that is to be treated. Post Laser Hair Removal Treatment Care: Immediately after the treatment there will be some swelling and redness around the hair follicles almost like sunburn. Usually aloe vera gel that is free of color and perfume is recommended for it. You might experience the smell of burned hair during and after the treatment which is normal. Using sunscreen is a must during the entire course of the treatment. Avoid strenuous sport activities and external heat like hot water and sauna treatment for at least 3 days after the treatment and avoid sunbathing. If underarms were treated, don't use deodorants and also don't use any makeup and perfume. Don't use any scrubs or exfoliating products that might irritate the skin for the next few days. If infection sets in or there is blistering, contact your clinic immediately. Laser Hair Removal Cost: Laser hair removal costs around 3000 to 4000 rupees in India per sitting and this might vary from clinic to clinic. The cost depends on variety of factors like the density of the hair as more the dense the hair, the more number of session will be required, area of the treatment (larger the area, more number of sessions will be required) and it also varies according to the popularity of the clinic. Best Places For Laser Hair Removal: There are many skin clinics that offer laser hair removal treatment in India. Always read the reviews of the clinic and visit them before hand and talk to them about any concerns you have about laser hair removal before doing the treatment. Most of the side effects mentioned can be easily prevented if you do the treatment in a good skin clinic. You can also read the study that proves that there are very few side effects of laser hair removal here.

How To Do Facial At Home - Step By Step Tutorial With Natural Ingredients

 

Getting a facial done is one of the most relaxing things I can think off and the best part is you can easily do it in the comfort of your home with ingredients found in your kitchen. Facials have multiple skin benefits: 1. Deep Cleans: Since we use a scrub and a cleanser, facial deep cleans the skin and gives it an amazing glow 2. Removes Blackheads: Because we steam our skin during facial, it opens up the pores and when we scrub our skin later, it removes all the blackheads and whiteheads easily. 3. Hydrates The Skin: Facials are super hydrating and especially at home facials done with pure nourishing ingredients hydrates the skin very well. 4. Exfoliates Gently: After a facial, you will find your skin super soft and smooth, that is because it exfoliates the dead skin very effectively. 5. Improves Blood Circulation: Massaging improves blood circulation and since we massage our skin well during the facial, it helps improve the blood circulation resulting in glowing skin. When I was in college, I remember saving up money for getting a professional facial done. Professional facial were expensive then and now it is even more expensive. After marriage, I started doing my own at home facial with ingredients found in the kitchen. Surprisingly my skin felt very good just like it felt after a professional facial. The only thing I missed was the professional massage from experienced hands. I started learning how to do facial massage at home and now I don't miss professional facial at all. The only thing we have to remember when doing a facial at home is to plan in advance. Choose a day when you are relaxed and have plenty of time. Choose a time when you won't be disturbed and if you have young children at home, do it when they are asleep. Light a scented candle, play soft music and get the all the ingredients ready. If you keep walking to the kitchen for each and every step of the facial to get the ingredients, you won't feel relaxed at all. Follow these facial steps in the order given and after finishing off with face pack, wash your face and then apply a moisturizer. You will find your skin smooth and glowing. Continue doing this facial once every 15 days for best results....

Ayurvedic Herbal Bath Powder For Fairness & Glowing Skin (Babies & Adults) At Home

 

Ayurvedic herbal bath powders have been used in India from ancient times and it does more than just clean our skin. Usually bath powders also called body wash and face wash powders are made with ingredients that have anti bacterial and nourishing properties and keeps the skin blemish free. Sadly the use of bath powders is slowly diminishing and nowadays younger generation generally prefer only store bought soaps and body washes. I agree store bought body washes come attractively packaged and smell great but we should remember that they also come loaded with chemicals, artificial colors and fragrances. Homemade bath powders also smell great if you add ingredients like kasturi turmeric and rose petal powder. Once you get to know the benefits of herbal bath powders, you will start using them regularly: 1. Cleans The Skin Well: Homemade bath powders cleans the skin well just equally well like store bought soaps. Soap foams so we think it cleans well but bath powders cleans the skin well too if not better. 2. Lightens Scars: Ingredients in bath powders like turmeric, sandalwood powder lightens scars really well if used regularly. 3. Removes Unwanted Facial Hair: Regular use of homemade bath powders weakens facial hair and helps remove it if used regularly. But the time it takes to remove facial hair will vary from person to person. 4. Prevents Skin Infections: Since most of the ingredients used in homemade bath powders contain anti bacterial properties, they go a long way in preventing all skin infections. 5. Make Your Skin Glow: Bath powders acts as a mild exfoliant and removes dead skin giving a nice glow to our skin. I have already given the recipe for a herbal bath powder using rose petals but you have to sundry the ingredients and then grind them which many found difficult to do. I wanted to share an instant version of homemade herbal ayurvedic bath powder using pure herbal powders that you can make under a minute! The ingredients used in this bath powder are gram flour, green gram flour, wild turmeric powder, rose petal powder and sandalwood powder. This bath powder is very fragrant and regular use will make your skin glow and will keep it blemish free. This herbal bath powder can be used for both adults and babies.

 

10 Best Home Remedies To Remove Stretch Marks

 

Many of us suffer from stretch marks and though it is not a harmful condition it does cause mental distress. If you have stretch marks, there are wonderful home remedies for removing them. Stretch marks also called as striae medically is actually a type of scarring that occurs when our skin is stretched at a rapid pace. You can read about all the causes and medical treatments available for stretch marks here. Stretch marks occurrence is very common during pregnancy especially during the last trimester when the belly skin stretches, during puberty when there is a sudden growth spurt and after drastic weight loss. When stretch marks appear they appear dark in color due to the above said changes and then fade over time. Stretch marks can be found in the stomach, breasts, thighs, buttocks, breasts and shoulders. When I spoke to some medical professionals about it they all mentioned that stretch marks can be very difficult to treat but can be done if we follow the treatments regularly. Don't expect instant results, follow these remedies regularly and with time it will start fading. Unlike chemical treatments, herbal remedies for stretch marks does not have any side effects and can be used for long periods of time safely. Home remedies like mentioned below improve the collagen production and blood circulation in the skin and also helps increase the skin elasticity thus greatly helping in healing and fading stretch marks. I have given ten home remedies that are very effective for removing stretch marks, use them regularly to see good results. The time it takes for stretch marks to fade will vary from person to person but consistency is the key for removing stretchmarks naturally at home. Choose a remedy you like and use it consistently. Try not to use ingredients that are harsh on the skin like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda for removing stretch marks. Even if you do, moisturize your skin later without fail. Personally I like massaging my skin with a blend of extra virgin olive oil, vitamin e oil and coconut oil (I have given the link to to the recipe below). To prevent stretch marks, regularly massage the skin with pure unrefined oils. It will improve skin elasticity and will go a long way in preventing stretch marks in the first place....

How To Use Rice Powder For Face & Skin Whitening | 5 Top Ways !

 

If you are looking for natural ways to lighten skin then rice powder will greatly help. Rice powder also called as rice flour is just finely ground up rice. Almost every day our skin is exposed to pollution, harsh chemicals and scorching sun light and it does take a toll on our skin resulting in dark spots, pigmentation and dullness. Instead of resorting to harsh chemical peels and creams to get back the skin to former glory it is best to use natural remedies that are gentle on the skin. One of my favorite ingredients for lightening all the scars and blemishes is rice powder, rice powder has wonderful skin lightening properties. The bio active compounds found in rice bran are called ferulic acid, gamma-oryzanol and phytic acid.  They are wonderful antioxidants and have been used in many skin creams to prevent skin ageing and to repair damaged skin. Even a simple act of adding a tbsp of rice powder to bath water and soaking in it has wonderful healing properties and can greatly heal damaged skin, you can read the study that supports this claim here. Regular use of rice powder on our face and skin can improve skin elasticity, reduce roughness of the skin and can lighten our skin. When I mention skin whitening, what I really mean is lighten scars, dark spots and pigmentation. Every skin color is beautiful but it will be more beautiful if it is even toned and rice powder helps achieve it easily by lightening all skin blemishes. I have given five skin lightening remedies using rice flour that I have tried over the years. All these remedies works really well in lightening scars, pigmentation and dark spots. Choose the recipe that you like and use regularly at least weekly twice to see good results. You can buy rice flour easily in all the departmental stores in India but you can also make your own rice powder easily at home. To make rice powder, soak rice for an hour and drain water completely. Now spread it on a thin cotton cloth to get rid of moisture. Once completely dry, dry grind in a mixer and sieve to get rid of any lumps and store.....

 

10 Top Benefits Of Dry Brushing For Skin & Face & How To Do It Correctly

Dry brushing is an ancient practice with amazing skin and health benefits. Dry brushing is a simple process and you just need only a brush for it. My interest for dry brushing started a few years back when I read a small book that listed all the benefits of dry brushing. I was completely sold and wanted to start dry brushing right away but I couldn't find any good quality brushes to do it. I waited patiently for a few months and when I went to Mumbai I got a good quality brush and started using it right away like mentioned in the book. Does Dry Brushing Really Work? This is one of the most of the common questions asked regarding dry brushing. Personally, the first thing I immediately noticed was my skin was much smoother and softer than before. Also I have very dry skin, after dry brushing regularly for a few days my skin felt smooth and was not dry even without using a body lotion. It also improved the blood circulation and I could definitely feel a positive difference in my skin tone. Best Body Brush For Body Brushing: I would suggest spending some time to research into the types of body brushing available. Choose a firm brush for best results. We get body brushes of varying firmness available in the markets. If you are starting new, I would suggest a less firm brush and once your skin gets used to it, you can move on to firmer brushes. Also please remember that there are face brushes available in the markets separately, they are much less firmer than body brushes. I would suggest having a separate brush for the body and face. If you use the body brush for face, you might experience severe irritation and if you use face brush for the body, it might be too soft and not serve the purpose at all. Always try to buy natural brushes with long handles so you can reach your back fully. When buying face brushes make sure to buy one with a handle for easy use. Replace the brushes once in 6 to 8 months of regular use. How To Do Body Brushing? The main thing to remember when body brushing is to brush towards the heart. If you are starting with the legs, start with long, gentle strokes starting with the feet and then moving up the legs towards the heart. Always use gentle strokes and never brush too hard or too much, 5 to 6 gentle strokes will be enough. After dry brushing, your skin will turn slightly pink which is normal but if there is burning sensation and or if the skin turns red then you have over brushed yourself or you have brushed too hard. When brushing the stomach, use circular motion and use only a soft brush for it. The same thing goes for the face too. When To Do Body Brushing? The best time to do body brushing is in the morning before bath, brush all over the body and face, shower and then massage in a few drops of pure unrefined oil mixed few drops of your favourite essential oil. How Long Does It Take To See Results From Dry Brushing: You will start seeing positive changes in your skin tone right away but it might take few weeks of regular use to see reduction in cellulite and stretch marks. Side Effects Of Dry Brushing: One main complaint against dry brushing is skin irritation. This is the result of using inferior brushes and also using it on skin with existing skin problems like acne, varicose veins, eczema, etc. I would suggest using very mild brushes and being careful about brushing on inflamed skin. If you feel skin irritation in any area, stop dry brushing there for a few days...

 

10 Benefits & Side Effects Of Rubbing Ice Cubes On Face Everyday

 

Ice cubes have amazing beauty benefits and is our skin's best friend if we know to use it correctly. We can use ice cubes for reducing pimples and inflammation, soothe sunburn, reduce eye puffiness, improve blood circulation thereby making our face glow and depending on the ingredients added in the ice cubes, it can reduce fine line and wrinkles too. Ice cubes need not be made only with water, it can be made with many nourishing ingredients like milk, green tea, lemon, fruit juices and even herbs like mint and thyme. When we add nourishing ingredients to ice cubes, along with tightening our skin and improving blood circulation, it helps fade scars and dark spots, treats acne, reduces inflammation really well. Here are some of the benefits and different ways to use ice cubes for skin care: 1. Green Tea Ice cubes For Reducing Acne & Inflammation: Ice cubes are great for reducing the size of the pimple, numbing the pain and it also reduces the inflammation greatly. To use ice cubes for acne, take an ice cube that has green tea in it, wrap it over a thin muslin cloth and gently place over the pimples for few seconds, remove for a minute and place again. Green tea ice cubes are best for using on acne prone skin but do it gently. To make green tea ice cubes, make green tea, pour into ice cube trays and freeze. 2. Mint Ice Cubes For Glowing Skin: When we massage our face with ice cubes, it improves the blood circulation and immediately brightens up dull skin. Especially before going to a party or a wedding, a simple tip that will brighten the skin complexion is massaging for a few seconds with mint ice cubes. To make mint ice cubes, place a mint leaf in each hole in the ice cube tray. Pour water on top till the leaves are immersed and then freeze. 3. Cucumber Ice Cubes For Removing Eye Puffiness: Our eyes get puffy and red due to lack of sleep and spending too much of time in front of the television or computer. One simple home remedy is to massage the area around the eyes with cucumber ice cubes after wrapping them in a thin muslin cloth. To make cucumber ice cubes, take an organic cucumber, grind finely in a blender, strain, pour into ice cube tray and freeze. 4. Aloe Vera Ice Cubes For Sunburn: One main problem we face during hot summers is sunburn and there is nothing like Aloe Vera gel to treat sunburn. For making Aloe Vera ice cubes, collect fresh Aloe Vera leaf, remove the thorns on both sides of the leaf and wash to get rid of the slimy green juice. Now cut into small pieces and freeze the Aloe Vera pieces. To use wrap in a thin muslin cloth and massage gently all over the face. 5. Milk Ice Cubes To Prevent Wrinkles: Ice cubes can be used as a simple home remedy for preventing wrinkles. For treating wrinkles, take milk ice cubes and massage gently all over the face. To make milk ice cubes, pour organic milk in ice cube trays and freeze overnight. Massage your face for few seconds with this milk ice cubes for a few seconds and then wash your face. 6. Rose Water Ice Cubes For Heat Rashes: During hot summer months massaging our face with rose water will help cool our skin and will help get rid of heat rashes too. To make rose water ice cubes, take homemade rose water, pour into individual freezer trays and freeze. To use, wrap in a thin muslin cloth, and gently massage over the heat rashes. Rose water ice cubes are very soothing and will help treat heat rashes too. 7. Ice Cubes As a Makeup Primer: Almost all of us would have heard of this remedy which is to rub a piece of ice cube before applying make up to make it last longer. This remedy works really well, use plain ice cubes for it. Rub gently on the face for a few seconds after wrapping in a thin cloth for a few seconds. Dab excess moisture with a cloth and then apply makeup. 8. Lemon Ice Cubes To Close Open Pores: Many suffer from open pores and one simple home remedy for open pores is to use ice cubes as it helps shrink large pores very effectively. For closing open pores use lemon ice cubes. To make lemon ice cubes, cut a fresh organic lemon into thin rounds. Now place a round in each hole in the ice cube tray, pour water on top and freeze. Rub face with this ice cube wrapped in a thin cloth for few seconds. 9. Ice Cubes To Reduce Pain: If you are threading your eye brows for the first time, it is best to rub ice cubes for few seconds before shaping as it helps numb the pain to a great extent. Just before shaping your eyebrows, wrap in a thin cloth and massage your eyebrows for a few seconds and then after shaping also massage for a few seconds. 10. Green Tea & Cucumber Ice Cubes To Reduce Dark Circles: If you are suffering from dark circles and under eye bags, massaging with green tea and cucumber ice cubes will greatly help. I have given the recipe for it below. Cucumber juice and green tea in the recipe greatly lightens dark circles around the eyes and reduces eye bags very effectively. Side Effects Of Using Ice Cubes For face: One main side effect when using ice cubes directly on the skin is it might cause delicate skin capillaries to break but if we wrap the ice cubes in a thin cloth, we can completely avoid it. I would also suggest not using ice cubes on the skin immediately on the face after being out in the skin for a long time as it might cause headache for some people. Also don't massage ice cubes for long periods of time, give small breaks between each application....

3 Top Ways To Use Rosewater & Glycerin For Face & Skin | For Skin Whitening, Acne & Dry Skin

 

Glycerin and rose water is an amazing combination and I love to use them together. I always stock fresh homemade rose water at home as I keep using it a lot. Both rose water and glycerin have amazing skin benefits and when used together keeps our skin super soft and glowing. Rose water has anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, mild astringent and soothing properties. Glycerin is an amazing humectant, that is it traps moisture so it keeps our skin hydrated always. Glycerin and rose water body lotion was one of the first homemade lotions I tried at home. When I was around 15 years old, I bought a small cosmetic book and the first recipe that caught my attention was rose water and glycerin body lotion. It looked so easy and I made it in a matter of seconds and I was also very happy how it turned out. Glycerin and rose water when used together have these following skin benefits: 1. As a Moisturizer: Glycerin and rose water combination moisturizes the skin really well and is a good substitute for chemical based moisturizers. Rosewater and glycerin combination in the ratio of 2: 1 can be used as a moisturizer for lips too. 2. As a Skin protectant: It also acts a skin protectant, glycerin is a natural humectant and it helps trap moisture in the skin. It forms a protective layer and prevents water loss. It also has anti inflammatory properties and soothes irritated skin and is perfect for applying on sunburned skin as it is very soothing and hydrating. 3. For Skin Lightening: It has skin lightening properties and lightens dark spots, dark circles around the eyes, scars, age spots and evens out the skin complexion if used daily. I would suggest using the rose water and glycerin serum recipe given below for skin lightening. 4. For Acne: Since it has anti inflammatory properties, it greatly prevents acne flare ups and since it has a soothing effect it is also good to use during the flare up. 5. For Dry Skin: It is one of the best home remedies for dry skin, when we use rose water and glycerin together it softens dry skin. Regular use will result in smooth glowing skin. Though we get plenty of rose water brands in the market, I would suggest making your homemade rose water. When we make our own rosewater, we know it is pure and we can also make it with fresh rose petals that are not sprayed with pesticides. We get both plain glycerin and vegetable glycerin (which is not common in India but can be ordered online) in the markets, I would suggest using only vegetable glycerin as it is made from pure plant oils....

5 Top Face Benefits Of Using Aloe Vera Gel Everyday | Treats Acne, Sunburn & Wrinkles

 

 

Aloe Vera gel has been used from ancient times for skin care and here in our village it is extensively used for skin care. We use it for treating burns, acne and for all kinds of inflammation. We have plenty of Aloe Vera plants growing in our farm and whenever we want we cut a leaf, extract the fresh gel and use it for remedies. Though we get many ready made Aloe Vera gel in the markets, I would suggest using fresh homemade Aloe Vera gel for best results. I do use store bought Aloe Vera gel but only for making creams as it has longer shelf life and it also gives perfect consistency to homemade creams. To make fresh Aloe Vera gel, cut a leaf from the plant and then wash the leaf thoroughly to get rid of the slimy green juice. Now remove the thorns on both sides of the leaf, cut in half and then scoop out the flesh. Your pure homemade Aloe Vera gel is ready. Applying Aloe Vera gel on the face have these following skin benefits: 1. Anti Bacterial Properties: Aloe Vera gel has anti bacterial properties making it very effective for treating all skin infections. 2. Aloe Vera Gel For Facial Wrinkles: Aloe Vera is amazing for treating wrinkles as it helps improve elasticity both when taken internally and applied externally. You can read the study that proves it here.  3. Aloe Vera Gel For Acne: For people with acne prone skin, fresh Aloe Vera gel is truly a blessing. Though natural we can't use many herbs on acne prone skin as it will cause intense burning and irritation. But Aloe Vera gel is very very soothing and is perfect to use on acne prone skin even daily. 4. Amazing Moisturizer: If you don't want chemical based moisturizers and are looking for a natural alternative, look no further. Aloe Vera gel is a perfect and amazing natural moisturizer that can be used even on the most sensitive skin. 5. Aloe Vera Gel For Sun Burn: Aloe Vera gel is great for burn, it does two things when used as a treatment for sunburn. It reduces burning sensation and redness immediately and also helps us get back our original skin color very soon. I have given 5 different ways for using fresh Aloe Vera gel for facial care, give it a try...

How To Use Lemon Juice For Face & Skin Care | 5 Ways!

 

 

Using lemon juice for skin care is a practice that has been followed in almost all the countries. Especially lemon juice is a very very popular remedy for treating acne and fading acne scars. Vitamin C is said to be one of the best topical treatments for acne, acne scars and fading dark spots. Vitamin C has anti inflammatory properties and helps treat acne very well and we all know lemons are one of the best sources of vitamin C. Lemon juice also has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties and are great for treating skin infections. But though lemons are one of the best remedies for treating many skin problems, I would suggest practicing caution while using lemon juice. Lemon juice, depending on the variety has a pH of 2 to 3 and our skin mantle has a pH of 4. 5 to 5.5. This is the reason our skin burns when we apply raw lemon juice on the skin, in my personal opinion I would suggest not using lemon juice directly on the skin at all. Instead use it with other conditioning ingredients like yogurt and fruit extracts, that way we will get the skin benefits of lemon juice without harming our skin. The common advise for using lemon is to apply the juice and leave it on the skin overnight daily or rub a lemon half on the skin directly, both these methods can harm our skin especially if we have sensitive and dry skin. Though I prefer to follow only the beauty treatments and home remedies that my family member's are using for years, sometimes I do try out remedies following books and other online sources. Some times they work and some times they don't but the one time I tried applying raw lemon juice on my sun burnt skin to remove the tan, it did the worst damage. From then on I have never used raw lemon juice on my skin at all. Also I would suggest doing a small patch test before applying any face pack that contains natural bleaching ingredients like lemon. I have given 5 natural and safe ways to use lemon juice for treating acne and acne scars below. These are the treatments that I have tried out on my skin and found to be very effective...

 

5 Top Skin Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Face Toner Recipe For Acne, Rosacea & Acne Scars

Toners have been around for thousands of years and our grandmas and great grandmas have used natural toners though they didn't call them that. This homemade apple cider vinegar and green tea toner recipe is easy to make and has only 3 ingredients! But what does toners do and are they really necessary? Toners are generally used after cleansing the face and it helps to restore the pH balance of the skin which is usually affected when we use harsh cleansers on our face. Our skin has a pH level of about 5.5 but most cleansers have a higher pH levels which causes skin drying. To bring down the pH level, toners are generally used after cleansing. Toners can be made of many ingredients but in general it is best to avoid alcohol based toners or highly fragrant toners that have synthetic fragrances as it might irritate the skin. You can buy toners easily from the shops but I would suggest you make your own toner for 2 reasons. One is the cost, you can easily make pure homemade toners easily for the fractions of the cost of a store bought toner and the second reason is the long list of chemicals in the store bought toners, you can easily make a equally effective toner without any of those chemicals. This apple cider vinegar toner is one of the best homemade toners that has these wonderful skin benefits: 1. It lightens dark spots very very effectively. 2. Apple cider vinegar toner helps to shrink open pores 3. Helps to bring down the pH level of the skin 4. It helps even out the skin tone and it is also very good for rosacea. 5. It also greatly reduce acne flare ups. This toner can be easily customized to suit every type of skin. The recipe given below is for normal skin, you can adjust the ratio of apple cider vinegar and green tea in the recipe to suit your skin type. I have also used tea tree essential oil as it greatly reduces blemishes and infections in the skin......

 

5 Top Benefits & Uses Of Paraffin Wax For Hands, Feet & Arthritis

I have been wanting to research in detail about paraffin wax for a long time. I used to use only paraffin wax for making my candles. A dear reader of this blog messaged me about the toxic fumes paraffin wax produces after reading my post on candle making and asked me to substitute it with beeswax. I have tried my best to use only beeswax for making candles after that. But what is paraffin wax and how is it made? Paraffin wax is a petroleum by product and is commonly sold in block form or pellets. Paraffin wax is actually manufactured from the grey sludge that is left after refining the crude oil. To make it into the beautiful pure white pellets that we get in the markets, the waxy substance from the sludge is bleached and chemically treated. When we burn the candles made with paraffin wax it produces smoke that is very toxic. When I was reading the EPA document about candles and environmental pollution, what shocked me the most was scented candles produces the most toxic fumes. The combinations of paraffin wax and fragrance oils produces soot and candles that contain large amount of fragrance oils produces the most soot. We all look out for the most scented candles to relax us, the product that is suppose to relax and calm us causing so much harm is so scary! Also imagine the effects of burning scented candles in rooms with small children, asthma patients and older people. Using scented candles once in a while will not cause harm, but lighting paraffin wax candles especially highly scented ones in closed unventilated space will cause the most problems. Try substituting paraffin wax candles with beeswax candles or soy candles and for aromatherapy try using a diffuser instead of scented candles. Also never buy candles with lead wick, they cause lot of harm, especially pregnant women and small children will be harmed the most. Many countries have banned lead wick candles, but here in India it is widely used. With a simple trick we can find out whether a candle has got lead wick or not. To find out, remove the wax from the tip of the wick and separate the strands, if you see a metallic core, it has lead. So is there no use for paraffin wax at all? Paraffin wax heat treatment increases the blood flow, relaxes stiff muscles and softens the skin. This amazing property of paraffin wax has certain uses and benefits: 1. Paraffin Wax For Arthritis: Paraffin treatment is very useful for people who suffer from rheumatism as it is one of the best methods to apply deep heat to the affected area. Applying warm compress like mentioned below gives good relief from pain. 2. Paraffin Wax Hand Bath: If you have very dry hands, applying paraffin wax treatment will soften your hands really well. You can either dip your hands in the wax or use a brush to apply the wax like I have shown below. 3. Paraffin Wax For Cracked Heels: Paraffin wax is widely used in both pedicure and manicure treatments. I got paraffin wax treatment done in a parlor few weeks back and it was really good, it left my feet soft and smooth. The only difference is the paraffin wax that is used in the parlor is scented and colored. You can do the treatment for the fraction of that price at home by following the steps below. 4. Paraffin Wax For Face: Paraffin wax treatment for face is done in the parlors now to hydrate the skin, reduce the pores and wrinkles and is gaining in popularity. Before doing paraffin wax treatment for your face please do remember paraffin wax is a petroleum by product and if you have sensitive skin or acne, I would suggest not doing the treatment at all. 5. Paraffin Wax For Physiotherapy: Paraffin wax is also commonly used in physiotherapy treatments to lessen the pain and stiffness. You can use paraffin wax treatment to apply deep heat on any area that causes pain except on open sores and wounds. Paraffin Wax Side Effects: Paraffin wax is best avoided in candles as the fumes are toxic. You can use it for external application if you don't have sensitive skin.

 

10 Top Skin Benefits & Uses Of Turmeric | Haldi For Skin Lightening, Inflammation & Glowing Skin

 

I wanted to compile all the skin benefits of turmeric | haldi as I thought it will be useful for everyone. If there is one ingredient that I first resort to for all my skin problems, it is turmeric. Using turmeric on the skin has been done all over the world for centuries. Especially we Indian women use turmeric on our skin on a daily basis. Usually after bath it is a tradition to apply turmeric on the face and you will rarely see any skin problems or breakouts on women who use turmeric on a regular basis. Yes, turmeric does stain but it is nothing when compared to the side effects of steroid creams which causes skin peeling, skin darkening, skin irritation, etc.  I have grown up seeing everyone around me use turmeric and especially my aunt was a regular user of turmeric. Personally I have never bothered to apply turmeric when I was in my teens or even after I got married. But after I got cured of my abscess using turmeric, I have been using turmeric on my skin regularly. The incident also was one of the main reasons for me to start the blog as I feared that we will lose all the treasure troves of home remedies that our elders were using. Turmeric has anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti bacterial properties making it very effective in treating almost all the skin related diseases. Turmeric can be used for treating boils, acne, acne scars, inflamed skin, small cuts and bruises, insect bites and wounds. When buying turmeric try to buy organic turmeric. Turmeric Side effects: Turmeric increases the skin sensitivity for some people which may result in skin darkening. If it does, use it at night before going to bed. Also turmeric when used alone on the skin without a moisturizing agent can result in drying of the skin especially for people with very dry skin. If it dries out the skin, add few drops of unrefined oil or milk or yogurt while making it into a paste. 

 

DIY: Best Vitamin C Serum Recipe For Face

 

 

Few months back, one of my relatives presented me a face serum kit. It had 2 beautiful bottles, one contained vitamin c serum and the other contained a liquid face moisturizer that was also vitamin c based. As I have never used serums before, I didn't bother opening the package. One fine day, when I was cleaning up my cupboard, the package popped out. As the bottles looked quite cute, I just opened one of the bottles to take a sniff and my god, it smelt so good. I ended up using the the entire bottle and my face felt very refreshed, when I was using the serum. After I finished the bottle, I wanted to make my own homemade vitamin c serum, as vitamin c serums are quite expensive. The problem with vitamin c serums is it oxidizes very quickly. When you make it at home you have an advantage, you can make really small batches, finish it off and then make it again fresh. Contrary to what many think, homemade vitamin c serum has just few ingredients that can be easily sourced and can be made in a matter of minutes.The main ingredient for this serum is pure vitamin c powder which can be got online easily in shops like amazon or eBay. The other ingredient is pure glycerine, glycerine can be got in any medical shops and the last ingredient is pure distilled water. When you first start using the serum start with thinner concentration and then when it agrees with you, you can move onto thicker concentrations. The recipe I have given is for approximately 5 % concentration, which should work for all types of skin. I would strongly suggest starting only with this concentration and for problem prone skin this concentration will work better without irritating the skin. The main problem you will face when making this serum is that vitamin c might not dissolve well into the water, for that you have to use fine vitamin c powder and mix really well till it dissolves. Though you can grind up vitamin c tablets into powder, I would strongly advice buying pure vitamin c powder. The second problem some of you might face is that the mixture might me a bit sticky depending on your skin type. That is because of the glycerine, I have used only 3/4 tsp for this recipe, usually this ratio does not make the skin greasy, if it does decrease it even further. This serum is best applied after cleansing your face every night and before using the moisturizer. Regular use has amazing skin benefits, it will delay wrinkles and also reduce the damage caused by pollution that our skin experience everyday.