If you look around your kitchen, you will find that many ingredients used in daily cooking can be used in face packs too! Here are a few fruits which can be applied as masks depending on your skin type...
Orange Peel Mask: We usually discard the orange peel without giving a second thought. Instead, dry them under the sun, powder them & store in air tight containers. Whenever required, mix a little of the powder with curd and apply on seared or pigmented areas. Wash off with cold water after 15 mins. This mask brightens skin. If your skin is sensitive to curd, mix the peel powder with rose water and apply.
Orange peel works best for people with normal skin. You can apply orange or lemon peel on hands too to get rid of any stains.
Cleanse with papaya: Papayas have cleansing properties in them. Mix them with curd or milk and apply of face. Leave on for 15 mins before washing off with cold water. Or you could simply rub a slice of papaya over your face and splash cold water onto face after 15 mins and see your skin glow!
Strawberries: Similar to papaya, strawberries too have cleansing properties. Mix it with curd or milk and apply and leave on for 15 mins.
Banish wrinkles with bananas: Mash 1/4th of a banana till creamy and apply onto face. Leave on for 15-20 mins. Then rinse with warm water followed by a splash of cold water.
For dry skin, mix mashed banana & honey with almond or olive oil and apply onto face &/or body. Rinse after 10-15 mins.
Fresh fruits in your diet: To get the overall benefits of fresh fruits, include them in your daily diet. Have it at brunch or in the evenings instead of snacking on junk food. (Note : The key word here is 'fresh')
- Green & yellow fruits, mangoes, papaya contain vitamin A, which can improve vision, help build strong bones. Also good for a healthy skin.
- Vitamin B in bananas and citrus fruits assist in creating a healthy skin & nervous system. Ideal for mental health too.
- Guavas, strawberries, citrus fruits such as oranges & lemon, watermelon, papaya, mango & pineapple contain vitamin C thereby improving immunity.
- Bananas contain potassium which can reduce high blood pressure. Whenever you feel tired, snack on a banana to boost energy levels.
- Watermelons are packed with antioxidants, oxidize cholestrol & reduce risk of dehydration. That is why its an ideal summer drink.
- Have pomegranate juice daily to reduce bad cholestrol/LDL.
Posted by Prathima Rao
Food , Health
