Turmeric
Image: ShutterstockThis spice is like gold, given the benefits it has in store for you. First off, turmeric is rich in anti-bacterial properties as well as antioxidants. These are elements required to achieve glowing skin, according to Pharm Easy. Additionally, turmeric also contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory agent that can help you get rid of puffiness and pimples. Turmeric can also help stave off dull skin as well as make it look rejuvenated, as per reports.
Pro Tip: While mixing a spoonful of turmeric in milk as a drink can help boost your immunity and inner health, using it as a face pack can help secure the health of your skin. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with chickpea flour and milk for a face pack. Or combine a teaspoon’s worth of turmeric with a spoon of honey and two tablespoons of milk for a bright glow.
Besan
Image: ShutterstockAccording to BeBeautiful.in, exfoliating your skin is among the first steps one needs to take towards attaining glowing skin. Besan, or chickpea flour, acts as a great natural exfoliator that helps get rid of dead cells. This means a new layer of your skin comes into play, which leaves you looking glowing. The best way to use besan is to incorporate it in an easy homemade mask.
Pro Tip: You might have fond memories of using a besan mix in place of soap as a kid. So dip back into that nostalgia and create a paste using two teaspoons of besan and one tablespoon of cream (malai), and apply it as a face mask. This, as you know, can be applied all over the body.
Aloe Vera
Image: ShutterstockPeople have used aloe vera for thousands of years for healing and softening the skin. It’s found in most remedies that treat skin issues of all kinds. It contains vitamins and antioxidants that don’t stop at giving you glowing skin but also help prevent acne and wrinkles, keep skin hydrated and improve it. In fact, if you ever get sunburnt, there is no better treatment than an aloe vera application.
Pro Tip: Aloe vera is one type of potted plant that can grow easily anywhere - on your terrace or your window sill. You can use it by simply cutting a leaf open, scraping out its gel and applying it straight on your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and you’re on your way to glowing and tightened skin. You can use it in most homemade face masks too.
Rose Water
Image: ShutterstockWe all know the three core steps of skincare: cleansing, toning and moisturising. Toning helps remove traces of dirt and impurities left on your face after a wash. If you’re someone who wants to refrain from using chemicals, rose water acts as a natural skin toner. Not only does it not stink, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed.
Pro Tip: Fill up a small spray bottle with rose water. Carry it around in your purse or during long travel trips to spritz on your face. You’ll feel refreshed instantly.
Honey
Image: ShutterstockThis golden potion is great for your health when taken internally and externally. Honey works as an excellent moisturiser. It has several anti-bacterial properties that can keep infections at bay and reduce scars and pimples, giving you a spotless complexion. It also has bleaching properties that help to fade pigmentation and can leave you with glowing skin.
Pro Tip: If dark spots are standing between you and glowing skin, try out this face mask: Take one tablespoon each of aloe vera, honey and lemon juice. Apply on your skin, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse off with lukewarm water. Using this at regular intervals can give you some unbelievable results.
Avocado
Image: ShutterstockAvocados are delicious in every form. However, did you know that avocado has great skin benefits as well? The fruit is rich in antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory agents. It can help with several derma issues such as dry skin, damaged skin, as well as chapped skin, among others.
Pro Tip: Get glowing skin with a simple and easy homemade mask: cut avocado into pieces and mash it with a fork. Add one tablespoon of avocado oil, mix well together, and apply on dry skin. Wash off with lukewarm water after 15 minutes for a hydrated glow.
Orange Peel
Image: ShutterstockOranges are a rich source of vitamin C, which majorly helps with detoxification. Regular consumption of oranges as a fruit or even in juice form can help you get rid of toxins and rejuvenate your body. However, if you want targeted treatment, you can use an orange peel in various ways. For starters, it prohibits the growth of melanin, which can, in turn, give you glowing skin.
Pro Tip: Grind together the peel of one orange and one tablespoon of rose water, and apply the paste on damp skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and then wash off. Be sure to not let it come in contact with your eyes.
Coconut Oil
Image: ShutterstockFrom hair to toe, if there are any external troubles, coconut oil can help you with them! Thoroughly exfoliating your skin and leaving it just like that can lead to dry skin, enlarged pores and many other skin issues. It’s also extremely important for you to moisturise after exfoliation, and coconut oil is known for its moisturising properties. According to Pharm Easy, it contains antioxidants and fatty acids and can reduce inflammation and acne. It can also act as an excellent moisturiser, cleanser and sunscreen. Add all these together, and you have healthy glowing skin.
Pro Tip: If you ever feel like your moisturiser is just not hydrating enough, don’t ditch the entire bottle. Instead, after every bath, mix a couple of drops of oil with every pump of your moisturiser and rub it in. Your skin will be left with a gorgeous healthy glow.
Cucumber
Image: ShutterstockWhen we think of cucumber and skincare, our mind first jumps to putting slices on the eyes during a facial. The reason this is done is not just because of the cooling properties that this vegetable possesses; it also has the same pH level as our skin, hence it helps to replenish the skin’s protective layer, get rid of darkness or dull skin, and also reduce swelling or puffiness.
Pro Tip: Take one cucumber and two to three tablespoons of yoghurt. Grind the cucumber to a paste first, and then mix well into the yoghurt. Apply this paste on your face and neck, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. It’s just as good as getting an expensive treatment done at a salon, but with no chemicals.
Coffee
Image: ShutterstockOf late, you might have seen several posts on social media that advertise coffee scrubs. This is because coffee is gaining a reputation as an ingredient for skin remedies. Your morning energy elixir is very rich in antioxidants, which contain phenols that help fight foreign objects that can damage your skin.
Pro Tip: Mix one tablespoon of coffee with one tablespoon of honey, and apply on your face and neck. While the coffee exfoliates, the honey moisturises, thus helping you achieve the glowing skin you’ve always wanted. This mask can be applied all over the body.