How To Take Care Of Your Skin Before And After Holi

 

 

Don’t we all look forward to Holi, the festival of colours? It sure is fun, playing with all those colours, especially when our family members join together from distant places and all of them come together to play. However, a lot of us are very reluctant to play Holi, even though we find it to be fun. This is because of the consequences that Holi brings along with it to our skin and hair. The harsh colours used during Holi can make our skin dry and flaky and stripped of all oils. skin care tips before an after holi While the entire family is enjoying the last thing you want to do is be a spoilsport and keep worrying about your skin. We have some tips for you so that you can avoid that from happening. Holi colours will stick on to your skin for a few days, but with our tips, we can make sure that only a minimal amount of the colour is left over on you. It is also a good idea to stick to colours that are natural or herbal, and definitely not use those permanent colours that have dark pigments in them. Those have a very high amount of chemical in them and can strip our faces of oil, cause rashes and even breakouts. So be sure to use mild colours, preferably herbal ones. Here are some tips to prepare your skin for Holi. 

 

1. Wear Full Length Clothes: 

Try to keep as many areas of your skin covered as you can. This will prevent the colours from touching too many parts of your skin directly. We know that in movies people are shown to be wearing short clothes while playing Holi. This is not right, as it exposes more parts of your skin to harsh colours. Wear loose fitting, full sleeved clothes, preferably in a light fabric like cotton. 

 

2. Use Oils:

Before you step out to play holi, make sure that you slather on oil on all parts of your body, and not just the visible areas of your body. This will make sure that the oil makes the skin greasy and that none of the colours seep into your skin. The oil acts like a barrier between your skin and the harsh colours. Try this tip, and you will see that the colours on your face and body get removed in no time at all. We suggest you use a thick oil like coconut or olive oil for this, as these oils will not dissolve into your skin. 

 

3. Petroleum Jelly:

Use a thick layer of petroleum jelly on your lips to prevent the colours from penetrating the skin of your lips. Also remember to apply petroleum jelly on all the hard to reach places, that the oil must have missed, like the back of your neck, the back of your ears and between your fingers. Petroleum jelly has a very thick texture and we suggest you opt for this and not a lip balm while stepping out to go play Holi. 

 

4. Hydration:

It is very important to keep your body hydrated as well, when you are playing Holi. This tip is often neglected by people as they do not want to stop playing just to go back to drink water. People tend to forget to do this. But, remember to hydrate yourself as the colours tend to dry out your skin anyway, and if you don't remember to hydrate yourself, your skin will get even drier, making it easier for the colours to stick to the skin. 

 

5. Sun Protection:

Do not neglect using a sunscreen just because you think your skin will be covered, with all those colours there. It is very easy for the skin to get tanned during Holi. Use an SPF product and make sure you use it before you put on any of the oils, because the oils would also prevent the sunscreen from getting absorbed by your skin. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or above, for best results. 

 

6. Wash Your Face Before Using Oils And Sunscreen:

Keep your face as clean as possible before you put on the oils or the sunscreen, as skin that already has dirt and dust on it, will be more prone to damage than a face that is clean. 

 

7. Use Cleansing Oil Or Balm:

It is best not to use a soap to remove the colours with, because soaps can be really harsh on the skin that is already suffering due to the colours. The alkaline in the soap can dry out your skin even more. Use a cleansing oil or balm as the first step to removing the colours from your face. Cleansing oils and balms are used for removing heavy duty makeup, while keeping the skin protected at the same time. These would ensure that the colours are removed from your face without stripping the face of oils. 

 

8. Avoid Exfoliation:

We know that it can be frustrating to have colours left over on your face, but avoid exfoliating or scrubbing your skin too much, as scrubbing is another thing that can be too harsh for your skin at this time, because the skin is already sensitive. Keep using cleansing oils and balms till your skin is free of colours. 

 

9. Moisturise:

Moisturise your skin. We don't mean just skin on your face, but the skin all over your body needs moisture. Use a face cream that has hyaluronic acid in it, as this acid absorbs moisture from the environment and the moisture seeps into your skin. With all the colours making your skin dry, you need all the moisture you can get. For the skin on your body, go for a moisturiser containing shea butter or cocoa butter, to provide your skin with maximum moisture. 

 

10. Give Your Skin A Break:

Avoid using makeup or anything too harsh on your skin for a few days. Let your skin heal and get its moisture back. Let the colours go away, and then you can go back to doing all the normal things you do with your skin. We hope you enjoy your Holi and do not worry about your skin while playing.

How Seasonal & Weather Changes Affect your Skin

Everything from cooler, less humid weather and overly hot baths to hanging out too long in dry, stuffy indoor environments can deprive your complexion of moisture and wreak havoc on your skin.

Cooler low-humidity weather

Humidity levels tend to drop off in the autumn and winter months. The drier the air, the more moisture it sucks from your skin, so you're more likely to experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months of the year, especially if you're prone to eczema or other dry skin conditions.
Ideally, you want to amp up your skincare routine as the season changes and swap your summer products for richer, more nourishing autumn/winter alternatives. Just as you change your clothes with changing temperatures you should do the same with your skincare. You need to switch up your lightweight summer moisturiser to a more heavy duty face cream.

Harsh central heating

You'll no doubt be switching on your radiators sometime, which unfortunately will not do your skin any favours. Heated air inside causes low humidity, which leads to water evaporating from our skin. This can cause cracking, flaking and irritation and leave skin with a lacklustre, parched appearance.
You can mitigate the drying effects by investing in a humidifier to keep the air moist in your home or a portable device that you can also bring to work and pop near your desk. If you can't stretch to a pricey humidifier, placing a few bowls of water near your radiators should do the trick, too. And don't forget to drink lots of water and slap on your rich moisturiser as often as necessary, along with replenishing lip balm and extra-thick hand cream.

Sudden temperature changes

Going from the cold outdoors into balmy centrally-heated buildings and vice-versa can take its toll on your complexion. Unfortunately, this process causes the capillaries in the face to contract and expand rapidly leading to broken veins and skin redness.
Keep the risk of spider veins and inflammation to a minimum by wrapping up warm in the cold and not overdoing it on the central heating to reduce the temperature difference between indoors and outside. A light layer of barrier cream will help protect the skin, and products with anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant ingredients such as chamomile and green tea should help control any redness.

Hot baths and showers

When temperatures plummet, a hot bath or shower is super-enticing, especially if you've spent the day outdoors in the freezing cold, after all, there's nothing more relaxing than a long soak in the bubbles or a nice soothing shower.
Sorry to rain on your parade but try to resist the temptation for the sake of your complexion if you can. "Hot baths and showers can dissolve the protective barrier in the skin which will eventually lead to dryness. Have warm baths and showers to reduce this damage."

Cold weather comfort eating

For many people with oily, acne-prone skin, the drier weather can actually help with breakouts and reduce flare-ups. But autumn/winter comfort eating might have the opposite effect. Studies suggest that diets high in refined carbs may trigger or exacerbate acne. Foods with a high glycaemic index (GI) spike sugar which is thought to increase the levels of hormones in the body that are responsible for oil production.
If you want to avoid diet-related breakouts this autumn/winter, try not to go overboard on the carby comfort foods. That means going easy on the sugary treats, white bread, pasta, crisps and potatoes, whilst upping your intake of slow release carbs like oatmeal and brown rice.

 

7 Treatments for Dark Upper Lip

Skin discoloration or skin pigmentation can leave you with unattractive areas on the face. Generally, skin discoloration happens when the body starts producing excessive melanin. Unfortunately, 90 percent of women suffer from dark upper lips which may be due to several reasons.

If you want to treat dark upper lip, check out these treatments available in the market. So, here, we mention you the different ways to brighten and lighten the skin.

 

1. Use bleach:

Using bleach is an easy remedy that can help to lighten the dark upper lip area. Bleach contains a lot of active ingredients which can help to bleach your skin naturally and also brighten it. You should choose skin-friendly bleach which does not contain a lot of chemicals. Bleaching can be done at home or can be performed at salons as well. Oxyglow Pearl Facial Bleach Cream, Aryanveda Haldi – Chandan Bleach Cream are some of the best bleach creams available in the market to lighten your upper lip.

2. Using skin lightening cream:

Using skin lightening cream can be another easy method that can help to lighten the dark areas. Skin lightening cream can help to promote brighter and glowing skin. In order to prevent and repair dark or hyperpigmented areas on the upper lip, you should consider using skin lightening creams. Garnier Skin Naturals White Complete Night Cream, Dr. Batra Skin Lightening Cream, Kozilite H Skin Lightening Cream, Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Lightening Day Creme are some of the best skin lightening creams in the market.

 

3. Skin whitening treatment:

  Using skin whitening treatment is one among those processes which can give you 100 percent results. Although skin whitening treatment is done on the complete face, if you want to get it done just on the dark upper lip, you can ask the expert to do so. Skin whitening treatment involves the use of tiny needles which help to slough off the dead and dark pigmentation on the surface of the skin. You will generally need just one day sitting to brighten your upper lip.

4. Vitamin C serum:

Vitamin C serum contains a lot of Vitamin C and other active ingredients which can help to promote brighter and younger looking skin. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can help to lighten the skin naturally and also helps in maintaining the skin firm and elastic. You should consider using Vitamin C serum regularly to brighten the dark upper lip area. Vitamin C serums are easily available in the market.

 

5. Using chemical peels:

Using chemical peels is another great option to consider for brightening and whitening of the upper lip. Chemical peels contain a lot of alpha hydroxyl acid which can help to exfoliate the skin and also remove the dark layer of the skin easily. Using chemical peels may sometimes leave you with mild irritation and itchiness, but it can come back to normal after some time.

 

6. Use lemon and honey therapy:

Using lemon and honey therapy is another common way to treat dark upper lip. Due to a high amount of Vitamin C present in the lemon, it can help to lighten and brighten your skin naturally. Honey contains natural humectants which can help to nourish and moisturize your skin. Take two spoons of honey and mix one spoon of lemon juice to it. Mix together and apply on the upper lip. Wash off with cold water after some time.

7. Arbutin extract:

Arbutin is one among the most popular yet unheard skin whitening ingredient that can help to brighten your skin regularly. Arbutin is a skin whitening ingredient which is extracted from bearberry plant. Using arbutin helps to prevent the formation of melanin in the body or hyperpigmentation on the skin. It not only treats dark upper lip but also heals the dark spots or patches on the skin. Opt for creams with a large amount of Arbutin extract in them.

10 Effective Face Packs A Bride Should Try For Glowing Skin

There’s no dearth of face packs when it comes to getting your skin to glow. Apart from the many face packs available in the market for this purpose, it’s very easy to whip some natural DIY face packs in your kitchen to get incredibly gorgeous and glowing skin. Let’s take a look at some simple and easy face packs that you can prepare to make your skin glow like never before!

1. Sugar, lemon juice and olive oil: Prepare a mixture by taking some olive oil, lemon juice and sugar. The sugar will help exfoliate your skin, the olive oil will deeply nourish your skin from within and the lemon juice will add an instant boost of radiance. Together, these three ingredients work like magic to give you glowing skin.

2.  Baking soda and yogurt: Baking soda is a wonderful exfoliator for your skin and it makes your skin glow instantly. Yogurt is nourishing and helps brighten your skin. Add a pinch of baking soda to a tablespoon or two of yogurt and apply to cleansed skin. Massage it in upward circular motions and rinse after 10 minutes.

3.  Rose water, sandalwood and turmeric: Add half a teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder to a base of pure rose water. These three ingredients work to nourish your skin and make it glow from deep within.
4. Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth) and yogurt: This is a classic combination and a very quick and easy face pack to prepare. Add a teaspoon of multani mitti powder to some cool yogurt and apply it all over. This face pack really evens out your skin tone and makes you glow like nothing else! You could substitute the yogurt with milk if you have very dry skin.

5.  Tomato, papaya and avocado: A face pack prepared with a combination of these three wonderful fruits will nourish your skin and make it glow instantly. Take some ripe tomato, ripe papaya and avocado and blend the three into a pulp. If you like, you could add a few drops of lemon juice to it. Apply it to your skin for a gorgeous glow.

6.  Egg white and banana: Take a raw egg white and add a mashed ripe banana to it. Mix well and apply it to cleansed skin. This face pack has many benefits. It will cleanse your pores, remove blackheads and whiteheads, nourish your skin and give you a youthful glow.

7.  Oatmeal and honey: Oatmeal is a great choice for a gentle and natural exfoliator for your skin. When used as a face pack in combination with raw honey, it can have many skincare benefits. It will deeply nourish and exfoliate your skin and make it glow in a very healthy way.

8.  Banana and honey: The combination of mashed ripe banana with honey is another one to make your skin glow from deep within. It will leave your skin feel super smooth, supple and nourished.

9.  Raw milk: The wonders of raw milk have been acclaimed for time immemorial when it comes to making your skin glow. It helps remove tan, hyperpigmentation and gives your skin a glow like never before. This is a great one-ingredient face pack that is totally fuss-free and so easy to use.

10.  Aloe vera gel and rose water: Aloe vera gel mixed with some rose water is great for sensitive skin and problem skin. If you’re looking for soothing and skin calming ingredients that will help you get that natural glow, these two are your best friends. Make sure to use fresh and natural aloe vera gel and pure distilled rose water for this.

5 Homemade Foot Scrub Recipes for Brides's feet

Foot pampering is a must this monsoon with so much mud around us taking a toll on our feet health. And going for a pedicure is a sheer waste of money this season! So why not make your own foot scrub at home and do a little pampering in your own comfort zone? Listing 5 DIY Homemade Foot Scrubs.

5 Homemade Foot Scrub Recipes

 

Brown Sugar And Olive Oil: Brown Sugar and Olive Oil is one of the most popular homemade scrub recipes that we can find. You can mix normal crushed sugar too but brown sugar just works better. Olive oil moisturises skin and relieves from dry feet issues.

 

Mint and Tea Tree: Tea Tree oil is one of the best for removing any infection in your feet and combining that effect with crushed mint leaves just accelerates the effect. The combination soothes your feet, makes them beautiful and fresh.

Lemon Juice and Tea: Take some normal tea leaves and crush them. Add lemon juice to it and make a paste out of it. Then apply all over your feet. The natural antioxidants present in tea will work with the bleaching properties of lemon to make skin glowing and even.

Camphor And Honey: If you are suffering from smelly feet and need something really natural to get rid of it then you must try this foot scrub. Camphor is known to cure bad odours of feet and honey will nourish feet from within. So you will be left with soft and odourless feet.

 

Rice Flour and Yoghurt: Rice Flour is one of the best anti-tanning agents which help to prevent tanning from our feet and mixing it with yoghurt helps to get back the lost moisture from it. Yoghurt also helps to even out the skin tone and so mixing both and applying as a foot scrub will help to get back the original colour of your feet.

10 Home Remedies to Treat Acne for Dry Skin that you can do when you are going to be the Bride

Hello, everyone!

Hope you all are doing well. We are doing a post after quite some time and it always feels good to be back to the family. We have been planning to do this post since a long time. Today, one of the biggest concerns among not just women, but also men is acne. The numerous causes of acne include clogged pores, bacteria, excess oil production, dead skin cells, hormones, diet, stress, and sleep deprivation. We have seen so many people spend so much money and time on chemicals to treat pimples, only to end up with no results or scarier still, with the condition getting worse. So, here is a list of remedies you can try because they cost you no extra money, can be done at the convenience of your home and have no side effects at all.

1. Aloe vera

 

 
Aloe vera has soothing, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in treating acne as well as the scars caused by acne. Not just acne, with regular use, it also helps in treating other skin problems and makes your skin clear. You can either buy aloe vera gel from the market or prepare it yourself from the leaves of aloe vera plant. Apply it on the affected areas and leave overnight.

2. Lemon Juice with Honey

 

 

Lemon juice being acidic, dries up the acne while honey has anti-bacterial properties and also helps in moisturizing the skin. Hence, this combination is suited for dry skin. You can mix the two and apply it with the help of a cotton ball on the affected areas. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.

3. Garlic

 

 

Since long, garlic has been used for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It helps in treating acne without dehydrating the skin and is thus, suited for people with dry skin. Just crush a few garlic cloves and apply the paste to the affected areas.

4. Ice pack

You may know that an ice pack helps relieve under eye bags but did you know it also helps in the case of acne? However, ice packs should be used in combination with other acne treating home-made masks like a fuller’s earth (multani mitti) mask. They are of little benefit when used alone.

5. Epsom salt

 

Epsom salt is an excellent remedy for treating acne. It removes dead skin cells, kills bacteria and also balances the pH level of the skin. However, this ingredient should be used to treat acne on the back, buttocks or any part of the body other than the face. You can also use body scrubs made of Epsom
salt regularly.

6. Tomato pulp

 

 

The tomatoes are acidic which helps in drying up the acne. Tomatoes also contain vitamins A, C, and K which are found in most OTC acne treatment creams. Make a paste of tomatoes or simply cut it into halves and rub over the affected areas.

7. Papaya

 

Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, helps reduce inflammation and prevents the formation of pus. Hence, papaya makes a great home remedy for most skin problems. Mash the papaya to make a coarse paste, apply, and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

8. Neem

 

 

Neem constitutes a very popular ingredient of most ayurvedic medicines. It is used for not just skin problems but also to treat hair problems and other conditions. It has antiseptic and anti-microbial properties which reduce redness and inflammation. Make a paste of tender neem leaves with water. You can add turmeric to the paste. Apply and leave for about 20 minutes.

9. Fenugreek Seeds

 

Fenugreek is an excellent ingredient for treating acne. I have tried this and I loved the results. It has anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-septic properties. Use fenugreek leaves or fenugreek seeds with water and make a paste. Apply on the affected areas and leave for 20 minutes. Do this regularly. Also, make a habit of drinking a glass of water with soaked fenugreek seeds early in the morning to get healthy hair and skin.

10. Red Lentils

 

 

Finally, here is the secret remedy for treating acne, that has worked for me every single time. I have suggested this to so many of my friends and it has worked for all of them. My magic ingredient is masoor dal or red lentils. Soak it in water for a few hours and make a paste with little water or milk and honey. Apply this to the affected areas and leave on for 20 minutes. You can add other ingredients as per your concerns. Also, since this is somewhat drying for the skin, people with dry skin should use a good moisturizer immediately after washing it off.

Let us know if you want me to do a post on how we make this face mask and all the ingredients we add to this mask.

Along with the above ingredients, make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. Make wise choices with the skin care products you use and you’ll definitely start seeing the results soon.