Beauty and Personal Grooming

Cornstarch , or cornflour (makkai ka atta) , is the starch of the maize grain, commonly known as corn. According to Dee Anna Glaser, MD, associate professor of dermatology at St. Louis University school of medicine, Cornstarch is one of the best home remedies to prevent irritated skin , as it relieves chafing by forming a protective absorbent layer between you and the outside world. With less friction, the irritation lessens when the skin rubs against itself or something else. Dr Glaser further says that you can also reduce the amount of moisture that normally develops over the course of a day by sprinkling odor-prone areas with cornstarch.

To all those gals with extremely oily & acne-prone skin, remember this tip. When you are preparing a DIY face pack, mix the ingredients with cucumber juice, tomato juice or plain water instead of milk for better results. (Contributed by Dhanya) Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There are plenty of rejuvenating and hydrating face masks available for purchase at your local pharmacy or cosmetics counter, and while some come at only minor expense, others can be pretty pricy.  You can certainly find options that eschew the use of harmful chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, but these sensitive skin options may end up costing even more.  However, there are ways to get the natural products you crave without spending an arm and a leg.  The easiest way, of course, is to make them yourself from the comfort of your own kitchen , and you don’t have to be a scientist to work out the formulas.

I've used both Pears Original Transparent soap and Pears Oil Control Soaps . While Pears Original Transparent soap with glycerine is specially for those with dry to normal skin, I have found it great for winters. On the other hand, Pears Oil control Soap is specially formulated for oily skins and does its job exceedingly well, not to mention the sweet lingering fragrance that it leaves behind. So when I happened to spot Pears Oil Clear Cleansing Face Wash with lemon flower extracts at a shopping mall, I knew I had to buy it.

* Use rose water to cleanse your face every morning and evening. * You may be skeptical of this one but I swear by this remedy. Apply castor oil regularly to your eyebrows and eyelashes before going to bed to enrich their growth .

Here's a review of a soap, supposedly touted as herbal and spiritual; the name being Sanatan Soap or rather Sanatan Panchamrut soap . A spiritually inclined friend of my mine gifted me this Sanantan Panchamrut soap .  And yes, it is the same soap manufactured by the controversial Sanatan Sanstha. Sanatan Soap, claims to be a Indian traditional soap with its promise of pure, chemical-free skincare and with a spiritual significance . But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into what unique about this soap and whether it’s worth adding to your routine. What is Sanatan Panchamrut Soap ? Sanatan Panchamrut Soap is not just another bar of soap; it's an embodiment of the Panchamrut or Panchamrutham and Panchagavya , the 2 sacred blends traditionally used in Hindu rituals. Or rather, this Natural Ayurvedic soap combines the five natural ingredients of Panchamruta along with Panchagavya . These elements are supposed to enrich the skin, making this soap a holistic skincare sol...

I had always thought that it's not important to wash one's face before exercising and always preferred to do it  only after I was done with exercise. But a valuable tip from Dr. Neal Schultz (DermTV) enlightened me that it's far more important to cleanse your face thoroughly before a workout than afterwards .

Pears Oil-Control Soap – it’s being promoted in a big way these days. But that’s not the reason why I picked up this soap. With the goodness of lemon flower extracts that are supposed to have astringent and oil-control properties, I felt that it’s a soap that would be just right for my acne-prone, oily skin. And indeed it is a wonderful product; I have been using it for several weeks and I love it. The soap itself is transparent and pale-greenish in colour; the aroma is quite pleasant and soothing to the senses and lingers on for quite sometime. And the best part - despite having astringent qualities, it didn’t dry my skin. And as claimed, it only cleared off excess oil from the skin while retaining the natural moisture and my skin felt fresh and clean after bath . For just Rs.24/- for a 75g bar, it’s a good buy. You can also purchase expensive ones  from Amazon, Pears Oil Control Bathing Bar, 75g or it's equivalent Pears Oil Clear Hypoallergenic - Non Comedogenic Soap 125 gm (...

I happened to use Roopgarva Face pack from Gayatri Herbals and quite liked it. With a unique blend of pure herbs such as neem, tulsi (basil), jesthmadh etc and the wonderful multani mitti that removes the dirt and grime from the skin, it makes your facial skin look thoroughly cleansed and glowing. Good for oily, acne-prone skins and in summers. Roopgarva face pack

I don’t like to use an anti-bacterial soap as a regular bathing soap, mainly because I belong to the school of thought that does not advocate the regular usage of anti-bacterial/ antimicrobial soaps on a perfectly healthy skin as it tends to interfere with the normal skin flora and disturbs the ecology and health of the skin. Besides television ads have also impressed upon me that anti-bacterial soaps are mostly meant for athletes, wrestlers and those who do rigorous and strenuous work/exercise. However, anti-bacterial soaps may prove advantageous to those people whose skins are prone to bacterial infections as also to those who live in insect/bug /mosquito infested localities and folks who suffer from excessive perspiration and body odor .

These face packs from Ayur are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin in summers. I have used these packs several times before and they have worked for me. But, please test them on a small area of your skin before using them on your face and neck. It’s quite natural to develop rashes if you are allergic to any ingredient in them; so be forewarned. Tulsi face pack Ayur Tulsi face pack The herb Tulsi is known to fight and ward off skin infections and as such this pack is found to be good enough for normal to oily skins. Sandal face pack Ayur Sandal face pack Sandalwood is a coolant and anti-bacterial, fights prickly heat and acne and makes the skin glow. Neem face pack Ayur Neem face pack This highly antiseptic and anti-bacterial face pack is most effective for acne-prone skins and heals pimples. (See also: Himalaya neem face pack: review ) Mint face pack Ayur mint face pack This aromatic face pack with its cooling and refreshing properti...

Ayur Herbal Deep Pore Cleansing Milk. (for all skin types) A deep pore cleansing milk to get rid of the stickiness and grime during summer months is a must for me. I always make it a point to cleanse my face with it and also with a deep pore exfoliating face wash as soon as I reach home in the evening. I’ve used this homemade cleansing milk as well as Lakme Deep pore cleanser . But most of the time I use Ayur Herbal Deep Pore Cleansing Milk and I have found that it works well for me. With a creamy texture, it has the goodness of natural herbs like organic aloevera , emollient oils and rose water and its cleansing action gently removes deep seated dirt, sebum, sweat and make-up residue, making my face appear clean and soft. Plus, it’s quite inexpensive and costs only Rs. 36/- for 100 ml. I also use this cleansing milk before applying a mask (I use multani mitti cleansing face mask in summer.) and while removing makeup .

Everyuth granular face wash. (For normal to oily skin.) Recently I’ve started using ‘ Everyuth’s Granular face wash ’ and as the name suggests it’s granular and gel-like in consistency. It isn’t too harsh on the skin either and after washing my face with it, it I experience that fresh and clean feeling. I think it’s just wonderful for my oily skin , although I would prefer Garnier’s Deep Pore Exfoliating Face Wash in the hot summer months. As for the ingredients, this particular face wash has the natural goodness of Tea Tree Oil, Neem and Chamomile - all of which are believed to work wonders on an acne-prone skin by preventing the occurrence of blackheads , whiteheads or pimples as also in dealing with excessive sebum (oil) secretion capably.

Amongst the array of facial cleansers that I have purchased and tried, I have found that Garnier Naturals’ Deep pore exfoliating face wash is the best – it was very effective in oil control during the hot summer months when my skin had become increasingly greasy and unmanageable. Now that summer is over, I wanted to try some ‘natural product’ that could not only cleanse but also help with acne and pimples. So I purchased this Himalaya Herbals’ Purifying neem face wash 72g for Rs.45/- (around $1). It’s a soap-free formulation enriched with awesome herbal ingredients like Neem and turmeric ( buy here ) that have anti-bacterial and purifying properties. However this cleanser is not 100% natural as methyl paraben and propyl paraben are being used as preservatives. By the way, I have tried many of Himalayas ’ products as well. Himalaya Herbals’ neem face pack / mud pack for instance has had an amazing effect on my complexion and also helped me deal with excessive oiliness and pimp...

Try Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub - you will simply love it. Apricot kernel granules gently whisk off the dead skin cells and blackheads while wheatgerm oil, rich in natural vitamin E, moisturizes the skin and Apple nourishes and tones the skin. The result is a healthy, glowing skin. Application: Gently massage with fingertips in a circular motion over damp face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Wash off and pat dry. Use once or twice a week. Suits all skin types. Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub 150 g Similar reading: Himalaya Gentle exfoliating walnut scrub: Review

My extremely greasy skin with a tendency for blackheads on the nose needs thorough scrubbing at least twice a week. Homemade facial scrubs are my first choice and they are the best for my skin – no doubts about it. Nonetheless once in a while I do purchase and try some ‘natural scrubs’ also. Amongst the several ones that I’ve tried, I’ve found that Himalaya Herbal Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub is quite good. It has the goodness of walnut shell granules, wheat-germ oil and apple in it. Walnut shell granules gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells and blackheads while wheat germ oil , rich in natural vitamin E, moisturizes the skin and maintains its natural moisture balance and apple provides nourishment for a healthy, glowing skin.

Summer times are horrible on oily skins but that’s no reason to skip using a moisturizer . The fine moisture and oil balance that is often disrupted by constant exposure to environmental factors is best restored by using a lightweight, water-based 'mattifier' like ‘Lakme Matteffect Icy Fresh Gel’. It’s oil free, cool and instantly hydrates the skin. This gel restores the skin’s suppleness leaving the user’s skin feeling soft, moisturized and fresh. Gently massage it on your face and neck avoiding the undereye area and the eyes. Just perfect for oily skins and in summers . Similar Reading : Homemade moisturizer for oily skin

I picked up this tube on an impulse. It had slightly sparkling red gel stuff inside it. Yes, I’m talking about Lakmé Strawberry Silk Splash Face Wash. The cleansing power of strawberries is said to be packed in this small tube and it’s gentle on the skin and suits most skin types. Most certainly, this face wash left my face clean and fresh and the lovely fragrance of strawberries lingered for quite some time. But, I have to admit that it’s a bit too mild for my acne-prone oily skin. I’d prefer Garnier Naturals’ Deep Pore Cleansing face wash any day in summer, especially, when I return home in the evening with a sweaty, grubby face. Otherwise, it’s a great product as I can use it several times during the day without unduly drying my skin. It also helps retain the natural moisture and leaves my skin silky smooth. I would say, it’s just perfect for those with normal-dry and even slightly oily skins.

If you have been following this blog religiously, then you must be aware that I have an oily, acne-prone skin and am constantly on the lookout for products that can control excess sebum-secretion. Himalaya Gentle Face Wash Gel for oily skin . helped me to some extent. But I needed something stronger this summer. So I purchased Garnier Naturals Deep pore face wash and am quite happy with it. It contains salicyclic acid, alcohol among many other ingredients. As anyone with oily or spot prone skin will know, the ingredient Salicylic Acid should be a must in any product designed for oily, zit-prone skin. Salicylic Acid works by sloughing off the dead cells from the face, prevents pore clogging and the formation of zits. It’s a great product and I have been using it twice a day, everyday. Firstly, I wet my face and then squeeze a bit of it on my palm. It’s gel-like and transparent with blue granules. I then gently massage it with my finger tips all over my face concentrating ...

Aspirin has been around for a long time and its health benefits are wide and varied. Aspirin , or acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains , as an antipyretic to reduce fever , and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin's greatest benefit is reducing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. According to the American Heart Assoc. virtually all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors should more strongly consider prescribing a daily aspirin for their female patients. There is growing evidence to suggest regular aspirin use may reduce cancer and dementia as well. Investigators from the Women's Health Study have reported important new findings demonstrating that aspirin reduces the risk of a first stroke in women. When given to someone immediately after a heart attack, aspirin decreases death by 25%.

Mud and clay packs should especially be reserved for summer months. I just can’t do without this homemade Multani-Mitti mask in summer. I use it thrice a week to get rid of the excess oil, deep-seated impurities and grime and freshen up my oily face. If you don’t have the time to whip up your own mask then you may want to try this marvelous purifying mud pack from Himalaya Herbals . It contains Mineral Clay, Multani mitti (fuller’s earth), Khus-khus (poppy seeds) and walnut. This mineral rich Mud Pack absorbs excess oil, cleans clogged pores and removes deep-seated impurities. It also helps to get rid of blackheads, stubborn blemishes and tightens your facial skin , thereby minimizing the appearance of wrinkles . Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) is not only a skin-cleanser but cooling as well, walnut removes skin impurities, blackheads and dead cells and mineral clay heals, improves circulation and makes the skin soft and tender.

If you have an oily and acne-prone skin, clay based face packs will work wonders for you. Himalaya Neem Face pack is one such face pack that is highly recommended for pimple-prone skin and in summers . It contains ingredients like neem , turmeric (Haldi) and Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) – all of which are exceedingly beneficial for the skin. While anti-bacterial Neem and Turmeric effectively help to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and prevent recurrence of pimples, Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) has the ability to draw out the impurities and excess sebum from the pores and soothe the skin. 

Few days ago I had written how Himalaya gentle face wash cream helped me to tackle winter skin dryness . But as my skin is naturally oily, I felt this wouldn’t suit my skin after winter. So I started using Himalaya Gentle Face Wash Gel meant for oily skin . I have been using it since last few days and the experience has been wonderful. It leaves my face clean and glowing , without any traces of oil and mind you it’s not too drying either. It has two wonderful natural ingredients, citron, which is an astringent and honey that moisturizes and cleanses your skin. And when you squeeze the gel on your palm you can see that it is granular. Probably those granules in the gel are there to mildly exfoliate your skin and remove the excess oiliness/grease. So you can say that it performs the twin tasks of a face cleanser as well as a mild scrub. If your face is prone to blackheads and whiteheads and is too greasy , then this face wash gel is just the right one for you. H...

Though I love to concoct my own beauty potions and would rather use fresh natural ingredients on my skin, sometimes when I don’t have the time or inclination to prepare one at home, I use a natural skin care product such as this EverYuth  Orange Peel-Off Skin Vitaliser . Also if I’m in a hurry, a homemade facial scrub/mask is not so viable. During such times, this peel-off version comes in handy. It’s good in the sense that it is a multitasking product – it cleanses the pores and gets rid of the deep-seated dirt, grime and oil; its’ peel-off action gently exfoliates , the orange extracts, AHA and vitamins in it moisturize and nourish the facial skin. I use it whenever my face becomes too oily/greasy and specially in the summer months . Soon after using it my face feels cleansed, rejuvenated and tight.

Clay therapy is held in high esteem in alternative medicinal systems like naturopathy and Ayurveda .For long, clay and mud packs have been used to cool the body. Naturopaths insist that clay has a wonderful and unique property of absorbing toxins from the body. According to them, the significance of clay or mud as an external therapeutic agent rivals that of water itself. If we look back in time we find some references about the legendary queen Cleopatra’s penchant for bizarre and uncommon beauty rituals. Clay or a mud pack was also one of her favorite beauty aids , which she used for a tightening effect. Nearer home, we have Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) (Buy from here . )that is being used as a cleansing face pack and which works wonders with oily skin . This face pack absorbs excess sebum and removes deep-seated dirt and grime and hence it is highly recommended during the hot summer months.

Astringent lotions are more suitable for persons with oily or greasy skin and acne-prone skin. Astringent over-usage should be avoided, say the dermatologists, as it is not a good way to help normal skin exfoliate. It you do use it, don’t take your cotton pad and go over it until the cotton pad is clean. That’s overdoing it – it just irritates the skin and removes the protective layer that helps to keep the water in the skin and you will end up with dry, irritated skin. So just go over it lightly. Help yourself to some of these do-it-yourself astringent lotions if yours is an extremely oily or greasy skin with a tendency to develop pimples. Rose astringent lotion Rose petals 100 gms Distilled water 2 cups Sodium benzoate -a pinch Method : Boil the water and soak the rose petals in it. Then mix sodium benzoate in the mixture. Apply with cotton pads. Sandalwood astringent lotion Ingredients: Sandalwood oil – 7-8 tbsp Sodium bicarbonate - 2 ...

A face with large open pores when seen from close quarters doesn’t look so good. While it’s quite common for oily skins to have a tendency towards open pores, an attack of pimples also leaves ugly scars and open pores behind.  Even though the scars may fade away after some time, open pores appear to be more obstinate and hardly show any signs of shrinking.  Age also takes its toll by giving an uneven/pigmented tone to the skin and making the open pores more prominent. Heredity could also be a contributing factor in determining your pore size. It’s not easy to get rid of these pores or shrink them completely or permanently using serums, lotions or face packs. Even resorting to drastic chemical/surgical procedures at the dermatologist’s isn’t quite capable of giving satisfactory results.  Nevertheless, you can try and minimize their appearance at least temporarily with clever makeup and a few natural skin care masks such as these: * Cleanse your face with a mild ...

Pamper your oily skin with an at home facial once in a week. Exfoliate your skin with these facial scrubs . Cleanse, tone and moisturize and treat yourself with some of these do-it-yourself face packs. # Lemon (lime) juice and egg white face pack Ingredients: ½ cup cooked oatmeal 1 egg white 1 tbsp lemon juice ½ cup mashed apple Method: Blend all these into a smooth paste. Apply to face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water. # Cabbage mask Ingredients: 1 cup shredded cabbage 1 tsp of brewer’s yeast 1 tsp honey Method: Make a fine paste of shredded cabbage in a blender, add brewer’s yeast and honey and mix well. Apply it on your face and neck and at the same time dip 2 cotton wads in rose water and place it over your eyes. Wash off after 15 minutes. This pack especially helps skin which is prone to blackheads . For extremely oily skins, a multani mitti (fuller’s earth) or this sandalwood face pack work wonders. Here are some more ...

One of the things recommended by cosmetologists to keep your skin looking young is periodic exfoliation. Using scrubs to mildly exfoliate the upper layer of the skin of dead cells works quite well to improve the texture of the skin. Dead skin buildup over a period of time often results in a patchy looking skin. Scrubbing will help to even out such skin discoloration, to some extent. Oily skin needs more scrubbing than other skin types . However, do not use harsh, abrasive ones and don’t scrub your skin too vigorously. Here are some excellent homemade facial scrub recipes for oily skins. A tired, sluggish face will brighten up instantly after using these. Carrot scrub Ingredients : Grated carrot – 2 tsp Lime juice – 1 tsp Honey – ½ tsp Brewer’s yeast – 1 tsp Almond oil – ½ tsp Method: Mix all the ingredients well and apply all over your face, leaving the under eye area and the area around the mouth and massage gently with your fingers in circular motions. Leave on f...

Oily or greasy skin is easily recognizable. The shiny nose and forehead, enlarged pores, blackheads and a tendency to break out into zits – these are its characteristics. And within an hour or two of cleansing, this type of skin is back to its old self and starts looking greasy again. You cannot change the skin type that you are born with, but you can learn to manage it effectively. Read this post on Oily skin care . Generally, people with oily skin have oily hair too. So they have this added burden of managing greasy hair too. And taking care of oily, greasy hair can be quite cumbersome. So if you have greasy, unmanageable hair, read through that post. If your weekly skin care routine includes an application of face masks and packs, then choose the ones meant for oily skin. Here are some masks for oily skin . For a change, you can try using this mask made from fruit juices. Fruit juices work wonders on your skin. Ingredients: Sugar cane juice 1 cup Ora...

In the morning you are as fresh as a daisy, but towards dusk you always end up with a tired look and a dull, sallow complexion. No, you are not sick or fatigued . The culprits are your own dead cells sticking on to your skin virtually giving you a tired, haggard look. Yes, you might feel a twinge of envy by looking at some others (No, they don’t touch up their face frequently.) who continue to look fresh and gleaming even towards the end of the day. It’s just that your dead cells are more stubborn in shedding off than theirs or maybe your skin is too greasy . But that’s the way it is. Instead of brooding or cribbing over their good fortune, it’s better to spend that time in resolving your own problem. And the solution lies in sloughing off those obstinate dead cells by exfoliating your skin more often to give way to new cells. An easy fix for a dull, worn-out face can be found here and here . As soon as you reach home after a long weary day try to revive your jaded looks with th...

The use of moisturizers is highly recommended if you want to protect your skin against possible loss of moisture and preserve its elasticity and youthfulness for many years to come. Ideally moisturizers are applied after a thorough cleansing and toning of your skin. It is the first thing that you should apply before makeup to serve as a protective base for your skin. Those with dry skins should apply moisturizers even under a face pack as their skin has less lubrication compared to other types . Here’s how you can make a light moisturizing cream which is gentle blend of waxes and oils. This economical, easy to make cream is specially suited for oily skin . Moisturizing cream for oily skin Ingredients: 1 ½ tsp almond oil 1 tsp lanolin ½ tbsp olive oil 1 ½ tbsp emulsifying wax 2 tsp glycerin 6 tbsp rose water Method: Melt waxes using double boiling method and add almond and olive oil. Stir in glycerine and rose water slowly. Continue to stir until the mixture is thick. Apply mo...

In summer there is a tendency for increased secretion of the skin’s natural oils. So one ends up looking oily and sticky. And as a consequence of this one is likely to develop blackheads or has to cope up with a flare up of acne . At any time, it is bad for skins to have blemishes , spots, or sport an uncared-for look. More so, in summer, when the world probably sees rather more of you than is normally displayed. How to counteract this? A scrupulous cleansing regimen to prevent a grease build-up on the surface of your skin. Besides washing your face more than twice a day with a suitable cleanser and dabbing astringents to tighten your pores, you need to use a clay mask once in a week or twice a week if you feel too sticky. Why clay mask? Simply, because unlike harsh astringents, clay masks don’t interfere with the moisture-producing glands that naturally lubricate your skin. Besides, masks pull embedded grime and impurities from your pores, then tighten them. But before usi...

To know if you have a oily skin refer the post Know your skin type . Skin that looks oily, feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples is known as oily skin. It is imperative to keep oily skin clean and to control the secretion of oil. A simple but regular skin-care program , coupled with well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin and minimizes skin-break-outs. * It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime. Always use a mild cleanser. They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples. * Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this removes all excess oil. It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent. Instead, it is advisable to use natural products. Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face. * If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples. Pimples, if squeezed , may leave permanent scars. Try out these home remedies for pimples . There are a number of effective pimple cre...