By Shahnaz Husain
In your home and right there on the kitchen shelf are many ingredients for winter skin care. Honey, for instance, is one of the most powerful natural moisturizers, which actually attracts moisture to the skin. All the properties of honey make it an ideal natural cosmetic ingredient. It suits all skin types and nourishes the skin when externally applied.
If you have dry skin, apply honey daily and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. For dry skin, you can also mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Wash off after 20 minutes.
Oily skins also suffer from dryness in winter. For a moisturizing lotion for normal to oily skin, take 100 ml rose water, half teaspoon honey and one teaspoon lemon juice. Mix, shake well and keep in a jar in the fridge. Apply on the face and wash off with plain water after 15 minutes.
Milk is another kitchen ingredient that is commonly available. It contains proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Ideal for winter care, it helps to relieve dryness, nourish the skin and make it soft. Yogurt also nourishes the skin. It contains lactic acid, which restores the pH balance of the skin. Applied on the skin, it relieves dryness and removes tan. Take 2 teaspoons Yogurt and add a pinch of turmeric. Mix and apply on the face. Wash off after 20 minutes.
Take honey and yogurt and add a few tablespoons of red wine. Apply this on the face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with plain water. This softens and moisturizes the skin, removes tan and also adds a glow.
For all skin types, mix 3 teaspoons choker with one teaspoon each of ground almonds, honey, curd and egg white. Wash off after 20 minutes.
For an oily skin, mix red wine and green tea in equal quantities. Apply on the face, using cotton wool and rinse off after 15 minutes.
For the area around eyes, soak a few strands of saffron in milk for half an hour. Soak cotton wool pads and apply under eyes, or use as eye pads. This relieves dryness and dark circles. From a quick fix to long term treatments, you need not look further than the kitchen for beauty needs!
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honoured with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.