Its summer time! Summer, especially in equatorial regions like India, demands that you take special care of your skin. The radiance and glow that lasted all spring will be replaced by dullness, tan and blemishes. The high UV rays penetrate through the skin and damage the collagen, which causes wrinkles and blemishes. The time between 9 am to 4 pm is the most vulnerable and if you have to venture out or are travelling, make sure you do not leave the house without applying sunscreen. Opt for a sunscreen with SPF 40 or above. Preferably, choose to wear cotton clothes that will absorb the sweat and keep the skin dry. Try these easy and absolutely successful home remedies to get rid of the summer effects.
Lemon rub
Lemon is a natural bleach and evens out the skin tone. Rub a lemon slice on your face and neck in circular motion. Let the juice dry and wash off. However, if you have a sunburn, this might cause it to sting. You might want to treat the skin damage before trying the lemon rub.
Sometimes oily sometimes dry
The weather in summer plays a funny game. Based on the level of humidity and temperature ratio, the skin feels dry or at times oily. Mix a spoon of good quality sandalwood powder with few drops of rose water. Apply the paste on your face and wash off when dry. Sandalwood has a cooling effect on the skin and rose water will hydrate it.
Patchy tan
A slight dusky golden tan gives the oomph! factor. But chances are that you might end up with a patchy tan. Squeeze the juice from a grated potato and cucumber. Mix equal parts of each and evenly apply on your face and neck. Let it dry. Wipe off with a wet tissue or towel.
Skin Lightening Pack
Gram flour or besan, also has natural bleaching property. Mix one spoon gram flour with one spoon honey, milk & pinch of turmeric. Make a semi-thick paste and apply evenly on your face and neck but avoid the eye-brow and eye lids. Apply on your hands, legs and all the tanned parts. Let the pack sit for 10-15 mins. Just moisten the dried pack and scrub it with your hand. Later rinse with water. Your skin will lighten and the texture will be smooth and soft. This pack balances out the oily and dry effect on the skin.
Exfoliate
You can make a gentle exfoliating scrub at home and use it once a week. Mix coarsely ground oat meal with yogurt and lemon. Lightly scrub your skin and wash off with water. The lactic acid in the yogurt will soothe and brighten the skin and the oats give a mild scrub. Usually, if you are exposed to the sun for longer hours, maybe on vacation, it is best to avoid exfoliation.
Hydrate
Seasonal fruits like watermelon and papaya not only maintain the acidic balance in the body but also hydrate the skin. Make a pulp of equal parts of watermelon and papaya. Apply on your skin. Allow the juice to seep in the pores and moisten the skin. Wash off with water,
Make it a misty summer
Make a cooling face mist. Slice a cucumber, add a lemon peel and pour boiling water on it. Let it sit for 4-5 hours. Store the strained water in a spray bottle. Add 2-3 drop of peppermint oil. Shake well. A cooling face mist is ready. It is better to refrigerate this mist because it does not contain preservatives.
These home remedies are completely natural and should not have any side-effects unless you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
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