On Instagram, I have received a lot many questions regarding skincare and haircare. Let me break the bubble, my skin isn’t that clear, I do get zits and my hair does fall. PMS days are the worst, my face just becomes an oil mill and hair-fall reaches its peak, but then there are easy ways to keep it in check and tackle it before it gets worse. I have never been a fan of cosmetic products, I use very few bottled ones for my face or body, it has always been easy DIY masks or pastes made from whatever is available at home, credits to my Amma and grandmother, both who have flawless skin and lusciously thick hair I can only dream of owning.
- Turmeric: I wouldn’t suggest you use the packet turmeric powder rather if you can dry and get them ground yourself, nothing like it. As much as it is good for your body, it is that good for your skin, no wonder there is an entire ceremony for just applying it all over you, the Haldi.
Turmeric – Curd Face Pack: Mix 1/8 tsp turmeric with 1 tbsp curd and mix it well. Apply it on your face and neck, leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Wash it off. The skin feels softer and due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps reduce swelling and irritation.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera smoothies are great but have you tried rubbing cold aloe vera on your face. Trim off the sides of an aloe vera and cut them into chunks, refrigerate it and rub it on your face before bedtime. It calms you down and is wonderful for your skin. If it isn’t readily available, you can try and use aloe vera gel too. If you have oily skin like me, try applying a pea-size aloe vera gel after each time you wash your face, keeps it moisturized. I do this.
- Gram flour / Besan: I love bhajjis, Ullivada, Mutta Bhajji, Vazhakka Bajji, Pakoras, sorry I got diverted. Gram flour is amazing for both our skin and hair. I remember my grandmother preparing a paste of gram flour with a little water and applying it onto my scalp. Keep it on for 20 mins and wash it off. She says it removes the dirt from our scalp.
- Green Gram Dal: I am not making a curry here, but dry roasted green gram ground into powder can double up as a body scrub as well as a hair mask. Use it instead of soap for a day during the shower, scrub well and wash it off, it is good for your face too. During my days at Uni, this was my go-to skincare routine. Mix the powder with a little water, make a paste and apply it to your scalp, massage it well, keep for 15 minutes and wash it off.
- Egg Whites + Lime juice: Time to kill dandruff! Make sure there’s not even a bit of egg yolk in the mixture. Blend one egg white and juice of one lime/lemon and apply it on to your scalp. It is going to be an itch battle, brace yourself. Keep it on for 15 minutes and wash it off.
- Coconut Oil: ELIXIR! Champi your hair with this goodness, leave it for 30 minutes minimum every time you wash your hair and shampoo it (optional), look at how thick and shiny your hair will grow.
Coconut oil + sugar lip scrub: Mix these tw0 together and scrub it onto your lips and wash it off, the sugar removes dead skin while the coconut oil keeps it moisturized. Don’t eat it.
- Ghee: The ultimate moisturizer. Take a teaspoon of it, rub it between your palms and apply it on your skin, try and repeat twice a week, time to say goodbye to dry skin. Works wonders for chapped lips as well.
These are all ingredients or products that must be available on your kitchen shelf, all we have to do is make time and put in the effort. Food not just for your stomach but also for your skin, body and hair. Let me know once you try them and see the results yourself.
But using coconut oil even in my hair causes pimples all over shoulders neck and face
Probably you have very oily skin, so maybe you could apply enough oil only on weekends, keep it for 15-20 minutes and shampoo your hair.