Pampering yourself every now and then is a must. A recent study shows that 80 per cent of women have no information about the right products for their hair and skin because they do not understand their requirements.
Skincare experts believe that customised skin care is the key to getting healthy and glowing skin. Most popular soaps and face washes marketed by renowned companies contain harmful chemicals and preservatives which make the skin dry. Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain will guide you on some homemade remedies.
The traditional cleanser with simple ingredients which make a natural body wash will maintain the hydration levels while deep-cleaning your face, besides peace of mind of knowing you’re not putting any harmful toxins on your skin.
Herbal homemade body wash replenishes skin and hair from within. It creates a rich, bubbly lather, moisturises while cleansing and is cheap.
Try out the easiest recipes of homemade herbal body wash formulated with herbal ingredients while you could also personalise it with ingredients that you like.
Since the olden days, ubtan has been made at home for cleansing the body. In fact, it has even become a part of wedding rituals when haldi and ubtan are applied on the bride. Ubtan consisted of wheat bran (choker), gram flour, yogurt or cream of milk (malai) and a pinch of turmeric. All these were mixed together and applied on the body along with oil. The ‘ubtan’ was washed off after 20 to 30 minutes, while bathing. It helped to cleanse the skin, leaving it smooth and bright.
Ubtan is a traditional method of removing dead skin cells, softening body skin and enhancing its beauty. It helps to remove tan and brighten the skin producing an even colour tone.
The body should first be massaged with sesame seed (til) oil that has sun-protective properties and counteracts sun-damage? After the oil massage, ubtan may be applied and then washed off after half an hour while bathing.
You can try out the traditional ubtan with these simple kitchen ingredients for a body wash. Take wheat bran (choker), add ground almonds, dried orange and lemon peels, along with honey and curd, as well as a little turmeric. Mix all these into a paste that does not drip. Apply on the body and wash it off after half an hour.
Raw honey adds moisture and elasticity to skin without being sticky. Unfiltered honey is perfect for all skin types to treat mature, dry, itchy or damaged skin. Honey contains Vitamins B, C, E and K, beta-carotene, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorous and is a great healing agent for blemished, tanned and dark skin.
Sandalwood works beautifully for acne, dry, cracked and chapped skin. It helps to rejuvenate wrinkles and mature skin. If your skin is sensitive and dry, you can make body wash at home with natural ingredients.
Take five drops of lemon grass essential oil, half cup raw honey, 3/4 cup of castile soap, 10 drops of rose essential oil and 3/4 cup of almond oil. Mix all ingredients in a jar and store this mixture in a bottle with a dispenser pump. You may use this shower gel daily for moisturising your skin and also treat skin eruptions.
Exfoliation or removal of dead cells is a powerful cleansing procedure too and keeps the pores free of hardened oil. It helps in improving skin texture, minimising dark patches and blemishes and also producing an even skin tone.
Take three cups of sesame seeds, six tablespoons each of dried mint leaves, olive oil, honey and curd. Crush the sesame seeds coarsely and powder the dried mint leaves. Mix with oil, honey and curd. Sesame seeds actually have sun protective properties and also soothe sun-damaged skin.
Mint has a stimulating effect and adds a glow to the skin while honey moisturises and softens the skin. Oil and curd soften and nourish the skin. Rub gently on neck, arms and legs. Leave on for a few minutes and then wash off with water.
You can make aloe vera gel body wash by mixing aloe vera gel 1 cup, castile soap/mild soap base (liquid) — three cups of castile soap and four teaspoons of Vitamin E oil. You can add few drops of your favourite essential oil for fragrance. Pour it into a glass jar and use this homemade body wash for skin care treatment while bathing. It cleanses and nourishes your skin thoroughly.
(More tips on home-made body wash next week)