Olive oil for skin

You probably know olive oil can be good for your health -- and good for your pasta -- but olive oil may also be good for your skin and may make your skin glowing. This is especially true if you have extremely dry skin or are allergic to topical creams and lotions.
Olive oil is a common folk remedy for very dry skin. It's silky smooth and does not usually cause allergic reactions. Olive oil may also protect your skin against sun damage and cancer. In one study on mice, an application of extra-virgin olive oil after exposure to UV light reduced the number of tumors the mice developed.
If you're not worried about allergies, you may want to consider mixing olive oil with another perfume or lotion to avoid making the distinctive scent of olives your new personal cologne. Be careful when applying, though -- olive oil might be good for your skin, but it's not so good for fabrics. A way to get around the hazard to your clothing is to take a bath with a few tablespoons of olive oil added to the water -- just be careful getting out of the slippery tub, and completely clean away the oily residue afterward.
If your hands need moisturizing, cover them in olive oil and put on some gloves before bed. If it's your feet, massage some olive oil in and then put on socks to lock the moisture in and keep you from staining your sheets (and sliding around when you walk).
Next time you notice some dry skin, you might look in your kitchen cabinet for a remedy -- just be sure you have enough olive oil for your next pasta dinner.

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Beetroot for glowing skin

Beetroot is one vegetable which you might hate or love to eat but it sure is good or rather great for your whole body. Since the vegetable is rich in iron, a daily glass of juice relieves you of anemia and helps building a strong immune system. 

This vegetable is also a natural dye so mix the regular henna powder in beetroot juice for an auburn tinge in your hair. And, it is completely chemical free so your hair remains as healthy and beautiful as always. 

Finally, using beetroot juice as a mask gives your complexion a pinkish tinge. So, next time you are whipping a clay mask or any fruit mask, be sure to include a little of beetroot juice or grated beetroot. The results would be visible clearly on a fair skin.Not only that, a regular usage of beetroot helps your skin become flawless as it feeds your skin iron and other vitamins through the pores. All the dark spots and blemishes are gone in a month if you use the mask 5-7 times a week.

You can even include a glass of beetroot juice in your daily diet. It surely will improve your skin and hair from inside as it carries all the vitamins and minerals necessary for glowing skin.

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Foods for healthy skin

These days most of us complain about blemishes, acne and pimples. Makeup only hides them but a healthy diet keeps them at bay. Fruits and vegetables are the most important food items that could help you achieve blemish and acne free skin.
Here’s a list of items to work away those blunders from your skin. They will not only keep your body healthy, but also will help you achieve the right glow and shine on your skin. It will help you maintain body hydration for better skin health.

Food for a Healthy Looking Skin:

1. Green leafy vegetables:

 

Vegetables like spinach, radish leaves, mustard leaves (saarson ka saag), lettuce, coriander, parsley and broccoli enhance and retain your glowing skin.

2. Carrots:

 

It has anti-oxidant beta-carotene that keeps your skin silky soft and smooth. Sweet potatoes and yam are other options having similar results.

3. Magic of fruits:

 

1. Mangoes are rich in anti-oxidants and Vitamin A, thereby preventing pre-mature aging, retaining skin’s elasticity and grow new skin cells.
2. Banana is rich in Vitamin A; B & E prevents premature wrinkling of skin.
3. Papaya helps kill all dead skin cells and clear your skin of all impurities.
4. Orange is rich in Vitamin C, leads to a blemish free and younger looking skin.
5. A glass of warm water with honey and lemon juice lightens your skin tone and keeps it clean.
6. Apple helps maintain the toned look and make you look younger.

4. Healthy fats:

 

Unsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential to maintain body temperature and retain a natural glow. Salmon, tuna and mackerel are good sources of mega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, walnuts, cashew, hazelnut and flax reduce inflammation preventing acne, flaky skin and redness of skin.

5. Eggs:

 

Rich in Vitamin B complex and zinc, eggs help in keeping skin smooth, blemish free and prevent aging.

6. Avocadoes:

 

It has Vitamin E, which helps slow down skin damaging process, retains moisture, and prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dullness etc.

7. Berries:

 

Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are full of anti-oxidants that wipe off blemishes from your skin.

8. Brown rice:

 

Brown rice is rich in fiber and ceramides that retains the skin moisture and keeps it hydrated.

9. Green tea:

 

Green tea fights acne lowering levels of DTH, acne-producing hormones, leaving your skin healthy and young.

10. Red wine:

 

It has the ability to retain skin’s original glow and prevent aging.

11. Water:

 

Consuming water throughout the day keeps your skin hydrated and glowing from within.
12. Dark chocolate: keeps your skin soft and hydrated naturally.

Food for Acne-Prone Skin:

There are certain foods that help your skin to fight against acne.
1. Herbs: include a pinch of thyme, rosemary and mint in your diet to fight acne.
2. Veggies: Cucumbers clears the clogged pores of skin that flares up acne. Carrots act as a detoxifying agent for the skin.
3. Yogurt: it clears your skin and eliminates all harmful bacteria from your body
4. Water: flushes out all the toxins from your body and keeping your skin glowing.

Food for Glowing Skin:

There are a lot of vegetables that also help your skin glow. You could also add them in your daily food routine to achieve healthy results.
1. Green Leafy Vegetables: Loaded with antioxidants, essential vitamins and nutrients, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, arugula help you get rid of skin dullness, thereby endowing glowing skin.
2. Kiwi: Vitamin-c rich fruit Kiwi, protects the skin against the onset of wrinkles and boosts collagen synthesis. It also will protect the skin from sun damage to thus promote cell turnover, which in turn will help preserve the youth and beauty of our skin.
3. Almonds and Walnuts: Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, these nuts will help the skin boost its health dose of natural oils to further reduce, inflammation, acne, scaly skin and redness.

Food for Dry Skin:

Dry skin is another problem in itself. A lot of nourishment is need in this skin care type. Following foods are said to boost dry skin health.
1. Omega 3:
Flax seeds, salmon and walnuts contain omega 3 fatty acids.These foods help reduce fine lines and wrinkles to thus prevent the dry skin from becoming more dry. They also help keep the skin soft and smooth while boosting its elasticity.
2. Eggs:
Eggs are rich in proteins, biotin and essential vitamins, which further help the skin fight dryness.
Eat right and your skin will respond with a wonderful glow.

 

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Acne free skin

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne most commonly appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Acne can be distressing and annoyingly persistent. Acne lesions heal slowly, and when one begins to resolve, others seem to crop up.
Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and lead to scarring of the skin. The good news is that effective treatments are available — and the earlier treatment is started, the lower your risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.  If you know how to cure acne, then you will surely know how to get clear skin.

Symptoms: 

Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, which are the areas of your skin with the largest number of functional oil glands. Acne can take the following forms:
Noninflammatory lesions

• Comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions, dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. When comedones (koe-muh-DOE-neez) are open at the skin surface, they're called blackheads because of the dark appearance of the plugs in the hair follicles. When comedones are closed, they're called whiteheads — slightly raised, skin-colored bumps.

Inflammatory lesions

• Papules are small raised bumps that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles. Papules may be red and tender.
• Pustules (pimples) are red, tender bumps with white pus at their tips.
• Nodules are large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. They're formed by the buildup of secretions deep within hair follicles.
• Cysts are painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin. These boil-like infections can cause scars.

When to see a doctor
Acne usually isn't a serious medical condition. But you may want to seek medical treatment from a dermatologist for persistent pimples or inflamed cysts to avoid scarring or other damage to your skin. If acne and the scars it may have left are affecting your social relationships or self-esteem, you may also want to ask a dermatologist if your acne can be controlled or if your scars can be diminished.

Causes:

Three factors contribute to the formation of acne:

• Overproduction of oil (sebum)
• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells resulting in irritation of the hair follicles of your skin
• Buildup of bacteria

Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands. These glands secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the openings of the hair follicles onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can build up in the hair follicles and form together as a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive.
This plug may cause the follicle wall to bulge and produce a whitehead. Or, the plug may be open to the surface and may darken, causing a blackhead. Pimples are raised red spots with a white center that develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or infected. Blockages and inflammation that develop deep inside hair follicles produce lumps beneath the surface of your skin called cysts. Other pores in your skin, which are the openings of the sweat glands onto your skin, aren't normally involved in acne.
Factors that may worsen acne
These factors can trigger or aggravate an existing case of acne:

• Hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives can also affect sebum production.
• Certain medications. Drugs containing corticosteroids, androgens or lithium are known to cause acne.
• Diet. Studies indicate that certain dietary factors, including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods — such as bread, bagels and chips, which increase blood sugar — may trigger acne.

Acne myths
Contrary to what some people think, these factors have little effect on acne:

• Greasy foods and chocolate have proved to have little to no effect on the development or course of acne.
• Dirty skin. Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact, scrubbing the skin too hard or cleansing with harsh soaps or chemicals irritates the skin and can make acne worse. Simple cleansing of the skin to remove excess oil and dead skin cells is all that's required. 

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Wedding Day Skin Care Tips

(BPT) - The ideal dress, the perfect menu, the heartfelt vows - to these add another necessity of your dream wedding: gorgeous, glowing skin. Throughout your entire wedding - from the moment you start walking down the aisle to when you exchange vows to your first dance as man and wife - the focus is on your face. Beautiful skin is essential, and with some expert tips, achieving it doesn't have to be difficult.

'On your wedding day, smooth, glowing skin is an absolute must. Good skin care is an internal and external process,' says Veronica Barton-Schwartz, a leading expert in skin care with more than 30 years of experience.

Barton-Schwartz founded the Skin and Body Care Center in Malibu, Calif., where she uses her extensive knowledge to help clients look and feel their best. Whether she's prepping a celebrity for the red carpet or a bride before her big day, she helps clients get smooth, glowing skin that truly healthy. Here are her top skin care tips for brides-to-be:

1. Start three months ahead of the big day

'Start prepping skin at least three months in advance. That will give you enough time to ensure that your skin is clear, smooth and glowing for your special day,' says Barton-Schwartz. She recommends finding a qualified esthetician to help you choose the right treatments, but here are some general guidelines based on age:

20s: 'When brides are in their 20s, they most likely are facing acne and some discoloration from sun damage. Deep-cleaning facials are a must to prep the skin at this age,' say Barton-Schwartz.

30s up: 'In your 30s and 40s, the skin needs exfoliating regularly because it only exfoliates naturally every 35 days as opposed to every 14 days in your 20s. This is the time to start using retinoids to help improve the overall texture and tone of your skin,' she says.

40s and 50s: 'In your 40s, your estrogen levels are tapering so your skin will be drier. You'll have to add collagen-building peptides morning and night to your skin care regimen. In your 50s, you'll notice loss of elasticity and you will need stronger antioxidant treatments and moisturizers. The older you get the more important it is to use a good serum under your moisturizer to help combat dry skin and loss of elasticity,' she explains.

2. Eat foods and beverages that nourish skin

When it comes to healthy skin, it's not only how you treat it externally, but internally as well. Barton-Schwartz says it's wise to eliminate all sugar and white flour while increasing some skin care superstar foods. 'Increase consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein,' suggests Barton-Schwartz. 'Add more essential oils and healthy fats, like salmon and sardines, to lubricate dermis layers. Drink more water. Water is absolutely vital for every process in the body and especially for your skin.'

3. Consider supplements that benefit the skin

Supplements can greatly benefit skin health from the inside, out. In addition to a good multi-vitamin, Barton-Schwartz suggests considering alpha lipoic acid that assists metabolism, DMAE to improve muscle tone under skin, Co-Q10 that increases metabolic efficiency and improves heart health, and omega-3s (found in fish oil) for heart, eyes, brain, skin and overall body health. 'The research of the benefits of fish oil is growing every day and I believe my good health and skin is partly due to the fact that I've been taking Nordic Naturals since I was in my 40s,' she says. 'Now I'm 65 and I still have youthful skin.' For more information about Nordic Naturals omega-3 fish oil supplements.

4. Don't forget last minute to-do's for the big day

When the big day comes, you're likely to feel a mix of emotions: excitement, anxiety, etc. Some important day-of skin care tips can help you stay calm and look your best: 'Eat some protein in the morning and take a walk to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. Use your Veronica Peptides to help with any puffiness and dark circles under your eyes,' suggests Barton-Schwartz. 'For your complexion, use a sheer, satin-matte foundation, medium coverage concealer for trouble spots, a light dusting of pressed powder and a powder blush. Keep your makeup natural. Wear waterproof mascara, just in case.'

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Health benefits of turmeric

In India, you can’t think about a curry without turmeric in it. However, it’s only now that people are realizing that turmeric has some amazing powers and is more than a spice which can be relegated to a shelf on your kitchen. Turmeric is packed with loads of benefits and today, scientists are also substantiating this fact with research to prove it.
Turmeric is a wonder product that has gained fame in recent times although in India, people have been using it right from ancient times. At present, turmeric is one spice which will always be found in every Indian kitchen and is used to add flavor to curries and stir fries. But its skin benefits are more notable as turmeric is renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Beauticians the world over are waking up to the amazing benefits of turmeric and it’s also being incorporated in beauty products. What’s wonderful about turmeric is that it’s easily available and you can use it in different ways using ingredients that are available right in your own house.
If you are able to procure pure turmeric powder, you can use it in many ways to make your skin glowing.

• Turmeric helps you reduce pigmentation on your face and even out your skin tone. It can be easily done at home. Mix a little turmeric with cucumber or lemon juice and apply to your face. Leave it for some time and wash off. A one-time application will be of little help and only regular use will give a soft glow to your face.

• Troubled with acne? Whether it’s for you or your teenager, turmeric is a beauty ingredient that is harmless and yet offers great results. Turmeric mixed with sandalwood powder and a little water, and applied to the face can greatly reduce the appearance of acne. It’s definitely a cheaper alternative to all those creams and gels that are often not as effective as desired or they claim.

• Here’s a great idea for an all over body scrub. Mix some turmeric with gram flour and water and use it to scrub all over your body before your shower. Doing this regularly will indeed help you get a glowing skin. Ask any bride in India and she will affirm that this is the beauty regimen that they dutifully follow weeks before their wedding to get a spotless skin.

• One problem that often besets pregnant women is the appearance of stretch marks on their abdomen. If you’ve wondered how stretch marks can be avoided, try applying a mixture of turmeric with yogurt to the abdomen and then it wipe off after five minutes. If you continue this regularly, it will help in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and prevent stretch marks.

• Turmeric has also been dubbed the wonder product because of its ability to fight free radicals. This excellent anti-oxidant is known to help prevent various diseases as well as cancer. In fact, turmeric is one of the best known remedies used to reduce the recovery time of various skin afflictions that are caused by chicken pox etc. Turmeric helps in reducing skin rashes as well.

• For those who want to reduce the hair growth on their face, turmeric again comes to the rescue. Regular washing with turmeric reduces facial hair growth significantly.

• Grandmothers in India often prefer to apply a paste of turmeric to minor cuts, bruises and bumps as it reduces the swelling just as an ice pack would do, without the discomfort. Its various antiseptic properties are perfect for using it for minor cuts, wounds and abrasions and it helps in quickening the healing process.

• If you’ve accidentally burnt your hand in the kitchen, here’s a quick remedy to ease the burn. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with some aloe gel and apply to the burn.

• So far, we’ve read about the cosmetic effects of turmeric for the skin. But did you know that turmeric is a fantastic natural way to beat that cough that has been troubling you for so many days? Dump those expectorants and simply mix a spoonful of turmeric in hot milk and drink it down. The hot milk eases the throat and the turmeric fights infection in the throat.

• Turmeric helps reducing gum infections also! Apply a mixture of turmeric, rock salt and mustard oil to the affected area around two to three times a day. Follow this by washing your mouth with a little warm water.

• Feeling listless and tired? If you suspect you have anemia, then a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with honey, taken daily can help in countering anemia.

• Turmeric powder mixed with water is also known to help diarrhea.

Before you get started with any cosmetic or skin related treatments with turmeric, do make a note that it can stain the skin a light yellow. It’s a good idea to use it at night and then wash off with water and a gentle cleanser in the morning.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, turmeric is not only great for applying on the skin but has a host of wonderful benefits if you ingest it as well. It’s a sharp and pungent spice and no Indian food is complete without it. Try adding it to your meals while cooking and while it might give off a yellow tinge, remember all the wonderful benefits you will have. Of course, the amount of turmeric used in food is rather minimal but it’s a good food habit.
Different scientific findings about turmeric also show that it can actually prevent leukemia by protecting DNA from harmful pollutants. Turmeric is also known to minimize the ill effects of processed foods as well as smoking. One of the active compounds of turmeric, Curcumin, is held responsible for much of this benefit.

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Strawberry for skin care

You definitely love your strawberry-flavored ice cream and drinks. What you don’t know about strawberry is that it is a great skin care remedy. However, strawberry is seasonal just like other fruits. There are many things you can do with it once it becomes abundant. You can make jams, juices, pastries and cakes out of the sweet strawberry. You may be amazed to know that you can even use this fruit to make home remedies to prevent the premature aging of your skin.
Strawberry as an Exfoliant
This fruit is a natural exfoliant. Since it is acidic in nature, it can remove dead cells that make up the outer layer of your skin. It is advisable that you exfoliate from time to time. Dead skin cells cause the dull color and the rough texture to your face. Also, it has salicylic acid that can fight the growth of blackheads and acne. Strawberries can also serve as a natural antiseptic and has skin-lightening properties.
The Nutrients in Strawberry
This fruit is rich in Vitamin C which is a nutrient vital in preventing skin aging and will provide glowing skin. Also it has antioxidants that can fight harmful toxins in the body that can cause diseases and can damage your skin as well. This is one of the reasons why you must eat these delicious berries. Also, this fruit is a rich source of folic acid, this helps in the production of new cells in the body.
Make a Strawberry Mask
This is an easy-to-do procedure to make an all-natural facial mask that can bring back the youthful glow to your skin. What is even great is that it is an affordable alternative for facial treatments that may cost you too much. This is proven to be effective for oily type skin. Having problems with oiliness? Mush up a strawberry fruit using a fork and apply it on your face. Let it stay up to 20 minutes before rinsing it with water (preferably lukewarm).
On the other hand, if you have a dry skin, mix sunflower oil with the mushed strawberry and do the same procedure above. However, if this type of oil isn’t available, you can also use that of corn or olive.
Skin Lightening Extract
Strawberry juice is good in lightening your skin. This is also effective for age spots and freckles. You just have to squeeze the fruit to let out its extract and place it in a small cup. Using a cotton ball spread the juice on your face. Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse it after still with lukewarm water.
Strawberry indeed is a wonder fruit. It is not only good to the taste buds and to your health. This fruit has skin care properties that can help you deal with the impurities of the skin such as pigmentations and even premature wrinkling. Today, the fruit that you see in a jar does not only make a great jam for your bread but is also a natural exfoliant, cleanser and an anti-aging fruit.

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Onion for skin care

You may not be aware that onion is actually excellent for skin glowing. The humble vegetable is packed with Vitamins A, C and E. This group of vitamins, together known as anti-oxidants, helps in fighting against the damage caused by the harmful UV rays. They also help in protecting against free radical damage which is responsible for premature aging. Onion is also a powerful antiseptic which can shield your skin from acne-causing bacteria and other skin infections.

 

Eat Onions for Beautiful Skin

Eating raw onions every day can be very helpful in promoting skin health. But if the lingering smell of onions bothers you so much that you just cannot consume them raw, make sure that you at least never over-cook them. Heat can destroy many of the beneficial phytonutrients present in onions, ultimately, making it less virtuous. Try to incorporate onions in your diet by having them in a salad or by even preparing dishes keeping it as the main ingredient .

 

Onions not only help in purifying blood but also supply the body with flavonoids. Flavonoids help Vitamin C in its important functions.  Research has proven that Vitamin C is essential for keeping skin healthy and glowing.

 

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of onions help a great deal in skin conditions like acne. Hence, make them a part of your every day diet for miraculous results.

 

Apply Onion on Your Skin

Onion Face Pack

Applying onion can be just as beneficial as eating it.

• To prepare your own onion face mask, combine together 2 tablespoons gram flour, 1 1/2 tablespoon freshly extracted onion juice, a pinch of nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon milk.
• Mix all the ingredients to form a thick paste.
• In case, the pack becomes too thick, add extra milk to create the desired consistency.
• You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the paste if the smell of onions is too offensive for you.
• Apply the pack evenly to your face and neck after cleansing.
• Allow the pack to remain for 15-20 minutes or until it dries completely.
• Dab some milk and begin removing the pack by massaging in gentle circular movements.

This pack not only exfoliates dead skin cells but also renders skin lightening benefits.  The anti-microbial properties of onions also help fight against acne.

 

Onion Massage

Massaging with fresh onion juice can be very useful in increasing blood circulation. This massage would improve the over-all appearance of your skin by giving your face a more youthful and radiant appearance.

• For the massage, mix together equal quantities of onion juice and fresh yogurt.
• You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give the mixture a pleasant aroma.
• Massage your entire face in gentle circular movements using the mixture.
• Do the massage for 10-15 minutes every day for best results.

The phytonutrients and anti-oxidants present in onion will help provide deep nourishment to your skin while also helping in removing skin impurities. Onion juice is also excellent for getting rid of dark spots and pigmentation. The lactic acid present in yogurt further magnifies the benefits rendered by onion juice.

Follow all these suggestions regularly and make onions a crucial part of your life, diet and skin care. Healthy, beautiful and glowing skin is guaranteed!

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Rose water for skin

Right there, on your kitchen shelf, are many ingredients that can easily be used to make your skin glowing.

Tone your skin daily with rose water. It is helpful for all skin types. Toning stimulates blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. For a skin toner, take rose water and mix it with witch hazel. For dry skin, mix 3 parts of rose water with one part of witch hazel. For oily and combination skin, mix rose water and witch hazel in equal quantities. Witch hazel will be available at your local pharmacy. If you cannot get witch hazel, use plain rose water, or buy a rose-based skin tonic. Keep the toner in a bowl in the fridge and soak cotton wool pads in it. First use them to wipe the skin. Then, stroke the skin with them. On the cheeks, use outward and upward movements, ending each stroke at the temples and applying gentle pressure. On the forehead, start from the centre and go outwards on each side, again ending at the temples. For the chin, use circular movements. Then, pat the skin briskly with the rosewater-soaked cotton wool pads.

Use a facial scrub twice a week. It can work wonders on the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and making the skin brighter. It also improves skin texture and produces an even colour tone. It is a powerful cleansing procedure too, leaving the skin renewed, refreshed and glowing. For a scrub, mix ground almonds (badaam) with yogurt. Dried and powdered lemon and orange peels can also be added. Dry and powdered mint (pudina) leaves also help to add a glow. Apply the mixture on the face and leave on for a few minutes. Then, rub gently, with small circular movements, washing off with water. A facial scrub can also be made with walnut powder. Add honey and lemon juice.

Mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply daily on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It leaves the skin very soft and glowing. Egg white can also be added to this mixture.

Fruit packs are great for adding radiance to the skin. They can also be applied daily. Mix grated apples with ripe papaya pulp and mashed banana. Yogurt or lemon juice can be added to the mixture. Apply it on the face and leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with plain water. It not only adds a glow, but also removes tan and makes the skin soft.

Dried and powdered curry leaves (kari patta) can also be added to face packs, as it is said to add a glow to the skin. It can be mixed with Fullers Earth (multani mitti) and rose water into a paste. Apply on the face and wash it off when it is dry. Multani mitti also clarifies the skin and is particularly useful for oily skin.

The skin is called the mirror of the body and rightly so. No other organ reflects the state of internal health as faithfully as the skin. An unhealthy lifestyle, lack of sleep and exercise, stress, nutritional deficiencies all reflect on the skin, in terms of dull lifeless skin. Include a variety of natural foods, like fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, yogurt, fresh fruit juices, leafy green vegetables, "dalia", oats, green tea, in your diet. Fresh fruit juices should be diluted with water. Drink plenty of water. Foods like these remove toxins and cleanse the system, adding a glow to the skin. Indeed, internal health and external beauty are two sides of the same coin.

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Top 20 tips to look young

Looking fabulous in your forties is not impossible all you need to do is stay healthy and fit by following these simple tips regularly, this will make you to know how to make skin glow and young.
1. Drink a plenty. Water hydrates your skin, improves its elasticity,hides ugly wrinkles and keeps it glowing. Enough reason to drink eight to ten glasses per day. And in case you're wondering,tea, coffee, colas, and alcohol are not adequate substitutes.
2. Eat natural. Fruits, nuts, and vegetables are rich in antioxidants.These chemical compounds are your natural defense against the free radicals that wear down your body cells and accelerate aging.Carotenoids (found in apricots, carrots, mangoes, papayas, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli) vitamin C (found in amla, oranges, cantaloupes, grapefruit, guavas, litchis, strawberries, tomatoes, and cabbage) and vitamin E (found in almonds, avocados, and kiwi) neutralize toxins, fight infections, and keep you fighting fit.
3. Switch to green tea. Antioxidants are not restricted to fruits and veggies. The poly phenol ECGC, or epigallocatechin gallate, is a super antioxidant that is abundant in green tea. It rejuvenates dying skin cells, heals scrapes and bruises, removes blemishes, and protects against damage from sunlight.
4. Choose healthy oils. While fighting the flab, dont make the mistake of going off all fat. Monounsaturated fat in oils such as olive, canola, and flax seed, can actually help you stay lean and fit. Whats more, these oils help you absorb fat soluble carotenoids and vitamins that have an anti-aging effect on your skin.
5. Eat enough protein. Protein contains amino acids that are essential to build and repair your body cells. Eating an adequate amount of protein (about 120 gm daily) supports the growth of healthy skin, hair, and nails.
6. Shoot the sugar. Its official now, sugary foods are bad for your looks. This is because a rapid rise in blood sugar causes sugar molecules to bind themselves to the collagen, a kind of protein, in your skin. This process, known as glycation, makes skin hard and rigid, causing sagging and wrinkling. Pass those gulab jamuns on.
7. Prevent sunburn. Get it right, sunlight is actually good for you. It provides vitamin D, helps absorb calcium and phosphorus, bolsters immunity, and relieves skin trouble. Its the extended exposure, especially to the overhead afternoon sun, that is harmful. This is because UV rays in sunlight break down collagen in the skin, making it rough and leathery, and causing wrinkles and premature aging. It also increases the risk of skin cancer. Protect skin against direct sunlight by covering all exposed areas or using a good sunscreen.
8. Use soap safely. Buy soap to match your skin type, such as dry, oily, normal or sensitive. Avoid soaps with high pH or acid content, as these can harm your skin. Also, herbal soaps are a gentler alternative to those containing chemicals. As a rule, use minimal soap to preserve the natural oils in your skin.
9. Look for retinoids. While buying cosmetic products, check labels for those containing retinoids. Derived from vitamin A, these compounds increase collagen production and cell regeneration in your skin, thus helping you stave off the effects of aging.
10. Lotion in bed. Apply moisturizers, creams, and lotions just before going to bed. Because your body temperature is slightly higher when you sleep, there will be better absorption of these products. As a bonus, the obstructing effect of sunlight will be absent.
11. Condition with care: Hair-conditioners tend to soften hair, so that it hangs flat and looks lifeless. One trick is to apply conditioner only on the outer tips of your hair. This way the lower portion of the hair retains its natural bounce.
12. Heal your hands. Your hands bear the brunt of the work you do. The result is discolored or hardened skin and chipped nails that make you look older. To keep your hands looking good, treat them with facial-care products such as creams and lotions. Brushing them with a toothbrush and a solution of sea salt and lemon will also keep them soft. Occasionally, treat yourself to a manicure.
13. Pamper your feet. Feet, along with hands, are the neglected extremities of your body. Its important to keep them clean by scrubbing them daily with warm water and a brush. Using a pumice stone once a week will help to keep your feet smooth and soft.
14. Have a massage. An occasional massage offers immense physical and psychological benefits. It stimulates the skin, regulates blood pressure, purges toxins, and eases stiffness in the joints. In addition, it reduces stress and promotes relaxation, and makes you feel just great which in turn influences the way you look.
15. Go for yoga. The balancing, bending and stretching movements in yoga are excellent for improving physique, and toning muscles. Also, poses such as suryanamaskar and sirshasan increase blood flow towards the head, which helps to release stress and rejuvenates skin in the facial area.
16. Start jogging. Running helps you lose weight, keep fit, and fight off stress. The result is that you not only look, but also feel, much younger. And yes, the fresh air helps too.
17. Hit the gym. Vigorous exercises, such as aerobics or cardio, pump up your circulation and give your skin and face that healthy flush.
18. Keep smiling. Unbelievable but true. A simple smile lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity,and releases endorphins and serotonin that make you feel good. Plus, it is infectious, so that you set people around smiling back at you. Now thats reason enough to keep smiling.
19. Meditate daily. Meditation helps you connect with your inner self, calms you, cheers you up,and makes you feel tremendously good about yourself. The results are for all to see.
20. Enjoy good sleep. Adequate sleep is crucial for your body to perform functions of cell renewal and regeneration. Regularizing your patterns and sleeping early will ensure that you get the optimum eight hours sleep daily.

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Olive oil for skin care

The olive tree is an evergreen tree in the Mediterranean region. The tree grows to 9 meters tall and takes 15 years to bear fruit. Olive oil has a heavy texture, and can vary in color from a pale golden yellow to dark green. The purest form is "extra virgin," and it is lightest in color. Olive oil has many antioxidant properties. Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and appears to assist in repairing cells and in preventing cell damage. Olive oil is soothing and healing to all skin types and the below steps will make you to know how to get clear skin.

Step 1

Olive oil is a fantastic source of vitamin E. Consuming olives or olive oil has been associated with such health benefits as reducing blood pressure, decreasing growth of some cancers, lessening the severity of asthma and arthritis and may actually help maintain a lower weight. Using olive oil externally on your body can also have benefits. Olive oil is now found in many skin care products. The vitamin E found in the olive oil is the key ingredient.

Step 2

For hair care, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to your hair conditioner. Shake well before each use. Use conditioner as usual. Olive oil will provide not only a beautiful shine, but also manageability.

Step 3

Olive oil can also help with the area around your eyes. Nightly, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Gently dab on the corner of your eyes, your eyelids and under your eyes. Use caution not to get the oil in your eyes. You can also do this to your eyebrows after tweezing or waxing to provide moisture and soothing relief.

Step 4

For lip care, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Rub across your lips to provide moisture and shine.

Step 5

Similarly, take a small amount nightly and rub into your nails and cuticles. This will give a beautiful shine to your nails and keep the nail beds and cuticles soft. Make a sugar scrub and use it on your hands nightly to keep hands hydrated and soft.

Step 6

For foot care, use 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a warm footbath. Soak for 10 minutes, then pat dry. You can also use sugar scrub on your feet daily.

Step 7

Use sugar scrub daily in shower for continued soft and hydrated skin. You can also use olive oil in a massage.

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Skin care with Tomato

You say tomato, we say use tomato on your skin. Tomatoes make an excellent skin treatment for everything from large pores and acne to rashes and more. Tomatoes have cooling elements to soothe raw skin, astringents to remove excess oil, and tons of vitamin C and A to brighten dull skin and restore its health. Try these homemade skin-care remedies using tomatoes, and you’re sure to see a big difference in your skin.
Shrink pores with tomato and lime
Combine one tablespoon of fresh tomato juice with two to four drops of fresh lime juice. Apply the mixture with a cotton ball and massage gently into skin using circular motions. Leave on the skin for about 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm or water to shrink pores even further, then moisturize.
Cure acne with tomato pulp
Mash a fresh tomato and apply the pulp liberally to your face. Leave on skin for an hour or more, then rinse and moisturize. Do this every day for several days and your acne will disappear.
Cleanse skin with a tomato-and-avocado mask
Good enough to eat, a tomato-and-avocado mask is great for combination skin (oily, normal, and dry) because it combines the astringent, blackhead- and oil-reducing benefits of tomatoes with the antiseptic and moisturizing properties of avocados. This super-rich mask also contains vitamin A, C and E, all of which are essential for healthy skin. To make this soothing mask, mash tomato and avocado together in a bowl. Mix well and smooth on your face. Rinse after 20 to 30 minutes with lukewarm water.
Make a quick and easy tomato facial
Cut a tomato in half and rub it on your face. Press into blackheads. Rinse and moisturize.
Use tomato as an astringent
To remove excess oil from your skin, crush a fresh tomato and strain, then set the juice aside. Next, squeeze a cucumber into the tomato juice. Apply to skin with a cotton ball daily to keep oil and acne under control.
Cool irritated skin with a tomato-and-yogurt mask
If your skin is raw, irritated, itchy, sunburned, red, blotchy, or scaly, you’ll enjoy the benefits of this yogurt-and-tomato mask. Yogurt gives skin a protein boost and leaves skin soft, while tomato cools and neutralizes the skin’s surface. Crush half a tomato and add two tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt. Mix well and spread the mixture on your face. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Get glowing skin with tomato juice and honey
Mix honey and tomato juice and apply to your face and neck. Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Your skin will be smooth and glowing!
Cure sunburn with tomato juice and buttermilk
Mix two teaspoons of tomato juice with four tablespoons of buttermilk. Apply it all over your skin. Leave on skin for a half hour, then rinse gently.
Make sure you always have tomatoes on hand to make homemade skin-care remedies anytime and make your skin glowing and clear.

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Almond oil

Almond oil is very good for keeping our skin and hair healthy. Especially, our facial skin which is most prominent and delicate has many benefits from almond oil. We are well aware of the various health benefits of almonds and the oil extracted from it, which is used on a large-scale in the cosmetic industry. This makes almond oil a primary ingredient of many skin care products.

Uses of Almond Oil for face
Cleanser
The first use of Almond oil is that it can be used as a facial cleanser for all skin types. Now, you might wonder, how can one use oil for cleansing oily skin type? Then believe me, it is great for oily skin as well. Just that you need to use it in the right way. Take a few drops of this oil on your palm and gently rub it on your face. Do not wet the face before using it. Rub it properly on entire face in circular directions using your fingertips. Once you are done, leave it for 2-3 minutes. Now, take steam on your face. You can either take direct steam or use a wet cloth. Wet a cloth with water, wring it slightly so that no water is dripping from it. Close your eyes and place this cloth over your face. Keep it until it's about room temperature. This will help to open the pores, and remove dirt and dead skin. Now, take a cotton pad and wipe your facial skin with slight pressure to have a soft and clean face.

Scrub
Another benefit of almond oil for skin is that it makes a perfect base for a facial scrub. You can add sugar or salt to almond oil to form a great exfoliating scrub. You should not use salt for sensitive or acne affected skin. Sugar and salt granules work in removing dead cells and dirt and almond oil acts as a good moisturizer for scrubbed skin. You can use this scrub once in a week. Apply and scrub in circular direction, very gently and wash off with lukewarm water to have a soft, glowing skin. You can exfoliate lips with sugar and almond oil scrub to soften them in minutes.

Under Eye Circles
Another use of almond oil is getting rid of dark circles under eyes. You might be tired of using various recipes to treat dark circles and wrinkles under eyes but almond oil is much effective for treating this problem. Dab a cotton pad in almond oil and place it on your eyes while going to bed. Do this everyday to get noticeable results. Using almond oil will also help reduce crow's-feet and dark eyelids. Make sure that you follow this routine for a few weeks to see the results.

Facial Massage
Almond oil makes a perfect pick for a facial massage. Cleanse your face and massage it with almond oil before going to bed. A bedtime massage will ensure that the oil stays on your skin for a long time. Moreover, almond oil massage is extremely relaxing. You can also take steam before oil massage. Almond oil massage will nourish dry skin and clear off wrinkles, impurities, and dead cells. It also improves complexion, reduces dark under eye circles and improves the overall texture of your skin. An almond oil massage also prevents aging and reduces suntan. Then, how about a face massage tonight? Go for it and feel the difference.

You can also opt for sweet almond oil which is popularly used in aromatherapy, especially if you have a sensitive skin. With so many benefits and uses of almond oil , isn't it worth using for your skin regularly? Go shine!

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Glow your skin

 Bodies absorb fortunes in a bid to accept aglow bark like celebrities about the world. While some use accustomed products, some use big-ticket cosmetics to get that much-required bark sheen.

Recently, however, a new trend is fast communicable up amid youngsters and middle-aged bodies akin — arresting affluence of beginning bake-apple juices — to enhance the affection of the skin.

 Given the actuality that best fruits are aerial on nutrients and minerals, bake-apple juices are accomplished to get that glowing skin. Also, by advantage of the actuality that bake-apple juices are calmly and bound captivated by the body, they appearance quick after-effects on the bark too. Says Tupur Chakraborty, 23, "Although I accept afresh abutting a job and accept a absolutely active schedule, bamboozlement amid tutions, academy and the job, I accomplish it a point to eat advantageous and absorb at atomic a bottle of bake-apple abstract accustomed after fail. This is a addiction that my mother inculcated in me but it absolutely helps accumulate abscess problems at bay and makes the bark attending actual healthy."

Some of the best accepted juices captivated for abundant bark are orange, juice, angel juce, auto abstract and watermelon juice. But, vegetable juices, like juices of papaya, appearance and banknote additionally advice to accord a flash to the skin, authoritative it advantageous from within. Well, if aglow bark comes with burning of article as appetizing as bake-apple juices, no one should be complaining.

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