Skincare Remedies Straight Off Dadi’s Kitchen
Tomato is a favourite food and a common ingredient in most Indian curries and salads. It also has beauty benefits, due to its high vitamin and mineral content. It is rich in Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the immune system and prevents early degeneration. It is particularly beneficial for the health of the skin. Tomato also contains lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant and therefore, has anti ageing benefits when applied on the skin. Tomato pulp or tomato juice also helps to reduce oiliness and lightens skin colour over a period of time.
We sometimes forget that right there, in our home, in the kitchen or refrigerator are several ingredients that help to protect the skin and preserve its youthful properties. Tomato is one of these. It is particularly useful for oily and combination skins, because it has an astringent effect, reducing oiliness and closing the pores. In fact, it also cleanses the pores. Tomato is most beneficial for preventing acne, as it closes the pores and keeps it free from clogged oil. Preventing clogged pores is a way of preventing blackheads, which is the primary acne lesion.
Apply tomato juice or tomato pulp on the face and wash off with plain water after 15 minutes. Tomato pulp can be applied on skin with acne and gradually helps to control and acne condition.
Mix tomato juice with baking powder (bicarbonate of soda) into a paste. Apply on oily and blackhead prone areas of the face. Wash off after 5 minutes. It helps to prevent blackheads.
Mix one teaspoon
each
tomato
and cucumber juice and apply it on the face to control oiliness of the skin. Over a period of time it will also help to remove tan and lighten skin colour.
For normal to oily and combination skin, mix 3 teaspoons of oats with a little egg white and 2 teaspoons tomato juice into a paste. It should be of a consistency that does not drip. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes, or when it dries.
For sun burnt skin, mix tomato
juice with powdered milk into a paste and apply on the face. It will help to remove tan.
For dry skin, mix tomato juice with almond oil and apply on the face to remove tan and lighten skin colour.
Tomato juice or pulp can also be added to fruits to make a fruit mask. Mashed banana, ripe papaya and grated apple can be used with tomato juice for a nourishing and cleansing pack for all skin types.