Beauty benefits of tomatoes: Make the humble fruit a part of your skin care regimen

omatoes are not just limited to adding that tangy taste to your curries and pastas. It’s the beauty benefits of the humble fruit that make it a favourite with dermatologists and beauty experts. From reducing the size of your enlarged pores, to lightening dark spots, tomatoes can make your skin healthy, bright, and smooth.

Tomatoes are full of vitamin C, and thus help brighten the skin. They also help reduce acne and acne marks. They can also reverse the signs of premature aging. Eating them can help guard against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. Fresh tomato juice works as an excellent astringent.

SKIN CARE: TOMATOES TO THE RESCUE

Mix a little tomato paste and crushed oats and apply to your face. Leave it on the face for 20 minutes, dab with raw milk and massage with your fingers in a circular motion, before washing off with lukewarm water. This helps rejuvenate skin and improve blood circulation. Mix mashed avocados and tomatoes and apply to the face for deep nourishment. For dry skin, mix tomato and honey and apply to the skin. Tomato juice, mixed with sugar acts as a power-packed exfoliant that is effective in removing dead skin cells. Add yoghurt to some tomato paste, a little gram flour, sandalwood powder, and a pinch for turmeric. Apply to the face and wash off with lukewarm water. For dark circles, mix tomato pulp with aloe vera juice and 4-5 drops of almond oil. Apply under the eyes and leave overnight. Your hair also stands to gain from the goodness of tomatoes. Make a tomato puree and apply to your scalp and hair to add life to dry, brittle hair. Tomato juice also helps get rid of dandruff, and is an excellent conditioner.