Soft, Supple hands — on hand Please

Help me with a good concoction that will make my hands soft and supple. I usually wash the dishes after dinner ( since we don’t have a dishwasher), and I’ve been noticing that’s really taken a toll on my hands. I could buy a hand cream but I’d like to hav

I am 17, and have a lot of acne on my forehead and cheeks. They started when I was 15 and worsened over time. I have a clean diet and drink lots of water. Please suggest a remedy.

— Aditya First, wash your skin with clean water; dry, and apply a mixture of aloe vera gel ( 1 teaspoon), a pinch of cinnamon and a few drops of honey. This mask should be applied and left overnight — this is an excellent treatment for pimples. Apply this every day till you get rid of the pimples. You must continue with your water intake, eat healthy and try to lead a stress- free life.

Is it okay if I use olive oil ( in my hair) that’s meant for cooking? Or is it necessary to get it from a pharmacy or a beauty store? And if it is alright to buy olive oil to oil my hair at the grocery, what kind would you recommend: virgin or extra- virgin — or are they all the same?

— Shanthi Rao Extra- virgin olive oil would be the best oil to use for hair. It is a rich, healthy tonic for hair growth and repair, as its antioxidant properties help greatly. This oil is the same as the one you add to salads. Avoid warming this oil while applying on hair.

Hi, I am really in need of your help. I am a 13- year- old girl with tiny hairs on my face, especially in the area above my lips, which doesn’t look good on me. Can you please give me an effective remedy which doesn’t harm my skin, as it is very sensitive?

— Name withheld

Make a mask by mixing honey, corn flour and egg white. Apply a thick film to dry skin. When mask dries, scrub against hair growth gently. Do this every day. Hair will start disappearing gradually.

I have a few problems. First, my hair has not been growing for the past year and it’s a bit thin. I don’t use any heat styling products and also drink a lot of water but still it doesn’t grow. Can you give me some tips to grow my hair and make it thick? Also, how can I lighten my complexion, and my dark underarms?

— Name withheld Take 2 tablespoons of extra- virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of castor oil and 12 drops of rosemary oil. Massage oil into dry scalp. Leave this overnight ( or even a couple of hours). Shampoo. This should be done thrice a week. Eat a protein- rich diet, exercise 40 minutes daily and drink 10 to 12 glasses of water daily. For your other concern: coconut milk rubbed on underarms and applied on entire body will improve skin colour. It should be kept for at least an hour daily.

( Got a beauty- related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@ khaleejtimes. com)