THE GOODNESS OF MANGOES

Prepare your skin for sun-kissed summer holidays with these easy-to-make mango-infused face masks.

SOOTHE THE SKIN What you need

Pulp of one ripe mango 2 tbsp rosewater

1 tsp lemon (optional)

Method

Mix rosewater with mango pulp and add drops of lemon to adjust consistency. Blend the concoction to form a smooth paste and apply it on your face evenly. Wash with lukewarm water after 30 minutes or after the mask dries completely. Use on alternate days for best results.

Benefits

Rich in Vitamins C and E, as well as antioxidants, mangoes are known to fight free radicals, thus preventing skin damage. When paired with rosewater—a soothing agent, particularly for sensitive skin—the pack’s antiinflammatory properties heighten and it combats skin irritation in hot weather conditions. Lemon doubles up as a skin astringent to close open pores.

GET THAT GLOW What you need

Pulp of one ripe mango

5-6 almonds soaked overnight 1 tsp honey

Method

Soak the almonds overnight and make a smooth paste out of them. Add mango pulp and honey to this. Mix everything well and apply the pack on your face and neck. Let it dry for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Apply once a week for maximum benefit.

Benefits

The antioxidants present in mangoes are anti-inflammatory and curb wrinkle formation. Moreover, the fruit’s betacarotene and Vitamin A help rejuvenate dull skin. Soaked almonds, on the other hand, improve the skin’s elasticity, courtesy of Vitamin E.

EXFOLIATE What you need

Pulp of one ripe mango

3 tsp oatmeal

8 almonds soaked overnight 2 tsp raw milk

Method

Grind the oatmeal to make a powder, blend the soaked almonds to make a paste, and mash the mangoes to a pulp. Next, blend it all together with milk for good consistency. Apply this paste on your skin and wash it off using lukewarm water after 20 minutes. Use once a week for radiant skin.

Benefits

This mask is ideal to remove dead cells, since mango and oatmeal work together as a scrubber for the skin. Aided by the Vitamin A in mangoes, the saponins present in oats help clear the skin of dirt. Raw milk boosts collagen production and the almonds remove impurities.

FIGHT ACNE What you need

Pulp of one ripe mango 2 tbsp curd

2 tsp raw honey

Method

Mix mango pulp with curd and raw honey. Apply the paste on your face and neck. Let it stay on the skin for 15 minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Apply the pack once a week for best results.

Benefits

This pack is ideal for oily skin.

The antibacterial properties of mangoes prevent excessive sebum secretion, reduce inflammation, and combat acneinduced redness. The lactic acid present in curd, on the other hand, prevents future breakouts. When the gluconic acid present in raw honey comes in contact with the skin, it changes to hydrogen peroxide, which prevents acne.

REMOVE BLACKHEADS What you need

Pulp of one ripe mango 2 tbsp sugar

Few drops of milk (optional)

Method

Mix mango pulp and sugar, and add a few drops of milk to adjust consistency, if required. However, make sure the sugar crystals aren’t too big—to avoid abrasion. Apply the pack on your face and neck in circular motions, massaging gently for 10 minutes, particularly in places most prone to blackheads like the nose and cheeks. Wash with lukewarm water and pat dry. Repeat weekly for desired results.

Benefits

The grainy texture of sugar works wonders in removing dead cells and blackheads. The fruit itself helps the skin shed dead cells, clears clogged pores, and prevents breakouts. It also averts skin infection and inflammation.