Diwali is time to add a glow to the skin. Right there, on your kitchen shelf, are many ingredients that can make the skin appear bright and radiant.
Tone the skin daily with chilled rose water, using cotton wool pads. Keep rose water in a bowl in the fridge with cotton wool pads soaking in them. 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.
A facial scrub can also work wonders on the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and making the skin brighter. Mix ground almonds with yogurt. Add dried and powdered mint (pudina) leaves. They 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.
Or, make a facial scrub with walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Apply the same way.
In the olden days, “ubtan” was made at home for body skin. This consisted of wheat bran (choker), gram flour, yogurt or cream of milk (malai) and a pinch of turmeric. All these were mixed together and applied on the body, along with oil. The “ubtan” was washed off after 20 to 30 minutes, while bathing. It helped to cleanse the skin, leaving it smooth and bright.
A “pick-me-up” face mask can leave your skin clean and glowing. Mix honey with egg white and apply it on the face. Wash off with water after 20 minutes. For those with very dry skin, mix honey with egg yolk and a little milk. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with water.
For the face, you can also mix a mask at home. Mix two teaspoons wheat bran (choker) with one teaspoon each of almond meal (ground almonds or badaam), curd, honey and rose water. Mix everything together into a paste and apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around the eyes. Wash it off after 30 minutes.
Or, try a quick cleansing and tan removal mask, mix cucumber and papaya pulp with one teaspoon yogurt, one teaspoon honey, 3 teaspoons oatmeal and one teaspoon lemon juice. For those with very dry skin, mix honey with egg yolk and a little milk. Leave it on for half an hour and rinse off with water. It leaves the skin very soft and glowing. After washing off the pack, give the skin a compress with the rose water soaked cotton wool pads.
For dry skin, you can also mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon rose water and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water.
After removing the mask, apply cold compress on face with chilled rose water and cotton wool pads, to add a glow, refresh and remove fatigue. Wipe the face with it and then pat briskly. For dull and tired eyes, dip cotton wool pads in rose water and use as eye pads over closed lids. Lie down and relax for 10 minutes. It helps to remove fatigue and brighten the eyes. The fragrance of rose has a calming effect on the mind.