Rampant use of chemicals can be seen everywhere we look. Even if we are not using them directly, they can enter your body through air, water or soil. The food you consume may also be laced with chemicals from the used fertilisers. Cosmetics and beauty care products also contain chemicals that are extremely skin harming. Soaps, creams, shampoos are all loaded with chemicals and we don’t know how they react when in our bodies.
The skin damages caused by chemicals could be temporary or permanent in nature. Impacts of chemical-induced burns, scars, skin discolouration, and skin cancer can take a very long time to heal.
Dermatologists use some mild and harmless chemicals in treating sun-damaged skin layers, wrinkles and other skin ailments. These procedures have gained immense popularity over the years. They are easy to do and show instant results. Though they too have side effects, the sheen of artificial beauty overshadows them. We forget that these are the treatment of a problem, not precautionary prevention.
There are very few easy things that we can imbibe in our lifestyles so that our dependence on chemicals can be minimized. Our kitchens are the best beauty parlours we can ever get.
- Eggs, curd and oil mixed together and applied on the scalp deep condition the hair, thereby eliminating the need for store bought conditioners.
- Neem oil and a face pack of neem leaves paste are the best remedies for acne.
- Curd/lemon juice/lemon peels are excellent for removal of suntan and other skin pigmentations.
- Sugar granules with a little lemon juice is an excellent exfoliant for hard dry skin like elbows and feet. Fine sugar should be used if using on the face and other sensitive areas.
- Peels of any vegetable or fruit can be directly rubbed on the face. Each has different nutrients that nourish the skin.
- Soak henna in curd and oil overnight in an iron pot. Apply on hair to naturally colour them. If a little burgundy colour of hair is desired, a little beetroot can be added to the same. Mustard oil is best suited with henna. This pack also provides deep scalp conditioning.
- The cream of milk(malai) provides excellent moisturising to dry skin.
- A thick paste of besan, a pinch of turmeric and milk is an excellent face pack. When it gets semi-dry, rub it off. It will exfoliate the skin gently yet deeply. Malai can be used if the skin is very dry.
These are a few time-tested beauty procedures that can be done in the comforts of our homes without spending a bomb on store-bought beauty products. A regular kitchen beauty regime is guaranteed to do wonders for us and considerably delaying the age and chemical-induced skin problems.
