Come autumn and most people I know start to stock up their creams, moisturisers and other skin nourishing products. During this time of the year, the skin starts to feel stretched and leathery, especially for those people who have dry skin. And for others who have been neglecting a proper skin care regime also notice patchy and discoloured, dull looking skin. Coming to people with oily and combination skin types, the skin starts to look better, more porcelain and glowing, but remember even these skin types will feel a tightening and stretching of the skin and will require not just moisturising but nourishing too.
So what’s the difference between moisturising and nourishing you’d ask? The simplest way to explain it to you would be comparing a dehydrated powdered soup available in packets as against a fresh, wholesome, home-made soup. You can never replace the goodness of pure fresh ingredients and products whether it is on your skin and hair or something you take internally.
So what are these winter skin nourishers that give you the goodness of natural ingredients? Do they just moisturise the skin or do they nourish and pamper it too? Most certainly the answer is in the affirmative. Let’s have a look at some of nature’s wonderful skin nourishers and see how you can use them to improve, soften, nourish and pamper your skin.
Natural Skin Nourishers
1. Honey
Honey when taken internally and externally is excellent for the skin. For combination to dry skin types, take one teaspoon of honey and massage on the skin daily. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash. Pat dry and you will see that not only is your skin softer but also glowing.
2. Figs
It is one of my all-time favourites. Take two figs (anjeer) and mash them. Mix in with a little milk and gentle rub on the face for one to two minutes. Wash the face with water and pat dry.
3. Milk
I personally love this ingredient. Not only does it softens and nourishes the skin but also makes it sensuous and helps in de-tanning. Wipe your skin with full fat milk twice a day or just splash a small bowlful of cold milk on your skin and pat dry.
4. Avocado
The healthy fruit with aphrodisiac properties works wonders for dry skin. Mash an avocado and apply it onto a clean skin, slowly massaging it. Leave it on for a minimum of 15 minutes before you wash off with milk and then water.
5. Banana
A common man’s moisturiser and nourisher, never underestimate this fruit. Mash a ripe banana and massage the skin with the pulp. Even the driest of skins will thank you for it.
6. Almond
Whether you are using pure almond oil or almond paste, both are excellent sources of Vitamin E, providing nourishment for your skin externally. For dehydrated and dry skin, first massage the face with one teaspoon almond oil and then make a paste of 10 almonds mixed with a little milk and scrub it gently onto the skin. Wash the face with milk and then water. Not only will this help patchy skin but will give the skin an youthful texture, something we are all in constant search of.
7. Olives
Olive is an excellent source of vitamins. Take three to four mashed olives and apply it onto the skin and let it dry. Wash off with cold water and pat dry. It will help restore the skin’s natural pH.
8. Papaya
I am amazed at the goodness of this humble fruit and have used it time and time again on my skin in various treatments, and they have all given positive results. Take mashed papaya and massage it onto the skin for five minutes. Wash the skin with milk and then water and see how clarified and soft your skin feels in minutes.
9. Sugar
Sugar is an excellent skin softener. For best results, mix the grains with either curd or fresh cream to bring back life to the driest of all skins. Take one teaspoon of shakkar and mix with one teaspoon of malai and gently massage onto the skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash with cold water.
10. Aloe vera
This modest plant can be grown practically everywhere – gardens, pots, terraces, etc – and is an excellent rejuvenator for undernourished skin. Scrape out the gel from the leaf, mash it and massage onto the skin. Let it sit there for 10 minutes and wash the skin with cold water and pat dry. Your skin will be rejuvenated naturally.
Now that you have these precious natural nourishers, all you need to do is start using them and see how your skin comes back to life and becomes super soft in minutes.
Until next time, make your skin happy naturally.
[“source-ndtv”]
