Safe and effective natural cleansers
I have over my nearly 25years of experience in the beauty business seen that women and men are somewhat still confused about their skin types and therefore are not sure which products and ingredients suit them. The umm and ahh I get in questioning tones when asked 'What is your skin type?' says it all about skin ignorance!
Cleaning is the most essential part of skin care and that can only be done properly if you know your skin type.
Oily skin
You can very easily clean oily skin with a paste of Fuller's Earth, a natural clay that has been used since times immemorial to cleanse and clarify the skin.Take 2 tsp of this clay and add a pinch of powdered camphor to it and mix with water and massage onto wet skin and wash off.
Combination skin
Mashed papaya mixed with oatmeal and a little milk and scrubbed all over the face and neck not only cleanses as papaya has powerful cleansing enzymes but also helps reduce tan,dark patches and adds natural alpha hydroxy acids to the skin.
The use of yoghurt to cleanse the skin is also excellent when you have oily to combination skin and just 2tsp can be massaged daily at the end of the day and washed off. This will cleanse as well as prevent your natural P from being destroyed.
One of my all-time favourites for oily to combination skin is mashed strawberries and although it is true that I have a soft corner for this fruit not only because it's delicious and you can always lick some off your face but because my childhood years were spent in Nagaland where it was to be found in abundance!
Just rub 3-4 mashed strawberries into the skin and leave on for 5 minutes before washing off. Not only will it help soften the skin but also make it look brighter and give an external dose of Vitamin C.
Dry skin
If you have dry skin and require cleaning make-up,dirt and grime from your pores make the following-
· 10 tsp almond oil,10tsp olive oil, and the juice of half a lemon and store this in a bottle.
· Take a tsp at a time and add to powdered orange peel and rub gently into the skin including around the eyes. Not only will this dislodge dirt and grime but gently exfoliate the skin too.
· Tomatoes are also one of my favourites and there's nothing quite as simple and cleansing as rubbing cold tomato halves onto the skin. Not only does this cleanse but also helps shrink pores making the skin look supple and tightened.
· Last but not the least gram flour has been a popular cleanser for most skin all over India and if you mix this with yogurt and massage into the skin it is excellent for oily and combination skins and if you mix it with milk and massage it, it helps cleanse and improve dry skins.
Whatever your choice of natural ingredients, use them wisely with the right combinations to create the magic to make your skin smile and be cleansed naturally!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Natural ways to reduce eye bags and puffiness at home
Eye bags are a common concern for many people. They can make you look tired, older, and worn out—even if you've had a full night's rest. While they're often harmless and part of the natural ageing process, many seek natural and non-invasive ways to reduce their appearance. Here's how you can address puffy eyes and dark under-eye circles naturally and CAUSES EYE BAGS?Before finding a solution, it's important to understand what causes eye bags in the first place. Some common reasons include:Lack of sleep Ageing and loss of skin elasticityFluid retention (especially after salty meals or crying)GeneticsAllergiesStress or fatigueDehydrationSIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT HELPStart with basic adjustments that can reduce under-eye puffiness over time:Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep is a major trigger for tired, puffy Hydrated: Drinking enough water helps prevent fluid retention and keeps skin looking plump and Salt and Alcohol: Both can lead to water retention and bloating, which worsen eye Your Head While Sleeping: Slightly elevating your head can prevent fluid from collecting around your eyes HOME REMEDIESadvertisementTry these gentle, at-home solutions using common kitchen ingredients and tools:Cold Compress: Apply a cold spoon, chilled green tea bags, or cucumber slices to your eyes for 10–15 minutes. This helps reduce swelling and soothes tired Slices: Cucumbers have antioxidants and cooling properties that reduce puffiness and refresh the under-eye Green Tea Bags: The caffeine and tannins in green tea help shrink blood vessels and reduce Juice or Slices: Potatoes have natural bleaching agents and anti-inflammatory effects that help with dark circles and Vera Gel: Apply a small amount under the eyes. It hydrates, cools, and boosts Water: Dab with a cotton pad soaked in chilled rose water. It rejuvenates and tones the delicate skin around the THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY UNDER-EYE SKINCertain nutrients help reduce puffiness and strengthen skin:Vitamin C: Found in oranges, berries, and bell peppers; helps with collagen K: Helps improve circulation; found in leafy greens like spinach and A deficiency can cause dark circles; eat lentils, tofu, and iron-rich Fruits: Watermelon, cucumber, and citrus fruits help flush toxins and hydrate the SKINCARE ROUTINE TIPSBeing gentle and consistent with your skincare can help reduce eye bags over time:advertisementUse a mild, hydrating cleanser to avoid a lightweight, natural under-eye cream with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or almond apply sunscreen, even around the eyes, to protect from sun rubbing your eyes, which can irritate and weaken delicate TO SEE A DOCTORIf you've tried natural remedies and still notice persistent or worsening eye bags, it may be a good idea to consult a dermatologist or medical professional—especially if it's linked to allergies, thyroid issues, or other medical rid of eye bags naturally takes patience, consistency, and care. While they may not disappear overnight, combining lifestyle improvements with simple home remedies can help your eyes look fresher, brighter, and more awake. Sometimes, the smallest daily habits—like drinking water or applying a cold compress—make the biggest difference.
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
How PCOS wrecks your skin & hair—and what you can do about it
But before you can do that, you should know how PCOS affects your hair and skin. PCOS doesn't discriminate, nor does it play fair. But that doesn't mean you can't take control of your hair and skin. One in every five Indian women today has PCOS. And it's PCOS, not PCOD—it stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, which is not a disease. The condition comes with hormonal imbalance, acne, unwanted hair growth, and makes you truly wonder if you're part wolf. To put it simply, PCOS is your hormones throwing a rager that never seems to end, with your hair and skin as the unfortunate victims. It involves higher levels of androgens, which are hormones regulating muscle growth, bone density, and hair growth. They're sometimes called 'male hormones' because they're usually present in higher levels in men. Because of excess androgens, you'll be dealing with: D eep, annoying , and painful nodulocystic acne Hair growth on the chin, upper lip, areola, and belly button T hinning hair and female pattern baldness Skin darkening and dark patches So what should you do differently? Skincare with PCOS If you have PCOS, you're not just dealing with occasionally oily or sensitive skin; it's all that and more. This is precisely why a regular skincare routine might not cut it for you. Here's what you should do instead: 1. Acne Acne usually responds better to surface-level applications of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. But PCOS acne is deeper, more rooted, cystic, and quite stubborn. Here's what you'll need: Retinoids (prescription or OTC adapalene) to increase the speed at which your skin cells turn over Niacinamide to help your skin control its oil (production?) without irritation 2. Hair removal For those not bogged down with PCOS, waxing and shaving work just fine as hair removal techniques. However, if you have PCOS, then you're dealing with thicker, darker hair, which means more ingrown hair situations and subsequent irritation after shaving. Here's what you should try: Laser hair reduction , a long – term fix that is worth investing in E lectrolysis for particularly stubborn spots Avoid frequent waxing, as it can lead to hyperpigmentation. 3. Tanning and hyperpigmentation If you have PCOS, your tans are going to stick around like a bad ex. But there's no cause for alarm. You can fix PCOS hyperpigmentation with: Vitamin C serums , which brighten dark spots C hemical exfoliants like AHAs/BHAs , which even out skin tone Sunscreen (Applying SPF 50+ every day is absolutely non-negotiable. ) Also read: Don't scratch mosquito bites. Here is how to deal with itching, redness Hair care with PCOS This goes without saying, but PCOS–related hair loss is not even close to regular hair thinning. This is because androgens shrink hair follicles, which eventually leads to hair thinning at the crown of your head and forehead. Somewhat paradoxically, PCOS also causes another condition called hirsutism: the growth of excess body hair. Dealing with these changes is often anxiety-inducing, and it causes endless frustration. After consulting with your trusted dermatologist, here's what you should do: Try using m inoxidil or R ogaine to stimulate hair growth Make sure your vitamin D and Iron counts are at the optimum levels A void tight hairstyles and buns and extreme heat exposure Never use anything sulphate-based for your hair Also read: Your lips need SPF too. There's a risk of long-term damage The extra mile Beyond the medications you might be on for PCOS, you also need to do your bit to give your body a fighting chance. 1. Diet Say n o to all sugars and processed carbohydrates , which spike your insulin levels and aggravate PCOS Include more protein and omega-3 fatty acid s as they will help lower inflammation Drink spearmint tea to lower androgen levels 2. Exercise Do c ardio and strength training to balance your insulin and reproductive hormones T ry yoga or pilates to reduce your cortisol levels 3. Supplements After consulting with your dermatologist, here are some supplement options you could consider: Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol , the game changers in terms of insulin resistance Vitamin D3 Zinc and magnesium , which help lower stress and acne PCOS makes one realise how deep-rooted certain issues can be—a regular skincare routine doesn't cut it. You need a more holistic approach that covers all bases. The key thing to remember is being patient: hormones don't correct themselves overnight. Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a Consultant Dermatologist, Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal. (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Glow goals: 7 skincare steps for that dewy, dreamy base
In the world of beauty, the dewy skin look remains a timeless favourite—fresh, radiant, and healthy. While highlighters and luminous foundations play their part, true dewiness starts with the right prep. The key? Hydrated, well-nourished skin that glows from within. If you're aiming for that lit-from-within glow, here's a 7-step skincare ritual to follow before your makeup even START WITH A GENTLE CLEANSE TO REMOVE DULLNESSThe first step to glowing skin is a clean slate. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove overnight oils, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin's natural moisture. Look for ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or rose water to ensure your skin stays plump and soft after cleansing.2. USE A HYDRATING TONER TO BALANCE AND PREP SKINA toner helps restore your skin's pH balance and preps it for better absorption of products. Choose one with hydrating properties rather than alcohol-based formulas. Toners with ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or cucumber calm the skin while boosting moisture levels.3. LAYER A LIGHTWEIGHT SERUM FOR GLOW FROM WITHIN Serums are where your glow game truly begins. Apply a lightweight serum with ingredients like Vitamin C for brightness, hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, or niacinamide for even tone. These help refine your skin's texture and create that glassy, smooth finish under makeup.4. LOCK IN MOISTURE WITH A DEWY FINISH MOISTURISERadvertisementSeal in the serum with a rich yet breathable moisturiser. For a dewy finish, go for formulas that leave a healthy sheen without greasiness. Look for moisturisers enriched with ceramides, squalane, or shea butter that melt into the skin and keep it hydrated for hours.5. APPLY FACIAL OIL FOR EXTRA LUMINOSITY (OPTIONAL)If your skin tends to get dry or makeup clings to flaky patches, a few drops of lightweight facial oil can work wonders. Oils like rosehip, marula, or jojoba give an extra boost of nourishment and help create a smooth canvas that glows naturally.6. USE AN ILLUMINATING PRIMER FOR A RADIANT BASEA makeup primer bridges skincare and makeup. Choose an illuminating or glow-boosting primer to blur imperfections while enhancing the natural dew. It also ensures your foundation glides on seamlessly and stays fresh longer.7. SPRITZ A HYDRATING MIST BEFORE AND AFTER MAKEUPFacial mists are underrated multitaskers. Use one before foundation for extra hydration, and after makeup to melt all the layers together for a natural finish. A mist with rose water, glycerin, or coconut water can add that final dewy touch and revive your skin through the skin isn't about layering shimmer—it's about skin that's genuinely well taken care of. With these simple but effective steps, you create a luminous base that enhances your makeup while keeping your skin healthy and happy. Whether you're heading to a special occasion or want an everyday glow, the secret lies in skin prep done right.
