Tips to Keep your Skin Beautiful this Summer

1.Replenish Lost Fluids

The summer heat causes skin dehydration and also takes away the essential nutrients from your skin thus leaving it dry, dull and lifeless. Lack of water and skin nutrients promotes sagging and wrinkled skin.To prevent dehydration of your skin replenish your body with water, juices, cold milk and electrolytes.Drink at least 15-16 glasses of water.Avoid caffeniated fluids.

2.Drink Coconut Water

Coconut water is one of the natural and healthy summer drink.They are packed with numerous vitamins and nutrients that recharge the body and prevent dehydration.They contain antioxidants that helps to remove unwanted toxins from your body.It is packed with cytokines an important elements that minimizes skin ageing and restores your body pH levels.

3. Eat Vitamin-Rich Fruits

You must include a lot of vitamin rich fruits in your diet especially fruits that are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C such as oranges, grapes, watermelon and strawberries.These fruits boost metabolism, fight harmful free radicals and protects your skin from damaging rays of sun.It gives your skin a natural glowing and radiant complexion.

4. Apply Facial Masks

The best way to treat your skin this summer is to go for homemade face masks.Try this rejuvenating face mask that can be prepared by mixing 2 tbsp of orange peel, 2 tbsp of pomegranate peel, 1 tbsp of honey and 3 tbsp of yogurt.Apply this pack on your face and neck and leave it to dry for 20 minutes and then rinse off using cold water.This face masks reduces skin tan, blemishes, it cleanses dust particles trapped in your pores, removes dead skin cells and increases your skin tone. Also check out these hydrating summer face packs that gives your skin instant cooling and freshness.

5. Wear Sun Protection

Never forget to wear sunscreen whenever you step out in the hot sun.Sunscreen protects your skin from the harsh and harmful rays of sun.Always choose sunscreens that are lightweight, non-sticky and have a higher sun protection factor SPF 30+ and in addition it should also provide broad spectrum protection that is both UVA and UVB.To protect your eyes wear sunglasses with UV protection and always carry a umbrella or a wear a hat with a wide brim.

6. Splash Cold Water

Summer harms your skin and your eyes.The hot weather causes skin pigmentation around your eyes and that leads to formation of those ugly dark circkes.To calm your eyes and to get rid of dark circles splash cold water on your face and eyes for 4 to 5 times daily.Cold water also reduces sun tan, soothes skin inflammation and gives you a refreshed and energized skin.

7. Hydrate Your Skin

Keep your skin refresh all day long with hydrating body lotions.Choose body lotions that are light in nature and intensely hydrates your skin.Go for products that contains key ingredients such as cucumber, aloe vera or mint that provides instant cooling sensation and soothes scorched skin.

8. Sleep More

Lack of sleep during summers can lead to skin dullness and wrinkles.Give yourself an adequate sleep for about 8 to 9 hours to boost natural glow of your skin and for younger looking skin.

9. Exfoliate Daily

During summer our skin becomes heavy and thick because of excess oil and clogged pores.Exfoliating your skin helps in removing dust and oil trapped in your pores, dead skin cells and blackheads thus leaving your skin fresh and clean.It also removes pigmentation problem that is caused due to sun burn.You can use a natural homemade scrub or ready-made products.A natural home-made scrub can be prepared by mixing 2 teaspoon of granulated sugar with 1 tsp of lime juice and 1 tsp of honey.Apply this mixture on your face and scrub for 2 to 3 minutes especially your T-zone.

10. Use Water-Based Make up

Avoid using heavy, greasy cream based foundation.Instead go for a liquid water-based foundation that instantly absorbs into your skin, blends flawlessly and prevents white creases or streaks on your skin.Use nude or light shade lipstick with SPF factor and water based formula. 

Home Remedies for Dark Knees and Elbow

1. Oil Massage

The oil massage is one of the oldest, most widely used, and most effective ways to lighten dark skin. 

You can use olive oil, sesame, oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or any other natural oil in its purest form.

Process

Massage the oil into your knees and elbows for a few minutes.

Leave it on for an hour.

Wash it off with water.

Repeat daily until you see results.

2. Mustard Oil

Mustard oil contains linoleic, erucic, and oleic acids that moisturize and brighten elbow and knee skin by helping them retain melanin pigment.

Process:

After a bath or shower, massage mustard oil into knees and elbows for 10-15 minutes.

Leave it on for a few hours, then wash it off with warm water and mild soap.

Wait until the oil is completely absorbed before getting dressed or it may leave stains.

Repeat regularly.

3. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is used to treat almost all skin problems. It evens and brightens skin tone.

Process:

Puncture 2-3 vitamin E oil capsules to extract the oil.

Massage the oil into knees and elbows until it is completely absorbed.

Repeat regularly for a few weeks.

4. Baking Soda and Milk

Baking soda exfoliates the skin and scrubs away dead skin cells while milk bleaches and cleanses the skin.

Process:

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda into milk to make a thick paste.

Apply to knees and elbows, scrubbing gently in circles.

Wash off with water.

Repeat daily or every other day.

Once you see results, reduce to once a week.

5. Onion and Garlic

Onions and garlic contain essential minerals and oils that will lighten skin.

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic

1 onion

Lemon Juice

Rosewater

Glycerin

Mild soap

Grating tool

Process:

Peel your garlic and your onion.

Grate garlic and onion into small chunks.

Mix them together and rub them on dark knees and elbows for 10-15 minutes.

Wash off with water and mild soap.

Mix 1 part glycerin, 1 part lemon juice, and 2 parts rosewater.

Apply to dark skin.

Repeat regularly.

6. Mint and Lemon Juice

Mint has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and it contains essential oils that help synthesize white blood cells and collagen. It clears away scar tissue and rejuvenates skin.

Process:

Bring ½ cup of water to a boil.

Add handful of mint leaves and boil for a few more minutes.

Squeeze half lemon juice into the water.

Turn off heat and let cool a few minutes.

Use a cotton ball to apply to knees and elbows.

Leave on 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Repeat regularly.

7. Gram Flour

Gram flour (or chickpea flour) contain essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and they exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and blemishes. Yogurt moisturizes and evens skin tone.

Process 1: Gram Flour and Yogurt

Mix 2 tablespoons of gram flour with yogurt to make a paste.

Apply to knees and elbows and leave on 15-20 minutes.

Massage in circles for another 5-10 minutes.

Repeat regularly.

Note: for dry skin, replace yogurt with fresh cream. For oily skin, replace it with milk.

Process 2: Gram Flour and Lemon Juice

Mix equal quantities gram flour and lemon juice to make a paste.

Massage into knees and elbows and leave on for a few minutes.

Wash off with water.

Repeat regularly.

Note: This method shows instant results.

Process 3: Gram Flour, Turmeric, and Milk

Ingredients:

½ cup gram flour

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

High fat milk

Instructions:

Boil high fat milk until it is thick and clotted.

Add turmeric and gram powder, blend into a paste.

Massage into knees and elbows, rubbing in circles.

Leave on 10-15 minutes.

Wash off with water.

8. Chickpea Flour, Turmeric, Milk, and Lemon Juice

Ingredients:

2 heaps chickpea flour

1 tablespoon turmeric powder

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Rosewater

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix chickpea powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice, and milks to make a paste.

Apply to knees and elbows and let dry.

Wash off with water and mild soap and pat dry.

Apply rosewater and leave on.

Repeat twice a week.

9. Olive Oil and Sugar

This simple, effective combination exfoliates and moisturizes the skin to brighten dark patches.

Process:

Mix equal quantities warm olive oil and sugar to make a paste.

Rub into knees and elbows until sugar granules shrink and dissolve.

This will take 5-10 minutes.

Wash off with water and mild soap.

Repeat daily until you see results, then weekly to maintain lighter skin tone.

10. Yogurt and Almond

Yogurt moisturizes and evens skin tone while almond oil exfoliates to lighten dark knees and elbows.

Process:

Grind 8-10 almonds until coarse but not powdered.

Mix with 2 tablespoons yogurt to make a paste.

Using wet fingertips, apply to knees and elbows, rubbing in circles.

Leave on 15-20 minutes or until dry.

Wash off with water.

Repeat 1-2 times weekly.

11. Yogurt and Vinegar

Yogurt exfoliates the skin while its lactic acid acts as a bleaching agent. The acetic acid in vinegar also bleaches dark skin. When combined, the two even skin tone and produce a soothing effect.

Process:

Mix 1 tablespoon yogurt and 1 teaspoon vinegar to make a paste.

Apply to knees and elbows and leave on 20-30 minutes.

Wash off with water.

Repeat daily.

12. Coconut Oil and Walnut

Coconut oil is rich in minerals, fatty acids, and other nutrients that nourish skin, and walnut exfoliates skin to lighten tone.

Process:

Grind 3-5 walnuts until coarse but not powdered.

Mix with 1 tablespoon coconut oil to make a paste.

Massage into knees and elbows, rubbing in circles for 10-15 minutes.

Wash off with warm water.

Repeat regularly.

13. Turmeric

Turmeric and honey have antiseptic properties that clear impurities from the skin. Milk acts as a bleaching agent while honey moisturizes and serves as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Natural Remedies for Oily Skin During Summer

Just as winter bids us goodbye for the year and the warm breezes of summer start blowing, people get ready to get out and enjoy the sun in beaches and parks. But for many of us blessed with oily skin, it almost seems like the end of pimple and acne free days, as we reach out for our blotting sheets, oil-free sunscreens, cleansers and cooling gels to keep the sebaceous glands under control. Although, oily and combination skin needs a lot of extra care and attention, but to look at the brighter side, it ages much slower than normal and dry skin and keeps away fine lines and wrinkles for a longer period of time.

9 Basic Points to Keep in Mind for Care of Oily Skin:

These are some of the basic tips of skin care that you need to introduce into your skin care routine if you have oily skin.

• Try to use lukewarm water for cleansing oily skin, as it dissolves oil more effectively than cold water.

• Cleansing your face twice a day is enough for keeping it clean. Don’t overdo the cleaning as it can over dry skin and trigger oil production from the sebaceous glands.

• Use a gel based cleanser containing salicylic acid, citric acid and glycolic acid that help in reducing dead skin cells that clogs pores and leads to pimple outbreaks.

• Don’t scrub too much. Exfoliating the skin 2-3 times a week is more than enough for removing dead cells and black heads. Skin produces natural oils to store moisture, keep it hydrated and fight irritations. Over doing on the scrubbing strips the skin of its natural oils and moisture.

• As the summer season starts, go low on makeup. Substitute the heavy foundation for tinted moisturizing creams containing silicone that does not dissolves in to the pores and clogs them. It also creates a barrier between skin and heat.
• Use a soothing face mask made of fuller earth (multani mitti) or sandal wood once a week to soak up excess oil, remove impurities and cool the skin.

• Control the temptation of touching your face with your hands, as it transfers additional oil, dirt and germs to your face making it prone to outbreaks. Scalp and hair produces oils too, so try to pull it back and keep away from your face during summer.

• Watch what you eat. Those alluring cocktails and fried oily food might appear tempting, but they add extra oil to the skin making it susceptible to acne and pimples. Try to avoid food rich in oil and substitute them with food rich in vitamin A, such as, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, lettuce, red peppers, and fruits like cantaloupe, apricot, mango, etc.

• Supply enough water to your body and skin by drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day.