How do you make mehndi colour get darker?

Put lemon juice with sugar on it while it's still on. Keep this on for a few hours. Then rub off the Mehndi and apply almond oil. Hover your hand over a fire; to heat it. (Don't touch the fire, be careful!) Do this for about 15 minutes. Then just be careful about how much soap you apply to your hands and try to wash them less if you can? That's all there is to it! May your Mehndi turn out beautifully dark :)

Homemade Face Packs to Remove Sun Tan – Natural Remedies

Summer is already here, and it is time to bring out your short dresses and shades to enjoy the summer sun at the park or the beach with family and friends. Despite all the happiness and fun, at the end of the day most of us are left with ugly and unattractive sun tan on face and hands that takes away all the fun from the outing. With the lack of time, most of us, opt for quick fix solutions like a session of bleach or use chemical laden cosmetic products for instant tan removal. But all these products take a serious toll on the delicate skin of the face and show fatal side-effects in the long run. Therefore, it is best to choose home remedies to remove sun tan that not only heals the damage in a nourishing way, but is the ultimate answer to the question of how to get a clear face naturally.

Harmful Effects of Sun Tan:

Excessive exposure to ultra violate rays (UVA and UVB) of the sun accelerates 

melanin production in the skin that leads to darkening of exposed skin. Sun tan usually occurs on body parts that are exposed to sun such as, face, neck, arms, and legs. Sun tan causes various skin problems such as:

• Acne
• Pimples
• Fine Lines
• Wrinkles
• Dark Spots
• Hyperpigmentation
• Premature Aging of Skin
• Skin Burn
• In extreme cases it can lead to skin cancer

Home Made Remedies for Sun Tanned Skin Using Natural Ingredients:

Instead of splurging on expensive cosmetic products that are loaded with harmful chemicals and bleaching agents, use these nourishing and wholesome homemade face packs prepared from au naturel ingredients that are easily available and hustle free to make.

Cucumber, Rose Water and Lemon Juice Pack:

This is one of the most effective homemade face masks for sun tan removal that uses the goodness of cucumber and lemon – two perfect natural bleaching agents. Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and citric acid, both of which help in lightening skin tone and is the natural solution to the question of how to maintain clear skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the damage caused be free radicals and helps in lightening tan, age spots, and dark spots. But it is a must to use a sunscreen with high SPF when using a lemon remedy because the acidic nature of the juice can make the skin sensitive to the UV rays of the sun.

The cucumber juice and rose water acts as cooling agents for soothing the blemished skin. Take a tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice and rose water and mix in a bowl. Apply with cotton on tanned areas, wait for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water. Apply this pack every day after you get back home from the sun.

Besan (Bengal Gram Flour) and Turmeric Face Pack:

This face pack for tanned skin is a combo of bleaching and scrubbing with the wonder ingredient: Turmeric, often called the holy powder. It is not only important for its amazing medicinal properties, but also for its amazing effects on the skin. Turmeric adds a healthy glow to the skin and helps in reducing pigmentation and tan. Bengal gram works as a natural scrub for exfoliating the skin and removing dead cells. 

Mix 2 tablespoons of besan, a pinch of turmeric, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 tablespoon of crushed orange peel in a bowl with cold rose water. Apply on clean face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Moist the dried areas by sprinkling water on it and slowly remove the pack by scrubbing gently in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Apply this pack once in two days for effective exfoliation and tan removal.

Papaya and Honey Face Pack:

This delicious fruit pack helps remove sun tan from the face by using the goodness of the helpful enzymes present in papaya. The enzyme papain present in papaya has potent skin-lightening properties that help in removing sun tan and reduces the visibility of scars and blemishes. The other enzymes in papaya are known for skin renewal, exfoliation, and restoration.

The application of honey on chapped lips is an age old remedy. Honey helps in moisturizing and softening the skin. For this pack, take ½ cup of ripe papaya pulp and mash it well, add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix well. Apply on clean face and dry for 30 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Potato and Lemon Juice Face Pack:

Potatoes make mouth-watering snacks indeed, but it has huge benefits for skin too! Potato is loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein and fibers. Potatoes are one of the age old remedies for sun tan that uses the goodness of vitamin C to lighten skin tone and add a healthy glow to it. The combination of potato and lemon juice is the best way to remove dark circles.

Potato juice helps treat skin aging, blemishes, and inflammation. It soothes the skin and calms it. Extract the juice of one potato using a grinder, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with it and apply on face and other affected areas. Let it dry for 30-40 minutes. Wash off with cold water.

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.

Tips to Keep Skin Soft and Glowing In Winter

1. Wash in Lukewarm Water

Hot showers and baths always feel good in the winter, but when you can, particularly when just washing your face or hands, choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin.

2. Moisturize Immediately Afterwards

Your skin not only needs more moisture, but moisture right after you wash. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower stall, and at every sink and use liberally every time you wash.

3. Choose Moisturizer Carefully

Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it’s more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter. Try Indie Lee’s natural moisturizing oils, as they’re made with natural, hydrating ingredients like lavender, chamomile, jojoba, and more, which help soothe dry, itchy skin.

4. Protect

Get used to wearing gloves and scarves to protect skin from cold winds, rain, and snow. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sun, so apply a safe option like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to any exposed areas.

5. Humidify

Heating systems dry out the air, so consider installing a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom, to put moisture back into the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.

6. Drink

We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like cocoa and tea, but don’t forget that your skin needs hydration from the inside, out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.

7. Overnight Moisturize

Dryer areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas on the body. Consider slathering on a deep moisturizing balm Skin Food by Weleda at night, then wear cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture until morning.

8. Exfoliate

We often forget to help the skin slough off dead cells in the winter, particularly on our hands. Yet moisture can’t get in if the dead cells are too plentiful. Find an exfoliating mask and use it on your face and your hands, as well as gently on your lips, then follow immediately with moisture to truly see a smoother difference. Exfoliating body washes are also helpful in the winter months.

9. Avoid Toxins, Specifically Allergens and Irritants

Particularly if you have eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, you have to avoid allergens and irritants that may trigger a flare up. Winter skin is more fragile, so avoid irritating fabrics (like wool) and chemical-laden detergents, and use mild cleansers and moisturizers designed for sensitive skin.

10. Hydrate From the Inside Out

Eating foods high in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C and zinc to support the healthy production of collagen and elastin. Also consider an omega-3 supplement, or consume more fatty fish and flaxseed to give your skin the building blocks it needs to appear supple and smooth.

11. Change Your Cleanser

Cleansers can be extremely drying to the skin. If you’re used to using options that contain glycolic or salicylic acid, rotate with a more hydrating version that contains moisturizing ingredients. Try like Suki Naturals Moisture-Rich Cleansing Lotion, or for really dry skin, try a cleansing balm like Ren No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm. After cleansing, don’t leave the skin naked for more than 30 seconds, as this can dehydrate it, leading to increased dryness. Apply a hydrating toner and moisturizer to seal in moisture.

12. Use DIY Masks

Homemade hydrating masks can provide needed moisture in the winter months. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, avocado, yogurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe. Mix what you like together to create a cream or paste, and leave on skin for 10-30 minutes for lasting hydration.