4 Indian beauty secrets revealed

 

Indian women have long since been known for their beautiful skin and hair. Surprisingly, the key to these secrets is in the kitchen of a typical Indian household cupboard.

Their Beauty rituals stem from thousands of years of history and tradition. Lovingly passed down from generation to generation. There is a simplicity to the routine handed down from mother to daughter.

Ayurvedic medicine is a 7000-year-old holistic healing practice, which in Sanskrit means, the science of life.

Ayurveda is a practice based on the opinion that optimal health and wellness rest within an ingenious balance of mind, body, and spirit. The knowledge behind this has shaped every aspect of Indian beauty.

Natural-based routines and customs have withstood the test of time—because they work!

However, sometimes these rituals and recipes are dismissed by the more modernized generation, who opt for branded skincare products. A little side note to them is that many modern cosmetics also include these powerful natural ingredients. 

The best part about these ingredients is that they are chemical-free, skin, and hair-friendly; on the other hand, they are all-natural, organic, inexpensive, and convenient.

 Here are my top four Secret Indian Beauty Secret that has been tried and tested by yours truly.

Tumeric powder

No Indian kitchen will ever be without Tumeric powder. Yes!, the very same one which goes into almost all our dishes. Turmeric is not just a super immune booster, but it is also great for the skin. 

Ever wonder why Indian brides are covered with the Tumeric paste before she weds? That is because it gives her vibrant and glowing skin.

I remember as kids, whenever we would get a cut, my mom would get out the Tumeric powder and make a paste to place over our wound. Although we had to endure the initial sting, the paste worked wonders in stopping the bleeding and acting as a natural antibacterial agent. This sunset-yellow spice, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that can help to:

• heal wounds
• prevent breakout
• reduce acne scarring
• brighten dark circles
• bring out your natural glow
•  brings out the natural health of your skin.

Make sure you are not allergic to turmeric before applying it topically. Also, remember that Tumeric can stain the skin with a slight yellow tint. It is not permanent and should wash off after some time. To be on the safe side, do not apply it before you go out, or you might end up looking a little yellow:)

Turmeric facial mask

For acne and antibacterial concerns, combine:

• 1/2 a teaspoon of Tumeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of honey
• with warm water or rose water(optional). 
• Mix well. 
• Apply to affected skin. 
• Leave for 15 minutes. 
• Rinse off with clean water.

 

For hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, combine:

• 1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder
• A tablespoon of plain yogurt
• a teaspoon of lemon juice for brightening effects
• mix well
• apply to face
• leave for 15/20 minutes
• rinse with clean water
• apply your desired moisturizer

 

For skin aging and improved complexion:

• A medium-sized tomato
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1- teaspoon sandalwood powder
• cut the tomato in half, remove the seeds, and grate
• add the turmeric and sandalwood powder
• make a past
• apply to face
• leave for 15 minutes
• rinse with warm water

 

For bright younger-looking skin

• 2 tbsp. gram flour (besan)
• A pinch of turmeric powder 
• A dash of sandalwood powder
• 2 tbsp. of rose water
• 2 tbsp. of milk
• Mix all of the ingredients to create a paste.
• Apply it to your face 
• Leave until it dries
• Wash with warm water

For acne, pimples, dryness, and blemishes:

•  A teaspoon of aloe vera gel (I use the aloe growing in my garden, but you can use the store-bought variety if you do not have the plant)
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• A teaspoon of honey
• make a paste
• apply to face
• wait till it dries
• wash with warm water

One of the best-kept Indian beauty secrets is coconut oil.

Where do I start with this super cool multi-talented oil? Coconut oil is a combination of natural fats that include fatty linoleic acid, which is beneficial for acne-prone skin, and up to 50% lauric acid which aids in hydrating and antimicrobial. It also has properties of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help fight the signs of skin aging. It makes an excellent moisturizer. Let us not forget that beautiful tropical smell. Who does not like the smell of coconuts?

A little disclaimer here, I have not used it on my face, but I will 100% vouch for its excellent hair benefits.

If you want healthy moisturized, silky smooth, and dandruff free hair:

• Just warm a little coconut oil and put it into a spray bottle.
• Apply to damp hair. 
• Massage into hair evenly.
• Leave for about 2/3 hours.
• Wash hair with your shampoo and conditioner.

It is also a treatment for dry feet or heels. Put on a layer of oil, slip on some socks, and sleep in it for softer feet overnight.

Gram flour (Besan)

Better known as chickpea flour, it is used in many Indian cuisine dishes.

This flour is rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic and oleic acids. It has vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, folate, and beta-carotene.

It is gluten-free and used as an alternative to wheat flour. It is high in carbohydrates and fiber. When mixed with water in equal quantities, it acts as an egg replacement in vegan cooking.

But did you know about all the benefits it has for your skin and hair? Yep, this is one of the best-kept secrets of the Indian beauty regime! But because I love you guys, I am going to share it with you.

Gram flour home remedies for:

Acne

• Mix equal amounts of gram flour and turmeric powder.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey.
• Mix well.
• Apply to cleansed and damp skin.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water.

Lighten Acne marks, make a paste with: 

• 2- teaspoons of gram flour
• 1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 2- teaspoons of sandalwood powder
• 1- teaspoon milk
• apply evenly on face and neck
• Leave for 20 minutes and wash with warm water
• For a better scar-removing effect, you can substitute milk with lemon juice.

Getting rid of that tan

Ok, you know when you feel like getting a tan is a great idea, then after a while, you wish you could reverse the effects.

Well, then I have good news for you! You don’t have to use those harsh chemical tan lighteners. Get your natural color back with this simple, easy, and very natural gram flour remedy:

• Mix 4 teaspoons of gram flour with a pinch of turmeric powder.
• A teaspoon of curd 
• The juice of one lemon
• Add a pinch of salt
• Apply to your skin daily
• you can substitute the curd with milk and use it all over your body for beautiful, flawless skin.

Oily skin, no problem

Gram flour works wonders in absorbing excess oil and cleansing your skin. It has alkalizing properties that keep the pH levels of your skin balanced. It is super absorbent and just soaks up all of that extra oil. That is amazing in preventing all those oil-clogging pores.

Gram flour and rose water:

• Combine 2- tablespoons of gram flour with rose water( which is a natural astringent)
• make a smooth paste
• Leave for 20 minutes
• Wash off with cold water

Gram flour and honey:

Gram flour and honey are good for sucking out all that nasty excess oil while still retaining the water resulting in moisturized skin. How wonderful is that!

Here is what to do:

• Make a thick paste with 2 tablespoons of gram flour and 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Add a little water.
• Apply to face and neck.
• Leave for 20 minutes or till dry.
• Wash off with warm water
• Repeat at least 3 times a week.

Ok, not to contradict me, but gram flour can also help with dry skin. I know I just explained how it eliminates the oil, but that is just the thing. Gram flour is a hidden gem when it comes to beauty treatments.

Moisturizing mask 

If you mix gram flour with milk or curd, it has the opposite effect, transforming into a moisturizer.

Here is how you do it:

• Mix gram flour and milk/curd
• Apply to face and neck
• Wash off before it dries completely.

OR

• Mix together 1 tablespoon of gram flour with 2 drops of lemon.
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• Make a paste
• Apply to face.
• Wash off when your face is partially dry.

Some more benefits of gram flour.

You can also make a homemade gram flour scrub to exfoliate all that debris that has your skin looking dull and lifeless.

Here is how you do it:

• Combine 3 teaspoons of gram flour with 1 teaspoon of ground oats.
• 2 teaspoons of cornflour.
• Milk to make a paste.
• Gently rub this on your damp skin.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Wash off with warm water.

Hair cleanser

Gram flour is not only amazeballs for your skin, but it is a kickass cleanser for your hair. Ask yourself, has your hair turned lifeless and dull?

Are you tired of all those shampoos and chemically enhanced cleansers?

Well, maybe you should try some Indian home remedies!

Here is how you do it:

• Make a paste with gram flour and water.
• Apply evenly all over your scalp.
• Give it a good massage.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Wash off with shampoo and conditioner.

Want to grow your hair?

If you don’t have a health condition stalling your hair growth, try this natural remedy. Gram flour is rich in protein. Just what your hair needs!

Here is how you do it:

• Make a thin paste with gram flour,
•  almond powder, 
• yogurt, and 
• 2 capsules of vitamin E oil.
• Apply all over your scalp.
• Allow it to dry.
• Rinse off, and wash with shampoo and conditioner.
• Repeat at least twice a week.

White rice flour

Rice flour has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents that help skin aging, reduce UV damage, promote skin lightening, and improve skin and hair regrowth.

Now combine that with the humble potato, and you have a face mask for glowing, fair, and smooth skin.

 

Potatoes are packed with vitamins C, B1, B3, and B6 and minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and antioxidants.

What a combination!

You will have clear and glowing skin in no time!

Here is how you do it:

• 1 teaspoon of potato juice( peel and grate 1 potato, strain in a strainer)
• 1 teaspoon of rice flour
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional()
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• Mix to form a thick paste.
• Apply to face.
• Leave to dry.
• Gently wash with warm water. 

My final thoughts

Indians have long since been using all these natural ingredients in their daily beauty rituals, and it has worked for them. However, if you have any allergies to these ingredients, then please don’t try them. If you are not sure, then I implore you to do a test. Wait 24 hours before you attempt any of my recommended remedies.

On a separate note, South Africans are panicked because of the new Covid variant, Omicron. Concerns about the risks of reinfection and the uncertainty if the vaccines will work against Omicron have everyone on high alert.

I want to take this opportunity to applaud South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and its ability to detect the new variant quicker. Well done!

In my personal opinion, the travel bans placed on South Africa were uncalled for. The virus is already on three continents. Nobody can be sure that the variant came from South Africa.

I just want to remind everyone, that globally we are all fighting this deadly virus.

With the Christmas holidays approaching, let us not forget all the loved ones we lost because of this virus.

So

To help to stop the spread of Covid-19, we should: social distance, stay at least 1m from others, wear well-fitted masks, open windows to improve ventilation, avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, keep hands clean, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, and get vaccinated.

Until next time my lovelies, Stay safe!