ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS
The following is an alphabetical list of all the ingredients suggested in this book. Click on an ingredient to learn how it plays an important role in any remedy for which it is used.
Almond Oil or Powder
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Almond Oil or Powder
Almonds contain silica, a vital mineral used by our bodies to maintain the healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. Used in either form, they have proven themselves to be hydrating and nourishing for both our skin and hair. Used on skin, almonds improve our complexion by fighting dry skin, dark circles, uneven pigmentation, and blackheads. Almond oil is easily absorbed by our pores—its regular use makes our skin soft and supple, preventing and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, due to its ability to infuse moisture, this ingredient is effectively used in remedies to treat brittle nails and help us attain a smooth and radiant complexion. Used on hair, almond oil successfully combats a multitude of hair and scalp-related problems, such as dull or dry hair, breakage and split ends, premature graying, dandruff, and hair loss.
Aloe Vera Oil or Juice
Very widely used in beauty products, aloe vera is known for its ability to rebuild our skin. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties that aid in healing pimples, acne, skin wounds, and sunburn, all with reduced scarring. Furthermore, due to its tremendous ability to infuse moisture, aloe vera is also successfully used in remedies to treat dry skin and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Apples or Apple Juice
Apples contain silica, a vital mineral used by our bodies to maintain the healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. Used in either form, this fruit acts as a very nutritional toner and conditioner for our skin, leaving skin soft and supple; this, in turn, enables it to be effectively used in remedies to delay the onset of wrinkles. Furthermore, apples possess the ability to soak up any excess oil on the surface of our skin; they work relentlessly to combat occurrences of pimples, acne, and blemishes. They’ve been used as a natural remedy for centuries because of these very healing powers.
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Bananas
Although their presence in beauty products is not as common as that of other fruits, bananas make a rich conditioner for our skin. Besides fighting dryness and the onset of fine lines and wrinkles, they aid in restoring the radiance in our skin. They are also used in remedies to clear troubled skin of pimples and acne, helping it regain a soft and supple texture. When used on hair, bananas effectively demonstrate their restorative attributes, especially on dry or damaged hair.
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Basil Leaves (Fresh)
Primarily known for its culinary uses, basil has been found to also possess extraordinary healing powers, when applied externally. This ingredient has the ability to stimulate the circulation of blood, and therefore aids in reviving dull skin and further restoring its radiance. Used with other ingredients, basil leaves also reduce, if not eliminate, blemishes, dark circles, and instances of uneven pigmentation. Their juice makes an effective cleanser and toner for our skin, (including that on our scalp)—it is therefore used in remedies to successfully combat pimples and acne, as well as oily hair.
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Black Pepper
Black pepper is known to have significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is also a powerful stimulant and promotes the circulation of blood. When used with other ingredients on hair, it aids in slowing down the process of premature graying. It does so by stimulating the production of a pigment called melanin in our hair follicles, the tiny sacs under our skin in which our hair is formed. (This pigment is the primary determinant of hair and skin color, and the presence of increased amounts of melanin in our follicles, translates to darker hair color. Conversely, when our bodies reduce or stop the production of this pigment, our hair becomes colorless, a term more commonly known as gray hair.)
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Buttermilk
Characterized by its tartness, cultured buttermilk contains a rich amount of lactic acid, which is a pure indulgence for dry or depleted skin. Used with lemon juice to reduce the appearance of freckles, buttermilk plays a complementary role by cooling and moisturizing our skin, while the lemon juice acts as a potent astringent and bleaching agent.
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Carrots or Carrot Juice
Due to their rich Vitamin A content, carrots possess the ability to make our skin glow. Like cucumbers and potatoes, the benefits of carrots lie in their skin—they are the most effective when used unpeeled. Carrot juice is an excellent toner for oily skin and aids in fighting off pimples and blemishes. It is also used in remedies to successfully treat fine lines and forming wrinkles. (Note: Carrots may stain your skin if left on for too long—when using them as the main ingredient in your masks, make sure that you leave the mixture on for no more than 10 minutes. If you find that your skin has nonetheless absorbed some color, simply use a cotton pad soaked in milk to cleanse it out.)
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Castor Oil
Castor oil is extremely versatile in its use. It possesses the remarkable ability to penetrate our skin and hair deeply, and is therefore employed in a multitude of remedies to restore the luster to dull or dry hair, reduce hair loss and also stimulate hair growth on not only our scalp, but also our eyebrows and eyelashes. Furthermore, this oil is known to work wonders when used to soothe and repair our skin—it is just as effective on the delicate skin around our eyes, as it is on the tough skin on the soles of our feet—it is therefore successfully employed in remedies to treat tired and puffy eyes, as well as any cracked or hardened skin on our soles.
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Cinnamon Powder
A spice popular for its ability to tingle our senses thorough its aroma, cinnamon may very well be known primarily for its culinary uses, however, this spice is very versatile and can also be used externally. It possesses tremendous antibacterial properties—when applied onto our skin, it acts as an antiseptic astringent, making it very effective in remedies to cure pimples and acne. Cinnamon powder is also a strong stimulant—it unfailingly promotes the circulation of blood. For this reason, it is known to aid in reversing hair loss when applied onto our scalp.
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Clotted Cream
Clotted cream is a thick, yellow cream which forms when unpasteurized whole milk is boiled and then left to cool in shallow pans for several hours, causing its cream content to rise to the surface and clot. It contains approximately 55% of butter fat. Commonly known as Malai in
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Coconut Oil or Milk
Used in either form, this fruit makes an immensely nourishing conditioner for both our skin and hair. Although it is extremely gentle, it possesses the ability to infuse moisture and penetrate even the tough skin on the soles of our feet—it has therefore found use in remedies to treat cracked or hardened skin on our soles. Its moisturizing attribute further allows coconut oil to be successfully used in remedies to restore the radiance in a dull complexion, as well as treat dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark circles. Used on hair, it combats problems such as dull or dry hair, dandruff, hair loss, and premature graying.
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Cucumbers
Used in several beauty products on the market today, cucumbers are rightfully recognized as a food for our skin—they contain elements that help our skin maintain its elasticity, further preventing the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Due to their undoubted ability to moisturize and repair our skin, they have found use in a multitude of remedies to treat dry skin, reduce the appearance of freckles or blemishes, heal sun-damaged skin, as well as restore the radiance to a dark or dull complexion. Cucumber juice also has a very cooling effect on our skin; when applied, it tightens our pores, acting as an effective, yet gentle, toner. On the other hand, it possesses mild astringent properties that qualify it as an excellent cleanser as well. These two attributes enable it to be successfully used in remedies to treat oily skin, which, in turn, prevents the occurrence of pimples and acne. The use of cucumbers in remedies also helps to soothe tired eyes, reduce the puffiness around eyes, and rectify dark circles. Like carrots and potatoes, the benefits of cucumbers lie in their skin—they are the most effective when used unpeeled.
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Cumin Powder
Cumin powder is commonly known for its culinary uses. Applied externally, however, it makes an effective remedy for pimples, acne, and blemishes due to its rich content of thymol, a substance that possesses antiseptic properties.
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Curry Leaves
Highly aromatic, this ingredient is known to many for its extensive use in Indian cuisine. However, it has also proven its effectiveness in preventing premature graying—curry leaves possess remarkable properties that restore the vitality in our hair follicles, the tiny sacs under our skin in which our hair is formed, enabling them to stimulate their production of a pigment called melanin. (This pigment is the primary determinant of hair and skin color, and the presence of increased amounts of melanin in our follicles, translates to darker hair color. Conversely, when our bodies reduce or stop the production of this pigment, our hair becomes colorless, a term more commonly known as gray hair.) While fresh curry leaves have a short shelf life, you can preserve them for a longer period by storing them in your freezer.
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Desiccated Coconut
Desiccated coconut is none other than dehydrated and shredded white coconut meat. It is primarily known for its culinary uses; however, its coarse texture also makes it a very effective exfoliant—when used for this purpose, desiccated coconut gently sloughs off any dead cells on the surface of our skin, while yet immensely nourishing and conditioning it.
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Eggs
Eggs contain Vitamin E and other antioxidants, which are very essential for healthy skin and hair. Both the egg white and the yolk provide our skin and hair with nourishment. Egg whites are known to tighten pores, and are therefore regarded as a good skin toner, especially if you have oily skin; this, in turn, helps them prevent clogged pores and the subsequent formation of blackheads. Furthermore, the ability of egg whites to tighten our pores enables them to aid in treating oily hair, reducing the puffiness around our eyes, and minimizing the appearance of lines on our neck. One of the proteins contained in them also possesses antiseptic properties, making egg whites effective in remedies for pimples, acne, blemishes, and sunburn. Egg yolks, on the other hand, are a potent conditioner—they contain a substance known as lecithin, which lends our skin and hair moisture and radiance; they are therefore used to enrich facemasks and shampoos. They are very versatile and have found use in a multitude of remedies to effectively treat dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, dull or dry hair, dandruff, and hair loss.
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Eggplant
The eggplant contains antioxidants, the presence of which makes it effective as an aid when used in remedies to reduce the appearance of freckles.
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Fuller’s Earth
Rich in minerals, fuller’s earth is known for its ability to absorb impurities from our skin. Due to this attribute, it makes an excellent deep-cleansing remedy for oily skin. Used with other ingredients to form clay masks, it effectively combats pimples, acne, and blemishes. Furthermore, similar to sandalwood powder, fuller’s earth is very cooling for our skin; its use in remedies not only treats sunburn, but also reduces the appearance of freckles, which are triggered by exposure to the sun. (Note: Use only the cosmetic grade of fuller’s earth, which is commonly classified on its label using terms such as “100% Pure,” “Sterilized,” and “High Quality Fine Grade Powder.”)
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Glycerin
Glycerin is a humectant—it attracts moisture to our skin, and then helps our skin to retain that moisture, leaving it feeling soft and supple. It is a gentle and skinloving ingredient. For these very reasons, it is used as a base in many commercial lotions and creams—it successfully treats dry skin, restores the radiance to a dull complexion, relieves the pain caused by sunburn, prevents premature aging, and even minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and lines on our neck. Used on hair, it effectively restores the luster in dull or dry hair.
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Gooseberry Oil or Powder
Extremely rich in Vitamin C, gooseberry makes a very effective hair tonic. It is used in remedies to cure a multitude of hair and scalp-related problems, such as dull or dry hair, dandruff, and hair loss. Furthermore, its use strengthens our strands and promotes hair growth. This sour fruit also makes an excellent remedy for premature graying—it possesses the ability to stimulate the production of a pigment called melanin in our hair follicles, the tiny sacs under our skin in which our hair is formed. (This pigment is the primary determinant of hair and skin color, and the presence of increased amounts of melanin in our follicles, translates to darker hair color. Conversely, when our bodies reduce or stop the production of this pigment, our hair becomes colorless, a term more commonly known as gray hair.)
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Gram Flour
Commonly referred to as chickpeas or garbanzo beans, grams contain a high amount of protein. Their flour is very versatile in nature and is used in remedies for both our skin and hair. Used on skin, gram flour aids in reversing a dry or dull complexion, leaving it soft and radiant. It is also effectively used in remedies to clear our skin of blackheads, pimples, acne, and blemishes. Furthermore, it is employed with other ingredients to hamper the growth of unwanted facial hair, fix any instances of uneven pigmentation, and reduce the appearance of dark circles and lines on our neck. Used on hair, gram flour aids in fighting dandruff, strengthening brittle hair, and restoring the shine in dull or dry hair.
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Grapes (Green) or Grape Juice
Green grapes contain silica, a vital mineral used by our bodies to maintain the healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. This affords them their ability to repair and revive our skin cells—they are therefore effective when used in remedies to treat dry skin, further minimizing the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, the acid contained in grape juice qualifies it as a gentle, but effective, astringent; its use is known to aid in clearing troubled skin of pimples, acne, and blemishes.
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Henna
Used on our hair, henna performs two simultaneous functions—it colors, and it conditions. As a natural source of color, henna imparts a rich, brownish-red color to black or brunette hair. As a conditioner, henna revives dull or dry hair or softens normal hair by sealing each cuticle, thus locking in our natural oils. This very ability to condition allows henna to promote a healthy scalp, not only reducing hair loss, but, on the contrary, inducing hair growth. (Note: Always use only natural henna on your hair; commercially produced henna that comes in a range of colors contains chemicals and dyes that may harm your skin and hair.)
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Honey
Well-known by our ancestors for its nourishing benefits, honey has been used as a natural beauty aid for centuries. It contains silica, a vital mineral used by our bodies to maintain the healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails. It is therefore very effective when used in remedies to treat dark circles, as well as brittle nails. Like glycerin, honey is a humectant as well—it attracts moisture to our skin, and then helps our skin to retain that moisture, helping us attain a supple and radiant complexion. This attribute also enables it to successfully treat dry skin, further preventing or reducing the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, honey possesses antibacterial properties that promote the healing of pimples, acne, scars, and blemishes. All in all, due to each one of its restorative properties, this ingredient validates its use in just about any remedy.
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Lemon
Loaded with Vitamin C, the ever-versatile lemon is highly regarded for its ability to be used in a multitude of remedies for both our skin and hair. Due to its high content of natural acid, its juice effectively dissolves any excess deposits on the surface of our skin and hair, qualifying it as a potent, antiseptic astringent—it is especially effective when used on oily skin to restore its moisture balance—it cleans out any clogged pores, therefore making an excellent remedy for blackheads, pimples, and acne. As a natural bleaching agent for our skin, lemon juice lightens our complexion, as well as reduces the appearance of blemishes, freckles, and dark circles, and the occurrence of uneven pigmentation; it can also be used on our nails to reduce any discoloration. Used on hair, this fruit has proven itself effective in treating dandruff and oily hair, as well as restoring the luster to dull or dry hair by cleansing it of any shampoo or styling product build-up. It is further known to successfully prevent any occurrences of hair loss and premature graying because of its ability to cleanse out any blocked pores on our scalp, thereby enabling a better absorption of vital nutrients by our hair roots. This very ability also allows lemon juice to promote a more rapid healing when used on our skin to treat fine lines and wrinkles, dry skin, and hardened or cracked skin on the soles of our feet.
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Lentils (Green)
Green lentils are loaded with protein. A coarsely ground, green lentil facemask provides immense nourishment to our skin, while its texture qualifies it as an excellent exfoliating scrub.
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Milk
Milk is one of the most inexpensive anti-wrinkle treatments that money can buy! It contains lactic acid, which is a pure indulgence for dry or depleted skin—this nourishing quality allows it to be effectively used in remedies to not only attain a smooth and radiant complexion, but also prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Milk is very cooling and soothing for our skin, and is therefore also used in a multitude of remedies to soothe tired and puffy eyes, treat sunburn, as well as cure pimples and acne. Used with other ingredients, milk is further known to lighten our complexion, fix any occurrences of uneven pigmentation, and reduce the appearance of dark circles and blemishes. It makes an effective cleanser, without robbing our skin of its natural oils.
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Mint Leaves (Fresh)
Primarily known for its culinary uses, mint is, however, also very commonly found as an ingredient in a wide variety of skincare products that promote themselves to be “cooling” for our skin. Mint leaves possess antibacterial properties that qualify them as a mild antiseptic; used in remedies with other ingredients, they lend our skin a healthy glow, as well as reduce, if not eliminate, pimples, acne, blemishes, dark circles, and instances of uneven pigmentation. Their juice makes an effective cleanser and toner for our skin, (including that on our scalp)—its use is therefore also known to successfully combat oily hair.
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Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is potent and has a heating effect; when used on our skin (including that on our scalp), it not only infuses moisture, but also stimulates the circulation of blood—it is therefore very effective for treating both dandruff and hair loss. Additionally, it possesses antibacterial properties that enable it to aid in curing any cracks or fissures that form on the soles of our feet.
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Neem Oil or Powder
Neem oil makes an excellent remedy for hair and scalp-related problems—its use not only infuses shine, but also strengthens our hair roots and strands by infusing moisture, allowing it to successfully aid in fighting occurrences of dandruff and hair loss. Used in either form, neem is also highly effective in replenishing the moisture in our skin—it not only leaves it feeling soft and supple, but also lends it a healthy glow. This ingredient further possesses cooling properties and is used as an aid in remedies to clear troubled skin of pimples and their accompanying blemishes.
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Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It is used in remedies for both our skin and hair. Used on skin, it demonstrates its ability to heal by soothing and repairing dry, sore, or inflamed skin—it is just as effective on the delicate skin around our eyes, as it is on the tough skin on the soles of our feet. Olive oil is further known for its ability to revitalize a dull complexion; it does so by infusing the skin with immense moisture. This very attribute also allows it to demonstrate its effectiveness when used to treat hair and scalp-related problems, such as dandruff, dry hair, and hair loss. Additionally, this ingredient treats brittle nails by nourishing them, thereby restoring their strength.
Oranges
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Papaya
The use of papaya in skincare remedies has proven to be both preventative and restorative. Especially rich in enzymes that dissolve any dead cells on the surface of our skin, this fruit is very effective when used as a cleanser. If you think that its seeds serve no purpose, think again! Crushed papaya seeds not only make an excellent exfoliant, but are also known to possess properties that help minimize the fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage. Furthermore, the papaya is rich in vitamins that nourish and replenish our skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. It is also used in a wide variety of remedies to lend radiance to a dull complexion, balance oily skin, and reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation. (Note: Due to its rich content of enzymes, make sure that you limit the use of any mask that contains either papaya or its juice to no more than 5–10 minutes.)
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Pineapples or Pineapple Juice
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, pineapples make an excellent skin softener. Their use revitalizes dull and dry skin, especially that on coarse areas, such as our knees, elbows, and heels. Pineapple juice is high in acid content; it is therefore effective when used as an astringent on our skin to dissolve dirt, oil, and bacteria—it is ideal for skin that is troubled by pimples and acne. Furthermore, the rich acid content in pineapple juice also stimulates our skin brilliantly, making it effective when used in remedies to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
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Potatoes
Potatoes contain a number of important vitamins and minerals. Used externally, they help restore the moisture balance in oily skin, thus preventing the subsequent occurrence of pimples and acne. They are also effective when used in remedies to lighten a dark or dull complexion and reduce the appearance of scars or blemishes, freckles, and dark circles. Furthermore, the starch contained in them possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which allows them to aid in reducing the puffiness around our eyes. Like carrots and cucumbers, the benefits of potatoes lie in their skin—they are the most effective when used unpeeled.
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Rosewater
Distilled from rose petals, this floral water possesses mild astringent properties—so mild, in fact, that it has instead found use as a gentle, but amazingly restorative, toner. It also possesses the tremendous ability to cool and soothe. Furthermore, as its name suggests, rosewater is the gateway to petal-soft skin. With all these attributes combined, rosewater validates its use in just about any remedy for our skin. (Note: Use only the 100% pure form of rosewater, which does not contain any preservatives. Also, if possible, store your rosewater in the refrigerator—used cold on our skin, it is extrarefreshing. If you have an ice-cube tray at home, make ice-cubes using this floral water; use these in place of your over-the-counter toner.)
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Salt (Table)
Over and above being a critical ingredient in our food, salt has proven its usefulness even when used externally on both our skin and hair. It possesses powerful antibacterial properties and has been recognized for its ability to heal by drawing out impurities from our skin. A water-soak with salt helps soothe tired feet, as well as soften and disinfect hardened soles. Furthermore, salt is used in remedies to reduce the bags or any puffiness under our eyes. Due to its texture, it also makes an effective exfoliant for our skin. Used with other ingredients on hair, salt aids in reducing the occurrence of dandruff.
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Sandalwood Powder
Known for its sensual, woody aroma, sandalwood powder is a proven healer of stubbornly oily skin. This, in turn, allows it to prevent the formation of blackheads, pimples, acne, and blemishes. Like rosewater, sandalwood powder possesses tremendous cooling properties, to the extent that it makes a very effective, natural substitute for over-the-counter foot powders that are available for foot perspiration. Furthermore, used on dry or cracked skin on the soles of our feet, this ingredient relieves itching and inflammation. It is also known for its remarkable ability to tone and condition our skin; its use in remedies helps us attain soft and supple skin.
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Sesame Oil or Seeds
Abundant in vitamins and minerals, sesame has been used for thousands of years by people around the world. It is primarily known for its culinary uses; however, it has also been found to demonstrate extraordinary healing powers when used externally. Used in either form, this ingredient possesses antioxidant properties that aid in slowing down the process of aging. In analyzing beneficial oils for skincare, sesame oil ranks high among other popular oils such as Vitamin E, coconut, and almond, because of its unique ability to be easily absorbed by our skin, thereby immensely nourishing it and stimulating and detoxifying even its deepest layers. Its use has therefore also been known to effectively combat dry skin, revive a dull complexion, treat pimples and acne, and fade the appearance of blemishes, dark circles and instances of uneven pigmentation.
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Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many commercial acne creams. They therefore make a very effective remedy for skin that is troubled by pimples and acne. Mashed to a pulp, this fruit makes an excellent exfoliant for our skin, leaving it refreshed, conditioned, and toned.
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Sugar
Like glycerin and honey, sugar is a humectant as well—it attracts moisture to our skin, and then helps our skin to retain that moisture. Due to its coarse texture, it is very effective as an exfoliant—a scrub made using sugar granules both soothes and moisturizes as it sloughs off any dead cells on the surface of our skin.
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Tomatoes or Tomato Juice
Tomatoes contain one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, lycopene, which possesses the ability to be easily absorbed by our skin. They are further abundant in natural acids, which allows their juice to act as an excellent astringent—it cleanses out our pores by extracting any excess dirt and oil from them, and is especially effective when used on oily skin to restore its moisture balance. Their rich acid content also stimulates our skin brilliantly, allowing tomato juice to effectively treat fine lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, tomatoes act as a great toner as well—they refine our pores and refresh our skin. They are effectively used in remedies to reduce the appearance of freckles or dark circles, lighten a dark or dull complexion, and help our skin attain a radiant glow.
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Turmeric Powder
Primarily known for its culinary uses, turmeric powder is also referred to as a Miracle Spice due to its tremendous healing power when used externally. It possesses powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and also contains curcumin, a compound that is considered to be a potent antioxidant. It is successfully used to treat split or fissured skin on the soles of our feet. Furthermore, over the centuries, due to its versatility, turmeric powder has been used with other ingredients in a multitude of remedies to cure pimples and acne, restore the radiance in a dark or dull complexion, reduce the appearance of blemishes or dark circles and any instances of uneven pigmentation, and reduce, if not eliminate, unwanted facial hair. All in all, this spice has earned an undisputable reputation for its ability to cure a vast range of imperfections in our skin.
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Vinegar
Due to its high acid content, vinegar is known for its ability to effectively dissolve any excess deposits on the surface of both our skin and hair. Used on skin, it reduces scaling and peeling, (including that on our scalp)—it is therefore effective in remedies to treat the occurrence of dandruff. Used on hair, it further aids in neutralizing oily hair and cleansing our strands of any build-up caused by shampoo and styling products, thereby exposing their natural sheen. Vinegar also acts as a stimulant when applied, promoting the circulation of blood; it is effective when used on our skin to relieve the stinging sensation caused by sunburn. (Note: In employing this ingredient in any remedy, make sure that you use a high-quality apple cider vinegar. Also, when using it in any hair-related remedies, bear in mind that vinegar adds highlights to brunette hair.)
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Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that binds environmental toxins in our skin and promotes cell respiration; it is therefore recognized for its ability to prevent or reduce the appearance of dark circles and age spots. Vitamin E oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties; used on skin, it not only soothes, but also moisturizes, leaving our skin feeling soft and supple. It is especially effective when used to treat the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as dry or sun-damaged skin, but is also used to reduce the puffiness around eyes. (Note: When employing this ingredient in your remedies, you can either use separately-bought Vitamin E oil or Vitamin E capsules—any potency is okay. If you choose to use the latter, simply prick or cut open a capsule and squeeze out its contents.)
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Watermelon
Watermelon contains concentrated amounts of one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, lycopene, which possesses the ability to be easily absorbed by our skin. This fruit also possesses mild astringent properties. Combined, these attributes allow watermelon juice to act as an excellent cleanser when used in remedies to treat clogged pores and blackheads, as well as pimples, acne, and blemishes. Additionally, due to its high water content, watermelon is tremendously cooling for our skin, which allows its juice to act as an effective skin toner as well. This fruit further contains vitamins that enable it to nourish and condition our skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.
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Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour is rich in its content of fiber; this, in turn, contributes to its texture, allowing it to act as an effective exfoliant. Used with other ingredients, it aids in the removal of unwanted facial hair. This ingredient also contains Vitamin E; its use, therefore, has a rejuvenating effect on our skin.
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Yogurt (Plain)
Rich in its content of vitamins and minerals, yogurt is extremely versatile as a beauty aid—it is used in a multitude of remedies for both our skin and hair. It possesses tremendous cooling properties; its use on skin shrinks large pores, thereby discouraging any dirt and oil from depositing in them—this, in turn, prevents the formation of blackheads. It is abundant in lactic acid, and therefore also aids in reducing the appearance of dark circles and blemishes, as well as any instances of uneven pigmentation. Yogurt possesses antibacterial properties, which further allows its use on our skin to aid in healing occurrences of pimples and acne. Used on hair in combination with other ingredients, it is known to cure dandruff, strengthen brittle hair, and prevent premature graying and hair loss. Its use infuses moisture in dry or dull hair and skin, leaving both feeling nourished. (Note: When using this ingredient in any remedy, always use plain yogurt. Also, when using it in any hair-related remedies, allow it to warm to room temperature before you apply it—applying cold yogurt could cause a headache.)