The skin is our primary line of defense from the outside world. It is the most exposed and battered part of our bodies. But most of the time, we don’t really pay much attention to it, not until it starts weathering and aging way faster than we expected. From fine lines and wrinkles, down to the more dangerous skin cancer diseases, taking care of our skin should be something that we all should take seriously. And, as the cliche goes, prevention is always better than the cure.
Preventing skin damage is actually quite easy. Most of the problems with the skin is exposure to sun, dust, and other irritants. So it would be easy to deduce that in order to have healthy and beautiful skin, we should limit our exposure from these things. Unless of course, we all turn like the vampires in the Twilight series and have skin that is “marble white, the texture a million times smoother than human skin, [and] glistened ever so slightly”.
But hey, since I love my being a human, thank you very much, it would be better to explore a more human approach to skin care. And I am sure you too agree to that. So how do we do less damage to our skin? One of the first we need to remember is sun exposure. UV rays are extremely dangerous for our skin as it is a major risk factor from skin cancer. And if you are one who loves to be out on the sun, then you better take the necessary precautions. An example: if you are a beach lover, prior to going out for a day of sea and sand, be sure to stock up on sunblock, shades, hats, and whatever else to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.
However, you do not need to look far (and put a hole on your pocket and wallet) when looking for the right treatment for your skin. There are many natural ways that help in keeping your skin smooth, fair, and glowing. Even in ancient times, people had only used what nature has in maintaining a good skin regimen. They used plants, oils, and even food items that are readily available. Here are a few examples:
TURMERIC
Turmeric is not only a spice. It has a rich history that boasts of 4,000 years as a staple of Ayurvedic medicine in India. And modern research has proven that this root can be used for many health conditions. It has natural anti-inflammatory agents that can rival any over-the-counter pain medications. It is even touted to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
As a beauty product, turmeric helps in maintaining a balanced and fair skin tone. And its antioxidant and antiseptic properties can give a natural boost for your skin’s health. Turmeric can be used as a mask by mixing it with gram flour, which is from dried and ground chickpeas, and lemon juice. Leave it to dry on your skin for 20 minutes until it dries, before washing it off with warm water. Turmeric can also be mixed with milk cream. As with the mask, leave it on until it dries, and wash off with warm water.
PAPAYA
Papaya has natural whitening properties and is used as a natural bleaching product. It has papain and alpha hydroxy acids, which are enzymes that dissolve dead cells and impurities on the skin. You can even get natural fair skin just by eating the fruit, or by rubbing the inner part of the papaya skin and letting it dry before washing it off with cold water. You can also make a mask by smashing the papaya and mixing it with honey. Leave it on your skin for around 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water, and again with cold water.
LEMON
Lemons are rich in antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin. Its acidity is a natural bleach and it has a lot of vitamin C which is essential for cell production.You can easily use freshly squeezed lemon juice and use it as a toner. Leave it on for an hour before washing off with water. Or you can mix it up with milk and honey and put it on as a face mask. Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing off with water.
HONEY
Honey doesn’t spoil, and it has been used by humans for the longest time as a food source and as a beauty product. Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Poppaea Sabina, and even Hippocrates are known to have used honey for its wonderful benefits for the body. Here is a trivia: honey has the highest amount of naturally occurring antioxidants than any other naturally derived source. No wonder it is known as the food of the gods.
For skin care, honey is a natural bleach and moisturizer. It helps balance skin pigmentation and its antibacterial properties are good for treating acne. You can simply apply pure honey onto your skin for a time before rinsing it off with water. Do this as a daily skin care routine and you will see visible results in no time. You can also mix up honey with other ingredients like oats, papaya, turmeric, or lemon and make a mask.
OATS
Oatmeal is not just for a hearty breakfast. It has amazing healing, moisturizing and anti-oxidant properties, and is used on the skin for a variety of reasons. It has Saponin, which is good for sensitive and dry skin, and its emollient properties make it a good gentle moisturizer for skin that is suffering with eczema and psoriasis. Oats also has antipruritic properties that help relieve itching caused by a number of skin problems and irritations.
You can use oats on your skin by making an exfoliating dough with oats and tomato juice. Leave it on as a mask for around 20 minutes before washing off. Gently rub your skin afterwards in order to stimulate dead skin removal and new skin cell production. You can also mix it with lemon juice and turmeric for a more potent whitening mask.
Those are just five out of many other natural ingredients that can be used for skin care. It should be noted though that taking care of the skin is not only about having a lighter and fairer complexion. A healthy skin is not dependent on how light your skin tone is, as much as your beauty is never about how fair your complexion can become.
Author Bio:
Sarah Jacobs is an experienced writer who loves creating articles that can benefit others. She has worked as a freelance writer in the past making informative articles and fascinating stories. She has extensive knowledge in a variety of fields such as technology, business, finance, marketing, personal development, and more.