Beauty products you can make yourself

Homemade antiperspirants

BAKING POWDER

Add a teaspoon of water (enough to get it wet) to a teaspoon of baking soda. Put this in a bottle and store in refrigerator, and it will last you for a week. Before use, if required add a few drops of water and apply underarms. You’ll find that it acts as an effective antiperspirant agent, and keeps foul body odour away. Alternatively, you could also dust off baking like powder.

However, the flipside to using baking soda is that you can’t use it if you’re wearing a sleeveless shirt or dress, as it is likely to leave a white residue.

ROSEWATER

Pour some rosewater onto a cotton wool and apply underarms. This one works wonders to keep you sweat free and also lets out a mellow fragrance. Try it today!

Natural skincare

Homemade facial cleanser

HONEY+LIME

Brighten your skin naturally with this. Mix four teaspoons of honey and a teaspoon of lime juice. Pour this mixture into an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator. Pour some onto your palm and apply evenly onto your face, arms or any other part of your body you want to brighten. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water. This also works as a good facial cleanser.

GRAM FLOUR

Say goodbye to that expensive face-wash. Mix a teaspoon of gram flour and a teaspoon of milk or curd. Apply on face, rub gently and wash off with warm water. Voila, soft, clean skin is yours.

Home-made face scrub 

GREEN-GRAM POWDER

Dry roast four teaspoons of green-gram dal and coarsely grind it in a mixer grinder. Store in jar. Before use, add a few drops of milk and lime and use as a facial scrub. This one gently exfoliates your skin, removing dirt, grime and dead cells. Use it twice a week before going to bed. Follow it up with one of our do-it-yourself facemasks (Coming up soon).

OATMEAL

Coarsely grind oatmeal, mix milk and honey and use it to exfoliate your skin. This works well for dry, damaged skin. Try it today!

Health Benefits

 TOMATOES - Some benefits attributed to eating the tomato included a strengthened immune system, better heart health, the neutralizing of free radicals and safeguarding of disease (including cancer) and the prevention of blood clots.

NUTS - Eating foods rich in these fats can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. As well as their heart benefits, nuts are also a great source of protein and are packed with fibre, antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals.

BEANS - Studies have found that beans are not only excellent weight-loss and energy foods, but they are a great source of antioxidants, protein and nutrients (such as iron, manganese and B vitamins). Beans are also an excellent source of soluble fibre, which can help to reduce cholesterol, stabilise blood sugar and improve the digestive system, while a study by scientists at the University College of London showed that beans can also help prevent cancer.

BEETROOT - Various studies have suggested that drinking beetroot juice can improve stamina when exercising, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve heart health and liver function, reduce risk of dementia, and fight against cancer. The versatile vegetable is also a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which is important for tissue growth and repair, and folate, which helps to reduce the risk of birth defects in unborn babies, as well as helping to prevent anaemia.

 

ONION - Studies have suggested that both onions and garlic can help lower cholesterol, while findings published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that onions could help lower blood pressure. Onions and garlic also have antiviral and antibacterial properties, so can help to fight against bacteria and illness in the body,

 

Berries -They super healthy fruits are extremely high in antioxidants and have many individual health benefits, including the ability to help prevent dementia (blackcurrants and boysenberries), fight off colon cancer (blueberries), improve vision (bilberries) and ward off urinary tract infections (cranberries).

OATS -  helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and benefit the digestive system. Oats are also a great source of slow release energy, meaning that they will keep you feeling full and active for longer.

DARK LEAFY GREEN - Some of the reputed health benefits of eating your greens include lowered blood pressure, improved eye health and a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Oily fish - such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout - are renowned for their health benefits when eaten in moderation (between two and four portions a week). Not only are they a great source of vitamins and minerals - including immune-boosting vitamins A and D - but they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These super healthy unsaturated fatty acids have many health benefits, having been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease, brain damage, stroke, dementia and prostate cancer. Research findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology also suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can benefit eye health by halting the progress of age-related macular degeneration.