Homemade Face Masks for Acne and Blackheads

Homemade face masks for acne and blackheads are surprisingly effective. They may succeed where everything else has failed. They are very easy to make and can be made from the ingredients available off the shelf. Several recipes for face masks are available to get rid of acne and blackheads

Cucumber

Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumber is rich in silica. Silica is very good for the health of the skin. It is used in the manufacture of several skincare products.

The benefits of cucumber are too numerous to enumerate. It is an excellent moisturizer and hydrates the skin. It also softens, cools and relaxes the skin

Cucumber Yogurt Facemask

Yogurt exfoliates the skin.  Cucumber and yogurt are an excellent combination to get rid of acne and blackheads. They moisturize the skin and open up the clogged pores and get rid of all the dirt and oil from the skin.

Recipe

1 Cucumber

½ cup of Greek yogurt

1 tbsp of milk powder

Cut cucumber into pieces and remove all the seeds. Put it in a blender. Add yogurt and milk powder. Make a thick paste.

Wash your face. Spread the paste evenly on the face and neck keeping clear of the eye area.

 Wash it off after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Cucumber Aloe Vera Facemask

Aloe Vera is very food for skincare. The combination of Aloe Vera and cucumber makes an excellent remedy for acne, blackheads and sunburn

Recipe

1 cucumber

4 tsp of Aloe Vera gel

Peel cucumber and cut it into pieces. Remove the seeds. Add Aloe Vera gel and mash it well with a fork till it becomes a paste.

Apply the paste to your face and spread it evenly. Wash it off with cold water after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Honey Face Mask

Honey has anti-microbial properties. It cleans up the clogged pores of the skin and kills the microbes to get rid of acne. I also helps to soften the skin make it glow. Just take 2 tbsp of honey and spread it on your face and neck with your fingers. Make sure that you use raw honey. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

Application of honey face mask on a regular basis 2-3 times a week will help you to get rid of acne and blackheads. As honey is an anti-oxidant, it also helps to get rid of wrinkles.

Milk, honey, yogurt and lemon face mask

2 tbsp of milk powder

2 tbsp of honey

2 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp of lemon juice

Mix it together and make a paste

Citric acid contained by lemon clears up the clogged pores of the skin. Yogurt softens the skin. Honey not only opens the pores but also kills the microbes. Together they make a very good recipe to get rid of acne and blackheads

Apply the paste obtained by mixing the above ingredients and wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process at least thrice a week

Oatmeal Face Mask

Oatmeal face mask helps to remove the dead cells as it has exfoliating properties. It also soaks up the excess oil clogging the pores and opens them up.

Using Oatmeal

Boil half a cup of oatmeal in water and allow it to cool. The resulting paste should be spread on the face and neck.  Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes and pat the face dry with a towel. Repeat it several times a week. It helps to get rid of acne and blackheads.

Oat meal can also be mixed with baking soda, egg white or tomato for the face mask.

Turmeric Face Mask

Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to remove acne and blackheads.

The ingredients

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp of milk

Mix the ingredients together and make a paste. Apply it to your face and wait for 20 minutes. Wash it off after 30 minutes when the skin begins to feel tight.

These are some of the recipes for homemade face mask to get rid of acne and blackheads.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Methods to Get Rid of Throat Pain    
                                                                                                                                                                         Salt water gargle, apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey are some of the home remedies for sore throat.
                                                                                                                                                               

When you have a sore throat you feel extremely uncomfortable. You experience throat pain and difficulty to swallow. Some of the major causes of sore throat are virus, bacteria or fungus. A variety of illnesses like laryngitis, pharyingitis, and tonsillitis can also cause sore throat. It is a very common problem. Several home remedies for sore throat are available.

Salt Water Gargle

Salt water gargle very common home remedy for sore throat. Add a tbsp of common salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle this once every two hours. Salt is a disinfectant and warm water helps to get rid of phlegm in the throat.

Turmeric and Milk

Turmeric and milk is another good home remedy for sore throat. You can add a tbsp of turmeric and honey to hot water and drink it quickly. The water should be sufficiently hot but should not singe your throat. You can drink this 3-4 times a day.

Licorice Root

Tea made from licorice root has been used as home remedy for sore throat for a long time. Add 5 gm of licorice root to a glass water and boil it. Drink it several times a day. Licorice root helps to soothe the mucous membranes of the throat. It also has the properties of an expectorant and helps ease the symptoms of cough and congestion.

Cinnamon and Milk

Take a glass of milk and add

1 tsp of honey

1 tbsp of sugar

2 pinches of baking soda

Boil the mixture. And drink it when it is hot but not hot enough scald to your throat.

Instead of baking soda Cinnamon can be added to the combination of milk, sugar and honey. It is also very effective in providing relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Take a glass of water. Heat it till it become warm. Add

1 tsp Powdered black pepper

2 tsp Honey

2 tsp Apple cider vinegar

You can gargle with this liquid once every 2 hours till you get rid of the sore throat.

Ginger tea

Ginger is a very good remedy for sore throat. Take a glass of water. Add

4 slices of fresh ginger

1 tbsp of honey

1 tsp of lemon juice

Boil the water. You can drink the concoction several times a day or use it for gargling.

Slippery Elm

Slippery elm bark is another good home remedy for sore throat. Slippery elm is a tree that grows in North America. The bark of the tree can be powdered and added to water.  Drinking this liquid helps to soothe the inflammation of the mucous membranes.

All these remedies are quite safe and effective. Avoid smoking when you have sore throat. Also avoid cold food and drinks. You should have plenty of rest which helps to fight infection. Even if you are on antibiotics these home remedies will help to speed up the healing process.

These are some of the home remedies for sore throat. 

Homemade Shampoo Recipes to Grow Hair Faster Naturally

It is necessary to wash hair regularly to keep it clean and healthy. Homemade shampoos with natural ingredients not only help to clean your hair but also promote hair growth. People who sweat more have to wash hair more frequently than others. Washing hair thrice a week is considered sufficient. Some of the important ingredients that are used in homemade shampoo recipes are aloe vera, lemon grass,olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Homemade shampoo helps the hair to grow faster naturally. Homemade shampoos will not be as thick as the ones available commercially in the market. Washing hair with commercially available shampoos may damage hair as they contain harmful chemical ingredients.

 Lemon Grass : Wikimedia Commons

Some of the recipes for homemade shampoo to grow hair faster are

Recipe 1

Distilled water  -    Half cup

Castile soap      -   Half cup

Jojoba oil          -   One tablespoon

Rosemary  oil    -   6 tablespoons

Lemon grass      -  One teaspoon

Tree tea oil        -  4 tablespoons

Boil distilled water. Add rosemary and lemongrass and allow it to cool. Then add all the other ingredients and stir it well. Store the shampoo in air tight containers. It can be used any time.

Recipe 2 

Homemade Aloe Vera Shampoo 

Aloe Vera can be used for the preparation of homemade shampoo. Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer. It is a very good treatment for dry and dull hair. It is also a very good remedy for dandruff. When applied to the scalp it can treat a variety of scalp problems including inflammation. It has excellent nourishing properties, which can make the hair silky and smooth. Aloe Vera shampoo can be prepared at home with natural ingredients. This makes it safe to be used daily.

- 2 cups of distilled water

- 150 gms (5 oz) of Castile soap

- 2 Table spoons of Aloe Vera gel

- 4-5 Tablespoons of an essential oil

- 60 Gms (2oz) of herbs

Rosemary, calendula, nettle, lemon, lavender or mint are among the herbs that can be used. Some of the essential oils that can be used are tree tea, jojoba or chamomile.

Add all these ingredients and mix it well and store it in a container. It can be used any time you want to.

Recipe 3

Homemade Shampoo for oily hair

Proper mixture of herbs, essential oils and soap base are essential for any homemade shampoo. An astringent has to be added to these ingredients to make shampoo suitable for oily hair. Astringent washes off the excessive oil. Lemon juice is a natural astringent.

Add 15 grams of dried sage or dried mint to boiling water and strain this. Add this liquid to the following

- Two cups of distilled water

- 2 tsp of lemon juice

- 25 drops of essential oil (tree tea, jacoba or chamomile)

- Half a cup of castile liquid soap

Mix all these ingredients well and store it an airtight container.

Recipe 4

Homemade Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Dandruff is excessive dead skin cells from the scalp. Many people have dandruff periodically. Some people have it right through their lives. People of any age can be affected by dandruff. Natural homemade shampoo can help to remove the dandruff from the scalp and reduce its occurrence.

Add 2 tablespoons of stinging nettle to water and boil it. Strain it after it cools.

Add half a cup apple cider vinegar

Add half a cup of castile soap

Mix it well and apply it to your scalp and wash it off after 30 minutes.  

Recipe 5

Olive Oil Shampoo

Olive oil prevents hair loss and aids hair growth. It is an excellent moisturizer. It is a very good remedy for dry hair

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 tablespoon of liquid castile soap

1 teaspoon of lavender of chamomile oil

Add these ingredients to a cup of water and boil it. Strain the resulting liquid after it cools and use it.

To Stop Hair Loss

Lemon juice and amla have been used for as a remedy to stop hair loss and promote hair growth over hundreds of years.

1teaspoon amla liquid

1 teaspoon lemon juice

½ cup of liquid castile soap

Mix these ingredients well and store it in bottles.

Pre-treatment before Shampooing

Before using any of these shampoos you can apply coconut oil to your scalp. You can wash it off with homemade shampoo after half an hour. You can also make a paste from coconut kernel and apply it your scalp before going to bed and wash it off with shampoo next morning

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
                                                                                                         Face moisturizers are essential to take good care of the facial skin. Skin loses moisture when exposed to the sun and cold weather.  People with all types of skin need to keep the skin hydrated. Moisturizers provide protection to the skin against environmental damage. Different types of skin need different moisturizers and levels of hydration. Moisturizer hydrates the skin. It makes it soft and glowing. A wide range of chemical based moisturizers are available in the market. Some of these chemicals could be harmful to the skin. The moisturizer has to keep the skin hydrated but should not block the pores. Skin absorbs the moisturizer. Several recipes of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin is given below.

Cucumber and Yogurt

Put a peeled cucumber and two tsp of yogurt in a blender. Cucumber soothes the skin and yogurt hydrates it. Apply the paste to the face and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Avocado and Honey

Avocado is a very good moisturizer. Put a peeled avocado in a blender till it becomes soft and smooth. Add two tsp of unprocessed honey. Wash your face and apply the mixture. Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes. 

Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Apple cider vinegar promotes a smooth and supple skin by removing the dirt and oil on the skin. It also removes the dead skin cells. Lemon exfoliates and lightens your skin complexion. Add quarter tsp of apple cider vinegar to a tsp of lemon juice. Mix it and apply it to your face with cotton. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Aloe Vera and Olive Oil

Extract gel from a large leaf of aloe vera plant. Mix it with a tsp of virgin olive oil. Use it morning and evening. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Banana and Honey

Mash a ripe banana. Add two tablespoons of honey and mix it will. Make it into a fine paste. Wash your face well and apply it. Wash it off after 30 minutes

Egg Yolk and Honey

Egg yolk and honey are an excellent combination for a moisturizer. Beat up an egg yolk and mix it with a tsp of honey.  Apply it to your face. Wash it off with warm water as it starts to dry. The skin will become smooth and soft.


Strawberry Moisturizer


Mash 4 strawberries with a fork. Add 1/2 tsp of olive oil and 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. Mix it well and make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and wash it off after 15 minutes.


Homemade moisturizers contain natural ingredients that are harmless and economical. You can choose the most convenient recipe of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin from the list above.


Glycerin Soap

Glycerin soap is much gentler on the skin than any other soap. Glycerin is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air). It helps to keep the skin hydrated always. it is very useful for dry skin.

How to Get Rid of Oily Skin Naturally

It is necessary to take good care of your skin. The type of skin you have could be due to hereditary factors. As you get older skin may start sagging and wrinkles may form. It is not possible to prevent the effects of ageing on skin. But it can be slowed down. Oily skin is less prone to damage by sun and formation of wrinkles. The natural oils are good for the skin. But if the body produces excess oil it is necessary to control it. A variety of products are available in the market for oily skin. But most of them contain harsh chemicals which may damage the skin in the long run. There are several products which help to get rid of the oily skin naturally.

Oily skin leads to the formation of acne and blackheads as dirt clogs up the skin pores.  It is necessary wash your face at least three times a day.  Water will open the skin pores clearing all dust and dirt.

Cucumber for Oily skin

Wikimedia Commons

Milk

Milk can be used to clean oily skin. Pour some milk to a bowl and add a few drops of lavender oil as a perfume. Mix it thoroughly and apply it to your face. Wash it off after an hour. It will open up the pores and clean the oil and dirt.

Almonds

Almonds are used for various skin treatments. Grind a few almonds add honey and mix it thoroughly. Gently apply the paste to your face. Wash it off after ten minutes with cold water.

Aloe Vera

Mix aloe vera with oatmeal and apply it to your skin. Wash it off after 15 minutes

Citrus Juice

Mix lemon and orange juice with honey and apply it to your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Cucumber

Make some cucumber pulp and mix it with lemon juice and apply it to your face. Cucumber is a natural toner. It also helps to clean the skin.

Avocado and egg white

Beat egg white thoroughly. Mash avocado and add it to egg white. Add some lime juice and put it in a blender. Apply the resultant mixture to your face. Your skin will become soft, oil free and smooth.

It is advisable to stop smoking. Stop consuming deep fried and oily food.  Excess of alcohol and caffeine drinks are also bad for oily skin. All these substances increase the production of oil in the body. It is necessary to keep the skin moist. Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. Your diet should include also plenty of fruit juices which keep the skin hydrated. Naturally hydrated skin will help to keep the excess oil out. Following the above methods will help to get rid of oily skin naturally.