Never forget the sunscreen Select a sunscreen with SPF of at least 20. The sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure, to allow it time to be absorbed by the skin. It should be reapplied if you are in the sun for longer than an hour. The harmful effects of the sun increase when you are near water bodies and snow (as they reflect the sun's radiation). Therefore, it becomes all the more important to protect the skin and re-apply the sunscreen after 20 to 30 minutes.

Scrub Ground almonds (badaam) make a good facial scrub. Soak the almonds in hot water till the skin comes out easily. Then allow them to become totally dry. Grind them into a powder, making sure to follow absolute hygiene and cleanliness. Keep this powder in an airtight jar. Every morning, add a little curd or cold milk to two teaspoons of the powder and rub the mixture gently on the skin. Wash it off with water. Mixing rice powder with curd and using it as a scrub helps people with oily skin.

Cleansing and skin lightening mask Mix cucumber and papaya pulp with one teaspoon of curd, one teaspoon of honey, four teaspoons of oatmeal and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on face and neck and wash it off after half an hour. Do this twice a week.

Moisturiser and toner Mix two tablespoons cucumber juice, one tablespoon each of lemon juice and rose water, with one teaspoon of pure glycerine. Apply the mixture on your face and arms. Wash off after 20 minutes. This lightens your skin colour while toning and moisturising the skin.

Source: Times of India

BDST: 1333 HRS, AUG 16, 2015
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor