Have you heard of ‘Bleaching syndrome’? It is not a disease but a term used to describe the false belief that fair skin is beautiful and pretty.
The truth is a healthy and glowing skin is what adds charm to your personality, and it has nothing to do with your skin tone.
Every day our skin is exposed to harsh chemicals, harmful sun rays and pollution that leaches the skin radiance. To add on inadequate sleep, unhealthy diet, stressful lifestyle, smoking and drinking alcohol makes skin dull, tired and fastens the appearance of signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Most of the beauty products sold in the market claiming to make your skin glow are loaded with chemicals and so you cannot rely on them. To improve the health of your skin, we suggest you include home remedies for glowing skin to your everyday beauty routine.
Top Home Remedies For Glowing Skin
- Yoghurt- Yoghurt is rich in lactic acid, minerals, vitamins and probiotics. It is antimicrobial and keeps your skin hydrated and nourished. It is an ideal home remedy to get rid of tan and acne.
Yoghurt tightens the skin pores, exfoliates the dead skin cells and reduces fine line and wrinkles giving your skin a healthy glow.
What To Do
Take unsweetened yoghurt. Apply it your face and neck. Leave it to dry. Gently massage your face and rinse it off. Repeat this every alternate day.
You may also add a tablespoon cucumber juice or a few drops of lemon juice to 2 tablespoon yoghurt to make a yoghurt-cucumber/lemon suntan face pack.
- Turmeric- The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric is because of the compound curcumin. Curcumin fights free radical damage, keeps skin supple and promotes the production of collagen. Turmeric has been used since ages to get a radiant skin.
What To Do
To 2 tablespoon of gram flour add a pinch of turmeric. Add sufficient amount of raw milk to it to make a paste. Apply the paste over face, neck, hands and legs. Let it dry and then wash it with warm water. Repeat this once in a week.
- Lemon– Lemon is rich in citric acid exfoliates the skin and eliminates dead skin cells and impurities. It is rich in vitamin C, fights free radical damage and promotes the production of collagen.
What To Do
Squeeze a half lemon to extract its juice. To a teaspoon of lemon juice add an equal amount of almond oil. Mix the ingredients and apply to your face. After 15 minutes rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this every alternate day.
*You may also use coconut oil instead of almond oil.
Alternatively cut a lemon into two halves. Sprinkle sugar over one half. Scrub in a circular motion and leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it with warm water.
*Never apply lemon juice alone to your skin or it may cause your skin to dry. Also, avoid using lemon juice on your skin if you have pimples or it may cause the pimples to bleed.
* Always use fresh lemon juice.
- Egg- Egg yolk is rich in fat and water. It locks the skin moisture leaving your skin supple and soft. The nutrients such as good cholesterol, protein, zinc, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A present in egg yolk nourishes, hydrates, moisturizes the skin and slows the ageing process.
What To Do
Whip an egg and extract egg yolk. To the yolk add a teaspoon yoghurt. You may also add a one-fourth teaspoon avocado. Mix the ingredients to make a face pack. Apply the face pack to your skin using your fingertips to massage in an upward motion. After 5-10 minutes rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this once in a week.
Egg white has astringent properties. It shrinks the pores and tightens the skin.
What To Do
Separate egg yolk from egg white. With a cotton ball apply egg white to your face and neck. After 15 minutes, rinse it off and apply moisturizer.
If you have oily skin, add a teaspoon fullers earth to egg white. Mix the ingredients and use it as a face pack. Let it dry for 15 minutes and then wash it off.
- Tomato- Many cosmetic-product manufacturing companies use tomato extract to make face packs and face wash. Tomato bleaches the skin, eliminates impurities or dead skin cells and removes tan. Tomato is one of the natures skin brightening agents.
What To Do
Mash a tomato pulp. Add a teaspoon of oatmeal and a teaspoon of curd to it. Mix the ingredients and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After 15 minutes apply tomato-curd-oatmeal mask to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it off. Repeat this once in a week to get a radiant skin.
- Papaya- Papain present in ripe papaya acts as a mild exfoliator. It removes the uppermost dead skin cells rendering you a fresh and young look. Papaya removes excess of oil and dirt that causes acne. Being a natural bleaching agent papaya is known to lighten the scar.
What To Do
Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya. Mix teaspoon honey and a teaspoon sandalwood powder to it. Apply the paste to your face and neck and leave it to dry. Once the pack is dry, rinse it off with water. Repeat this at least once in a week.
- Walnuts- Walnuts are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. It removes impurities and is a natural exfoliator. It adds a glow to the dry and dull skin.
What To Do
Grind walnuts to make powder. To 2 tablespoon of walnut powder add two teaspoon yoghurt. Mix the ingredients to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to your face and let it dry for 15 minutes. Scrub the paste and rinse it off with water.
Use this pack once in a week.
Alternatively, you may also add sufficient amount of rose water to 2 teaspoons walnut powder. Leave it for a few hours and then use it as a facemask.
- Cucumber– Cucumber is a nature’s gift for the dull and dry skin. It is a natural astringent and antioxidant. It moisturizes and repairs the skin damage.
What To Do
Extract fresh cucumber juice. With the help of a cotton ball apply the cucumber juice to your face and neck. After 15-20 minutes rinse it off.
You may also mix cucumber juice and lemon juice in an equal amount and apply to your skin. Let it dry naturally and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this every day to get a glowing skin.
- Baking Soda- Baking Soda neutralises the skin pH and makes it tough for the acne-causing bacteria to thrive on the skin. It is a natural exfoliator, reduces inflammation and soothes the skin.
What To Do
Mix a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of baking soda and a half teaspoon honey. Apply this face pack. Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it off with cool water. This is followed by moisturizing your skin as usual. Repeat this once in a week.
- Aloe vera- Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It is a natural astringent, moisturizes the skin, heals scar and promotes the formation of new cells.
What To Do
Extract fresh gel of aloe vera leaf and apply the gel to your face using a cotton ball or your fingertips. Let it dry and then after 15 minutes rinse it off. Follow the once daily.
- Red lentils– Since decade red lentils have been used to add radiant to your skin. It removes suntan, unwanted facial hair, excess oil, acne, blemishes and dead skin cells. You may make a face pack, as well as a body, scrub with it to get a soft, smooth and glowing skin.
What To Do
Grind a cup of red lentil to make a powder. Store the red lentil powder in an airtight container and use it when required.
To make a face pack mix a tablespoon lentil powder and a tablespoon yoghurt. Wash your face and apply the pack. Once the pack dries off, scrub it in a circular motion for 30 seconds, and then rinse it off.
- Honey- Honey has hydrating property. It locks the moisture and supples the skin. Also, honey is a natural anti-bacterial and prevents acne. It makes skin healthy, soft and removes blemishes.
What To Do
Clean your skin and apply teaspoon honey. Leave it for 10 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
- Pineapple face pack– Pineapple is rich in bromelain that makes it a strong anti-ageing face pack and also moisturizes the skin.
What to Do
Blend a few pieces of ripe pineapple. Add a teaspoon gram flour, and two tablespoons rose water to it. Mix the ingredients and apply to your face. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
- Banana– Banana is rich in vitamin E, vitamin C and potassium. It moisturizes the skin and renders you a glowing skin.
What To Do
Take a half ripe banana and mash it. Add a teaspoon raw honey and a few drops of lemon juice to it. Apply this amazing face pack and after 20 minutes wash it off. Repeat this 1-2 times in a week.
- Fuller’s earth– Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti is a mineral-rich clay that has been used to get rid of acne and enhance beauty since ages.
What To Do
To 2 teaspoon of fullers earth, add sufficient amount of rose water or yoghurt to make a paste. Apply the pack to your face. Leave it to dry and then rinse it off.
- Coconut oil– If your skin is dull and dry, coconut oil will bring back the glow on your face. It hydrates the skin. Being rich in essential fatty acids it nourishes the skin. Phenolic compounds present in coconut oil makes it a potent antibacterial and renders it antioxidant properties.
What To Do
Warm up the coconut oil. The temperature should be bearable. Add a one-fourth teaspoon sugar to it. Use it as a scrub. Exfoliate your skin with it two times a week. Also, every day before going to the bed massage your face with a few drops of warm coconut oil till the oil is absorbed.
- Green Tea- Yes, the healthiest beverage, green tea not boosts body immunity but is also one of the best home remedies for glowing skin. It is rich in flavonoids, promotes the collagen production, fights free radical damage, delays ageing, maintain skin elasticity and makes the skin glow. Green tea can also reverse the signs of ageing.
What To Do
Steep a tablespoon of green tea in a cup of water for 10 minutes. You may also boil the leaves of green tea in water till they impart colour. Strain the concoction and separate two teaspoons of green tea in a bowl. To it add a teaspoon milk cream and a tablespoon brown sugar. Mix the ingredients and apply to your face. Massage gently for a few minutes and then wash it off with cold water. Repeat this once in a week.
- Coffee mask For Glowing Skin– Coffee mask sloughs dead skin cells, nourishes the skin and leaves you with radiant skin. It gives you instant smooth and brightens skin with results lasting for hours.
Coffee is rich in antioxidants and protects skin against the damage caused due to free radicals. Caffeine present in coffee promotes the blood flow to the skin. Also, it increases the production of elastin and collagen, prevents the loss of moisture and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
What To Do
To a half teaspoon of coffee, powder add a half teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to your skin. For a minute massage your face with it in circular motions and then leave it for 15 minutes. Rine the coffee mask with lukewarm water. Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
- Saffron- Since ancient times saffron is used to get a clear and glowing skin naturally. It is rich in anti-oxidant and keeps the skin healthy. Also, it protects skin from sun damage.
What To Do
To tablespoon honey add a few strands of saffron. Leave it for a few minutes and then apply to your face and neck. After 10 minutes rinse it off.
- Oats Face Pack For Glowing Skin- The grainy texture of oats makes it an amazing scrub. It is suitable for all skin type but is best for oily and pimple prone skin as it removes excess of oil and soothes skin inflammation. Oats also removes sun tan and soothes sunburn.
What To Do
To 2 tablespoons oatmeal add a tablespoon curd, a teaspoon honey and sufficient rose water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and neck. Massage for a few minutes and then leave it for 15-20 minutes. After 15-20 minutes wash it off. Repeat this once in a week.
Home remedies for glowing skin are natural and effective. But, we cannot end our article without sharing with you the biggest secret behind a radiant skin. Your skin reflects the health of mind and body. If you are happy and free from diseases, your skin glows from the inside out. So, eat nutritional foods (fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains) drink lots of water, take a sound sleep of 7-8 hours every night and de-stress yourself through yoga, meditation.
Best Foods For Glowing Skin
Nutrition is essential for healthy and glowing skin. Unhealthy diet slows metabolism, causes weight gain, damages body organs and affects your skin. What you eat has a significant effect on your all-over health and skin ageing. Below are the top 10 foods you need to include in your diet for healthy and glowing skin.
Top Foods For Glowing Skin
- Avocados: Avocado contain healthy fats that keep skin moisturized and flexible. Studies show that a high intake of healthy fats found in avocados makes skin springy and supple. Besides avocado contains a compound that protects the skin from sun damage. It is also a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical oxidative damage.
- Sunflower seeds – Sunflower seeds are the excellent source of nutrients that boost the health of skin. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, selenium, zinc and protein. Include sunflower seed in your daily diet to get a glowing skin.
- Sweet potatoes – Sweet potato is rich in beta carotene. Beta carotene is a provitamin A that can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Foods rich in beta carotene are sweet potato, carrot, oranges and leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene keeps your skin healthy and acts as natural sunblock. It is antioxidant and protects the skin cells from sun exposure and prevents dry, wrinkled skin and cell death.
- Green Tea: Green tea is rich in Catechin and tannin. These compounds improve the health of the skin and prevent sun damage. An experiment involving 60 females drinking green tea every day showed that green tea reduces the redness caused due to sun exposure and improves elasticity and thickness. It also keeps the skin moisturized.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and contain the compound lycopene. Lycopene is well-known to protect your skin against the sun damage. It prevents wrinkle and makes your skin glow.
- Broccoli: Broccoli contains vitamin C, vitamin A and Zinc. It has leutin, which is a carotenoid that works just like beta-carotene. It protects the skin from oxidative damage and prevents your skin from becoming wrinkled and dry. The florets of broccoli contain a compound sulforaphane that has an anti-cancer effect. It neutralizes free radicals, maintains the level of skin collagen and protects skin against sun damage.7. Walnuts: Walnuts are a good source of essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid. Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acid reduce inflammation. Walnuts also contain other essential nutrients such as zinc. Zinc is required for the skin barrier’s proper functioning, wound healing, and combat inflammation and bacterial invasion. Besides, it is also rich in selenium and vitamin E. Both the nutrients keep the skin healthy.
8. Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has a good antioxidant profile. It increases insulin sensitivity, reduces blood pressure, improves arterial elasticity and function. Dark chocolate contains flavanols. Flavanol is antioxidant that protects the skin from sun damage. The higher is coca content higher is flavanol content. Eat dark chocolates with at least 70% cocoa solids.
9. Fatty fish: Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and herring are excellent Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acid is essential to maintain skin health and keep skin supple, moisturized and thick. Deficiency of Omega 3 fatty acid makes skin dry skin. Also, Omega 3 fatty acid derived from fish reduces inflammation, acne and redness. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays and makes your skin less sensitive. Besides, fatty fish are also rich in vitamin E: an essential antioxidant for glowing skin.
10. Seafood – Seafood is a rich source of high-quality protein required to maintain the skin’s integrity and strength. Seafood contains zinc that regulates new cell production, reduces inflammation and maintains all-over skin health. Deficiency of zinc leads to skin inflammation and delays wound healing.
11. Bell pepper: Bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C required to produce collagen. Collagen is the protein that is responsible for keeping the skin healthy and firm. Red and yellow bell peppers are a rich source of vitamin A that fights free radical damage.
12. Soy – Soy contains isoflavones, a plant compound that mimics or blocks the hormone oestrogen in the body. Isoflavones benefit the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It improves skin elasticity, promotes collagen production and keeps skin healthy and smooth.
13. Flaxseeds – Flaxseeds maintain the blood insulin level and cholesterol level. Flaxseeds contain lignans that reduce blood sugar. Being a great source of Omega 3 fatty acid, it protects the skin from sun damage and keeps your skin hydrated and smooth.
Eat the above food as a significantly affect your skin health. Make sure to get essential nutrients that gives you healthy and glowing skin.
Yoga for glowing skin
Beside your makeup routine you need to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle to get your skin glowing.
Small changes in your lifestyle bring hormonal changes and improves metabolism. Proper workout makes your skin healthy.
Below are 9 yoga poses for glowing skin.
Yoga Asanas for Glowing Skin
- Padmasana or The Lotus Pose – let us start with the easiest asana. Padmasana relaxes mind and body. It calms down brain, relieve stress and balances hormones. In addition it improves the blood circulation of all over body. The best thing about this poses is that it can be practiced any time of the day.
Steps:
- Sit on your yoga mat. Keep your back straight.
- Held out both your legs forward and look forward.
- Bring your left knee to touch your right hip and bring your right knee to touch your left hip.
- Your both legs are now crossed against each other.
- Place your hands on your hips
- Take deep breath in and out
- Do this for at least 5 minutes every day.
* Do consult your doctor before doing what if you suffer from knee pain
2. The Camel Pose or Ustrasana – Ustrasana pose strengthens spine. Not only this pose work on your core muscles and helps you get a flat tummy but also improves the flow of blood in your head. As a result it removes the toxins from the blood stream, promotes blood circulation to skin and hair and makes your skin radiant and glowing. Camel pose open your chest and improves the functions of hormone. It works on your abdominal organs and alleviate menstrual cramps.
Steps:
- Kneel down on the floor
- Make sure your back is straight and legs parallel to the floor.
- Move your thigh inward.
- Rest both your hands on the hip. Make sure your fingers are pointing downwards.
- Bend your body to touch your heels. While doing so lift up your chest.
Inhale and exhale and stay in this position for 10 seconds. - Repeat the pose 3 to 4 time in a row.
*Camel pose is not advised for those who have undergone a knee surgery. If you suffer from back pain, better consult your doctor before practicing this pose. Besides, if you suffer from insomnia, camel pose is not recommended for you as it enhances the blood circulation to head and may keep you awake.
3. Paschimottanasana or Seated Forward Bend Pose – Seated forward bend pose is an intense stretching. It keeps you calm and relieves stress. This pose improves the skin elasticity, purifies blood, reduces wrinkle and improves of the complexion of skin. In addition it relieves constipation and digestive disorders. Poor digestion lead to a dull skin and breakouts. When digestion improves the quality of skin improves. Paschimottanasana also regulates menstrual cycle, tones the pelvic organs and increases height.
Step:
- Sit straight on your mat with both your legs stretched out.
- Place both the hands on your knee. Right palm on right knee and left palm on left knee.
- Inhale, move forward and try to touch your toes.
- Now bend your arms to touch the floor.
- Exhale and remain in this position for a few seconds.
- Return slowly to the previous position.
- Repeat this three to four times in a row.
* Do remember you will not be able to touch your toe in a first go. Try to bend forward as much as possible and keep practicing. You will improve eventually.
* Make sure not to bend your knees or pull your legs while doing this pose. If you suffer from sinusitis bending forward may make you giddy.
4. Dhanurasana or The Bow Pose – The bow pose is also known as upward wheel pose. It improves the flexibility of body and is a fatigue buster. It creates pressure in the abdomen that detoxifies the body, helps to lose weight and results in a glowing skin.
Steps:
- Lie down on the yoga mat with your face towards the floor and back towards the ceiling.
- Open your palms upward towards the ceiling.
- Lift up your legs so that the hip touches the floor.
- Stretch the body and touch your ankle with your hands.
- Stretch the body so that your abdomen touches the floor firmly.
- Slowly come back to the previous position
- Repeat the pose 2 to 3 times in a row.
* If you suffer from high or low blood pressure better avoid bow pose. Avoid it if you are pregnant.
5. Uttanasana or Intense Forward Bending Pose – The intense forward bending pose improves the flow of blood to face, works on your core and enhances complexion naturally. This pose may be little tough for the beginners to perform. Take it slow and keep practicing.
Steps:
- Stand on the mat with your feet together.
- Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes or floor.
- While bending forward keep your back straight and try to press your head against your legs.
- Keep your legs straight while doing this phone.
* If you suffer from sinus or migraine better avoid this pose.
6. Matsyasana or Fish pose – Matsyasana opens up the chest, beats fatigue and improves the blood circulation to face and head. In addition it regularizes periods. The fish pose brings instant glow to your face and also flights indigestion and bloating.
Steps:
- Sit in padmasana
- Slowly bend your head backward and try to reach the floor.
- While doing so lift your chest upward so that the top of your head touches the floor.
- Hold yourself in this position for 5 to 10 seconds.
*This asana is to be avoided by people who are suffering from migraines or blood pressure. It is advised to to practice matsyasana under supervision of a very trained yoga teacher.
7. Bhujangasana or Cobra pose – Regular practice of cobra pose keeps you fit and effectively brings glow to the skin. In addition it strengthens your arms and spine. It is one of the asana in Surya Namaskar. Bhujangasana opens your chest and increases the intake of oxygen. It cleans and detoxifies your body and helps you get acne free glowing skin.
Step:
- Lie down flat on the mat with your face towards the floor.
- Keep your palms near the the head and shoulder’s apart.
- Inhale deeply
- Now exhale, stretch your arms and lift you up your head
- Slowly and slightly bend your head backwards
- Change this position for at least 2 to 3 seconds
- Revert back to the previous position
- Repeat this 5 to 10 times in a day. Increase your count eventually and slowly.
* If you are pregnant of suffer from spinal injuries avoid it.
8. Sarvangasana or Shoulder Stand – The shoulder stand seems quite difficult. You can start with supported shoulder stand. Eventually with the practice you will improve. The Sarvangasana improves the circulation of blood, reduces dullness, wrinkles and pimples and thus improves the all over texture of skin.
Step:
- Lie down flat on the yoga mat with your back facing the floor.
- Try to lift your legs up as much as possible.
- Try to lift your hip while holding your back with your hands.
- Remain in this position for a few seconds.
- Slowly come back to the starting position .
* If you have neck issues or high blood pressure better avoid it. Also, it is recommended not to practice Sarvangasan if you are menstruating.
9. Plough Pose Or Halasana – This is the best pose to practice if you suffer from sleeping issues. The Plough pose improves the blood circulation and keeps your body relax and calm. This pose helps you to live a stress free life and have a sound sleep that reflects on your skin and face. The plough pose works on the core muscles and gives you a toned abdomen.
Steps:
- Lie down flat on your back on the yoga mat with your face toward the ceiling and both the palms touching the ground.
Inhale slowly and lift both your legs off the ground to 90 degree. - Breathe normally and lift your hip to take both your leg above the head to reach the floor. Stretch as much as possible.
- Hold yourself in this position for a minute and then slowly come back to the previous position.
* If you suffer from any spinal disorder avoid this position. Also, avoid this yoga pose if you are are pregnant or during the first two days of your menstrual cycle.
10. Shavasana or Corpse pose – The corpse pose should be done as final pose after performing the the above yoga poses. It is a relax posture that ensures the flow of blood all over the body. Shavasana relieves stress and gives you a healthy and glowing skin. It is the simplest yoga asana to perform.
Step:
- Lie on the yoga mat with your back towards the floor. Make sure that your back is flat and straight.
- Held out your legs and arms in ‘V’ shape.
- Close your eyes, take a deep breath and relax your body.
- Hold yourself in this position for as much as time you want.
*Although this pose relaxes body and do not cause any discomfort still if you encounter drowsiness while performing its better to avoided it.
The yoga poses for glowing skin discussed in this article flush out the body toxins, promotes blood circulation, improves the complexion, reduces dullness, clears acne and pimples and gives you a youthful and glowing skin. However, it’s not a magic and requires proper practice, time and dedication from body soul and mind.