A lot of people are fond of flowers. And, equally fond of using floral power with a cute yellow or pink flower emoji in the caption when uploading a picture of oneself dressed in a floral ensemble. Flowers surely share a special relationship, a very instinctive connection with us at large. But, not only are these wonders of nature impeccable enough to bring a smile on your face, but they can also rejoice your skin.
Now, that didn’t come as a shocker to you, did it? We all have bottles of rose water hydrosols, lavender oils and calendula creams on our not-so-immaculate vanity; that says it all. A critical part of our ancient scripts (pertaining to beauty) as well, floral extracts have been significant everywhere. These are five floral extracts that you should include in your beauty routine, if you haven’t already.
Rose
The iconic gulaab jal a.k.a rose water has been a part of the Indian beauty traditions since ions now. Today, premiumly marketed as Pure Distilled Rose Water, the ingredient is found in the form of facial sprays and in moisturisers and face masks. Besides lending a gorgeous scent, rose is highly beneficial for the skin—it brightens, softens and repairs the skin. With vitamin A and C, rose – both oil and water – can also generate cells helping ageing skin figure things better.
Image: Shutterstock
Camellia
This isn’t just another pretty-looking pink floral power. It’s a power-packed flower that can do so much for your skin that has been damaged amidst all the city pollution. From skin stress to pigmentation, dryness, lacklusterness and dryness, trust the humble flower to help you out. You can look for toners, serums and moisturisers loaded with the extract.
Image: Shutterstock
Calendula
The yellow flower is great for all skin types—sensitive skin in particular. I wrote about the flower and its benefits in detail here; however, to sum up the greatness by highlighting its key benefits, I can say that it’s packed with excellent healing properties that can relieve the skin from a parched state and reduce signs of irritation.
Lavender
The flower’s hue goes by its name but what’s more interesting is that it can soothe you unlike anything else. With calming properties, anything lavender-infused is perfect not only to make you feel better but also work upon your skin and hair. Its anti-microbial properties can keep germs away from the skin while its oil can also promote hair growth and keep the scalp clean. The best part? The heavenly fragrance.
Hibiscus
Usually spotted in sundry hair care products, hibiscus or Gudhal ka Phool can be quite the deal for your skin too. Not only does it encourage luscious and glossy hair but it also boosts collagen production. Do you know, hibiscus is also called ‘the botox plant’, thanks to its skin tightening and firming properties that can be leveraged for anti-ageing purposes.
3 DIY Neem Face Masks To Get Cleaner Skin This Monsoon
Neem has been an integral part of our kitchen for as long as we can remember. But, if you believe that’s its place is only in your pantry, think again! Besides your food, your skin could also greatly benefit from this herb. You must’ve seen a lot of TV commercials that position neem as the one stop solution for blemished skin; the herb has been a common means to unlock clearer skin for ages together. And, there’s science to it; it’s not just another marketing gimmick. Keep reading to know the benefits of neem and three face masks recipes that you can try over the weekend.
Image: Pexels
What Are The Benefits Of Neem?
The plant is packed with sundry properties that you could leverage for good, when embittered by unruly zits, itchiness and dullness on the skin – common occurrences during monsoons. Neem contains antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties plus it is packed with antioxidants, making the plant a perfect remedy for common skin woes like acne, pimples, rashes, dullness and more. And, that it is so easily accessible and affordable is an added bonus.
3 DIY Recipes
Image: Pexels
Neem, Honey & Milk
For: Dry, Irritated Skin
When moisture-lacking skin slips into a zone of excess dryness coupled with acne, managing the skin can get tedious. A blend of zit-clearing neem with hydrating honey and milk can come to be a saviour. While neem heals pimples and irritation on the skin, milk exfoliates gently and honey infuses all the moisture.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of crushed neem paste
1 tablespoon of honey
1 ½ tablespoons of milk
Method:
Mix them all and form a paste. Apply liberally and wash it off with lukewarm water. Hello, clearer and plumper skin!
Image: Pexels
Neem, Multani Mitti & Yogurt
For: Oily, Acne-prone Skin
While neem does its job, multani mitti soaks up any additional oil. Yogurt maintains the softness of the skin and rosewater acts as a hydration support. The result is oil-free and smoother skin, sans a parched feeling. You can also use kaolin clay in place of multani mitti.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of crushed neem paste
1 tablespoon of yogurt
¾ tablespoon of multani mitti (Fuller’s Earth)
½ tablespoon of rosewater
Method:
Transfer all of these ingredients in a bowl and whisk ‘em up well, to avoid lumps. Apply and wash it off in ten minutes with cold water.
Image: Pexels
Neem, Turmeric & Tea Tree Oil
For: Severely Acne-prone Skin
When an acne or pimple swarm has gotten the better of your skin, you need a power-packed solution to come to the rescue. Enter the mix of turmeric and neem – both antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, that aids with reducing stubborn acne and healing those areas too. You can add a drop of tea tree oil to boost the effects too.
PS: This is more like a spot treatment than a face mask for your entire face.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of crushed neem paste
1 drop of tea tree oil
1 teaspoon of turmeric
Method:
Mix all the three ingredients and form a thick paste. Apply only on areas affected with acne and wash it off with water. Make sure to moisturize the skin with a hydrating serum later.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/flower-extract
https://napalipure.com/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-daisy-flower-extract-in-skin-care
https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2011.00169.x
https://www.femina.in/beauty/3-diy-neem-face-masks-to-achieve-cleaner-skin-230975.html
