As summer arrives, it comes with various skin related problems. As heat of the sun becomes very harsh on our skin and results into many skin related issues like sunburn, sun tan, acne, pimples, spots and other skin infections. It becomes very difficult for us to protect our skin from these problems. So here we are with an ingredient that you can easily find in your kitchens, which can do wonders to your skin. Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient, which has many health as well as skin benefits. It is rich in acetic, citric, malic and amino acid and also contains vitamins, enzymes and mineral salts, which is beneficial for your skin.

Here is how you can use apple cider vinegar for flawless skin:

1. Prevents Acne And Pimples

If you are struggling from stubborn acnes and pimples, then keep an apple cider vinegar bottle handy. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal substance, apple cider vinegar helps in keeping your skin pores bacteria, oil and dust free. How To Use:

- Mix raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar with filtered water in a bowl.
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on the affected skin.
- Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
- Reapply a few times daily for few days to see the result.

2. Heals Sunburn

Apple cider vinegar is known to cure sunburns. It helps to soothe the pain and make the healing process fast.

How To Use:
- Mix half a cup apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water.
- Douse a wash cloth with the solution and apply to sunburned skin.
- Massage it for a while.
- Repeat this several times daily for few days until your condition improves.

3. Soothe And Exfoliate Skin

Apple cider vinegar will soothe your skin and will leave it soft and supple. Its alpha hydroxyl acid removes the dead skin cells and reveals healthy new skin cells.

How To Use:
- Pour some apple cider vinegar in a bathtub of warm water.
- Be in there for 15-20 minutes.
- Allow the protective acid to soak into your skin.
- Follow this routine to maintain the pH levels of your skin.

4. Skin Toner

Apple cider vinegar has astringent properties, which helps in increasing the blood flow to the skin and minimise the pores, a great remedy for the ones with oily skin. It also regulates the pH level of your skin.

How To Use:
- Mix apple cider vinegar with filtered water. You may add few drops of essential oil also.
- Apply the solution on your skin using cotton ball.
- Leave it for few minutes, and then rinse it off with cool water.
- You can use it once or twice a day as per your need.

5. Remove Age Spots And Fights Wrinkles

Apple cider vinegar has alpha hydroxyl acids, which helps in removing dead skin and reveals healthy and glowing skin. Not just that, apple cider vinegar also helps in removing the age spots and minimises fine lines and wrinkles.

How To Use:
- Dab a little apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it directly on the age spot and wrinkles.
- Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it off with cool water.
- Follow this routine twice daily for 6 weeks and you will see the difference.

So, now you know the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Don't wait and include this magical portion to your daily beauty regime.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada, and those with fair skin are at increased risk. “Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or indoor tanning equipment and having fair skin are the most common risk factors for skin cancer,” says Lynda MacNiven, senior prevention coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. “People who work, or exercise, in the sun for long periods of time are at greater risk.”

Watermelon is a delicious fruit that makes for a refreshing treat during summers. Filled with red pulp and sweet juices, watermelon revives our body from the scorching heat outside. No wonder we all desperately wait for summers to gorge on this cool summer fruit. Drinking watermelon juice increases antioxidants in our body, which help us to stay healthy and hydrated and keep many diseases at bay. Watermelons are also rich in vitamin C that strengthens our immunity system and protect us from seasonal allergies and infections. This juicy fruit not just revives our body from inside, but it revitalises our skin, if applied from outside. Its high water content nurtures our skin and makes it soft, supple and flawless. Here are 4 DIY watermelon juice face masks to detox your skin this summer.

1. Watermelon Juice and Honey Face Mask For Tan Removal
It is because of excessive sun exposure, our skin tends to produce melanin, which makes our skin look darker and tanned. Watermelon juice and honey face mask is a perfect solution for the ones looking for an instant solution from tanned and damaged skin.

How To Apply: Mix equal amount of honey and cold watermelon juice. Wash your skin with cold water and pat dry it. Apply it on your face and neck, and let it stay for 30 minutes. Wash it off with fresh cold water.

2. Watermelon Juice And Yogurt Face Mask For Glowing Skin
Yogurt is known do to wonders for our skin and hair. The combination of watermelon juice and yogurt can give you a supple and radiant skin. Regular use of this face mask will makes your skin look younger and healthier.

How To Apply: Take a small bowl and add half cup of watermelon juice in it. Add one tablespoon of yogurt, and mix both the ingredients well. Apply the face mask on your face and neck, and let it stay for 20 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.

3. Watermelon And Lemon Juice For Dry Skin
If you have a dry skin, then bring this face mask to your rescue. Lemon will gently exfoliate your dry, dead skin cells, whereas honey and watermelon juice will moisturise and hydrate your rough skin.

How To Apply: Take two tablespoons of watermelon juice in a small bowl; add one tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey in it. Mix all the ingredients very well. Apply this face mask on your face and neck. Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it off with water.

4. Watermelon And Raw Milk For Brighter Skin
Milk is a great cleanser, especially raw milk, which makes your complexion fairer and brighter. It is also a great moisturiser that is known to heal dry skin cells. Milk is also known to treat sunburns and sunspots. Watermelon juice will rejuvenate your face and give you a fresh look.

How To Apply: Take one tablespoon of watermelon juice in a bowl. Add one tablespoon of raw milk, and mix them well. Apply the mask on your clean face and let it stay for 20 to 25 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.

So, what are you waiting for? Bring these refreshing watermelon juice face masks to your rescue and flaunt your soft, glowing skin this summer!

Ever wonder why glycerin has long been a part of the skin care regimen of most women? Glycerine, alternatively known as glycerol, is a non-toxic substance that is derived from plants and animals. This water soluble ingredient is widely used by the food industry for its sweetening property, and by the pharmaceutical industry too. Glycerin is sourced from lipids, mostly triglycerides, found in animal tallow and plants like soybean or palm. Glycerol is also used as laxatives and in a number of beauty and cosmetic products like creams, gels, lotions, styling products among others.Glycerin is easily available in market and is commonly used by people as a skin care product. We spoke to a leading skincare and beauty expert to know more about glycerin and whether or not one should use it in regular skin care regimen.

"Glycerin is very important for your skin, especially in this weather when the skin is more likely to turn dull and dry. It is a stable compound which helps in moisturizing the skin inside-out." shared leading Delhi-based skin and beauty expert, Dr. Deepali Bharadwaj. Here are seven reasons to add glycerin to your skin care regime.

1. Battle dry skin

If your skin tends to turn dry and flaky during winters, glycerin may help tame the dullness and keep the skin supple and soft.

2. Protects skin from the adverse effects of pollution

"This year's pollution is going to add to skin allergies, rashes, irritation and issues like eczema. Just a thin coating of pure glycerin on your face before sleeping will nourish your skin and ensure that it is fortified to withstand the ravages of pollution and harsh weather. Owing to its light molecular weight it gets absorbed by the deeper layers of the skin," shared Dr. Deepali. Oils like almond, sesame and olive work on the superficial layer of the skin whereas glycerin penetrates deeper.

"Glycerin is available in the market at a very reasonable price. In my opinion, it is better than using almond oil on your face owing to its molecular size. It doesn't make your skin look greasy or feel oily," explained Dr. Bharadwaj.

4. Beneficial for all skin types

Glycerin can easily be used for all skin types as well as in your hair care routine. It helps nourish your hair, add sheen and render dazzling, lustrous texture. For hair, glycerin can actually be used like a leave-in conditioner or an after-wash serum.

For dry skin - You can take curd or milk and mix with glycerin and apply on the face. Leave for 20 minutes and wash off. Mix almond oil with glycerin and use as body lotion.

For oily skin - Mix some lemon juice with glycerin and apply on face. Lemon juice will act on excess oil and work with its antibacterial properties while glycerin will go deeper and nourish your skin.

5. Acne control

Glycerin can act on acne very well. Take a drop of glycerin and a drop of lemon juice and apply on the affected area, wait for 5-10 minutes and wash off.

6. Get rid of dark circles

Mix glycerin with tomato juice and apply with a slice of potato on the affected area. "You can actually warm the potato and use it to apply under your eye," noted Dr. Bharadwaj.

7. Combat allergy

"Distilled form of glycerin may actually help some cases on skin allergies. Pure form of glycerin must not be used as it may make the skin more sensitive," concluded Dr. Deepali.

While glycerin can be an inexpensive tool in your regular beauty regime, the significance of a balanced diet in maintaining good skin must not be overlooked. Eat healthy and exercise regularly to shine of radiance.

Bright red, tangy and full of goodness, tomatoes have so much to offer not just for your overall health but also for a glowing skin. Apart from being used in the culinary world to add that add extra zest and colour, antioxidants and other essential nutrients present in tomatoes can make your skin spot and blemish free too. Tomatoes are known to have astringent and soothing properties along with a healthy boost of vitamin C that helps reduce acne and dark spots. It replenishes the skin with natural acidic properties and flushes out excess oil. While you may have used tomatoes in the form of commercially bought face-washes or cleansers and toners, we bring some amazing natural tomato based face-packs that will definitely give your facial skin a complete makeover.

1. Tomato and cucumber face pack

All you need to do is take one tomato and two tablespoons of cucumber paste along with a tablespoon of honey. Squeeze all the juice from the tomato and mix it well with the cucumber and honey. Spread the mixture on your face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes and rinse off using lukewarm water. Cucumber has hydrating and soothing properties and will help remove excess oil from the face and retain natural oils. This one's perfect for people with oily skin.

2. Tomato and olive oil face pack

Olive oil is known to be a great moisturizer and mixing it with tomato paste makes it even better. Take a medium sized tomato and squeeze all the juice from it and add one tablespoon of olive oil and mix well. Apply this mixture on your face and leave it for about 15-20 minutes or as it dries. Do not rinse it with cold water, instead take lukewarm water and massage the face in circular motions. This will leave your skin soft and moisturized. This face pack is the best for people with excessively dry skin.

3. Tomato pulp face pack

Tomato pulp is best used for removing suntan and can be used to treat open pores as well. Whenever you are pressed for time, just mash boiled potatoes into a pulp and rub it in circular motion on your face and leave it till it dries off. In fact, you can also add one tablespoon of milk and apply it on your face and leave it for not more than 10 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do this regularly to remove suntan.

4. Tomato with yogurt and lemon face pack

Beat the pollution with the goodness of tomatoes, yogurt and lemon. Take a tomato and squeeze all the juice out of it, add two teaspoons of lemon juice and fresh plain yogurt. Mix all these ingredients together and apply it on your face and rinse it with lukewarm water after leaving it on for 15-20 minutes. All of these ingredients act as bleaching agents and will ensure a glowing skin.

5. Tomato and oatmeal face pack

Talk about exfoliation and oatmeal comes to mind. Powder two tablespoons of oatmeal in coarse form and mix it with two tablespoons of tomato pulp; you can add cucumber pulp too to this mix. Apply this on your face and leave for 15 minutes and then rub it in circular motions before washing it off with lukewarm water. Hello, soft and supple skin!

These simple tomato face packs can be used regularly to get your skin glowing. So go ahead and make the most of these juicy red delights!