Why God, why? Is flawless skin just too much to ask for? A late night leads to dark circles in the morning. Got an upcoming party? Oh wait, I spy a zit. Yes yes, we are well aware of the basic CTM technique… Cleanser-Toner-Moisturizer. We try every new face wash, sunscreen, anti-ageing cream that hits the market. If dry skin and dead skin, oily skin and patchy skin weren’t enough - you now have combination skin! And we are ever so willing to try anything under the sun to get beautiful skin. But it is not an overnight miracle. The flawless, blemish and acne-free skin that you've always desired is no more a dream, but a reality. Here are some brilliant beauty tips for face to get that glow you've always wanted. Browse through our beauty secrets, tackle your skincare issues and follow our tricks regularly to get beautiful skin naturally. Excited, happy or stressed, it’s your face that gives you away. Ever wondered how to get a glowing skin? We’ve rounded up expert skin care tips for keeping blemishes at bay and enhancing your natural beauty. Whether you have time for intensive skin care or not, pamper yourself by acing the basics.

10 Dos and Don’ts for Beautiful Skin

1. The Golden Rule

Do: Make sure you always (and we mean always) remove your makeup before hitting the sheets. The skin needs to breathe overnight. And makeup prevents that, as leaving it on overnight clogs the pores which may cause blemishes and/or blackheads. Don’t possess a makeup remover? Just put some olive oil on a cotton pad and gently massage the oil onto your face to get rid of the makeup and dirt.

Don’t: Forget that exfoliation is indispensable. At least once or twice a week, exfoliate your skin to remove the layers of dead skin, sure to leave you with a more healthy glow and brighter skin. You can also apply a paste of walnut in powder form with yogurt to exfoliate your skin, as the antioxidants present in walnuts help remove dirt and promote radiant skin.

2. Sun and Skin

Do: Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Since a lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems, you have to protect your skin from the sun. Make sure the label reads ‘noncomedogenic’ or ‘nonacnegenic’ so that the product does not tend to block pores.

Don’t: Skip the sunscreen, whether it's cloudy or cold outside (no excuses). If you’re heading to a beach or around reflective surfaces like snow or ice, lather your skin up with some more sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.

3. You are What You Eat

Do: Keep a note of what you put on your plate. Eat fresh fruits, greens, sufficient protein and vitamins. A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and sugar promotes radiant skin. Consider a low-sugar diet, which can keep insulin levels down, allowing cells to maintain a healthy balance.

"Don’t: Eat spicy and fermented foods, salt, citrus fruits, fried food. Instead favour blander foods such as rice, oatmeal and applesauce”, advises American author and Ayurvedic physician, Vasant Lad, in The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies.

4. Sweat It Out!

Do: Exercise regularly. Running, jogging and yoga will give your body the necessary blood circulation, and also accelerate the cleansing process of your entire body. You will notice a glow on your face after working out. Racing against time? Just take a brisk walk around the block.

Don’t: Skip skincare before and after a workout. Apply a toner to help minimize oil production before heading out. Exfoliate after, and then apply shea butter or olive oil to moisturize the skin.


5. Beauty Sleep

Do: Try to sleep at least 8 hours every night. If you don’t get enough shut eye, your skin gets tired just like you - it sags and you get bags. So don’t risk it. You can also apply honey on your face twice or thrice a week to naturally soothe and heal your skin.

“Don’t: Forget to wash and moisturize your face before going to bed”, recommends Dr. Rahul Nagar, Dermatologist, Max Hospitals. “For dry skin, use milder cleansers that are free from alcohol. Apply lots of moisturizer, and avoid hot water as it dries out the skin excessively.”

6. H2O to The Rescue

Do: Hydrate yourself. Drink lots of water daily, at least 8 glasses if not more. Also, eats fruits and vegetables that have a high water content such as watermelon, cucumber, orange, strawberry, grapefruit and cantaloupe. Ayurvedic physician, Vasant Lad recommends to “drink water from a blue coloured bottle”, since it has a cooling effect.

Don’t: Ignore rose water. It helps prevent and reduce eye puffiness in the morning, maintains pH balance and naturally hydrates your skin if you spritz it on during the day.

7. Goodbye Acne

“Do: Wash your face with warm water, three times a day, and gently massage your face in circular motions, ensuring that the cleanser contains alpha hydroxyl acid or beta hydroxyl acid. Face packs that contain multani mitti (fuller’s earth) work really well too. After cleansing, pat dry and apply a lotion which contains benzoyl peroxide”, suggests Dr. Zaheer Ahmed, Dermatologist, Max Hospitals. Benzoyl peroxide appears to be effective due to its antibacterial actions.

Don’t: Pop pimples because it can lead to more swelling, redness, and even scarring. Feel a pimple is on its way? Just clean the area with rose water, and place a chilled green tea bag for 10 minutes. Also, if you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.

8. Go Back to Your Roots

Do: Use Ayurvedic scrubs to nourish the skin, and help it breathe better. Luckily for you, everything you need is already in your kitchen. 2 tbsp chickpea flour, ½ tsp turmeric powder, a pinch of camphor and sandalwood with some rose water/milk/water is your perfect skincare pack. Yes, the secrets of beauty lies in ancient Ayurveda.

Don’t: Neglect the basics. Make Sudarshan Kriya your beauty mantra. Yes, it’s that easy. Just breathing right could rid you of spots and pimples. Nidhi Gureja, Art of Living, says “Sudarshan Kriya is a breathing technique which incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath that harmonize the body, mind and emotions. This helps releasing accumulated stresses, and each individual’s experience is different.”

9. Spa Day Everyday?

Do: Have a regular skin care regimen. “For dry skin, use a fresh cherry mask. Apply the pulp of fresh cherries on your face before going to bed. Leave for 15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water”, adds American author Vasant Lad.

Don’t: Forget to pamper yourself. A gentle facial massage with oils could work wonders. Depending on your skin type, choose oils from mustard, coconut, almond or Kumkadi as they are excellent nourishing agents which help to get glowing skin. Better still – switch on some soothing instrumental music. After 20 minutes, what do you have? Beautiful skin and a relaxed you.

10. Healthy Habits

Do: Take out time for yourself, and try to avoid stress as much as possible. Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed, you tend to break out more? This is because stress causes your body to produce cortisol and other hormones, making the skin more oily. Practice stress management techniques like breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. The more you meditate, the more you radiate.

Don’t: Neglect your jawline and facial muscles. For just 5 minutes a day, perform a few facial exercises. You can jut out your lower lip in such a way that wrinkles are created on the chin, then lower your chin to your chest. Another exercise that works wonders is to look up towards the ceiling and pout. It stretches out the muscles making the skin more firm. “18 till I die”, why not?

Searching for the best, fastest, and the most effective home remedies for acne is not as simple as some people think. In most cases, it may turn out to be a trial-and-error process.

For example, baking soda has made it to the list of most commonly used acne home remedies for years. Unfortunately, people with sensitive skin often find their acne problems turn from bad to worse after using baking soda.

Truth be told, there’s no such thing as the ULTIMATE home remedy for acne. One solution may work for some people but might bring the opposite effect to others. And if you’re in a hurry to clear your pores from pimples, this might depress you a bit.

So what are the best acne home remedies to clear your zits overnight?

After searching for a while, NurseBuff has come up with five home remedies for acne that have been proven to be safe and effective for most people. And, yes, that includes folks with uber sensitive skin. So without further ado, here are ten home remedies to help you get rid of acne the fastest but safest way possible:

1. Garlic

Garlic has antiseptic properties that can fight off bacteria invading your skin. In addition to that, it also contains natural components like sulfur known to quickly heal acne. To use it as an acne home remedy, slice a garlic clove into two. You can then rub the garlic and its juice directly to your pimples. Leave it for five minutes before washing with lukewarm water. Repeat as desired or when the skin shows no signs of sensitivity.

2. Cucumber

Cucumber has long been known as a natural remedy to soothe skin. It is also a rich source of different nutrients that can help in acne healing and prevention. These include Vitamins A, C, and E. When used regularly, cucumber can prevent the development of oily skin and eventually, acne breakouts.

There are three different ways to use cucumber as an acne home remedy:

Option # 1: Apply grated or sliced cucumber to the affected area and let it sit for 20 minutes before washing.

Option # 2: Cut the cucumber into pieces. Let them soak in a bowl of clean water for at least one hour. During this process, the nutrients from the cucumber including chlorophyll will slowly transfer to the water. Strain the solution and use the water either as a drink or as a facial wash.

Option # 3: To make a facial mask, mix grated cucumber with one cup of oatmeal. You can then combine this mixture with some amount of plain yogurt to give a smoother consistency. Apply the mask for about 30 minutes before rinsing with a lukewarm water.

3. Toothpaste

Toothpaste basically works like your ordinary facial mask. If applied directly to the affected area, the toothpaste will help in drying up the pimples and absorbing excess oil. This is a very effective acne home remedy for people suffering from mild forms of acne like whiteheads or blackheads. However, toothpastes made from gel or those containing whitening properties should be avoided at all cost. These products contain hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals that can harm sensitive skin.

Before applying toothpaste on your skin, apply an ice pack to the affected area just to soothe your pores. You can then apply small amounts of toothpaste to the pimples and let it stay for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.

4. Honey

Honey may be sweet for your taste buds but for your skin, it can act as an amazing antimicrobial and wound-healing remedy. Manuka honey, for instance, has been a popular acne remedy in New Zealand where the Manuka bush is indigenous.

To use as an acne home remedy, dip a cotton swab in the honey and then apply it to the affected area. Leave it for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.

5. Lemon Juice

Lemon contains Vitamin C and has acidic properties to fight off acne-causing bacteria. But in using it as an acne home remedy, it’s best to use natural fresh lemon juice. Those that are commercially sold in bottles often contain preservatives that may bring more harm to the skin than good.

There are two ways to use lemon juice as an overnight acne home remedy:

Option # 1: Dip a clean cotton swab in lemon juice. Apply it to the affected area and let it stay overnight. Wash it with a lukewarm water the following morning.

Option # 2: Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder to create a mask. Apply it to the affected area and leave it overnight. Wash it with a lukewarm water the following morning. Note: This may not be recommended for people with sensitive skin.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar can also help tone down your breakouts. It works as a natural astringent that can make your skin feel smoother and your zits less inflamed and obvious.

ACV can absorb excess oil to make sure that it doesn’t end up clogging your pores. It can restore your skin’s pH level, too. This ensures healing and prevents further damage.

Apple cider vinegar is best used for spot treating acne. Simply dab a few drops of diluted ACV on your pimples overnight and you’ll be able to see a huge difference the morning after.

Aside from pimples, this remedy works great on age spots and acne scars as well.

7. Tea Tree Oil

With its ability to reduce redness and dry out pimples, tea tree oil is one of the most effective natural remedies you can use. It has antibacterial properties which help eliminate acne-causing bacteria from your skin. It also works well in eliminating blackheads and whiteheads so you can get the clear skin you’ve always wanted.

Using tea tree is pretty simple. You just need to dip a piece of cotton ball in your choice of tea tree essential oil. Dab the cotton ball on the affected area and wait for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off.

Another way you can try is mixing the oil with a tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Apply the mixture on your blemishes and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Don’t forget to rinse it off.

8. Green Tea

Green tea isn’t just well-known for its health benefits; it’s also famous for its ability to fight acne. With a potent antimicrobial property, this tea can help heal your acne in no time. It even has antioxidant compounds to slow down premature skin aging and free radical damage.

To use green tea as an acne remedy, simply lay a cooled bag on the affected area. You can also use a cooled cup of green tea as your face wash.

9. Mint

One of the most common causes of acne is clogged pores. This is where mint can help you.

It contains a great amount of salicylic acid which is the same active ingredient you can find in most skin care products for acne. The acid helps loosen dead skin cells to make them easier to shed.

In addition to that, mint also has vitamins A and C as well as omega-3 fatty acids. It’s loaded with antioxidants, too.

As a remedy for acne, you can combine crushed mint leaves with just the right amount of honey to create a paste. Apply the mixture on the affected areas on your face and leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and don’t forget to moisturize after.

10. Aspirin

What makes aspirin effective as an acne remedy is its salicylic acid content. It can dry up pimples and tone down inflammation quickly, making it a really effective overnight acne treatment.

To get its full benefits, you need to mash the aspirin and mix it with a small amount of water. Mix the two until you’re able to create a paste. Apply the mixture on your acne spots and leave it on overnight. If your skin is sensitive, you can rinse off after a few minutes.

We all want to have gorgeous and healthy hair but most of us are the victims of hair loss due to which our dreams of having beautiful hair become distant. But, stopping hair fall is not that difficult, it just requires a bit of efforts.

A lot of factors come into play when we talk about how to stop hair fall. If you take enough care of your hair and maintain them on daily routine basis, like a habit, then undoubtedly your hair fall will stop and you will have healthy and shiny hair. To know how, just read on.

1. Choose The Correct Shampoo And Conditioner
In order to address your how to stop hair fall problem, It’s very essential to use the shampoo and conditioner meant just for your hair type. This is because often not using the correct shampoo leads you to having rough hair which further causes hair loss. It is also important to apply them on the hair in the correct way.

While applying a shampoo, make sure that you concentrate on the scalp and hair roots whereas, while applying a conditioner focus on the ends of your hair.

2. Apply Oil Regularly
We all have heard since our childhood days that how important it is to oil our hair and undoubtedly, it is the best hair loss treatment at home. All you are required to do is to apply any natural oil – olive, coconut or canola.

Heat the oil till it becomes warm.
Then massage it gently on your scalp and leave it for an hour.
Shampoo your hair.
Apply hair oil at least once a week.

3. Don’t Pull Your Hair Tight
If you really want to learn how to stop hair loss, then this must be very carefully understood.

We all choose to adorn hairstyles like pony tails, pigtails and braids and the saddest part about these hairstyles is that they are usually supposed to be tied tightly.

Now, when you tie your hair tightly on a regular basis it might start pulling out of their roots.
In order to avoid this, change your hairstyle and soon enough your hair will recover.
At times, hair gets permanently damaged and they stop growing from the areas they are most pulled from.

4. Apply Natural Juices
Natural juices are very beneficial for our health and the same applies for our hair. Excessive hair loss can be controlled by using home remedies for hair loss.

Rub your scalp with garlic juice, ginger juice or onion juice.
Leaving it overnight.
Wash it in the morning with your regular shampoo.

5. Say No To Chemical Treatments
Now-a-days, it’s more of a trend to change the look of one’s hair. Straightening, hot ironing, rebounding and styling have become very common these days but we tend to ignore the fact that these are all the reasons of hair fall.

These chemical treatments include a variety of chemicals, which cause a heavy damage to your hair. Though, you might think that you look perfect but in reality, your hair is constantly under damage.

6. Eat A Healthy Diet
Most of the problems that we face these days are due to lack of a balanced and a healthy diet. Hair loss is a sign of how healthy you actually are. Iron, vitamin B, calcium and zinc are essential vitamins for hair which can reduce your hair fall.

Lack of iron is one of the key reasons for hair fall. To increase the intake of iron, eat green leafy vegetables, apricot, pulses, chicken, fish, egg, pork or beef.

Tomatoes, mangoes, papaya, sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables are rich in beta carotene.
To cure this problem, the best hair loss treatment would be to eat healthy and avoid oily foods.

Low levels of vitamin B causes undernourishment of hair follicle cells. Hence, it is necessary to include whole grains, pulses, milk, potato, nuts, green leafy vegetables and milk products in your diet to control the hair loss disease.

Calcium helps in the growth of hair. Therefore, including these minerals in your daily diet is extremely essential. You can do so by consuming low-fat dairy products in your diet. By including them in your diet, you will be amazed to see how hair grows.
A lack of zinc leads to hair loss. Therefore, don’t forget to include zinc in your diet through whole grains, chicken, nuts, beef, pulses and eggs.

7. Change Your Habits
We often use a blow-dryer to dry our wet hair but this habit of ours makes our scalp dry and also damages the hair follicles. Thereby, avoid using blow-dryers! But if you have to use it, then set it to the lowest heat settings.

Furthermore, combing your hair or toweling it when it’s wet, tends to pull out some hair strands from the roots. Thereby, it’s very essential to let your hair dry naturally.

8. Practice Meditation
Most of us are surrounded by a lot of stress and tension in our day-to-day life. And, stress and tension are one of the major hair fall causes. You can stop this sudden hair loss through meditation which will relax our body and reduce stress from our lives.

9. Do not comb your hair when they are wet. Let them dry and then use a shampoo comb to brush them.

10. Restore moisture in your hair by applying warm oil on the scalp of your head at least twice a week. Wear a shower cap after you have nicely massaged your scalp using your fingertips. After an hour, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and condition it without fail. This is a good hair loss treatment to be done at home.

11. Try to use natural hair conditioners as much as possible. Mayonnaise can be your savior. Mayo has egg and this will be an additional way to moisturize your hair.

Apply this paste generously on your hair and leave it on the hair for an hour, covering it with a shower cap.
Wash it off after an hour.

12. Home remedies take time but definitely work. You can combine a number of ingredients and make different kind of hair packs. This is one of the most effective ways on how to treat hair loss.

13. Green tea contains antioxidants that can stop and prevent hair fall.

You can use 2 green tea bags for 1 cup of water.
Boil and let this cool.
Rinse your hair with this water and leave it for an hour
Again rinse the hair with normal water.

14. Here is another remedy on how to stop thinning hair.

Boil rosemary and potatoes.
Use this liquid as a rinse after every hair wash.

15. If you are looking for a natural hair loss treatment, then we suggest you try this remedy.

Soak some methi (Fenugreek) seeds overnight and crush to make a paste next morning.
You can either use this paste directly or mix it with some sour curds and apply on the hair.
Let it stay for 1 hour with a shower cap on.
Wash thoroughly with a good shampoo and condition your hair.

Methi seeds might leave a funny smell behind, so make sure to wash hair thoroughly.

16. Make sure you wash your combs regularly. You can also make it a habit to wash your comb every time you wash your hair.

17. After washing your hair, try not to be rough while you are drying your hair with a towel. It is also a good idea to switch to using old t-shirts to dry the hair.

18. Avoid using shampoos that have sulphates and parabens. Try using organic shampoos for hair loss or Soapnut (reetha) to wash your hair.

19. You could also drink onion juice to stop hair fall.

20. To control your hair loss, make sure that you comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb first to detangle your hair. Once done, you can use a fine-toothed comb to style your hair accordingly. This will reduce the breakage of hair and the unnecessary hair falling out.

21. Going for a hair spa is recommended in order to reduce hair fall as it helps in deep conditioning your hair, providing essential nutrients and revitalizing your scalp.

The hair massage will also help in stimulating blood circulation in the scalp and is also a great way to reduce stress which is one of the reasons for hair loss.

22. One ingredient that will answer your how to stop hair loss question is the Indian gooseberry or amla as it commonly called. Amla is preferred because it is rich in Vitamin C and a lack of this can result in hair loss. Follow this simple method – grind amla into a pulp, add few drops of lemon juice and apply it on you scalp. Rinse it off after an hour.

23. If you want to stop hair fall naturally then try coconut milk which is great for hair regrowth because of the fats and proteins it contains. Along with helping in the regrowth, this also helps in stopping the thinning of hair.

Grind some grated coconut to extract the milk.
Apply this on your scalp and hair ends.
Wash it with a shampoo after an hour.

24. Another way to stop hair fall is by boosting the scalp blood circulation. To do this add few drops of rosemary oil to coconut fat and massage your scalp with it regularly to see the desired results.

Acne Vulgaris, or more commonly known as acne or Pimples, is a skin condition that develops when the hair follicles get clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells.

Types of Acne:

1. Black or white pimples; these blackheads and whiteheads are called comedones. Blackheads are surfaced on the skin while the whiteheads form just below the surface of the skin. Besides these two heads, inflammatory lesions may also give rise to scarring.

2. Papules are raised and small red bumps that may be caused due to infected or inflamed hair follicles

3. Pustules are red pimples, with pus on their tips

4. Nodules appear just below your skin surface and are usually painful

5. Cysts are larger lumps that contain pus

Causes
The main cause of acne is the blockage of hair follicles, which are made of hair and the sebaceous gland. When these tiny hair follicles plug themselves with excess sebum and dead skin cells, it results in acne. Your skin is rendered soft and lubricated by the sebum. This lubrication process may be hindered for any of the following reasons:

1. Excess production of oil by the hair follicles

2. Accumulation of dead skin cells

3. Bacteria buildup in the pores

Reasons behind Pimples

1. Hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy


2. Side effects of certain medications such as birth control pills or steroids

3. Pimples can be hereditary as well

4. Consumption of foods laden with refined sugar, simple carbs and Deep fried and oily items.

5. Dandruff also can cause acne / pimples, more so on the forehead and back

Home Remedies

The following are the home remedies that can be used to treat this condition:

1. Remove excess oil and dirt by cleaning the skin with a mild soap

2. Shampoo your hair on a regular basis

3. Use water-based cosmetics

4. Avoid squeezing pimples which otherwise would spread the excess oil and bacteria

5. Avoid the use of tight headbands or hats

Medications

1. Acne gels and creams containing Benzoyl Peroxide dry out the existing pimples, prevent the formation of new ones and kill bacteria that cause acne.

2. Sulfur, one of the major ingredients of lotions, masks and cleansers, is one of the best medications for acne.

3. Resorcinol removes the dead cells.

4. Salicylic acid, contained in soaps, prevents blockage of pores.

It’s always desirable to get the pimples treated by a Skin Specialist/ Medical Cosmetologist

An overproduction of oil, combined with dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells or residual make-up, usually lead up to clogged up pores, that appear black in colour, to show up on your skin. These are called blackheads. Though treating blackheads is not that difficult, it is always better to prevent them.


Here are some tips to prevent blackheads:

1. The basic thing you can do to keep blackheads away is to wash your face regularly. It is important to keep your face clean, to prevent oil and dirt build-up, which clogs pores and lead to blackheads.

-Use gentle cleansers that contain salicylic acid.
-Never wash your face with hot water; use lukewarm water instead.
-If you have oily skin, use oil-free cleansers. If you have dry skin, use cream or glycerine-based cleansers.
-Avoid bar soaps since they tend to clog pores.

2. Washing your face is important, but make sure not to over-wash. Washing your face frequently will irritate skin, strip it off its natural oils and cause more breakouts. Washing your face two-times in a day is sufficient.

3. Always remove your make-up before you go to bed. Cosmetic products or make-up, if left on skin for too long, can lead to clogged pores.

-Use gentle make-up remover or cleanser to remove make-up.
-Keep your make-up brushes or cosmetic sponges clean to prevent bacteria that can cause clogged pores.

4. If you lead a very active lifestyle, always shower after laborious activities. Sweating generally leads to an overload of bacteria, which ends up causing blackheads.

5. After washing your face, don’t forget to apply moisturiser. Sufficiently hydrated skin actually helps keep blackheads at bay. Always use a moisturiser meant for your skin types. For example, if you have oily skin, don’t go for heavy creams; choose oil-free lightweight creams instead.

6. Since excessive dead skin cells are also a cause of blackheads, it is imperative to exfoliate regularly.

-Gently exfoliate your skin to remove bacteria and dead skin cells to prevent blackheads.
-Exfoliating will prevent blackheads, so if you already have blackheads, simply exfoliating won’t do.
Choose gentle exfoliators as harsh scrubs can irritate your skin.

7. Having oily skin means your battle with blackheads is never-ending. The best way to combat blackheads, is to use products that absorb extra oil.

-Weekly clay masks, counter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatments can be extremely beneficial.

8. Lastly, if you do think you see a blackhead on your nose, don’t touch it! Touching or picking it will only spread bacteria and oil, causing more blackheads.