All work and no play are the same skin A boring look that lacks charisma and seems dull and tired. While working from home should be fun in the midst of the Covid-19 quarantine, on the contrary, it has resulted in longer screen time and a healthy lifestyle, with careers still high on the priority list and chores.
The effects of this unbalanced lifestyle, in which we try to juggle all of the roles at once, show on our face, making it look dehydrated with dark eyes and skin that is less radiant, or skin that appears darker than usual. While it is undeniable that “you are what you eat,” our adult years lead to a buildup of dead cells on the face, which also contributes to the appearance of dry and dull skin, other than from an unhealthy diet.
While corner cutting with skin care routine has involuntarily become part of our daily activities, luckily there are steps to reverse the damage and restore the skin’s natural glow. Check out these 5 simple home remedies that can add glow to your skin in no time.
1. Lemon
The antioxidant and antipigmentary properties of lemon make the skin glow and look healthy. Vitamin C and ascorbic acid in lemon help lighten the skin, but also cause some stinging sensations. Therefore, if there is too much burning, they should be used carefully and washed off immediately.
Method:
Squeeze lime juice into a bowl and soak a cotton ball in it. Dab the liquid on your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off. Doing this twice a week is ideal.
2. Yogurt and honey
Those looking for supple skin should rely on the moisturizing properties of honey as it removes dullness by leaving skin looking soft, soothing, and plump. Yogurt also helps remove dullness thanks to its tyrosinase activity and its L-cysteine content, which is effective on dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Method:
While honey can simply be rubbed into the skin and left on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water, it can also be mixed with a few drops of lemon to create an organic face pack. Yogurt, on the other hand, should be applied to the face after mixing it with honey and leaving the mixture on the face for a good 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
3. Coffee
The key to a glowing complexion is regular exfoliation as it can prevent dead skin cells from forming on the outer layers of the skin, which clog pores and even make the skin look flaky or dry and dull. Use a coffee scrub to expose a fresh layer of skin and make it look younger, smoother, and healthier.
The caffeine in coffee not only promotes overall skin health, but also protects the skin from sun damage due to its antioxidants. Exfoliating twice a week is recommended, but the frequency can be increased depending on skin tolerance so as not to make it too dry or irritated.
Method:
Mix ground coffee with some brown or regular white sugar and coconut oil for a flavorful homemade scrub. Apply a moisturizer after the exfoliation to lock in moisture immediately and protect the newly exposed skin cells.
4. Aloe vera
This plant is the skin’s best friend as the tyrosinase from its gel not only helps reduce hyperpigmentation, but also serves various other purposes in achieving healthy looking skin.
Method:
Simply apply the gel made from aloe vera leaf to the face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with water.
5. Pickles
While these vegetables also help lighten the skin thanks to vitamin C and other compounds, an added benefit of cucumber is that they are healthy coolants.
Method:
Take half a cucumber and a tablespoon of aloe vera gel and mix them into a paste. Apply it to your face and leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
