Beauty products geared toward skin care spend millions in advertising and marketing to promise us that unsightly skin can be ‘fixed’ with so-and-so creams, serums, face packs, lotions and more. The question is, do we really need to use chemical-laden products when natural ingredients are so much more effective? Well, no. Many of the best beauty products are hiding in plain sight on our kitchen shelves or in our gardens!
Use these 5 Beauty Secrets and Home Remedies for Glowing Skin
Indian home remedies and health regimes have become renowned the world over, with the revival of Ayurveda, Yoga and natural products. Beauty and makeup artists are driving home the idea that simple ingredients from nature can do more for our skin and hair than a plethora of premium beauty products. 
The best beauty products can be found in your kitchen!
Let’s take a look at 5 of the most easily available, cost-effective and beneficial home remedies for blemish-free skin:
1. Turmeric
The quintessential spice that can be found in any Indian kitchen or food store, Turmeric or ‘haldi’ has achieved top status as health food. It is anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and an excellent immunity booster, but turmeric is also used as a purifying skin-care ingredient. As a pre-wedding ritual, brides and grooms in India are covered in turmeric paste which is believed to enhance their beauty and make their skin glow! 
Use turmeric to keep your skin healthy and radiant
Grandmother’s Recipe – Add lemon juice and water to turmeric powder, use the paste on your face and body, to detoxify, de-tan and rejuvenate your skin. You can also mix Fuller’s Earth in the paste if you have oily skin or acne.
2. Fuller’s Earth
Fuller’s Earth is better known as ‘multani mitti’, and is one of the most versatile beauty products found in nature. It is excellent for oily skin, since it clears up excess oil and impurities, giving you a smooth and even skin tone. You can also use it as a dry shampoo or as a base for other natural ingredient-based face packs
Fuller’s Earth or Multani Mitti is a quick and versatile beauty essential
Grandmother’s Recipe – Add rosewater or lemon juice to some powdered Fuller’s Earth and apply to your face and neck. Rinse it off after 15-20 minutes and use this pack frequently to clear up blackheads, oily patches and blemishes.
3. Neem
Neem leaves are a wonderful source of health benefits, which range from purifying the blood to clearing up problem skin. A paste of neem leaves can be used as a face pack, to reduce pimples and acne over time. If you can handle the bitter flavor, drink neem juice (neem leaves boiled in water) regularly – it will help clear toxins from your body and make your skin glow from inside!
Neem leaves are the most popular home remedy for problem skin
Grandmother’s Recipe – Crush neem leaves, add lemon juice, multani mitti and water to form a smooth paste. Apply to your face and neck, and rinse off after 20-30 minutes for an instant glow.
4. Honey
Honey is nature’s magic ingredient, with a host of disease-fighting benefits, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and much more. Green tea or lemon juice sweetened with honey is an excellent health drink, which helps the body flush out impurities and gives you a natural glow. Honey can also be used to fight pimples, scars, acne, rashes and more.
Honey is a treasure-trove of all-natural health benefits
Grandmother’s Recipe – Mix lemon juice and honey for the simplest face pack ever! Apply it to your face and wash off after 20 minutes for soft and supple skin. Used regularly, it will reduce blemishes, acne and pimples, as well as prevent wrinkles over time.
5. Lemon
Lemon juice has been widely acclaimed for the health benefits it offers, and it makes a lovely choice for home beauty remedies too. The acidic content in lemons helps counteract oily skin, pimples, acne, scars, tans and more. It also removes dead skins and works as an astringent to tighten your pores.
Lemons are a natural astringent and skin toner
Grandmother’s Recipe – Twice a week, squeeze out the juice from half a lemon, then turn it inside out and gently rub all over your face and neck. Rinse your face with warm water or follow up with a light soap-free face wash for clear and unblemished skin.
Everyone wants to flaunt glowing, radiant skin that is free of pimples, blackheads and marks. We want to look our best at any cost, but we don’t need to sacrifice our skin’s health in the pursuit of quick-fix products that may do more damage in the long run. Instead, let’s use our grandmothers’ simple ‘nuskhas’ or home remedies to achieve soft and blemish-free skin!
Image Credits: Steven Jackson, { Pranav } (Flickr Creative Commons), http://oneclickbeautycare.com/
