Foods to apply to your face for better skin.

Skincare is not always about getting costly synthetic cosmetics, which leave a hole in your wallet. You have the natural products stocked right in your kitchen cupboards!

And, for the times when you don’t feel like involving in too many complicated processes, here are some fruits and vegetables to put on your face as is.

These foods help you to maintain good skin from the inside out, but these can give a boosted result when slapped directly onto your face. Just try not to lick it off! Also, combining some of these nutritious foods can maximize the benefits — this helps to enhance, your complexion and slough off dull, dry skin naturally.

It is a well-known fact that genetics plays a big part in the beauty of your skin – but regularly taking care of it is also essential. Invest 10-15 minutes of your time every day in doing this and look amazing in your Diwali selfies.

Lemon – oily skin face mask

Lemons are natural bleaching agents and are acidic in nature. It is rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that helps flush out toxins and protect the skin from photodamage and hyperpigmentation; also this helps in the production of collagen and boosts skin elasticity (when applied topically). It also contains, alpha-hydroxy acids which help to even out skin tone and may also have a lightening effect on the skin, they tighten up your pores and clean your face, making it shine. So, it is helpful in uneven pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, or keratinization.

How to use it

1. A few drops of lemon juice added to face masks or scrubs give brightening benefits.
2. Oily skin with pigmentation or acne scars? – Lemon juice added with rose water could help to reduce these when dabbed on your face and rinsed after 10 min.
3. Dry skin with pigmentation? – Mix lemon juice and coconut oil dab this on your skin and rinse off after 10 minutes.
4. Dark circles? – Apply the mixture of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of milk, under-eye area, and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.
5. Lemon and sugar, when rubbed on the keratinized areas, lighten the skin tone and reduce keratinization. Note -leaving citrus fruit juice on your skin for more than 10-15 minutes can cause photosensitivity. Also, after applying citrus on your face, avoid going out in the sun for a few hours!

Bananas – face mask for a natural glow

Why you need it

Bananas are available all year round and possess antibacterial properties. It can be used as a natural exfoliator. It contains vitamins A, C, K, and E, folate, minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and dietary fiber. It is an effective natural moisturizer and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Note- Bananas are suitable for all types of skin and applying it on your face will soften and give your skin the natural glow that you have always wanted!

How to use it

Apply mashed fruit directly on your face, Massage a little, leave it on for 10 minutes, before rinsing it – try not to lick it off.

Tomatoes – skin lightening face mask

Why you need it

Tomatoes nourish and lighten your skin. It contains Lycopene, a potent antioxidant which has anti-ageing properties and also acts a sunscreen from within. It is acidic, which helps to tighten pores and prevent pimples. The potassium in it helps to regenerate skin cells and promotes healthy cells. It also has a ton of Vitamin A and C, renowned for lightening skin and are used as a bleaching agent. The herb also acts as an antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-ageing agent. It cures acne and reduces blackheads.

How to use it

1.Mash the tomato and apply its juice all over your face and neck.

Let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes, then wash your face. This natural pack is good for your wrinkled areas, dark spots, dark circles or acne scars.

Cucumber – face mask for dry skin

Why you need it

Cucumber is use-able on even the most sensitive skin. Antioxidants and flavonoids in cucumber can reduce irritation. Rubbing it on your face gives soothing and cooling effects, and helps your skin retain moisture and mitigate dullness and itching. Plus, it soothes your sunburn after a long sunny day. It may, slow age-related cellular deteriorations, and possess anti-acne effects.

How to use it

Make a paste out of half a cucumber and apply on the skin directly you can also add 2 tbsp. of aloevera gel (it’s fine without that too) and gently massage the paste over your face.

Rinse off after 30 minutes.

Potato & Lemon – Tan removal face mask

Why you need it

Potato and lemon juice help in removing pigmentation and sunburns naturally. Potato is full of vitamins C, B1, B3, and B6 and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, along with dietary antioxidants, making it a fantastic skin-loving ingredient. It helps maintain clear skin with an unmistakable glow. Vitamin C in the mask boosts collagen synthesis, which maintains skin elasticity and firmness. Zinc in potato heals and protects damaged tissues. Plus, it removes dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. Wrinkles and glow – The enzymes, vitamin C, and starch found in raw potatoes can make skin food that nourishes starving skin tissues. The antiseptic action of potato gives the skin a youthful glow — also, the acidic portion of the pulp slough off the old skin.

How to use it

1.Take slices of peeled potato and rub it against your skin to spread the juice on every part you wish to lighten.

2.Leave the pack for 15-20 minutes and wash with water.

3. You can also grate the potato, squeeze out the juice, and apply it with the help of a cotton pad.

Cinnamon- Anti-ageing face mask

Why you need it

Reduced skin elasticity is the side effect of ageing due to the lowered production of collagen. Cinnamon, rich in antioxidants, have also been found to promote the natural collagen production leading to more youthful look naturally! It helps to prevent acne as it dries out the affected area when applied topically. The antibacterial property of this spice can kill the bacteria and deeply cleanse the skin.

How to use it

1.Take 1 tbsp of powdered cinnamon

Mix 2-3 tbsp of honey to it and apply on to your face

Grape – face mask for flawless skin

Why you need it

Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant and studies have found that it protects skin from UV damage and skin cancer. Where does it come from? Grapes, red or green, are loaded with it. It is also a rich source of vitamins C, K, and folate and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Plus, grape seed extract has skin rejuvenating, protecting, and healing properties.

How to use it

Apply mashed grapes on your skin, wait for 10 minutes and then wash off with cold water after 10 minutes.

Oats – soothing face mask

Why you need it

Oatmeal is a common ingredient that you can find in any product that is meant to soothe irritated skin. It helps to reduce inflamed skin caused by skin conditions like eczema. It’s nourishing, and the skin-settling properties come from its mix of flavonoids, phenols, and also a type of polyphenols called avenanthramides—all which act as natural anti-inflammatories.

How to use it

Oats are best used in masks when in a ground or flour form. Try combining with honey for an ultra-soothing mask.

2 tbsp oatmeal can be combined with 3 tbsp buttermilk, this combination benefits for removal of skin tanning. The lactic acid in buttermilk softens and improves the skin tone.

Massage on tanned areas and wash it off.

Ryan Fernando is an Award-winning celebrity Sports Nutritionist with 2GUINNESS world record and 2 Olympic medals under his belt. His client list include Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar, cricketer Shikhar Dhawan & Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan & Abhishek Bachchan. He is the Founder at QUA Nutrition Signature Clinics.