Time to put the glow back on your skin!

Festival season is here and so are some face packs:

Make a cold infusion of hibiscus flowers by allowing them to stand overnight in cold water, in a ratio of one to six. Next morning, crush the flowers. Strain and keep the water. Mix the flowers with three teaspoons oats, two drops tea tree oil and add the water to mix into a paste. This hibiscus pack helps to cleanse, refresh and tone the skin, adding a glow.

Take honey and yogurt and add a few tablespoons of red wine. Apply this on the face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with plain water. This softens and moisturises the skin, removes tan and also adds a glow.

Avocado pulp can be mixed with aloe vera gel and applied on the face to nourish and moisturise the skin. Wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. Fresh and raw avocado should be used. Avocado contains about 20 vitamins and minerals. It is rich in antioxidants, which help to delay skin ageing.

Mix cucumber and ripe papaya pulp with curd and two teaspoons oats. Lemon juice can also be added. Apply on face and neck. Wash it off after half an hour. Helps to remove tan and brighten the skin.

For oily skin, soak one tablespoon moong dal in water for a few hours. Make a paste and add one tablespoon tomato pulp. Apply on face with a light massage. Wash off with water after 20 minutes. Reduces oiliness and brightens the skin.

Mix egg white, lemon juice and honey and apply like a mask. Wash off after 20 minutes. Lemon and egg white have cleansing effects and reduce oiliness. Egg white also tightens the skin, while honey is a powerful natural moisturiser.

Take two teaspoons choker (wheat bran), one teaspoon each ground almonds, honey, curd and egg white or rose water. Mix together and apply on the face, avoiding lips and area around eyes. Wash off after 30 minutes.

Apply a fruit pack. It suits all skin types. Mix grated apples with ripe papaya pulp and mashed banana. Yogurt or lemon juice can be added to the mixture. Apply on the face and wash off after 30 minutes with plain water.

Fresh and soft rose petals can be used for a face pack. Take a handful of rose petals. Wash and grind into a paste. Add one teaspoon each yogurt and honey, as well as 2 tablespoons dried and powdered orange peels. Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. The fragrance of Rose is said to have a calming effect on the mind. It induces relaxation and gives a sense of well being.  Applying a compress on the face with chilled rose water is also extremely refreshing. It adds a glow.

Mix half a teaspoon honey with the yolk of an egg and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with plain water. If the skin is on the oily side, mix half teaspoon honey with the white of an egg and one teaspoon curd. Add fuller’s earth (multani mitti). Mix into a paste and apply. Remove after 20 minutes with water.

Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and are of particular benefit for nourishing dry skin in winter. They have a soothing effect on the skin, making it soft, smooth and supple. In fact, it can be applied to soothe dry, sensitive skin. Carrots can be also be used as a face pack. Boil them in a little water. Cool and mash. Apply the pulp on the face like a pack and wash off with plain water after half an hour.

Mix half a teaspoon honey with the yolk of an egg and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with plain water.