With the harmattan season fast approaching, a lot of us are beginning to worry about how to care for our sensitive skin.
A fruit face pack is the best bet for sensitive skin as they are completely natural, harmless and filled with useful vitamins. They are made from fresh fruit pulps and puree. They absolutely work to rejuvenate your skin, leaving a flawless glow on any skin type.
A complete mix of the right fruits makes a face pack that is filled with alpha-hydroxy acid, citric acid, phenolic acid, Vitamin C, antioxidants, beauty nutrients and skin lightening enzymes that give a visibly fairer, smoother, healthier, more even-toned and younger looking skin.
Here are some easy fruit face packs you can try out for a softer, more lustrous skin:
Grapes:
(Photo: Wikipedia)
As exotic and delicious (rare and expensive in Nigeria) as grapes are, they are usually overlooked. Grapes are packed with useful antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful UV rays – which is super because the sun these days burns like hell. They also help stimulate collagen and elastin tissue.
To make a grape face pack you’ll need:
- Grape Juice
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Wheat Flour
Mash 3 or 4 grapes (you can use either the green or red grapes). Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon of wheat flour. Mix it up properly and apply on your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off with warm water. This face pack will restore moisture to your skin, leaving you with smooth fresh skin this harmattan season.
Cucumber:
(Photo: NDTV Food)
Cucumbers are known to be great for skincare. They help to soften and relax your skin, clearing any lines and puffiness on the skin. Great for reducing inflammation and alleviating tanned and sun burnt skin, cucumbers are a must have for this harmattan season.
For an effective cucumber face pack, get:
- ½ cucumber
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tbsp. of honey
- 1 tbsp. of brown sugar
Peel the cucumber and blend it then mix the milk, honey and brown sugar into a puree. Mix together and apply the moisture to your face and neck, leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash the paste off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Banana:
(Photo: BBC Good Food)
Bananas are packed full with nutrients that are great for the skin. Rich in potassium, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, bananas improve skin elasticity. It also contains Vitamin A which will ensure that your skin never peels or dries.
To make a banana fruit face pack you will need:
- ½ banana
- ½ tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Mash the banana and add the honey and lemon juice to it. Mix well and apply it on clean skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with clean water. You will immediately feel your pores tighten.
Papaya:
(Photo: News Bureau)
Locally known as pawpaw, papaya is one of the best fruits for glowing skin. Top commercial skin whitening products contain papaya due to its naturally brightening enzyme; papain. Papaya also contains other skin toning agents such as alpha hydroxy acids, Vitamins A and C that has anti-ageing effect on the skin.
To make a papaya fruit face pack, you’ll need:
Mix 2 tablespoons of fresh papaya paste with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of rosewater. Ensure you face is clean before applying the paste. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off. When washing off the fruit face pack, gently massage the face in a circular motion with warm water. This face pack leaves your skin smoother and well moisturized.
More skincare tips? We have more here.