I got it from my mama! No, literally. It's in the genes. Plus I religiously follow some age old advice passed through generations and generations of women.
My mother only started using cold creams and shampoos after she turned 35 years old, influenced by tv advertisements and her friends. Before that, she used to wash her hair with Fuller's earth (multani mitti) or buttermilk. Many women used to wash their hair with detergents, not even kidding.
Why did they still possess glorious hair and skin?
It's because the soil and air wasn't polluted, the food was unadulterated and homemade, they never had any chemical treatments done, they didn't know the first thing about a salon. Also. I imagine they lived less stressful lives than us. I believe it's more about what you're putting in your body than what you're putting over it.
For the face, mom used raw milk as a cleanser, gram flour, wheat flour and turmeric as scrubs and face washes, and fresh cream or coconut oil for moisturization.
So did I follow her advice and went au naturale? Only after experimenting with a lot of cosmetics. I love my Bath and Body Works products, but I also remember to take a break and use the gifts of nature.
Here are a few things that have actually worked for me:
- Raw unadulterated honey. I cannot stress this enough. It works amazingly for problems of acne, dry skin and marks. I buy mine from Khadi Gramudyog. Mix it with cinnamon and lemon juice, apply it as a face pack and you won't have to worry about your skin ever again.
- Aloe Vera. That plant is a blessing for humans. Eat it and it will cure your indigestion, put it on you and it will leave your skin silky smooth. (Zohan style). I leave it on my skin overnight. Try to use it raw, preferably from the plant itself.
- Coconut oil/olive oil/almond oil. They are my most prized possessions. Coconut oil is a lifesaver. There's no skin problem that it cannot cure. I use the other two oils in winters because I have dry skin.
- Curd/yogurt, that beautiful byproduct of milk that saves me from sunburns, dark skin and actually tightens my pores. I use it on my skin more often than I eat it, especially as a makeup remover (raw milk and coconut oil are brilliant for that purpose) and also when I’ve stayed out in the sun for too long.
- Fuller’s earth. It’s indispensable for your skin, take my word for it. Lately I’ve stopped using face washes and use multani mitti to clean my face and then apply some coconut oil if the skin feels dry.
- Here are some do's and dont’s to keep in mind, if you’ve come this far:
- Avoid Stress at all costs! Whatever happens, whatever you look like, don’t let it bother you too much. I haven’t known a girl who doesn’t have skin problems. She doesn’t exist. So don’t let it get to you.
- Be confident in your own skin. Whether you’re “milky white” or wheatish or dusky. My mother has brown skin and she is one of the most beautiful women I know. She has other advantages as well: No visible body hair, no acne marks and she looks ethereal in makeup. All you fair girls can’t boast that can you?
- Take care of your diet, eat healthy and homemade. Drink water as much as you can. Exercise, dance or practice yoga, do whatever your body loves. Listen to it. Platitudes I know, but essential!
- Laugh a lot. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Bask in happy positive thoughts. You will look 100x more attractive.
- Don’t let your looks be the end-all. Invest in relationships, work hard for your career, develop your personality, make yourself happy, make others happy, don’t just be content living a one dimensional life.
- Remember, my beauties, the light is within you, not without. That is what will make you shine for real and for ever.
And she told me, very matter of factly “Leaving it alone”. She thinks what I do is completely over the top and unnecessary.
So, my last word : Do what you think is best for you. Don’t accept generic advice from self proclaimed beauty experts.
Find out whatever works for you. Your resilient miraculous skin will adapt.