Feeding the Skin?
The quest for a glowing skin should not be a the cost of harmful side effects and hence, knowledge is power
Organic, natural, or ‘sattvic’ have become buzzwords today because everyone wants to eat well and look good. However, just as your face looking spotless and glowing is important, your overall health matters too. Unfortunately, this is a fact that many seem to forget. As a result, everyone is focused solely on enhancing the appearance of their face, striving to achieve clear, radiant, glowing, and smooth skin. To achieve this, people apply a variety of chemical creams, body lotions, or serums available in the market.
Meanwhile, some people, following the current fad of natural and ‘sattvic’ beauty, attempt to brighten their skin using home remedies, particularly those that make use of kitchen ingredients, instead of chemical creams. Many of us make our own face packs using ingredients like milk, yoghurt, and fruit pulp, in keeping with the latest rage of DIY (Do It Yourself) methods. What very few of us seem to realize is that while these face packs may seem natural, applying such substances directly to the skin can sometimes cause harm.
Our skin is composed of several layers. The first layer is the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The cells in this layer are called keratinocytes, which produce keratin, giving the skin strength and making it waterproof. Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, which contains fat, fibres, and collagen, providing elasticity and strength to the skin. The third layer is the hypodermis, the innermost layer, which consists of fat. The creams or serums we apply to our skin penetrate these layers, working to brighten and strengthen the outermost layer. While the foodstuff we use in natural facepacks may be nutritious for the body, it does not contain enough nutrients or nourishment for the skin. For example, Vitamin C helps repair or reduce the damage caused by sun exposure to the skin. Oranges and lemons are excellent sources of Vitamin C. However, eating oranges does not provide Vitamin C to the skin, and similarly, applying oranges or lemons to the face does not allow the Vitamin C to be absorbed by the skin either. Vitamin C needs to reach the skin in a specific formulation. Only in that form can it seep into the sub-layers of the skin’s outer layers and achieve the desired effect. This brings up the question: what should we not apply to our face?
- Milk or yoghurt: There is a widespread belief that applying raw milk or yoghurt to the face makes it brighter. Milk and yoghurt contain some amount of lactic acid, which may help remove dead skin cells. However, the proteins and cream in milk can irritate the skin. The cream can block your pores increasing the likelihood of acne or pimples.
- Gram flour and coffee: A lot of people use these ingredients as natural scrubs daily. While coffee contains antioxidants, the friction caused by coffee or pulse flour can create micro abrasions on the skin. This damages the protective layer of the skin; what we call the skin barrier. As a result, the skin may become prone to infections, increasing the chances of acne. If you wish to remove dead skin cells, wash your face one to two times a day with plain water.
- Honey: Honey is excellent at drawing moisture into the skin and has some antibiotic properties (antimicrobial properties). However, you cannot step outside after applying honey to your face. But there is no harm in using honey in a face mask.
- Coconut or olive oil: Oil is often used for massage or to achieve glowing skin. However, many people may experience acne or small pimples due to oil. Oil is a comedogenic substance, which means it blocks skin pores, leading to blackheads. Oil can get trapped in the pores on the face. Coconut oil can worsen acne and make the problem more severe. Some people’s skin may develop pigmentation due to oil, while others may experience red spots, pimples, or similar issues on their faces. Instead of these substances, it is advisable to use a gel-based or cream-based moisturizer. This helps keep your skin soft without causing any damage.
- Fruit and vegetable juices: Numerous bacteria on your facial skin work to protect it. Applying fruit or vegetable juice on the face can harm the skin. However, fruits and vegetables sometimes contain germs and bacteria, which can damage the microorganisms on the skin. This can lead to significant skin damage due to infection.
To maintain healthy and beautiful skin, it is essential to balance your skin’s pH levels. Acids or other elements in food products can disrupt this balance, causing damage to the protective layer of the skin and thereby increasing the chances of acne and small pimples. Therefore, caution must be exercised when applying any food products to the skin, as they can prove harmful.
Each person’s skin is sensitive to specific substances. While yoghurt may brighten one person’s face, it can cause redness when applied to another’s face. Applying food products to the face is a ‘hit or miss’ process, with more potential downsides than benefits. Additionally, applying vegetables, fruits, or milk to the face can become a messy task.
Instead, the best way to go when it comes to healthy skin consult a skin specialist and use appropriate serums, creams, or body lotions suitable to your skin type.
To read more English blogs, please visit our blog section.
Team Kalnirnay