7 Natural Beauty Rituals Women From Different States Of India Swear By
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When it comes to taking the natural route, Indian women do know what’s best. India is quite the treasure trove when it comes to harnessing the benefits of plants and herbs for the maintenance of skin. While ayurvedic treatments are the most common, there are many rituals that involve just using leftovers from even the food you cook (starch water from rice). There are a lot of natural and traditional remedies to common skin problems that numerous people follow. Who knows? Your granny might use one of these recipes to keep her skin looking fresh or your mom might swear by one of the recipes on our list as a cure-all for her hair problems. So let’s take a look at seven common skin rituals that women from different states in India swear by:
1. Himachal Pradesh And Ladakh: Apricot Oil To Reduce The Appearance Of Red, Flaky Skin
The northern parts of the country have a very cold climate and while most people do acclimatize to the climate after a point, flaky and red skin cannot be avoided. Due to the high altitude of these regions, there are many parts that have direct harsh sunlight along with extremely dry air. While richer women will probably swear by fancy moisturizers and creams, most local women will prefer using less adulterated and chemically-enhanced ingredients. The fruit apricot, which is commonly found in that region contains moisturizing properties that are brilliant for your skin. The oil derived from the apricot kernel is perfect to fix common issues and strengthen skin when it is suffering from irritation and inflammation.
2. Rajasthan: Multani Mitti For Acne-prone Skin
We all know that clay masks containing skincare products are the perfect way to get rid of oily skin and leave you looking and feeling extremely fresh. While Multani mitti is quite strong and can cause a tingling or slight burning sensation on sensitive skin, it is also great for getting rid of excess oil on your skin. Multani Mitti is not just beneficial for oily skin but also for those with other skin types. For dry skin, you can make a paste by mixing Multani mitti with milk and for oily or combination skin, you can mix it with rosewater.
3. Tamil Nadu: Sandalwood To Give The Skin A Cooling Effect
Sandalwood is one of the treasures of the south, with the state of Karnataka holding a large part of the market shares; thanks to the small city of Mysore. The wonderful tree bark is enriched with not just fragrance but also cooling and anti-oil properties. Like Multani mitti, the sandalwood is ground to form a paste and applied on the skin. The paste dries and cools the skin in the process of it. Most of South India does have a hot climate, especially places like Chennai, Hyderabad, Telangana and many more places.
4. Kerala: Coconut Milk To Calm And Hydrate The Skin
Most Malayali women swear by coconut oil for their thick and luscious hair. But did you know that coconut milk is also extremely beneficial for your skin and is great for hydrating skin as well as combating skin irritation and dryness? Coconut milk isn’t oily like regular milk and hence is perfect for hot and humid weather. It works wonders on people with oily skin. Coconut is called a wonder fruit for a reason.
5. Kashmir: Saffron And Walnut Mixed With Milk
Saffron is quite an expensive spice and is often treated like liquid gold. You will find the product in many Kashmiri kitchens but using it for skincare truly is a luxury. Kashmiri women use saffron infused with milk to moisturize their skin in dry weather and give it a glow like no other. Milk is a great moisturizer so it works well in dry climates. Many women also used crushed walnuts and saffron milk to create a natural exfoliating scrub for themselves.
6. Assam: Turmeric and Lentils Scrub Is Great To Clear Your Skin
During the Assamese festival of Bihu, many women use a special turmeric and fresh lentils scrub to give their skin an incredible and beautiful golden glow. The lentils are great for helping purify skin and turmeric is a natural antiseptic and often used to heal cuts and wounds. The turmeric and lentil scrub is usually done before the ritualistic Bihu bath to make their skin look extra on point for the occasion.
7. Manipur: Rice Water As A Hair Wash
Using rice water to wash your hair is now a favorite beauty hack for many people. However, women in the North East of India have been using rice water for years. Rice is soaked in water overnight and is supposed to improve hair growth.
Beauty comes in many sizes, shapes and forms and we Indians know exactly how to treat various skin conditions and problems. Whether you’re from Kashmir or Kanyakumari, you will always find a natural remedy in your kitchen cupboards. Did you know about any of these hacks before? Do let us know what your thoughts are in the comments section below.
