Spice Up Your Skincare Routine with Indian Spices

No Indian food is complete without an array of aromatic spices. But, some spices can do more than just add flavour to food.

The kitchen can be a treasure full of beauty ingredients you can add to your regime, including spices. While we buy expensive beauty products, we end up ignoring the fact that our kitchen cabinet is filled with incredible resources for clear and gorgeous skin. However, spices can make incredibly effective skincare ingredients.

For generations, Indian women have relied on spices as beautifying ingredients to achieve flawless and ageless skin. Each spice has a different beauty benefit to effectively target specific skin problems and contain essential nutrients that nurture the skin incredibly.

We’ve combined a list of spices and ways to use them to solve pretty much all your skincare problems. So, why not heat up your skincare routine by adding a delicious flair to it.

The secret ingredient to youthful, glowing skin could be hiding in your pantry.

Why Should You Use Spices in Your Skincare Routine?

The human body doesn’t just absorb the nutrients through the food you eat, but also through the skin. Several spices can add value to the skin. Spices are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to keep your skin healthy. These spices, when applied to the skin can get absorbed into the bloodstream to treat your skin externally.

From face masks to exfoliators, there are a few easy ways to put spices to good use. This explains why several brands use these ingredients in their skincare products. So, rather than picking up a shop-bought face mask, consider skipping the beauty aisle and head for your spice rack instead.

Keep reading as we show you how to spice up your skincare routine to solve your skin problems.

How to ensure you are using the spices safely

Spices are natural and in their pure form, they do not contain any harmful chemicals.

This means that they do a better job to protect, heal and brighten the skin.

However, even though spices are natural ingredients with great skincare benefits, it is good to use a little caution when using them on the face.

Patch Test

Everyone’s skin reacts differently to different ingredients. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that these spices are safe to use on your skin. So, conduct a patch test to find out if you have any irritations towards any ingredients.

To do this, just mix the spice you want to use with a little water and apply it to the wrist or top of your arm. Then, simply leave it for an hour or two then wash it off.

Next, wait 48 hours to see if you develop any irritation or reactions from the spice on the part you did the patch test. If not, then you’re good to go.

Avoid the Eye Area

Make sure that when you apply any products with the spices, you avoid eye and eyebrow area completely. The spices can be quite powerful and cause severe irritation if it goes into your eyes.

So, to avoid this, it’s best to give the eye area a miss.

Which Indian spices are the best for the skin?

Turmeric

For most beauty-related problems Turmeric has been considered an age-old remedy. This super-spice provides an array of health and beauty benefits. It is packed with anti-inflammatory properties, oil-controlling properties and improves blood circulation amongst a number of other things.

In addition to this, curcumin, a potent ingredient found in turmeric can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to keep the skin looking youthful.

While there are many ways to apply turmeric to the skin, it is the most effective when applied with plain yoghurt. So, to make a hydrating and brightening face mask, mix half a teaspoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of plain yoghurt.

Then, let it sit on the skin for 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

But, be careful not to leave it on the skin too long as turmeric has staining properties. Therefore, leaving it for too long can give your skin a yellow tinge.

Cinnamon

Aside from adding aroma to food and spicing up your hot chocolate, cinnamon can prevent the cause of acne-causing bacteria. For years people have relied on cinnamon for treating skin disorders such as eczema and acne.

When applied to the skin, it can work wonders to warm up the skin, bringing blood and nutrients to the surface. This can promote good circulation to the skin, which is critical for a healthy complexion and helps your skin to breathe. However, this is an incredibly strong spice, so a little goes a very long way.

To make a cinnamon face mask, combine a tablespoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of honey. Then, simply apply it to your face and rinse it off after 10 minutes.

Your skin should instantly look and feel warmer and plumper.

However, if you have dry lips and want them to appear plumper temporarily, simply apply the cinnamon and honey mix to your lips. The reason for dry, chapped lips is often poor circulation. The cinnamon will help to instantly speed this up for plumper, healthier lips.

Suggested Article: DIY Natural Facial Popsicles for Glowing Skin.

Pepper

Pepper is often referred to as the King of the Spices, and for good reason. This ingredient can work wonders for the skin and is best for those who suffer from stubborn blackheads.

The anti-oxidant found in this spice can help in removing acne scars, blemishes and even loosen the skin pores to remove blackheads. Incorporate this versatile spice into your skincare routine by making it into an exfoliating mask.

Combine a teaspoon of ground black pepper with a teaspoon of rose water and mix it well to make a paste. Then, apply it to the skin and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it off. When washing the mask off, remember to rub it into the skin in circular motions to really exfoliate the skin to remove any leftover dirt, impurities or dead skin cells from the face.

Fennel

If your skin is on the sensitive side, then this is the spice for you. This seed when ground finely has soothing effects that can help with any inflammation or swelling that can be common for sensitive skin types.

It is also packed with vitamins A, C and E, which together can fight off dark spots and premature wrinkles. To make a fennel face mask, grind the fennels seeds into a fine powder in a blender or food processor. Then, mix it with water until it becomes a paste.

Once the mixture is nice and smooth, apply it gently all over the face and let it sit for around half an hour. For best results, repeat this process and use this mask every alternate day.

Your skin will thank you.

Suggested Article: How to Create a Fully Vegan Skincare Routine.

Saffron

Saffron, often known as the most expensive spice in the world is often used to add colour and flavour to food. However, it can be hard to get your hands on this ingredient in its true form.

But, if you do the end results are excellent. Saffron is widely known for its skin lightening properties and ability to even out skin tones. Make a skin brightening saffron face mask by adding a few strands to 3 tablespoons of milk and leaving it to soak overnight.

The next day, simply dip a cotton ball into the saffron and milk mixture and apply it over the face. Then, let the mixture sit on your face for 15 minutes before washing it off.

Ginger

You might have heard that ginger is a great ingredient for curing sore throats and coughs. However, it is also great for the skin. This is the best ingredient for mature ladies as it can provide skin rejuvenation while adding natural radiance to the skin to make you look more youthful.

In addition to this, ginger can also improve skin elasticity to tighten the skin and prevent free radical damage that can age the skin. To instantly pick up your skin, make a rejuvenating ginger face mask by simply peeling a fresh piece of ginger and rubbing it all over the skin.

You may experience a slight tingling sensation to the skin, however, this is completely normal and will lessen after a few minutes. Let the juice of the ginger sit on your face for approximately 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

Don’t forget to apply a hydrating moisturizer after to keep the skin hydrated.

Paprika

Paprika does more than just provide a peppy flavour to food. This fiery red spice is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals to give your skin a kick of warmth too.

Paprika is known to be a vasodilator which causes blood vessels to expand and boost blood circulation. This will give you skin a nice, radiant flush to keep it looking beaming and healthy. In addition to this, it is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. to keep your skin stay supple and plump.

Prepare a paprika facial mask by combining a tablespoon of paprika with 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix the ingredients together until it forms a sticky paste, then apply it to the face. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing it off.

You’ll notice that you look instantly radiant and glowing.

To learn more about natural remedies for healthy skin.