Kiwis have been used topically in a variety of beauty remedies to enhance the texture, appearance, and overall quality of your skin.
This article talks about different refreshing, hydrating face masks that use kiwi and other skin-rejuvenating boosters right from your kitchen shelf. You can adjust the quantity of the ingredients to make the mask suitable for your skin type.
These easy-to-prepare masks are a much more affordable and safer option than overpriced and chemical-containing facial masks available on the market.
Using these masks once a week can revitalize your skin, help it heal, and protect it from further damage.
Know Your Ingredients
# Kiwi fruitKiwi, also known as the “king of vitamin C,” is good for the skin in multiple ways. It is loaded with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E,that help counter the harmful activity of free radicals, which accounts for a lot of skin damage.
Free radicals are unstable molecules present in the body and the environment that unleash considerable oxidative stress within the tissues to cause some degree of cellular and DNA destruction. This kind of cellular damage leads to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and other premature signs of skin aging.
The antioxidants in kiwi not only eliminate or neutralize these harmful free radicals but also promote skin repair to undo the damage already done.
Vitamin C also aids the production of collagen, which is the main skin-building protein, and imparts moisture to your skin.
# YogurtLactic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid found in yogurt. It helps dissolve the dead cells on the surface of the skin to make them shed easily and then be replaced by new ones.
This gentle exfoliation process reveals fresh skin from underneath to impart a healthy glow to your face.Lactic acid also helps keep your skin suitably acidic to ward off skin microbes such as the acne-causing staphylococcus that generally thrives in alkaline conditions.
It also acts as a mild bleaching agent to fade skin hyperpigmentation, often caused by too much sun exposure. If you are out of yogurt, you can use milk or milk cream, which are also good sources of lactic acid.
# BananaBananas are full of bioactive compounds and nutrients, including polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin K, and minerals, that nourish your skin to improve its structure and appearance. They help limit free radical activity, which is a major contributor to premature skin aging.
When applied to the face, bananas can also help lighten your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation for a more even complexion.
# Vitamin E oils
Olive oil and sweet almond oil are enriched with vitamin E (or tocopherol) that helps hydrate the skin and repair skin damage.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help facilitate skin repair and also protects the skin from sun damage and the side effects of chemotherapy. Vitamin E also works as an antioxidant to curb the oxidative stress caused by free radicals on skin cells, which is often the source of premature skin aging.
This skin-nourishing vitamin is also good for your immunity and can help you ward off infection and illnesses that affect the skin.
# Oatmeal
The widespread use of oatmeal in skin products and remedies is testament to its dermatological benefits. The topical use of colloidal oatmeal extracts was shown to limit the release of certain inflammation-causing proteins called cytokines to reduce swelling, redness, itchiness, and other skin discomforts triggered by underlying inflammation.
Plus, oatmeal hydrates the skin to relieve dryness, scaling, roughness, and itchiness. It may also work as a gentle scrub for your delicate facial skin.
Face Mask Recipe
# For dry, flaky skin- Squash a kiwi with a fork in a clean bowl.
- Add 3–4 tablespoons of ground oatmeal.
- Mix all the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
# For acne-prone skin- Mash half a kiwi in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of yogurt.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
- Whip all the ingredients to form a thick, smooth paste.
# For all skin types- Take half a kiwi and 3–4 small chunks of banana in a bowl and mash them to a pulp.
- Add 1 tablespoon of yogurt to the mix.
- You may add 1 teaspoon of any vitamin E-rich oil of your choice.
- Mix all the ingredients well to make a thick paste.
How To Apply- Remove all makeup and wash your face.
- Apply the paste evenly to your face and neck.
- Let it sit for 20–30 minutes so that the nutrients are absorbed into the skin.
- Soak a soft washcloth in warm water, wring out the excess liquid, and gently wipe your face with it to remove the mask. Make sure that the water is only mildly warm and not hot enough to irritate or burn your sensitive facial skin.
- Once the mask is off, thoroughly rinse your skin with water and pat it dry.
- While the skin is still damp, apply a gentle moisturizer all over the face and neck and cover it up with sunscreen during the day.