Holistic Living Annex: Cucumber For A Complete Beauty Package

Cucumber For A Complete Beauty Package

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2012 and filed under Beauty , Nicoleta Buru , . You can follow any responses to this entry through theRSS 2.0 . You can leave a response or trackback to this entry from your site

Are you suffering from a skin irritation such as acne, eczema, or dermatitis? Are you fed up of how the creams you buy in the pharmacy do not seem to work, and are now looking for a more natural and cheaper solution? You are looking at the right place! Did you know that a cucumber can do wonders to preserve one’s natural beauty?

Discovered over 10,000 years ago in west-southern Asia and cultivated for at least 3,000 years – cucumber is still used nowadays as food and for healing and beauty purposes. It is also interesting to note that cucumbers have been used to aid weight loss as well.

Cucumbers have hydrant and astringent properties, which are why many beauty products have them in their ingredients. The application of cucumber leaves behind a cooling effect and it also contains the same pH level as our skin. This ensures that our skin’s protective layer is maintained and not harmed in any way at all by high levels of acid.

This wonder vegetable is also very useful during the summers. It is not only good for treating sunburns, it helps reduce the heat-induced greasy sensation of the body. Its application also helps soothes itchiness of the skin and speed up the skin cell renewal process to reveal a more radiant, glowing skin.

Applying cucumbers on the face also helps tighten pores and reduce eye puffiness. As it contains a high level of caffeic acid and Vitamin C, it provides relief to a variety of skin irritations such as acne, eczema and dermatitis.

Below are few special skin recipes using cucumbers that you may use in your beauty regimen to reveal a more healthy and beautiful appearance.

Facial Treatment
Did you know that Cucumbers’ astringent properties can help reduce the oily-shine on your face, as well as refreshing it? Here are the different ways you can benefit from this.

1) Peel half of a cucumber, and cut it into small pieces. Blender the pieces and apply the paste all over your face. Leave it for 15 minutes, then wash it off with cool water.

2) To help get rid of dead skin cells, this is another natural mask recipe with a mixture of avocado and cucumber. Blend equal portions of chopped peeled cucumber and avocado, and two teaspoons of powdered milk. Refrigerate the paste for 30 minutes, then apply to the face and neck for another half-an-hour. Rinse with warm water first, then rinse the second time with cool water and pat dry.

3) To remove blemishes, blender a half-peeled cucumber with one tablespoon of instant non-fat milk and one teaspoon of plain yoghurt. Apply the mask on the face for 20 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.

4) Recommended daily treatment for radiant skin: Add a splash of rosewater to one teaspoon of shaved cucumber and apply mixture on the face. Leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

5) Need for speed? If you’re in a hurry and have no time to prepare any of the masks above, just cut few slices of fresh cucumber and rub it on your face in circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Your skin will still feel fresh and smooth after the treatment.

A Quick-Eye RefresherReduce inflammation, puffiness and tiredness around the eyes with a simple recipe that many use. Cut two thick slices of cucumber and apply to each eye for 10 minutes. This is a quick lift for tired eyes. Results are almost-instant!

Hair MaskUse cucumbers to prevent hair damage. Cucumber juice contains silicon and sulphur that helps nourish the hair and stimulate its growth. To benefit from this, you can either drink a mixture of cucumber and carrot juice regularly, or you can also create a hair mask. Blend a quarter of peeled cucumber with one egg and 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Spread the paste all over your hair and leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse. Do this regularly for best results.

Hand WashTo minimize the chloride content in water that may damage the skin on your hands, blend a small peeled cucumber until very fine, and add one tablespoon of hazel. Mix it thoroughly, and massage the paste on the hands. You will feel the difference immediately.

Weight LossCucumbers are high in minerals but low in calories. It is full of fibre and is fat free. For those who want to lose weight, this may be your answer. Try eating cucumbers more often in place of other fatty food items. Cucumbers are not only crunchy to bite, but also aids digestion due to its fibre content. Try eating cucumbers dipped in hummus, or just add them in your bowl of salad to make it a healthy snack.

Author: Nicoleta Buru
Edited by Geneviéve Tan Shu Thung
Copyright © 2012 Sandhya Maarga Holistic Living Resources
Holistic Living Annex (Volume 1, Issue 2 - MAR 2012 Edn)