Thursday, 16 February 2017

Cucumber: As All-in-one Treatment for Acne

February 16, 2017 0
Cucumber

Acne, as well as being unsightly, can also cause pain and discomfort. It can be caused by excess oil produced by sebaceous glands, hormonal changes, stress, unhealthy diet, improper hygiene,
pregnancy, etc. Natural herbal remedies are the most effective at treating acne, but especially cucumber. Cucumber proves as a best remedy to minimize acne. Cucumber has a mild flavor and high water content that effectively treats many health and cosmetic problems.

How to reduce Acne with Cucumber

Amazing benefits of Cucumber
  • It contains silica, a rich source of nutrients that replenishes the skin. It also holds the connective tissue of skin tightly and acts as an anti – acne, anti – aging and anti – wrinkle product.
  • It has 90% of water content that helps to keep the skin well moisturized and hydrated.
  • It has skin tightening properties that help to cleanse the skin by removing the impurities, dust and dead skin cells.
  • It also tightens the skin pores which in turn leave them smaller and less likely to get clogged.
  • It contains many essential vitamins (A, C and E), minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) and amino acids that preserve the skin.
  • The astringent property of cucumber helps to cure the acne and lightens the appearance of acne by reducing redness and pain as well as scars.
  • It removes dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria, left over make-up and oil on the skin.
  • It has natural calming and cooling affects to reduce redness and inflammation.
  • Cucumber is rich in vitamin E that exhibits anti – oxidant properties to fight against the free radicals causing acne and stubborn scars.
  • It has the same pH as skin that helps to heal it.
  • It acts as a natural cleanser, moisturizer and skin toner.

How to treat Acne with Cucumber:

Cucumber Slices
You can simply eat or drink or apply this alone or with other ingredients to get rid of acne quickly without any recurrence.

1. Cucumber with Baking Soda, Apple and Honey

Ingredients:
  • Cucumber – 1
  • Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • Apple – 1
  • Honey – 1 teaspoon
  • Water – 2 teaspoons
Process:
  • Mix baking soda with water to form a fine paste.
  • Add Mashed apple, mashed cucumber and honey.
  • Mix well and chill in the fridge for an hour.
  • Apply as a mask on the affected skin.
  • Allow it to sit for 10 – 20 minutes and wash off with water.
  • Repeat 2 – 3 times a week.

2. Cucumber Toner

This cucumber toner relieves redness and swelling that is associated with acne.
Ingredients:
  • Fresh cucumber juice – 1/4 cup
  • Distilled water – 2 tablespoons
  • Witch hazel (or) vodka – 2 tablespoons
  • Clean empty bottle
Process:
  • Extract fresh cucumber juice and add water and witch hazel or vodka.
  • Mix well and pour this solution in a clean bottle.
  • Refrigerate for a few hours and use this solution as a toner using a cotton ball.
  • Or just use cucumber juice and water as a toner.
  • Regularize the application.

3. Cucumber Mask

Ingredients:
  • Cucumber slices with skin – 2
  • Cream (prefer Milk cream) – 1/2 cup
  • Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
  • Mud or clay – 1 tablespoon
  • Honey – 1 tablespoon
  • Lemon slice
Process:
  • Blend all the ingredients (expect the lemon slice) in a blender.
  • Leave for a few minutes to dry and then rinse with water and pat dry.
  • This mask has to be applied regularly.

4. Cucumber Face Mask

This face pack acts as an effective skin aid that not only cures acne but also clears wrinkles, spots, scars and other blemishes on the skin.
Process:
  • Blend cucumber pulp in a blender with some fresh mint leaves.
  • Separate egg white from an egg and beat thoroughly before adding to the juice.
  • Apply this on the face and neck and leave for 15 minutes.
  • Wash with water and pat the skin dry.
  • Repeat the same process regularly.
  • Note: You can use milk, honey or rosewater instead of egg white.

5. Cucumber Facial for Acne Prone Skin

This natural face mask removes the debris embedded deep within pores.
Ingredients:
  • Cucumber – 1
  • Finely ground oatmeal – 1/2 cup
  • Ripe apple – 1/2 part
  • Skim milk – 2 tablespoons
  • Warm water
Process:
  • Blend 2 inch slice of cucumber, ground oatmeal, skim milk and 1/2 of apple and chop into small pieces.
  • Apply this mask on the face and neck and leave for 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water followed with cold water to close the pores.
  • Repeat this process regularly.
  • Note: You can use honey and lemon juice instead of skim milk and apple.

6. Cucumber in Diet

Cucumber in Diet
Intake of cucumber keeps the body hydrated and flushes out toxins.
  • Peel, chop and blend a cucumber.
  • Drink the juice everyday on an empty stomach as first thing in the morning.
  • Or Soak cucumber in water for an hour and then drink the infused water.
  • Adding salt to juice as it acts as an astringent.
  • Note: You can add a little neem juice or turmeric powder.
  • Or Use fresh cucumbers to make salads.
  • Add cucumber slices to sandwiches, burgers and rolls.
  • Or just consume slices throughout the day.
  • Regular intake of cucumber can give multiple benefits.

7. Cucumber with Yogurt

This method clears the excess oil or sebum deposits when heat strikes.
Process 1:
  • Cut a small cucumber into pieces and blend to make a paste.
  • Stir in 3 teaspoons of yogurt then apply to the affected skin.
  • Allow to dry and absorb for 30 – 45 minutes.
  • Rinse off with clean lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.
  • For additional rejuvenation, spray cool water or an ice cube on your face.
Process 2:
  • Mix equal quantities of cucumber pulp, yogurt and oatmeal powder.
  • Add a tablespoon of honey (optional) and apply on the affected skin.
  • Wash with cold water after 30 – 40 minutes.
  • Repeat the same process regularly.

8. Cucumber with Tomato Juice and Sandalwood Powder

This process removes the excess oil from skin and reduces inflammation.
Process 1:
  • Blend a small cucumber to get a fine paste.
  • Mix in 2 tablespoons of pure sandalwood powder and 3 teaspoons of fresh tomato juice.
  • Apply on the affected skin and leave to dry.
  • Wash off with water and pat the skin dry before applying oil free moisturizer.
 Process 2:
  • Mix equal quantities of fresh cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply this mask on your skin twice daily.
  • You can also add fresh lemon juice.
  • Regularize this process.

9. Cucumber Juice

Fresh cucumber juice removes the redness on the skin by opening the pores.
Process 1:
  • Peel and blend a cucumber and extract the juice using a sieve or cheesecloth.
  • Add sugar and apply on the skin using a cotton ball and leave to dry.
  • Wash off with water and pat the skin dry.
  • Store this juice in the fridge.
Process 2:
  • Mix lentil powder and cucumber paste.
  • Apply on the face and neck for 20 – 30 minutes before taking a bath.
  • Follow these processes regularly.

10. Cucumber with Lemon Juice and Rosewater

  • Mix equal quantities of fresh cucumber juice, lemon juice and rose water.
  • Apply on the affected skin and leave for a few minutes before rinsing with water.
  • Continue this process regularly.

11. Cucumber and Honey Toner

  • Peel, chop and blend a small cucumber.
  • Extract the juice using cheesecloth and mix 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
  • Pour into a plastic bottle and shake well.
  • Apply all over the face and neck using a cotton ball.
  • Allow to dry for a few minutes before washing with water.
  • Repeat the application regularly.

12. Cucumber with Aloe Vera and Essential Oil

Ingredients:
  • Cucumber juice – 1 tablespoon
  • Aloe vera gel – 1/2 tablespoon
  • Lavender essential oil – 3 drops
  • Tea tree oil – 5 drops
  • Full fat milk powder – 2 tablespoons
Process:
  • Mix cucumber juice, aloe vera gel, lavender oil, tea oil and full fat milk powder.
  • Apply this all over the face and wait for about 15 – 20 minutes to dry.
  • Repeat regularly.
  • Or you can mix aloe vera, cucumber juice and tea tree oil and apply this as a mask.

13. Cucumber Slices

This process not only helps to reduce acne but also fades away the acne scars.
Process:
  • Peel and cut a fresh refrigerated cucumber into thin slices.
  • Place on the affected skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove and rinse your face with warm water followed by cold water.
  • Repeat regularly.

14. Cucumber for Back Acne

Ingredients:
  • Cucumber – 1
  • White onions – 2
  • Cooked oatmeal (or) fenugreek seeds – 1 tablespoon
Process:
  • Blend 1 cucumber and 2 onions and extract its juice.
  • Now add 1 tablespoon cooked oatmeal or fenugreek seeds to the mixture.
  • Apply this as a mask on your back for 30-40 minutes before washing with water.

15. Cucumber with Baking Soda for Cystic Acne

Baking soda has anti – septic and anti – inflammatory properties that helps to cure cystic acne. This unclogs pores and exfoliates dead skin cells.
Process:
  • Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda and fresh cucumber juice to form a thin paste.
  • Apply on the affected skin for a few minutes.
  • Wash with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply some oil free moisturizer.
  • Repeat process once or twice a week.

16. Cucumber with Fuller’s Earth

Cucumber help to control the oil secretion and fullers earth works as scrubber. This method is especially used to treat cystic acne and clears scars on skin.
Process:
  • Grate a fresh cucumber and extract its juice.
  • Mix in 3 tablespoons of fuller’s earth to make a fine paste and apply on the affected skin.
  • Leave to dry for a few minutes before washing off with water.
  • Pat the skin dry and apply oil free moisturizer.
  • Repeat the process regularly.

17. Cucumber Oil for Acne

Cucumber seed oil contains many benefits like anthelmintic, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti – inflammatory, diuretic, febrifuge, vermifuge, purgative, demulcent properties that when combined with carrier oil, it exhibits moisturizing and deep cleansing to the skin.
It helps in defending skin cells from free – radical damage and strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by restoring proper moisture balance.
Process:
  • Apply cucumber essential oil on the affected skin.
  • Massage it gently and leave on overnight.
  • Next day wash off with water then pat the skin dry.
  • Follow this process regularly.

18. Cucumber with Aloe Vera and Oatmeal Mask

Rolled oats work as a gentle exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and allows the skin pores to become unclogged. Aloe vera reduces the pain and irritation.
Ingredients:
  • Cucumber (small) – 1
  • Uncooked oatmeal – 1 tablespoon
  • Pure aloe vera gel – 1 tablespoon
  • Warm water
  • Soft towel or cloth
  • Oil free moisturizer
Process:
  • Peel and blend a cucumber to extract the juice.
  • Grind the rolled oats to form a powder and mix with the juice and aloe vera gel.
  • Apply on the affected area and leave for 25-35 minutes.
  • Wash with warm water and pat dry and apply oil free moisturizer.
  • Repeat regularly.

19. Cucumber Face Pack

This gives a cooling and soothing effect along with gentle exfoliation to remove accumulated dead cells, dust, unclog pores and clean the face and heals the acne.
Process 1:
  • Peel a whole cucumber and extract its juice using a sieve.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and apply to the affected skin.
  • Leave for about 10 – 15 minutes and then wash with cold water.
Process 2:
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice to make paste.
  • Apply this paste on face and scrub gently after 10 minutes with wet fingers to remove dead cells and gently clean your face.
  • Repeat the same process regularly.

20. Cucumber Juice with Lemon Juice

The natural anti-bacterial and bleaching effect of lemon juice kills acne bacteria and fades away scars.
Process:
  • Peel and grate a cucumber and extract the juice using a cheesecloth.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon cucumber juice with 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
  • Apply the mixture on face with a cotton ball.
  • Allow to dry for few minutes and wash off with clean water.
  • You can also replace lemon juice with pure apple cider vinegar.

21. Cucumber with Neem

The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of neem and soothing properties of cucumber help to prevent acne and also its recurrence.
Ingredients:
  • Cucumber – 1/2 part
  • Neem leaves – 4 to 6
  • Water – 1/2 cup
  • Saucepan
Process:
  • Put water and neem leaves in a saucepan and boil until the leaves are soft.
  • Then turn off the heat and strain the water and let it cool for few minutes.
  • Grind the cucumber and mix into the neem water.
  • Stir it well and apply on the affected skin.
  • Allow it to sit for about 15 – 20 minutes and wash off with water.
  • Pat the skin dry and apply oil – free moisturizer.

22. Cucumber for Acne Spots

This process not only treats acne and its spots but also clears other dark spots on the skin to make it glow with an even skin tone.
Ingredients:
  • Grated cucumber
  • Rose water
  • Fuller’s earth
  • Grated onion
  • Chopped parsley
Process:
  • Mix all these ingredients together.
  • Apply on the affected skin and leave to dry.
  • Wash with lukewarm water followed by some cold water.
  • Repeat 2 – 3 times a week.

23. Cucumber for Body Acne

  • Dry orange peel in the sun and then grind to a powder.
  • Mix in fresh cucumber juice and yogurt before applying on the affected skin.
  • Massage it gently and leave it on for few minutes.
  • Wash it off with water, pat the skin dry and apply an oil free moisturizer.

24. Cucumber and Chickpea Flour Face Pack

This natural face pack exfoliates the skin, fights acne, soaks excess oil from the skin, minimizes acne and fades away scars. Turmeric is an excellent natural antiseptic.
Ingredients:
  • Cucumber – 1
  • Chickpea flour – 2 tablespoons
  • Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
Process:
  • Chop a cucumber into pieces and blend it to extract its juice.
  • Mix all the ingredients together to make a paste.
  • Apply on the affected skin.
  • Leave for 20 – 30 minutes to dry.
  • Gently scrub the face with wet fingers then wash the face with water.
  • Repeat the same process three times a week.
Ose Cephaz

0 comments:

What do you think about this article?