A glow on the wedding day is a must have; and with fairer skin, one’s bridal radiance can be even more enhanced. Today we are presenting top tips and home remedies for fairer skin for both, brides and grooms-to-be…
Treatment and products available in the market
After the wedding date has been fixed, a bride should follow a strict regimen for her skin care. One could use some of the top fairness products available in the market. Here is a list of products that are known to actually work:
- Fair and Lovely® is a time tested product which delivers on it’s promise of fairness within a span of 4 – 6 weeks. It is also not quite as expensive as other products available in the market.
- Ponds® White Beauty is another good product which also moisturizes the skin and its SPF 30++ protects it from harmful ultra violet rays. It does take some time to show results and is also priced higher compared to other products.
- Another time tested product is Nivea Whitening which, like Ponds, it is on the higher end of the price range.
- Then there is Olay Natural White day cream which although expensive shows good results.
Laser treatment for skin lightening
Various salons offer laser treatment for lightening skin and removing blemishes. Laser treatment is a long and tedious process, but it does help the skin appear slightly lighter. Laser treatment for skin blemishes also can be used but do these treatments at least 8-10 months before the Big Day.
Home remedies for fairer skin
image: Coleen Khan
The results of chemical peels, laser treatments and commercial creams and lotions vary and sometimes are disastrous. Also, excessive use of creams and bleach can harm the skin. More and more brides are therefore turning to less harmful substitutes especially those found in our homes and our kitchens. In India, traditional pastes are often used before wedding, and some actually help in giving a nice radiant glow to both the bride and groom.
Here are some home remedies for fairer skin for to-be-brides:
- In South India, the traditional oil bath is very popular. You apply oil on the skin, typically sesame, coconut, or castor oil, and then apply a besan (chickpea) and turmeric paste and gently rub off after it is slightly dry. This acts as an exfoliating paste and also sloughs off much of the dark upper layer. You could also use green moong powder in place of besan. For an aromatherapy-like experience, make a paste by adding dried rose petals, dried orange peel powder, tulsi (basil) leaf powder and Shati to the gram flour. You could also add powdered almonds, neem leaf powder, rice powder, turmeric and methi/fenugreek powder to enhance the moong dal /gram powder’s properties. These ingredients can be used as a mask, a scrub or aromatherapy all in one.
- Yoghurt or homemade ‘dahi’ along with a little bit of turmeric makes an excellent astringent and works as a wonderful whitening facemask. Besan can also be added to soften the facial skin and remove pimples and acne. Add a teaspoon of honey to the besan paste made of yogurt to have a mild bleaching effect.
- Apply a teaspoon of honey mixed with half a teaspoon of lemon juice to the face avoiding the areas with hair. Leave it to dry. Over a period of time, lemon bleaches and also kills the acne-causing bacteria on the skin. This can be used often provided you are not too sensitive to lemon juice. If you have sensitive skin, use this mixture only twice or thrice a week.
- Apply juice of potatoes and tomatoes on hands and feet to lighten the skin there.
- A mix of equal quantities of vinegar and curd applied on feet and rubbed off can also give smoother cleaner skin around heels and ankles.
- Finally, a paste of sandalwood applied to the face and neck gives a glow to the skin and enhances the natural beauty. Leave the paste on till it is dry then gently wash off with water and dry gently.
All these preparations and beauty treatment for the bride must ideally be started at least two to three months before the wedding. This regimen is not just for a bride but for all those who want to maintain a healthy looking radiant skin using home remedies for fairer skin.
Featured image: Belita Salon
