Dr Sharad Paul’s workshop on ‘Dermocracy’, was all about natural ingredients and food that help your skin look better. He also spoke about common misconceptions about some beauty products and gave pointers to look out for.
Lessons learnt
1. Sunscreen with high levels of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is not good for our kind of skin. People with white skin use them to protect their skin from UV Rays. However, brown skin does not get as damaged and is not as prone to cancer and using higher levels of SPF can cause the skin to darken further. Sun block of SPF 15 to 30 is recommended for Indian skin type.
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2. Recipe for homemade cleanser: Take 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of lemon juice (containing Vitamin C), 1 tbsp of vegetable glycerine, 1 tbsp of brown sugar and mix it in half a cup of distilled water. Store this mixture in the fridge and use whenever needed.
3. Recipe for a homemade exfoliator. Take equal quantities of fresh papaya and pineapple and blend it in a mixer with coarse salt.
4. Soap isn't good for skin as it washes off natural oils. Soap can be used in armpits and groin area as the sweat glands in these areas is different from other areas of the body. It is better to use ph-neutral cleansers or soap-free cleansers for the skin.
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5. Our body responds the same way when we are under mental stress or physical injury or when we are suffering from a disease. One cannot have good skin in these situations. A relaxed attitude towards life can lead to younger-looking skin.