Ask shahnaz

Actor Sonam Kapoor.

Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com

What is the use of olive oil and almond oil? And, does almond oil help reduce dandruff?— Anitha

Olive oil helps reduce dandruff, because it restores the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Heat olive oil and apply it on the scalp and hair at night. The next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash the hair after 20 minutes. Pure almond oil (also called

badaam rogan ) may be applied on the hair; it helps nourish dry hair. Almond oil may also be applied under the eyes every day; wipe off with moist cotton wool after 15 minutes. Both oils may be applied on the face to nourish and soften dry skin. But, they should not be applied on oily skin, or on skin that is prone to blackheads, open pores, pimples, acne or spots.

I have dry skin, and pimples too. Please suggest some natural home-made moisturiser for someone with dry skin and pimples.— Madhushree

Pimples usually occur on oily skin. However, you may be having dryness in the outermost layer of the skin. Use a mild glycerine soap to wash the face. Mix a teaspoon of glycerine with 100 ml of rose water, and store in the refrigerator. Using cotton wool, apply a little of this lotion on the face after cleansing, or whenever the skin feels dry. Take two teaspoons of curd, add a pinch of turmeric and apply on the face every day, washing off after 10 minutes. This will relieve you of dryness and also help treat the pimples. Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples. Or, mix cinnamon (dalchini) powder with a little lemon juice and a few drops of honey. Apply this sticky paste on the pimples every day and leave it on for an hour or two.

The skin on my finger and toe joints is dark, and seems to have dead cells. Please suggest a remedy.

— Kavita

Take lemon halves and rub them on the dark areas of the hands and feet, every day. After washing it off, massage some sesame seed oil into the skin. You can also apply cream on the fingers and toes and massage it, as it helps soften the skin. Then, apply cream or oil. Take a tablespoon each of sunflower oil, lemon juice and sugar, mixing it into a paste. Apply on the hands, and rub it in, washing off after 15 minutes. You can do this three times a week.