Submitted By: Dr. Aditi Bhatnagar

The changing weather plays havoc with skin – specially affecting tiny tots, and causing redness/ itchy skin or even various types of pustules or non pustular rashes. At this stage, it is important not to aggravate the condition by exposing the skin to harsh chemicals in soaps, shampoos. Even as part of our daily regimen, using home remedies and ubtans are always better than synthetic products. Here are some simple home-made concoctions (don’t worry – all ingredients available at a kirana or ayurvedic shop near you - like in Vyapar Kendra, Gurgaon) to look after you hair & skin, and even to help resolve or prevent various skin problems.

Neem Water Decoction for break outs in sensitive skin:

This is the simplest & age old healing method for sensitive skin, or when you have any skin allergies/ reaction.

Take 4 cups of fresh neem leaves (you can get dried neem powder if you can’t find fresh leaves), boil them in 8 cups of water till the water reduces to about half (4 cups). Cool, and store this in a bottle in the fridge. Mix 1/2 cup of this decoction in about 1 liter or a bathing mug of water, and use it as a final rinse to end your child’s bath.

A cooling and healing body wash:

Mix the ingredients of the basic mixture, and store in a jar.

To make a body wash for adults, add 1 spoon of the basic mixture to 2 spoons of kala chana powder, and make a paste of with 3-4 spoons of milk.

To make a body wash for children, simply use the basic mixture and make a paste in cucumber/coconut water! Apply to your child and let them play in the bathroom for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it off well.

Anti-wrinkle and firming mask

A healthy mask for women above 40 yrs of age with problems of open pores & dull skin. For this you need:
1 medium size green apple (preferably organic)
2-3 spoons of rose water
1 tbsp Multani Mitti (fullers earth)
¼ tbsp sandalwood/ chandan powder
¼ tbsp lemon peel powder
1 Vitamin E capsule (available easily at any chemist)
2-3 tbsp of milk

Peel the apple, grate it and mash it along with the rose water. Let the consistency be a little liquid. Add the fullers earth, chandan powder, lemon peel powder and the oil from the Vitamin E capsule.
Mix it so that the consistency is like that of a mask. Apply it all over the neck and face, allow it to dry and then massage some milk over the dry pack on face for 1-2 minutes, and let it dry again. Wipe it with a moist cloth or gently rinse with water. This mask can be used daily and can be stored in the fridge for 8-10 days.

* People with dry and sagging skin can use 5 strawberries in place of the apple, and coconut water instead of rose water.

Deep hair conditioning mask

Your crowning glory requires regular care. Here is a wonderful recipe for nourishing the hair roots as well as adding shine and volume. You’ll need:
1 egg
1 tsp spoon of olive oil
1 spoon neem powder (or 2 spoons freshly crushed neem leaves)
1 spoon methi dana powder
1/2 mashed banana
2 teaspoons of curd water
Fullers earth – 1 tsp if required

Mix all the ingredients to make a paste. In case it is too runny, add some multani mitti – just enough to make a paste. Apply first on the hair roots and then on the hair shaft and let it stay put for 1/2 hr to 45 minutes. Wash it off with your regular shampoo.


This article was by our Guest Author Dr. Aditi Bhatnagar. She is a certified homoeopath and Lifestyle Management Consultant. She runs a chain of salons in Gurgaon where she conducts skin treatment programs using organic or natural products. To order products or consult with her, please contact her at 96500 10148 or email her at asksknessentials@gmail.com.