Every day you scroll on Instagram/TikTok, every day you see a new skincare product being introduced by an influencer. And every time you realize that either you don't have the funds to buy the 'said' product or the will to convince your mom to spend that extravagant sum of money on a 30g bottle of cream.
With the emergence of aesthetics like the 'Clean Girl aesthetic' and 'Coquette aesthetic', social media has begun embracing and, in a way, accepting femininity, girlhood, and self-improvement.
With the rise in popularity of the Asian culture of entertainment and beauty, social media is in a swirl of the next best beauty/skincare product, with Korean Skin Care spearheading the movement.
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Brands like Dot&Key, Aqualogica, Plum, Joseon Beauty, Derma Co, etc., although effective and efficient, tend to weigh a bit too heavily on a few of our wallets. If you happen to be one among these few, This article is just for you; offering effective and simple routines as well as hacks that are achievable with drugstore finds... or even ingredients you find at home!
All That You Need…Is In The Kitchen
(Coffee powder + Turmeric + Curd)
Sounds unconventional, I know, but sometimes, the answer for glowing and clear skin can be found on your kitchen counters!
Just mix coffee powder (or ground coffee beans for fresher ingredients) with a little bit of turmeric and curd. Coffee is a natural exfoliator that gently pulls out dead skin cells and impurities from the skin's deepest layers, while turmeric brightens skin and reduces acne scars and skin pigmentation.
But be warned, a little too much turmeric can leave your skin with yellow hues, so I would advise applying this mask a day or two before any event you need to attend.
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From the Ladies of Seoul
(Rice + Aloe Vera)
I'm sure we've all come across this one. The glassy, clear skin of Korean women and idols has skincare and beauty influencers in a chokehold, and rightfully so, because this little concoction works wonders.
All you need to do is rinse rice once or twice, cook it until it becomes almost gooey, and blend it in a mixer with a little bit of water until it becomes a paste. Apply it to the skin after adding aloe vera gel, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and watch the Korean Mask work its magic.
Another alternative is to mix rice flour, water, and Aloe Vera gel. Another method for quick application is storing the water used to rinse the rice in a spray bottle and spraying it onto the face every day before going to bed or used as a toner in your skincare/makeup routine.
The starch in the rice acts as an antioxidant and clears tan and acne scars. This method is extremely effective and the results of its constant and regular application definitely back up the hype around it.
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Traditional Methods Can Never Go Wrong
(Fullers Earth/Bentonite Clay + Rose Water)
Indians are known for their hacks or what we call "jugaad”. Be it for the re-using of jam bottles for spices or clay for cleansing and brightening skin.
On a serious note, Bentonite Clay or Multani Mitti can be mixed with rose water and applied as a face mask or as a body scrub for skin brightening and tan removal. Just mix it into a paste, apply it, and scrub it off gently once it's dried. The exfoliating and bleaching qualities of Bentonite Clay work synergistically to reduce tan marks and erase pigmentation, making the skin appear brighter and tightening your pores too! Some can also add a few drops of Aloe Vera to smoothen skin texture.
A 10/10 recommendation from me, as it works perfectly for reducing acne and pimples when you have an event coming up shortly and need clear and smooth skin.
Bentonite Clay can be found in your local drugstore/grocery or on internet shopping sites like Amazon.
A Little Sweet And Sour
(Tomatoes + Sugar + Honey)
Tomatoes can be a love-hate relationship for most of us. Some love eating them in salads or pastas while others vehemently despise them regardless of any dish they are present in (it's me, I'm 'others'). But what even tomato haters can't deny is the fact that the fruit-vegetable is an excellent anti-aging agent, be it tomato juices, salads, soup, etc.
So, of course, they can't be omitted from this low-budget skincare list. Just mix up some pureed tomatoes, sugar, and honey, and you have one of the most natural scrubs no company can cook up in their labs. Sugar also acts as an excellent exfoliator, while honey helps in detanning.
But be cautioned: Rubbing the mixture too harshly can damage your skin, so gently rub/massage and wash it off with cold-lukewarm water later.
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The Indian Secret for Healthy Skin
(Castor Oil)
As time goes by, there's always a new kind of product that is introduced for fixing acne-prone skin, hydrating dry skin, and so on, be it serums, toners, exfoliators, certain acids for targeting specific skin problems, etc.
But our grandmothers and great-grandmothers have been using a natural all-in-one product for ages. Castor Oil sits in the cupboards of almost every South Indian household. It is a thick and viscous vegetable oil with multiple purposes and benefits.
Massaging your face regularly, either with moisturizer or oil/serum, helps to keep the skin healthy by improving blood circulation. Along with the added benefits of the antibacterial and anti-aging qualities of Castor Oil, it helps to hydrate the skin and reduce skin pigmentation and dark circles.
Alternatively, it can be used as a hair oil as well as a body oil for massage. However, make sure to wash it 1-2 times thoroughly for it to really go away.
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Keep in mind, everyone has different skin types, e.g., Normal, Oily, Dry, or Combination. Finding a skincare routine that is suitable is a process of trials and tests to see which product/hack works best for you. The hacks listed above can be used for all skin types, but do test them in a small quantity/region first to see how they react to your skin.
We all strive to achieve clear model-like skin while staying within our budget and the comfort of our homes, but the most effective hack that produces the best results of all is consistency. Sure, most of the above suggestions can give you almost instant results. However, for long-term healthy skin, constant care, a nutritious diet, and a healthy lifestyle are the true game changers; because, trust me, drinking sufficient water, eating a healthy diet, sleeping well, and washing your face 2-3 times a day can do absolute wonders.
Of course, all of this is surely for physical beauty, but what plays the key role is a positive attitude and good vibes. Because as someone on X once said: 'This is my (or your) world, and everyone else is just living in it.'
