Wonders of watermelon

Summer brings with it a variety of fruits that can do wonders for your health. One such fruit is watermelon which is the most refreshing fruit especially in this scorching weather. There is more to watermelon than just its flavour. Watermelons have some powerful health benefits and also help in enhancing the look of your skin. Read on to find out more...

A natural toner:
The red juicy fruit acts as a natural toner by reducing the oil content and improving skin health. You can either massage your face and neck with a fresh watermelon slice or mix the juice extract with honey. Another toner for the skin can be made by mixing together one-cup of watermelon chunks with one teaspoon of orange powder and half a cup of water. Put watermelon chunks, orange powder, and water into a blender and blend well.  This juice will serve as your watermelon toner. Put the toner into a spray bottle and spray it on your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes every day. To keep the toner fresh, keep it refrigerated. For oily skin; you can add hazelnut powder to the watermelon juice and use it.

For acne free skin:
For acne prone skin, cleanse your face thoroughly with the juice of watermelon. Dab a cotton ball into the juice and apply it to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes then rinse off with cold water.

For sunburn:
Sunburn is a common summer problem which can cause severe damage to skin elasticity. To rejuvenate the skin, apply a watermelon face-pack. Here’s how you can make the face-pack at home. In a bowl, mix equal portions of watermelon and cucumber pulp. Apply this face-pack to your face evenly and leave it on for 20 minutes. This will not only heal the sunburns but will also brighten your complexion.

For a youthful skin:
If you want to look young and fresh, it is important to take care of the open pores on your skin. Open pores tend to absorb dirt and pollution causing acne, blackheads, and pimples. To close open pores, mix watermelon juice with crushed mint leaves. Pour this mixture in the ice-cube mould and chuck it in the freezer. When frozen take an ice-cube and rub it on your skin gently. This will have a cooling and soothing effect on your skin leaving it smooth and supple.

Another tip is to take 1 tablespoon of watermelon juice and add 1 tablespoon of plain curd to it. Mix it well and apply it on your face and neck. Allow it to dry for about 10-15 minutes and rinse it off with cold water. The lactic acid solution and enzymes within the curd will gently help exfoliate and purify the skin while the watermelon juice will hydrate and heal your skin.

For dry skin:
Mix together a small slice of watermelon with a few tablespoons of yoghurt and one egg yolk to make a smooth paste. Apply it on your dull and dry skin and wash it off with some warm water. The three ingredients will hydrate dry skin and will help remove dead skin cells. If the idea of egg yolk turns you off then you can omit it.

A natural body scrub:
Want to get rid of dead skin cells? The easiest way to do that is to exfoliate your skin with a scrub. Mix one cup of watermelon pulp together with sugar crystals. Now add one teaspoon of lemon juice. Store it in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator. Rub it on your skin for gentle exfoliation whenever you take a bath.

Another option is to squeeze out the juice of watermelon and mix a pinch of gram flour in it. Apply the paste on your face and leave it for fifteen minutes. The pulp is an excellent scrub and leaves your skin glowing.

Pedicure at home:
Watermelon pedicure helps to soothe tired feet and protects feet from the scorching heat. Crush half-a-cup of watermelon and strain the juice. Mix one teaspoon of crushed almonds and a quarter cup of yoghurt with it. Apply the mixture on your feet and massage in circular movements. Remove it with a tissue and then rinse with water.

Wrinkle free skin:
Combine 1 tablespoon of watermelon juice with 1 tablespoon of mashed avocado. Mix it well and apply it on your face and neck. Leave it for about 20 minutes and wash off with cold water.

Also you can mix 1teaspoon of watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of mashed banana. Apply this mixture and keep it for 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse it off and see the magic.