Looks like you readers couldn’t get enough of the DIY beauty recipes Nanzinc ran a few weeks ago. Actress Pamelyn Chee generously shares with Nanzinc even more of her favourite beauty concoctions using ingredients that can be found in your kitchen.
By: Lianne Ong
Oatmeal and honey skin calming mask
Oatmeal has calming properties, so if you are suffering from excessive exfoliation or a harsh AHA peel, this is great for your skin. Honey is not only moisturising, it is a natural antiseptic too, making it great for breakouts. This mask is suitable for all skin types, especially irritated and acne prone skin.
Boil a cup of oatmeal (any brand will do) in three cups of water. When the oatmeal is cooked, drain the water into a clean receptacle, and cool it in the fridge. This will keep for three days. When the oatmeal water has cooled, it should have a sticky, gluey consistency. Spread some on your face, and top that off with a teaspoonful of honey. Let it sit on your face for 10 minutes and then wash it off.
“Don’t waste the oats – have a healthy breakfast with it!” Pamelyn suggests.
Green tea and apple cider vinegar toner
Green tea is highly antioxidant, and it is also great for oily skin. Apple cider vinegar fades red marks from acne and also helps breakouts to heal faster.
Make a thick cup of green tea with two tea bags. Let the tea cool in the fridge. Add some apple cider vinegar to the cold tea in the ratio of 1:3. Keep this in a bottle and use it as a toner with cotton pads.
This toner needs to be kept in the fridge but will keep for up to 10 days. Make a small batch every so often so that you don’t waste any. The ratio of tea to apple cider vinegar is a guide, but you can tweak the ratio of the ingredients till you find the perfect balance for your skin. Add water if you find it too strong.
“The ratio of one part tea to three parts apple cider vinegar in this toner is perfect for my oily skin,” says Pamelyn.
Comedone purging oil massage
Great for strawberry noses! Warning: Do not try this oil massage if you are currently suffering from a major breakout as the massage might aggravate the skin. Some trial and error is required in the choice of oil, so try this at your own risk.
Get some cosmetic grade olive or jojoba oil (or any pure skin oil that is preservative- and fragrance-free). Massage each section of your face with your fingers for 10 minutes – or just focus on the clogged areas. This can be a little tiring but after 10 minutes on each section you will see and feel the little whiteheads and blackheads come out of your pores and onto your fingers. When you are done with this mini finger marathon, wash your face with a gel or foaming cleanser. Your skin will have a nice glow from the massage and your pores will look smaller and super clean.
“My cheeks and nose are my problem areas but everyone’s different. I start massaging the nose, then cheeks, chin and lastly, the forehead,” Pamelyn says.
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