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Most of you already know that jaggery is a healthier alternative to refined white sugar. It is so because certain plant phytochemicals and mineral salts get preserved in jaggery which is good for your health. Lately, jaggery has been gaining popularity for being the healthy way of adding sweetness to your desserts.
If jaggery is so good and is loaded with antioxidants, then why restrict it only to consumption and not apply it on the skin? To get a clearer picture on how jaggery can benefit your skin, we contacted Dr Priyanka Reddy, dermatologist, technologist and founder at the DNA Skin Clinic, Bangalore.
Dr Reddy told us that jaggery has nutrients and selenium, a powerful antioxidant, which can be very beneficial for your skin. It also has anti-ageing properties that can prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Moreover, jaggery has glycolic acid which smooths your skin texture making it soft and supple.
“When used with the right ingredients, jaggery can also help with acne scars and reduce pigmentation,” says Dr Reddy.
Here’s how you can use jaggery on your face:
Jaggery is a completely natural ingredient with no side effects. So, preparing face masks with jaggery can be a simple and easy process if one is using ingredients found easily at home.
1. Jaggery with honey and lemon
Take 1 tablespoon of powdered jaggery, 1 teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients together to make a paste. Apply the paste on your face and leave it to dry for about 10 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can repeat this process 1 to 2 times a week.
How it helps: The honey in the mask makes your skin soft and nourished whereas lemon cleanses your skin. This pack acts as a natural skin softener and also has anti-ageing properties due to the jaggery.
2. Jaggery with tomato juice and turmeric powder
Take one 1 tablespoon of powdered jaggery and add 1 teaspoon of tomato juice to it along with a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric powder. Create a paste and apply it on your face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can apply this mask 3 to 4 times a week.
How it helps: Turmeric has antiseptic properties while tomato juice works towards removing scars and blemishes. Combined with jaggery, it becomes the perfect post-acne mask.
3. Jaggery with grape pulp and black tea
Take 1 teaspoon of grape pulp, 1 teaspoon of cooled black tea, a pinch of turmeric, 1 teaspoon jaggery powder, and a few drops of rose water. Make a paste with all the ingredients. You can adjust the consistency of the paste by adding more rose water. Leave it on to dry for 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. You can apply it once or twice a week.
Also, read: 5 health benefits of jaggery to keep you hale and hearty this winter
How it helps: The ingredients work well as a perfect natural anti-ageing solution.
Turns out, jaggery can be super sweet for your skin!
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