Wanna look fab? Get a fruit facial

The next time you've had a fruit don't bin the peel, for papayas, melons, berries and more can be nature's best 'pick-me-ups' for the skin, reveal skin experts

Move over the clay and other facials, for a natural facial rejuvenation today simply lies in a good ol' fruit. Skin expert Dr Rashmi Shetty affirms, "Using fruits on the skin is one of the oldest, most cost effective and trusted methods used for safe skin care treatment. Firstly, fruits provide your skin with tremendous hydration, imparting it with a very fresh, quenched look. Another major benefit of it is in the loosening of the cement between the dead cells on the top layer of the skin. For example, the papain enzyme in papaya acts in this way."

Safe for skin
Essentially, fruit masks are completely free of artificial ingredients, perfumes and chemicals that can be quite harmful for the skin. Paulomi Dhawan, who heads Svastii Spa at Powai, Mumbai, elaborates, "Fruit facials work great when you choose a fruit that suits your skin type. Fruits are natural and some are known for their anti-ageing effects. A fruit facial also refreshes and revitalises your skin without side-effects."

Want a quick fix glow?
Dr Rashmi Shetty reveals the health benefits of fruit for the face:

- A fresh papaya pack acts wonderfully for tanned skin as it loosen the top layer of dead cells. Mix papaya with potato, which contains Vitamin A, and apply on skin for an instant tan removal.
- A grated cucumber pack mixed with coconut water is a brilliant calming agent for sunburnt skin which is red and irritated.
- If you are in a habit of drinking coconut water everyday, dabbing the water on your face will help lighten dark spots.
- Honey and banana mixed together come together as a great hydrant to bring life back to dull skin.
- Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser that works from deep within your skin. Make it a part of your daily beauty routine.
- Condensed coconut milk made into a thick paste can be applied under the eyes to lighten and hydrate the skin. This takes care of fine lines around the skin.

D-I-Y in the kitchen:
These are home-made quick recipes that just require you to reach into your pantry:
Banana: Moisturiser
A banana facial mixed with honey and orange juice works for all skin types. Banana contains essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, zinc, iodine, iron etc that are considered beneficial for skin. These nutrients are used to battle dead cells and wrinkles. Banana peels are also used to heal acne. It has been hailed as a natural solution for treating psoriasis, a skin condition that cause rough and scaly patches of skin and skin inflammation.

Facial mask:
Ingredients
Banana - 1
Honey – 1 tbsp

Method:
Mash a ripe banana in a bowl with about one tablespoon of honey. Spread it over the face and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Rinse off.

Strawberry: Pore cleanser
Strawberries work great to add shine and exfoliate the face. They also have anti-aging properties.

Facial mask:
Ingredients:
Strawberries - About 6 ripe, medium-sized
Milk - 2 tsp
Oats - 1 tsp
Honey – ½ tsp

Method:
In a bowl, wash strawberries, rinse and then mash them with a spoon. Add the milk oats and to this honey and mix. Apply it on the face and leave on for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Orange: Glow giver
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, zinc and anti-oxidants and
Ingredients:
Orange juice – ¼ cup
Multani mitti (Fuller's Earth) – 1 ½ tsp
Honey – ¾ tsp

Method:
In a bowl, mix the orange juice with the multani matti. Add the honey to it. Keep it on for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.