Our ancestors have left us with plenty of recipes for nearly everything in our day-to-day lives. They pretty much had a remedy or a long-term solution that helps even today. Just like everything, they have left us with secrets to healthy, glowing skin that comes over naturally. And your dermatologist might never tell you these. They are so therapeutic and healthy for the skin that you will never get over them. So, in that case, we bring to you Grandma’s old gold skincare secrets that you should adopt in your daily regimen today. Here we go:
| APPLY THIS | FOR THIS |
| Coconut oil | Natural moisture |
| Raw milk | Natural cleansing of the skin |
| Turmeric & Honey | Healed, brightened glow |
| Neem | Purifying, pimple-free skin |
| Rice water | Tighten and tone the skin |
| Ghee | Overnight glow boost |
| Aloe Vera | Soothe and rejuvenate |
| Besan (Gram flour) | Exfoliates and smoothens |
| Rose water | Hydrates, balances, and heals |
Coconut oil helps reduce inflammation and protects from free radical damage and other infections (Image source: Freepik)
Coconut oil is the one thing that is highly recommended by our mothers and grandmothers. Apart from the hair, it is just so good for the skin.
It is a natural hydrating moisturizer for your skin, you won’t need any other product besides[1].
It double cleanses the skin and hydrates it enough to absorb all the nutrients. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) increases skin hydration by 24.8% and skin elasticity by 2.6% for 28 days[2].
You can even apply coconut oil with honey and banana as a face mask.
The best part is applying it every day, locks the moisture, evades the darkness and roughness, being100% natural to the skin[3].
Coconut oil results in wound healing, along with blood vessel and connective tissue growth, as well as collagen synthesis[4].
The emollient properties in coconut oil have a positive impact on extremely dry skin, dermatitis and xerosis[5].
As we stated that coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for the skin, one fact to be noted here is that coconut oil may be good for the body, but not necessarily for the face. Coconut oil shall not be used on the face because it is comedogenic, which is a pore clogger. It might help with hydration, but not necessarily with acne[6].
While experts still state that coconut oil retains moisture, reduces inflammation, helps with wound healing, moreover, boosts collagen reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But it also depends on the skin type[7].
Hydration, exfoliation, brightening, and even more nutritional benefits of raw milk for the skin! (Image source: Freepik)
The only natural cleanser that exists is raw milk:
It has plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antimicrobials that result in good skin health. It exfoliates the skin by removing the dead cells and their growth[9].
The anti-inflammatory properties help with acne and, at the same time, reduce the scars left by it[8].
Plus, raw milk can restore your skin’s natural glow and provide a fair complexion. Even drinking milk has added benefits for your skin[8].
Milk and its colostrum based products are widely used to treat various dermatological diseases, at the same time promoting tissue regeneration, and healing chronic wounds[8].
So next time, try this home-based cleanser from Grandma’s kitty.
Turmeric, honey, and gram flour: Your best home-made solution! (Image source: Freepik)
Turmeric and honey have real anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can prove the best for your skin[10] [11].
A face mask of turmeric and honey can help you out with acne and allergies, and give the skin a natural glow that you have been trying to get from all kinds of skincare products by now. Not only this, it also reduces premature ageing[12].
It even removes the impurities layered deep into the skin and heals it from within[13].
Your skin will stay hydrated from the moisture it provides. Add some curd or yogurt to turmeric and honey for even better results.
Furthermore, turmeric has the potential to treat certain skin conditions, as found in test tube and animal studies in a 2024 review of research[14].
Turmeric has been culturally relevant in Indian skincare with its uses in dermatology. It serves as a condiment, a cosmetic, and a cure[15].
Neem protects the skin from free radicals and increases collagen production too
Neem has been a traditional flagbearer for skin and dental care and a panacea for various skin ailments. The neem tree has long been relevant in Indian Dermatology practice[16].
Neem is considered to be a natural purifier and antioxidant-rich substance for the skin. It combats pimples, treating scars and pigmentation effectively. Even today, it is used by skincare brands in face washes and scrubs[18][19].
The antioxidants of Neem neutralize free radicals that prevent cellular damage[17].
Neem detoxifies and helps with acne. Oily skin can also be treated well with Neem[18].
Consuming raw neem leaves is proven effective in purifying the blood and giving the skin its real, natural glow[17].
Unveil the magical benefits of rice water for the skin with an incredibly simple toner
Rice water acts as a toner for natural and brightening skin[20].
It hydrates your skin, tightens the pores, and treats skin irritation[20].
Rice water is the best alternative to chemical peeling methods.
It is also known for lightening the skin by reducing the dark patches[20].
Fermented rice water has antioxidant properties that have anti-ageing benefits. Thus, it can be an effective toner for your skin[23].
It helps in improving skin damage caused by the Sun[21]. It even proves to be an effective sunscreen along with other plant extracts[22].
Rice water gel, which contains 96% rice water, is reportedly biocompatible for the skin and presents suitable cosmetic properties. The rice water can be considered as an anti-aging ingredient, further used as a raw material for skincare, as authored by Joana Marto and Angela Neves at the Research Institute of Medicines (Lisboa, Portugal) in 2018[24].
Want overnight glow? Turn to ghee for soft, even-toned, and hydrated skin!
Ghee has numerous benefits for the skin's glow, and it turns out to be effective overnight. Applying ghee to the face daily can give you that natural glow you dream of.
It can soothe, soften, and hydrate the skin. And during winters, it can be the ultimate savior[25].
The dryness and damage caused by the cold weather can be protected with ghee[25].
Moreover, it reduces dark circles and lightens the dark spots. If you are fed off with that uneven skin tone, ghee is all you need[25].
Ghee has nutritional benefits for the skin, being rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin K, hair growth, as well as facilitating fat loss as well as development of lean muscles[26].
As mentioned above, it does wonders for the skin. Not only as a moisturizer, it can be used as a face mask with poppy seeds as well as an ointment because of its antioxidant properties[26].
Unlock the potential benefits of this medicinal plant for smooth, moisturized skin (Image source: Freepik)
Medicine has accepted Aloe Vera for the potential benefits it possesses:
It heals the skin and helps in treating dry skin, inflammation, and itchiness[27].
Aloe Vera moisturizes and soothes the skin, and also reduces scars[27].
It helps with skin conditions like acne, eczema, and sunburn[27]. You can find use of aloe Vera in face wash and toners. Not to forget, Aloe Vera is a collagen booster too.
Basic studies and various clinical trials have found cosmetic and medical effects of Aloe Vera. Jiajin Zhu, Yuanru Zheng, and Yanhui Ghe have studied the application of Aloe Vera in cosmetology and the clinical treatment of skin diseases, which was published in the Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy (2024) [28]:
Aloe Vera has effects of whitening, sun protection, anti-oxidation, anti-ageing, and moisturizing[28].
In skin diseases, it helps with acne, skin itching, skin ulcers, and radiation dermatitis[28].
The therapeutic effects of Aloe Vera can be further achieved when it is combined with other medicines[28].
A besan face pack combined with other ingredients is all you need for that amazing skin! (Image source: Freepik)
Gram flour comes with a plethora of benefits for the skin. Here are a couple of them-
It deeply cleanses the skin, naturally exfoliates, provides a smoother complexion, results in oil control, and is beneficial in treating acne[29].
The presence of enzymes and antioxidants in the gram flour reduces dark spots and brightens the skin tone[29].
Being anti-inflammatory, it can relieve irritated or inflamed skin[29]. You can use besan along with milk, curd, honey, or yogurt as a face pack. For exfoliation, you can scrub it along.
The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences states that gram flour also eliminates grease and cures flaky and dry skin, with the removal of blackheads and whiteheads. Further, eliminates early aging symptoms.
A rosewater toner or spray, when applied at night, is enough to heal the skin (Image source: Freepik)
Rosewater can soothe, hydrate, balance, and heal. That’s how it works.
It helps you with irritation, redness, and any itching and, to a certain extent, with eczema[30].
You might not know, but rosewater can balance your skin’s PH levels[32].
The antimicrobial nature can help treat acne[30].
It heals wounds more safely and faster, being antibacterial[30].
It can even reduce wrinkles, oxidative stress, and signs of aging[30].
Rosewater might have an anti-inflammatory effect, followed by sun exposure[31].
Rosewater can be best used as a toner or spray and can be applied at night before sleep.
Thus, now these homemade skincare recommendations aren’t a secret for you anymore. When you adopt them in your life, you will realize the difference it makes to the skin. However, make sure it suits your skin. It should not cause any harm. Also, do not apply anything in excess. Stick to one routine, do not just try it all. You will see visible results soon.
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Satheeshan, K. N., Seema, B. R., & Manjusha, A. V. M. (2020). Development of virgin coconut oil based body lotion. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 9(5), 96–101. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2020/vol9issue5/PartB/9-4-89-214.pdf
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Sharifi-Rad, J., El Rayess, Y., Abi Rizk, A., Sadaka, C., Zgheib, R., Zam, W., Sestito, S., Rapposelli, S., Neffe-Skocińska, K., Zielińska, D., Salehi, B., & Setzer, W. N. (2020). Turmeric and its major compound curcumin on health: Bioactive effects and safety profiles for food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medicinal applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 01021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01021
Ranneh, Y., Akim, A. M., Hamid, H. A., Khazaai, H., Fadel, A., Zakaria, Z. A., Albujja, M., & Bakar, M. F. A. (2021). Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5
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Kasprzak-Drozd, K., Niziński, P., Hawrył, A., Gancarz, M., Hawrył, D., Oliwa, W., Pałka, M., Markowska, J., & Oniszczuk, A. (2024). Potential of curcumin in the management of skin diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(7), 3617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073617
Gopinath, H., & Karthikeyan, K. (2021). Neem in dermatology: Shedding light on the traditional panacea. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 66(6), 706–711. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijd.ijd_562_21
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