Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Home remedies by Sheetal Rawal
Tamarind might not be a fruit that you can name off the top of your head - even though you can easily buy it in many local Indian groceries - but it is very popular and is used in countless recipes around the world like in soups, sauces, curries, chutneys, and marinades. Tamarind can often be a key ingredient that can make some of your favorite foods pop. Anyone else hungry?
However, you might be surprised to learn that tamarind is a very viable natural ingredient for skin care. It is loaded with minerals and nutrients that can diminish skin imperfections and promote skin glow. The taste of tamarind may not be for everyone, but the same cannot be said when it comes to skin care.
Here are the top 5 reasons why you need to start using tamarind in your skin care routine. Yes, it may be painful to set aside some tamarind for your skin instead of using it for your next great meal. But once you finish reading this article, you’ll realize that the best solution to this problem is to buy more tamarind!
1. Exfoliate Dull-Looking Skin with Tamarind
If firm, youthful skin is something you desire, tamarind is a great fruit you can use. Tamarind is a natural source of tartaric acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. It may not be as well known as its counterparts, but like other alpha hydroxy acids, tartaric acid is an exfoliant. When it comes in contact with your skin, it dissolves the dead and dull cells on the surface layer of your skin. By sloughing away that uppermost layer, tartaric acid can reveal the soft, dewy underneath, which leads to a more youthful appearance. Plus, tartaric acid has the added benefit of stimulating the production of collagen, a necessary compound for firm skin. If you are disappointed by the texture of your skin, tamarind may be the solution to that problem.
Ingredients
½ tsp. of tamarind pulp
1 tbsp. of powdered brown sugar
Almond oil, as needed
Instructions
Mix brown sugar and tamarind pulp together. Add enough almond oil to the mixture until you get the consistency of a scrub.
Apply on your face and scrub with upward strokes for 2 to 3 minutes.
Wash off with warm water. Follow with your toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
“[We] used to get breakouts very frequently...but both of us are doing much better after [we] started using [Apsara Skin Care products].”
2. Use Tamarind to Lighten Dark Spots
Because tartaric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, many people believe that the tartaric acid in tamarind can be used to lighten the skin, in particular, dark spots. The exfoliating
Ingredients
½ tsp. of tamarind pulp
8 drops of fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. of gram flour
Almond milk, as needed
Instructions
Mix tamarind pulp, fresh lemon juice, and gram flour together. Add enough almond milk until you get a thick paste.
Apply on your face and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash off with warm water. Follow with a daily skin care routine based on your skin type. Click here to find out your what skin type is.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
3. Tamarind is Rich in Anti-Aging Antioxidants
In addition to having exfoliating properties, tamarind is an antioxidant. It contains a good source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and Vitamin C. The tartaric acid in tamarind is also believed to be an antioxidant. These compounds are largely responsible for eliminating free radicals, which can do some serious damage to your skin cells when left unchecked. While we cannot avoid free radicals, we can mitigate them thanks to natural ingredients like tamarind. Antioxidants also help reduce the inflammation in your skin; common causes of inflammation include acne and wrinkles. Thus, antioxidants are essential for maintaining the health of your skin and can significantly delay the aging process.
Ingredients
½ tsp. of tamarind pulp
5 drops of vegetable glycerin
1 tbsp. of fuller’s earth or bentonite clay
Almond milk, as needed
Instructions
Mix tamarind pulp, vegetable glycerin, and clay together. Add enough almond milk to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply it on your face and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash off with warm water. Follow with your toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
4. Tamarind is a Natural Toner & Keeps Your Pores Small
Tamarind also helps you attain firm, youthful skin because it is believed to have astringent properties. Astringents cause the pores in your skin to contract and tighten and regulate the oil production in your skin. Smaller pores make your skin look much smoother. Plus, when your pores are smaller, there is less dirt, oil, and bacteria in them, which reduces the possibility of acne. In the skin care world, toners have astringent properties. However, since tamarind does not have any alcohol in it - like many store-brand toners do - you can use it as a toner without fearing it will dry out your skin.
Ingredients
¼ tsp. of tamarind pulp
4 drops of vegetable glycerin
4 tbsp. of rosewater
Instructions
Mix ingredients together.
Dab the mixture on with a cotton ball.