Herbal Goddess Shahnaz Hussain Speaks to Vogue India

On skincare tips for winter, particularly on the possibility of an astringent or toner drying out skin during the three-step skincare routine
Oily skin can be an advantage especially during winters and is less likely to age. It is most important to regularly cleanse the face and body to prevent blocked pores that may lead to breakouts of blackheads, whiteheads and acne in general. After washing your face, use a toner made of rose extracts or rose water. Those with oily skin should continue only with an oil-free moisturizer.
An astringent is to remove excess oils; after cleansing your face follow it up with cold compression or a splash of cold water. You can also wipe your skin with cotton ball dipped in cold mint extract. Sometimes it can dry the skin out but one can avoid the situation by applying a moisturiser after wiping the skin with a toner or astringent.

On a cleanser for oily or combination skin
Add lemon juice and rose water to ripe papaya pulp. Apply on the face and wash it off after 20 minutes. Or blend half a cup of oatmeal and one tablespoon curd and apply on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

On a toner for oily and combination skin
To 100 ml rose water, add one-fourth teaspoon pure glycerin and one teaspoon lemon juice. Mix and shake well, keeping in a glass or bottle in the fridge. Or take rose water and cucumber juice in equal quantities and apply on the skin. Rinse off with water after 20 minutes.

On dermabrasion for minimizing acne scars
Blend rice powder and curd, and apply on areas with scars. Rub gently with small circular movements, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise. Leave on for five minutes and wash off with water. This mixture should not be applied on pimples, acne, rash or any eruptions.

On a mask for oily or combination skin
Mix two tablespoons oatmeal, two teaspoon multani mitti, one teaspoon lemon peel powder and enough curd to mix into a thick paste, which does not drip. Apply on the face. After 20 minutes, dampen with water and gently scrub it off the face. Then rinse off.

On a face mask for dry, dehydrated skin
Mix four tablespoons honey, one cup milk and four teaspoons wheat germ oil and store in a refrigerated glass jar covered with a lid. Apply this lotion on the face, neck and hands daily. Rinse with water after 15 minutes. Another option is to blend two teaspoon curd, half teaspoon honey, half teaspoon lemon juice and one-fourth teaspoon wheat germ oil. Apply the mixture on your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with water.

On an almond meal
Almond meal or ground almonds can be used in scrubs. Pour hot water on the almonds and allow them to soak till the skin comes off. Dry them in an oven, or in the sun, and then grind them into a powder. Similarly, collect orange and lemon peels and dry them in the sun. Crush them and use in scrubs and masks.

On making dull skin glow
Mix one teaspoon each of yogurt, lemon juice and honey, four teaspoons oatmeal and egg white. Apply on face twice a week, avoiding the lips and area around your eyes and wash off after 30 minutes.

On essential nutrients for ageless beauty.
Oils, including flax seed oil, olive oil and sesame oil can also serve as internal moisturizers for smooth, wrinkle-free skin. Lastly, water is essential for skin hydration to keep it moist, soft, supple and clear and help the body to get rid of toxins. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily; intersperse these with fruit juices, including citrus, apple and pineapple; also vegetable juices, especially carrot, tomato and celery

On a remedy for dry hair
Trimming is the only solution to split ends. However, you can prevent its occurrence ensuring the following precautions: Twice a week, heat coconut oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Then dip a towel in hot water; squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Weekly henna treatments will add body and shine. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs, two teaspoons oil and ‘tea water’ to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Make tea water by boiling used tea leaves again. Cool and strain. Apply the henna on the hair and wash off after an hour with plain water.

On curing blackheads on the nose
You can exfoliate the skin regularly and follow up with a moisturizer to avoid dryness. For skin cleansing you can make a pulp of raw papaya and apply. Papaya has a cleansing action, softening dead skin cells and aiding their removal. Else, mix half teaspoon honey with an egg white and one teaspoon lemon juice. Add fullers earth or brewers yeast powder; mix into a paste and apply. Remove after 20 minutes with water.

On lightening dark circles
Soak a few almonds in milk overnight. In the morning, grind them with the same milk and apply it around your eyes. Wash it off when it dries. If done regularly, it will help you in treating the dark circles to a large extent. Little potato juice mixed with a tsp. of curd and cucumber juice can also be used in the same way.