saffron or kesar get beautiful skin

Saffron or kesar has been used as a beauty ingredient for a very long time. Your mothers or grannies may have told you about its magical properties to heal the skin and used it albeit sparingly when making face packs. It is possibly the most expensive of spices but saffron has qualities that justify its value. An excellent agent to purify skin, it also has anti bacterial properties to cure acne. There are many who claim it improves complexion by lightening the skin tone. What it does is improve the quality of your skin by removing the dirt and impurities. The only drawback, if any, is its cost but on the plus side, you only need a pinch of kesar to reap in its benefits.

The skin tends to get dry and dull in the winters. In order to get its glow back, make a pack using saffron and honey. Take a spoonful of honey and add a few strands of kesar in it. Mix it and apply on the face. The hydrating properties of honey and the healing properties of saffron improve blood circulation adding the glow back to the skin.

Soak a few strands of saffron in milk for a good half an hour to let the milk get its colour and other benefits. Add a teaspoon of sandalwood powder or chandan to this and apply the pack on your face and neck. Keep it for 15 20 minutes before washing it off. Regular use of this pack will help improve and brighten your skin tone.

Soak saffron in milk cream or malai and steep overnight. Blend this in the morning with your fingers and apply on the affected area. This will lighten your tan effectively. It has the added benefit of adding a glow to your skin as well. (Read: Traditional Indian beauty secrets)

A toner is used after cleansing the skin. If you want a natural one, mix saffron in rose water and let it give its colour to it. After that, dab it on the face with a cotton ball. Many women add strands of saffron to their hot bath water and bathe in it. This keeps the skin look young for a longer time.

If your skin is prone to pimples, make a paste of saffron and tulsi leaves (basil) by grinding the two. Its anti bacterial properties will help reduce the infection. Apply it on the acne and blemish and leave it to dry before washing it off with water. But you will need regular application for the acne to disappear.

Even a small quantity of saffron is expensive so it is important that you store it well. Keep it in an air tight container (preferably glass) in a cool, dark place to avoid the effect of moisture and light on it. If stored properly, you can use it for several years before it loses its colour and properties.

A spice like saffron has many fake versions so it is important to be a bit careful in order to not get duped. Many vendors sell low quality kesar mixed with coloured ingredients that resemble saffron. Remember, the highest quality of saffron is deep red with orange tips. It does not have any white or yellow spots.Another way to detect real saffron is to soak it in water. See how long it takes for the colour to change and the sweet aroma to spread. Real saffron will at least take 15 minutes for these to happen while fake, coloured ones will give out the colour immediately without much aroma. Though saffron is also available in the powdered form, buy the strands as it is difficult to spot if the powder is pure or adulterated. (Read: Natural fruit face packs for awesome skin)

Ingredients

1 tsp of sandalwood powder
2 or 3 strands of saffron
2 tsps of milk (raw milk prefered)
Method

1. Take the above mentioned ingredients together in a bowl that is small in size and mix them all together.
2. Place the bowl aside and wash your face and then pat dry it with a soft cloth or towel.
3. Spread the pack evenly all over your face.
4. Massage while still damp in a circular motion.
5. Leave it on for 20 minutes.
6. You can rinse it off by splashing water over your face.

You can use this pack 3 to 4 times a week too!
Apply this homemade saffron facial mask at least once a week for a radiant and smooth skin. Saffron helps in retaining the moisture of the skin thus giving an ethereal glow.

Saffron is rich in anti-bacterial qualities and also exfoliating properties. This makes it very useful in clearing acne and also improving complexion.
Ingredients:

3 to 4 strands of saffron
1/2 cup milk

Method:
Allow the strands if saffron to be infused with milk for about 2 hours.
Then apply this milk on your face and neck.
Wash off after about ten to fifteen.
Repeat this saffron face pack at home three to four times a week.
On continuous use, you skin will stop spouting acne and the blemishes left over by previous pimples will start to reduce.