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Back to basics: A guide to natural and budget-friendly skin care
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Back to basics: A guide to natural and budget-friendly skin care

As organic and sustainable beauty routines continue to gain traction among skincare enthusiasts on social media, kitchen essentials are also becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, local brands also take an example from this

01 November 2024, 18:15

Last modified: 01 November 2024, 18:18

Photo: “Amlaki”

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Photo: “Amlaki”

Photo: “Amlaki”

Skin care doesn’t always have to be about expensive serums or elaborate routines. In the beauty world, a new product comes out almost every week promising flawless skin.

What if I told you that the secret to glowing skin wasn’t on a fancy store shelf, but right in your kitchen?

From honey, a common pantry ingredient that soothes and hydrates, to turmeric, an inflammation-fighting spice, these regular ingredients we use for cooking can double as powerful skin-care solutions, making glowing skin more accessible and affordable than ever.

Based on sustainability and accessibility, this approach takes beauty back to the basics; Here, healthy skin doesn’t mean splurging, but making the most of what you already have at home.

As organic and sustainable beauty routines continue to gain traction among skincare enthusiasts on social media, kitchen essentials are also becoming increasingly popular.

High school student Anika Saba says, “When I come back from school after a long day in the sun, it means my skin feels tired and dull. So I grab some yogurt and honey. It’s cooling and makes my skin soft again; yogurt helps with acne, and honey is great for moisturizing.”

Similarly, Şirin, a 23-year-old CSE student in her final year of university, laughs as she describes her skin care habits.

“I barely have time to wash my face, let alone follow the 10-step routine,” she said. “So when I drink tea while studying, I hide the tea bags and use them under my eyes. It’s the easiest thing to do for my tired, swollen eyes.”

Şirin also makes use of rice water, another staple of the cuisine. Rice water has been used in Asian cultures for centuries for its skin-soothing properties. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it helps increase skin elasticity, smooth texture and brighten the skin.

She continued: “Sometimes when my face gets really dull, I save rice water (from the kitchen) and keep it for a few days. I use it as a toner; it’s supposed to help brighten the skin and it’s really easy and more affordable than buying rice toner from the store, which isn’t exactly budget-friendly.” , especially when you earn a limited amount part-time.”

Traveling can be a great way to unwind, but prolonged sun exposure often leaves a tan behind. North South University final year student Habibur Rahman said: “After returning from Rangamati, I developed a terrible tan that I was desperate to get rid of. After doing many searches on the internet, I discovered that my holy grail was available right in my kitchen.”

Photo: “Nyzia”

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Photo: “Nyzia”

Photo: “Nyzia”

“I mashed some raw potatoes and mixed them with besan (gram flour) and tomato juice. I read that these ingredients help remove tan and it worked wonders for me. Potato is supposed to lighten dark spots, while besan exfoliates, removes dead skin. At the same time, tomato helps brighten the skin and evens it out.” “It’s great for toning,” he added.

Natural remedies are not limited to just face and body care; It also includes lip care. A simple mixture of coconut oil and sugar makes for an excellent lip scrub that provides both exfoliation and hydration. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, making it an ideal moisturizing agent, while sugar acts as a gentle exfoliant, removing dead skin to reveal smoother lips underneath.

Starting a business from organic skin care ingredients

Many local brands are taking steps to meet this demand for natural skin care products. For those who grew up watching their mothers and grandmothers prepare face masks using ingredients like turmeric, honey, cucumber, and besan, these brands offer an easy way to reap the same benefits.

They make it easy to incorporate these skincare remedies into their busy daily routines without the hassle of preparing everything from scratch.

Notable companies like Nyzia, Amlaki and Bohubrihi have pioneered in Bangladesh by creating skin care products based on natural, organic ingredients that have quickly gained a huge fan base.

Nyzia founder Tazia Afrin officially launched her brand in 2023, but her passion for organic skincare emerged much earlier in her life. Growing up, she watched her mother adopt a simple yet effective skin care routine using only natural ingredients.

Whether it was slathering a tomato slice on her face while cooking or using a cucumber to wind down after a long day, her mother’s approach to skin care was quick, effective, and natural. This minimalist yet thoughtful routine left a lasting impression on Tazia.

Photo: “Bohubrihi”

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Photo: “Bohubrihi”

Photo: “Bohubrihi”

Adopting these practices, Tazia decided to follow the same path in organic skin care and turn it into a business. She initially started her journey with a body spray that removes odor and hair oil; it was a family recipe passed down through the generations and one that Tazia herself had used for years.

Starting small with just a quart of oil, Nyzia has grown steadily. His vision was clear: to offer the best possible products at reasonable prices, using premium materials. It confidently assures its customers that its products are gentle on the skin and free of harmful side effects.

Tazia contains vitamin C-rich orange peels in its charcoal soap. This makes it an excellent choice for relieving sunburns and achieving even-toned, brighter skin.

It also highlights rice soap enriched with sugar for moisturizing and honey for added moisture. Allantoin in rice easily removes sunspot and dead skin, and that’s why Tazia often recommends this product, emphasizing how it will keep well-moisturized skin beyond a natural glow.

She said: “For those with sensitive skin, I usually recommend aloe beetroot soap. Many people worry that aloe may cause irritation but I assure you, when treated correctly, aloe is very gentle and cools the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive.” Additionally, adding beetroot gives your skin a lovely pinkish glow, boosting your natural radiance.”

The founder emphasizes two things: The products are not whitening solutions and it will take some time to see significant results. “I recommend using the products consistently for at least three months to get the best results,” he added.

At the same time, Tazia said that when “prepared with the right ingredients, precise formulation and expert technique” visible changes can be expected from the first use.

Prices of Nyzia products range from Tk 240 to Tk 800.

Another important local company is Bohubrihi, founded by Lamia Sultana Kakon. Her journey began with a desire to be self-sufficient, with an intensive program of pursuing a master’s degree in English Literature at IUB, writing and teaching English.

But ultimately, its mission became to make skin care affordable for everyone in Bangladesh.

Kakon highlights the wonders found in everyday kitchen ingredients. “I especially like using almond oil, turmeric, cucumber, and milk,” she explained.

“But that’s just the beginning; I also add fenugreek, coconut oil, olive oil, strawberries, saffron, goat’s milk and shea butter. It’s a treasure trove of natural goodness!”

Photo: “Bohubrihi”

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Photo: “Bohubrihi”

Photo: “Bohubrihi”

She prioritizes that the effectiveness of natural products depends on what works for individual skin types, rather than strict avoidance of ingredients. “I don’t believe certain ingredients should be avoided based solely on skin type. It’s more about what you’re allergic to,” she explained.

For oily skin, opt for matte products and soothing aloe vera gels, while people prone to acne can benefit from cucumber and neem face washes. Friends with dry skin find most of their products to be quite moisturizing, highlighting the importance of finding what works for each individual.

“It’s time to break the misconception that whitening equals beauty. The purpose of my organic skin care products is not to whiten, but to keep your skin healthy,” she concluded.

Although Bohubrihi did not disclose the price range, the founder ensured that the products were quite affordable.