How to reduce the visibility of pores on your skin

Try some of Rima Soni's home remedies

I am 16 and a regular reader of your column. All the tips I've tried so far have been really helpful, so thank you. My face is oily at times and there are many pores on my cheeks. I'd like to get rid of them in a natural way. Please advise.
- Iffaah
Strawberries are excellent for shrinking pores and reducing the oiliness of the skin. Do this every day: grate strawberries and pulp them, then mix with corn flour and apply thickly on your cheeks every day. Wash it off with cold water after a while. Avoid warm water on the skin, as it activates oils and also enlarges the pores. Splash cool water several times a day on the skin too; it will do your skin good.
I recently got a bottle of sesame seed oil. I wanted to know if it is useful for skin care or hair care. If so, please tell me what treatments I can do with it.
- Anisha
Sesame oil is excellent and very nourishing. You can massage both your body and hair with it. Those with dry or combination skin and hair will especially benefit from using this oil.
I am a 12-year-old girl. I have a lot of dandruff on my scalp. I've tried applying onion once, but it didn't work, so I tried applying lemon but that didn't help either. I don't have aloe vera and tea tree oil. Please suggest alternate remedies that are not time-consuming.
- Serene
Onion juice is for hair loss treatment, so that would explain why it didn't work on the dandruff. Aloe vera gel and tea tree oil are available in pharmacies. Your next best bet would be yoghurt. First, brush your hair thoroughly. Take 2 tablespoons of yoghurt, add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and mix well before massaging it into the scalp. Shampoo off after an hour; do this at least twice or thrice a week.

I am a soon-to-be 15-year-old girl. I have been experiencing severe hair fall and my hair has been thinning as well. I also have many pimples and spots due to oily skin. Kindly suggest some quick remedies since I'm a student.
- Name withheld
Hair fall, hair thinning and pimples followed by spots are usually caused due to dandruff in the hair. Make a mask of fenugreek leaves or seeds mixed with aloe vera gel, yoghurt and a pinch of black pepper. Apply on the scalp. Leave on for an hour and then scrub off gently; follow with shampoo. For skin, apply a daily mask of fenugreek paste mixed with yoghurt, honey and a few drops lemon juice. Rinse off with cold water to help skin clear.
(Got a beauty-related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@khaleejtimes.com)

• Beauty Basics