Get rid of pimples with powdered orange rind

I am a 15-year-old girl with a lot of beauty issues. I have lots of small pimples on my forehead, nose, cheek and chin. I have a dark patch around my mouth and would really like to even it out. Lastly, please suggest a pack for dry hair.
- Riya
Take 1 ½ teaspoon dried and powdered orange and lemon rind and mix with aloe vera gel to make a smooth creamy paste. Apply on the entire face and rinse with cold water after 30 minutes. Do this every day for quick results. This will clear pimples and the dark patch around the mouth. Dry hair needs nourishment. Brushing your hair several times a day activates circulation and oil glands, and distributes healthy oils to the hair. Steam your hair thrice a week and apply a mix of 1 well-beaten egg yolk, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. Massage into hair; when dry, rinse, followed by shampoo. Do this thrice a week and see how well the quality of hair improves.

I have been applying all your home remedies related to my face problems, but without the desired results, as these are long-standing issues. Please suggest something as I am really suffering from dark patches, blackheads and tanning.
- Vinita
Mash a ripe banana into pulp and add a few drops of lemon juice, finely ground rice powder and a pinch of turmeric. Apply the mask thickly on the entire face. When the mask dries, scrub the skin gently on the areas of concern. This will work on blackheads, dark patches and tanned skin. Follow this up with a cold-water rinse. Do this every alternate day for best results.
 
I find your remedies really helpful. I have lots of ingrowth marks on my legs, which look really bad. Please could you suggest a good home remedy to get rid of them?
- Nishita
Ingrowth marks need dry brushing to help activate circulation and bring hair out onto the surface. Fill a mug with warm water and add ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to it. Dip a wash cloth into the warm water and apply several times to the legs. This will cause the pores to open and push hair to the surface. You may then either shave off the hair or apply a rice and turmeric mask to scrub the hair off. This remedy does not occur in a one-time application, but after several times, so be sure to follow this treatment every alternate day.

I'm 22 years old and have got a lot of dark spots on my face. My skin is so dull and dark; it's so upsetting! I need remedies, as I want to glow.
- Name withheld
Make a mask with 1 teaspoon coconut milk, 1 teaspoon honey and enough almond powder to make the mask soft and smooth. Apply a thick mask on the face. After 20 minutes, gently scrub the mask with damp fingers in circular movements, followed by a chilled water rinse. Do this every day and see your skin start to brighten and glow.
(Got a beauty-related query? Write to Rima Soni at wknd@khaleejtimes.com)

• Beauty Basics