User’s guide to aloe vera

Make a thick mask using 1 tsp oats powder and ½ tsp rice powder mixed with yoghurt. Apply this mask thrice a week. Scrub off gently with wet fingers. Rinse off with warm water followed with cold water.

I am 15 years old. The areas under my arms and thighs are dark and I have dandruff too. I know the pimples on my forehead are due to the dandruff so please help. —Alifiya

Add 6 drops of tea tree oil to 1 tbsp almond oil and massage into the scalp. Shampoo off the next day. You also need to cleanse the skin thoroughly so apply 3 drops of tea tree oil to the skin where you have pimples around forehead. Keep your hair off your face. Dark underarms and the insides of the thigh can be lightened by applying coconut oil daily on the areas and leaving them overnight. Coconut oil has nourishing and lightening properties.

Hats off to your solutions that made me love my skin. Before finding your remedies, I used to peel off my dry pimples on my forehead and cheeks. These have now caused tiny pits that look bad. Please help! — Muneeba

Skin with tiny pits needs polishing and smoothening everyday. Add egg white to 1 tsp rice powder, 1 tsp almond powder and 1 tsp corn flour to make a smooth paste. When this mask dries, massage the skin using damp fingers. The movement of your massage should be circular, going upwards towards the cheekbones. Always rinse off with cold water. You may also wrap muslin cloth around an ice cube and use this to massage the skin after the scrub.

I am 21 years old and have severe hair fall. I also have split ends that look very untidy and I can’t leave my hair open. How can I gain its shine back? I too have many old pimple marks all over my face. Can you recommend a suitable remedy?Farha

All natural treatments are slow but sure. If you are looking for a quick fix, then you may need to look at saloon treatments. However, for natural remedies, you may try the following. For your hair, take 1 tbsp castor oil, 1 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp extra virgin oil. Mix well and apply on the hair before wrapping up in a shower cap or cling wrap. Use a mild shampoo after an hour; rinse twice using warm water first and then water at room temperature. Avoid using a hair dryer. In the meanwhile, a honey and cinnamon mask applied for an hour daily will help keep the pimples under control and clear the marks as well.

I recently bought an aloe vera plant. I would like to know how I can use it to improve my skin and hair condition. Also, can aloe vera be consumed? If so, how? Thank you for your help. — Azeeza

Aloe vera is an excellent plant that can help cleanse the scalp, skin and body. Scoop out the gel by splitting the thick green leaf in half. Rub the gel well into the scalp and on the face. You may leave this overnight or even for an hour or two during the day. It is safe to scoop the gel freshly and eat or add filtered water and juice this. Aloe vera has no flavour or taste so you may even add this to your favorite fresh juice. However, it is important you check that the plant has been bought from a nursery that grows organic plants.

(Rima Soni is a Dubai-based 
beauty consultant and Olay Ambassador, Arabian Peninsula. She is now working on her second book. 
Write to her at

wknd@khaleejtimes.com)