Glycerin and rose water, mustard oil, coconut oil, Vaseline, honey, milk cream and lemon.
For the face, 1 part glycerin to 4–5 parts rose water, for example 1 teaspoon glycerin to 4 teaspoons rose water. Stronger than this feels sticky and, in dry air, can even leave skin tighter. Apply a few drops to damp skin and put a cream on top. Make it in a clean glass bottle and use it up within 1–2 weeks. For a ready-made option, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan contains glycerin.
It is safe for most people; glycerin is a proven humectant, meaning it draws water from the air and deeper skin and holds it. You can sleep with it on, but on its own the water escapes again in dry air, so put a cream on top. On acne-prone skin the stickiness traps dust. If the rose water is perfumed, patch test first. Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin makes a good seal on top.
Better not to apply pure glycerin straight, because in very dry air it can pull water from deeper skin up to the surface, leaving lips even tighter, and it feels very sticky. Always dilute it with water or rose water. For cracked lips a sealing balm works better than glycerin, such as Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter, a few times a day and thicker before bed.
No, rose water alone does not work as a moisturiser. It is mainly scented water; it feels fresh for a while, then evaporates and can leave the face tighter. You can press it on after washing as a toner, but always follow with a cream. For a ready-made gentle option, Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner does the same job without perfume.
No, a lot of rose water is really water with synthetic perfume, and some contain alcohol. Read the ingredients: Rosa damascena flower water or rose distillate is good; fragrance, perfume or alcohol near the top is a reason to skip it. After opening, keep it somewhere cool and finish it within a few months. For sensitive skin a fragrance-free hydrating toner such as Cerave Hydrating Toner is safer.
It is fine for many people, but not for everyone. Mustard oil coats the skin, so it reduces dryness; but its pungent compounds can irritate sensitive, itchy or eczema-prone skin. If you use it, apply a little on damp skin after the bath, not before. Stop if you get stinging or red bumps. If oil does not suit you, CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for Dry to Very Dry Skin is a good alternative.
Better not to put mustard oil on your face. It is heavy, can block pores and worsen acne, and its pungent compounds can sting and redden the thinner skin of the face. For a dry face, wash at night and apply a moisturising cream to damp skin, such as Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser. Add a little extra on very dry patches, and wear sunscreen in the morning.
No, it is better avoided. Garlic and mustard are both pungent and can sting and cause red bumps on a baby's thin skin, and very warm oil risks burns. There is no evidence it eases a cold either. Keep the baby warm with good clothing, and use fragrance-free Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion on the skin. If the baby has breathing trouble, a fever or is feeding less, see a doctor without delay.
No, there is no scientific evidence that oil in the navel stops cracked lips; there is no such link between the navel and the lips. It is an old belief and fairly harmless, but to get results the balm has to go directly on the lips. Use an SPF balm in the day and a thick layer at night, such as Dot & Key Barrier Repair Ceramide + Peptide Lip Balm. Stop licking your lips and drink enough water.
On dry skin with no acne, a little coconut oil at night can be fine, but for most faces it is not a good choice. Coconut oil is known for clogging pores, so do not use it on acne, whiteheads or oily skin. If you use it, 1–2 drops after moisturiser, only on dry patches. For most people a ceramide cream is safer, such as The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream.
No, it can make it worse. People use it because some of its compounds reduce germs in the lab, but on the face it blocks pores and brings new acne and whiteheads. For acne-prone skin in winter choose a light, non-pore-clogging gel-cream such as Cerave Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream, a pea-sized amount morning and night. Use a salicylic cleanser once a day on breakout areas.
Yes, pure coconut oil is basically the same oil whether it is sold for cooking or for hair; but if it is scented or blended with other oils, check the label. If it sets solid in winter, stand the bottle in lukewarm water for a few minutes; do not heat it on the stove. Apply to the lengths 1–2 hours before shampoo. Coconut oil such as Ribana Organic Coconut Oil normally turns solid below about 24°C.
A little olive oil on damp skin after bathing is fine for dry body areas (knees, elbows, legs), but it is better not to use it on the face regularly. Studies show its oleic acid can weaken the skin barrier with regular use, especially in eczema-prone or sensitive skin. For the face, use a ceramide cream such as Cerave Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin, about two pea-sized amounts at night.
Yes, on dry, cracked body areas petroleum jelly is an excellent seal that stops water escaping. It works best on damp skin: at night wash your feet, pat lightly dry, apply a thin layer and put on cotton socks. It does not add moisture itself, so on very dry skin apply lotion first. Plain petroleum jelly is not on our shelf right now; a thick layer of Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume on the heels at night does the same job.
No, pure petroleum jelly does not darken lips by itself. Lips usually look darker in winter because of sun, frequent licking, smoking and old dry skin left from cracking. Jelly does not block sun, so in the day use an SPF balm such as Fix Derma Lip Shield SPF50 PA+++, and a thick balm at night. If dark patches on the lips keep spreading or a sore does not heal, see a doctor.
It works for a short while, because ghee coats the lips with fat, so this grandmothers' remedy does little harm. The problem is that ghee rubs off quickly, gets eaten, and smells when it is old. You can apply a thin layer with a clean finger at night. When you go out in the day you need an SPF balm, which ghee cannot give. A longer-lasting overnight alternative is Laneige Lip sleeping mask.
Yes, for most people pure honey is a gentle, safe pack. Honey draws in and holds water, and it has germ-reducing properties. Spread a thin layer on clean, damp skin for 10–15 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water and follow with cream; once or twice a week. Do not use it if you are allergic to pollen or bees. For daily moisture, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is more convenient.
Yes, it feels softer for a while, because the fat in the cream coats the skin. If you use it, spread fresh, cool cream thinly, leave it 10 minutes and rinse; do not leave it overnight, because milk fat spoils at room temperature and breeds smell and germs. Avoid it on acne-prone skin. For daily use, Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream gives similar rich comfort; apply it at night after washing.
It works in winter too, but it is not enough alone. Aloe gel is mostly water, so it soothes but cannot hold moisture in dry air. At night after washing apply a thin layer of Bring Green Aloe 97% Soothing Gel, and a minute later put cream on top. On oily skin the gel alone is often enough. Gels with a lot of alcohol and fragrance can sting dry skin.
You can, but carefully. The yellow sap (aloin) that comes out when you cut the leaf causes itching and redness for many people. Stand the cut leaf upright for 10–15 minutes to drain the yellow sap, rinse, and use only the clear inner gel. Patch test behind the ear first. Keep it in the fridge and use it within 2–3 days. A clean ready-made option is Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel.
Lemon juice is very acidic (pH around 2), so it damages the skin's protective layer and increases stinging and dryness; in winter the damage is worse. Some of its compounds, left on skin in the sun, can cause burn-like dark patches (phytophotodermatitis). For brightness use a tested, stable vitamin C such as The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, 2–3 drops in the morning, then sunscreen.
No, lemon does not reduce the darkness; the rubbing and acid can make the skin drier, thicker and darker. Elbows and knees darken mainly from friction and dead skin built up by dryness. At night after bathing apply a salicylic acid lotion such as CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin, and a rich moisturiser in the day. In 4–6 weeks the roughness and some of the darkness ease.
No, do not put baking soda on your face. It is strongly alkaline (pH around 9), while skin's natural pH is about 5, so it breaks down the protective layer and causes dryness, redness and stinging, worse in winter. The grains also leave tiny scratches. For blackheads a BHA works better: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 2 nights a week on the nose and chin, then moisturiser.
The sodium lauryl sulphate, menthol and baking soda in toothpaste dry the skin around the pimple, so it looks smaller, but the spot underneath does not heal any faster. Instead you can get stinging, red or dark marks and peeling, worse in winter. Put a COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch on a clean, dry pimple and leave it overnight; it stops you picking and absorbs the fluid.
You can use it now and then, but do not expect much. There is a little evidence that curcumin calms inflammation on the skin, but no strong evidence that it brightens skin. Raw turmeric leaves yellow stains, and some people react to it. If you use it, mix a little with yoghurt or honey, 10 minutes, once a week, then cream. For steady brightness, Minimalist Niacinamide 5% Face Serum is more reliable.
No, there is no good evidence that turmeric and milk remove dark spots or melasma. Two things really help fade marks: daily sunscreen and proven ingredients (niacinamide, azelaic acid, alpha arbutin). For example, 2–3 drops of ANUA Azelaic Acid 10+ Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum at night and SPF 50 sunscreen in the morning. Used consistently for 8–12 weeks, marks fade.
On oily skin it is fine now and then, but in winter besan makes dry skin drier and tighter, because it soaks up oil and scratches when rubbed. If you use it, mix it soft with yoghurt or milk, leave 10 minutes without rubbing and rinse, once a week, then apply cream. For daily face washing a mild cleanser is better, such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry Skin.
Only slightly, and the evidence is weak. Potato juice feels cool and may briefly reduce puffiness under the eyes; tomato is acidic and can sting dry winter skin. Tan fades with time and sunscreen. Apply two finger-lengths of SPF 50 every morning, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5, and a niacinamide serum at night.
Raw milk has a little lactic acid and fat, so the face may feel somewhat softer. But unboiled milk can carry germs, which is a risk especially on cut, cracked or acne-prone skin. If you use it, wipe on boiled, cooled milk with cotton and rinse after 5 minutes. For a clean, stable alternative, press Cerave Hydrating Toner in with your hands after washing, then apply cream.
There is no good evidence for it, and there is risk. Egg white dries and tightens, so pores look smaller for a while, but dry winter skin ends up tighter. Raw egg can carry salmonella, which is risky near the mouth and lips; never use it if you are allergic to egg. For softness a regular cream works better, such as Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream at night.
We do not recommend fairness packs, because your natural skin colour cannot be changed, and it does not need to be. Packs with lemon, baking soda, tomato or harsh scrubbing often cause stinging, dryness and darker patches instead. What is truly possible is reducing tan and keeping skin healthy and even: daily sunscreen, moisturiser, and niacinamide for marks. Start with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide.
It does, but it is not a good method for the face. Sugar grains are sharp, leave tiny scratches on dry skin, and increase redness and stinging in winter. On the lips, mixed with honey and used very gently once a week, it can be fine. On the face a gentle acid is better: sweep The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner on once with cotton one night a week, then cream, and sunscreen the next morning.
On rough body areas (knees, elbows, legs) a gentle rub once a week is fine, but salt stings cut or cracked skin and too much scrubbing leaves skin drier. Do not use it after shaving or waxing. Rub softly on damp skin for 1–2 minutes, rinse and apply lotion. An easier alternative is Skinlogic Exfoliating Shower Gloves, used gently with soap or body wash once or twice a week.
On oily skin it is fine once a week on the T-zone only, but on dry or normal skin it is better avoided in winter. Multani mitti soaks up oil, and if left until it cracks it leaves skin tight and rough. If you use it, mix with rose water or yoghurt and rinse while still half-dry (8–10 minutes), then apply cream. To manage oil without drying, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel works well.
Mixes with fruit, milk, yoghurt, egg or aloe should be used right after making, not stored. Water-based mixes like glycerin and rose water keep for 1–2 weeks in a clean bottle in the fridge. Homemade products have no preservative, so germs grow fast; throw it out as soon as the smell, colour or clarity changes. Patch test any new remedy behind the ear first. For a stable alternative, try Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner.