Compiled & Medically reviewed by
    Dr.Sanjana.V.B. Bhms. Dbrm.Cdn

Rejuvenating ,anti-ageing red sandalwood face pack    

        A rejuvenating ,brightening face pack which can remove the sun induced skin damage, dark spots and tan.       Pigmentation of face is diminished in intensity by the regular topical application of this pack

Ingredients and their benefits 

·       Rakta Chandana or the red sandalwood

It is one of the finest ingredients for tan free, dark spots free skin. Red sandalwood is also available in powdered form but it is a bit more coarse. The paste made by rubbing the wood with some water is more skin friendly . It is primarily used for skin care and beauty purposes. It is very effective in reducing blemishes and treating acne pigmentation. It also helps in the removal of sun tan and dullness because of its cooling properties.

   Red Sandalwood [Pterocarpus santalinus ] is known by a wide variety of names such as Red Sanders, Red Sanderswood, Red Saunders, Rakta chandana (Indian).However, it is commonly known as Red Sandalwood, or rakta chandana among the people  who use it for  many skin related ailments and cosmetic purposes. This tree is a native and endemic to India and can be found in the southern parts of the Eastern Ghats. It is a small tree that grows to 5-8 meters in height and has a dark grayish bark.

 The timber is loved and used by people of India and abroad, especially in East Asian countries. Beyond its cosmetic use as an ingredient  for beautiful  blemish free soft skin ,the timbre is used for many other purposes .It  is used for carvings, furniture, poles, and house posts.

The rare “wavy” grain variant red sandal wood tree and its timber is highly valued in Japan for its acoustic properties and is used to make musical instruments.

·      Licorice

     It is the common name of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavoring can be extracted. The licorice plant is an herbaceous perennial legume native to Western Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe.

 Licorice powder is used for treating many skin problems such as sun induced skin damage, dark spots, age spots etc.

 Licorice powder also contains UV blocking enzymes that protect skin and prevent sun damage.

     Topical application of licorice powder to the affected area naturally treats hyperpigmentation, dark spots giving your skin  soft, brighter look..

 It also helps in  minimizing the appearance of scars. The antioxidants in licorice powder block free radicals attacking the skin, thus protecting it from premature ageing. The UV-blocking enzymes also protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

·       Yoghurt

 Yogurt may support increased elasticity in the skin. As you age, your skin naturally loses collagen, a type of protein that promotes elasticity. Face masks may help restore elasticity while improving overall skin appearance.

Studies suggests that yogurt may help minimize the effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays

reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and moisturizes your skin.

·       Milk    

Milk is a wonderful ingredient for our skin in various ways although clinical research studies could not find its brightening and softening effects. But in practice milk does wonders for dry and normal skin. Dairy milk contains lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) ingredient.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or  AHAs are found in sour milk (lactic acid).

AHA has therapeutic and cosmetic benefits as it serves as a physical and immunological barrier to harmful external factors and prevents DNA breakage.

The effectiveness of AHAs is determined by concentration and exposure time. In low concentrations it acts as a cleanser. It helps remove dead skin cells and stimulates new cell growth. 

Lactic acid of milk is included in many skin brightening treatments and creams that treat dark spots. But there’s no clinical evidence to suggest that milk or lactic acid makes your skin lighter.

But it is a proven fact that lactic acid can reduce the impact of sun damage.

According to our practical experience with milk as a topical application, it is a great de-tanning, smoothening and softening agent for dry and normal skin. Milk is not recommended in face packs for acne prone oily skin.

·       Sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil is having  anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial  effects on skin. Its most important active ingredient is alpha-santalol. The alpha-santalol component of sandalwood is an inhibitor of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the synthesis of the skin pigment melanin and it accounts for the skin lightening property of sandalwood. 

According to Ayurveda , sandalwood appears to have a calming and cooling effect on the skin.

Preparation of the face pack 

·       Make a paste of red sandalwood-2tbs.[homemade paste from its wood is better than the red sandalwood powder]

·       Yoghurt -1tbs

·       Milk- 1tbs

·       Licorice powder-1tbs

·       Rosewater –as necessary

·       Sandalwood oil 2-3 drops

 Mix 2 tablespoon of finely powdered red sandalwood paste, and 1 tbsp  milk first. Add yoghurt and licorice powder. Stir well and make smooth paste. Add rose water to loosen the thick paste to a creamy consistency and add 2 or 3 drops of sandalwood oil. Stir well for 1 minute.

 Apply this all over the face and neck and let it dry. But do not allow it to over dry on your skin. Later wet the face and neck with cool water and remove the dried pack gently. Wash it off with cold water and gently wipe off your face with a soft towel. Do not rub.

Extra care tips

Regular use of this pack on alternate days may help you get rid of the dark spots and pigmentation. Later reduce the frequency of applying to once in a fortnight or once in a month ,when you skin have started becoming soft and smooth with fading blemishes and spots. At this point you can apply vitamin E rich creams or moisturizers everyday. do not exfoliate frequently applying face packs often. Allow your skin rejuvenate with its own inherent mechanism. Just add a topical application of vitamin E or vitamin C serum if you wish. 

Nourishing your body from inside is also equally important and hence include more fruits, vegetables, lentils and legumes in your diet. Only  a well balanced diet can complete rejuvenation of your skin  although topical application of face packs and face masks have equal and important role in skin health and beauty.

    If your skin is dry or normal ,you may apply a natural moisturizer after removing the pack. It may only add smoothness and radiance to your skin. If you are fond of using vitamin E rich oils or lotions,  application of these too is recommended after this pack. The pack exfoliates and repair the damaged skin. Adding a moisturizer with vitamin E will help new cellular growth and repair. This is an extremely good pack for sun tan also.

References

1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5749697/

3. siahmsr data archive.