Fruits, oils and nuts can do the trick just as well when it comes to moisturising the skin.
Sometimes, surface application of creams and lotions is not enough to moisturise the skin and keep it supple and smooth. There are a host of natural oils and fruits that work from within to moisturise the skin. Some of them can be applied to the skin for surface moisturisation as well.

There are various natural moisturisers that one can choose from. Zarina Godrej, beauty and cosmetic consultant, lists some of the foods that moisturise: Apricot, banana, melon, watermelon, chickoo, mango, plum, sweet lime, coconut (water and pulp), sugarcane, honey, milk and milk powder, water cress, orange and tomato.

“These must be eaten regularly to keep the skin moist from within. Fruits like banana, melon, watermelon, plum, chickoo and oranges can even be applied on the skin as a face pack,” she says.

Other moisturisers are almonds, evening primrose oil, cocoa butter, corn oil, jojoba, rosehip seed oil, soyabean oil, wheat germ oil, avocado pulp and oil, egg, ginseng, olive oil, cod liver oil and Vitamin A and E capsules. The oils can be massaged into the skin or combined with other products to be used in face masks.

“Fruits are usually made into pulp and then applied on the skin, but they can be mixed with two or three different ingredients,” explains Ms Godrej. “Almonds and coconut pulp are good bases and you can add a fruit pulp or one of the oils to them and apply the potion on the face.

“Honey by itself is a great moisturiser and can be applied on the face directly or in combination with other natural moisturisers. Honey is a humectant which means it helps skin to attract and retain the moisture.”
Face masks too, help to keep the skin moist.

Aloe vera gel is a very effective natural moisturiser, which is hydrating, soothing and detoxifying. It can be combined with other moisturising agents and used on the skin. Avocado peel can be applied all over the skin and left to dry. Wash off after 15 minutes; the result is soft and supple skin.