Life is tough and with time, it has become harder and faster. In today’s time, people don’t have time to follow a lengthy skincare routine or they don’t want to spend their hard-earned money on the expensive products. Everyone wants everything handy and quick. Also, pollution, dirt, unhealthy lifestyle and products full of chemicals do the remaining work of spoiling our skin and hair. We cannot change everything to keep glowing nor it is possible to spend lots of cash on expensive beauty treatments. Therefore, we have come up with the most basic ingredient as your beauty enhancer. This will help you glow naturally and the ingredient is corn flour.
What Makes Corn Flour A Beauty Ingredient?
Many people get confused with corn flour and corn starch due to their somewhat similar appearance. Some places have a clear distinction of corn starch and corn flour but other like the UK call corn starch as corn flour that may create some confusion. But if you see carefully, they both can be easily differentiable. Corn flour is obtained from the whole and dried corn kernels. It can be yellow, white or sometimes blue depending on the type of corn. But usually, it is yellow. Corn starch is white and chalky in texture. It is made from the starch found in the kernel’s endosperm. (1)
Here in this article, we will let you know the amazing beauty benefits and DIYs using corn flour:
7 Amazing Beauty Benefits of Corn Flour
Below are given 7 amazing beauty benefits of corn flour:
1. Corn Flour Helps in Getting Rid of Dark Spots:
Corn contains many vitamins. From those, vitamin A and C present in it helps in fading away of stubborn dark spots and patches on the skin. Vitamin C inhibits enzymatic processes that produce melanin in the skin. This helps in the reduction of dark patches of the skin.
2. Corn Flour Absorbs Dirt And Oil:
One very excellent property of corn is absorbing of dirt and oil from skin that imparts a clear oil-free skin free from impurities. This property makes corn flour a very useful ingredient of skincare for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
3. Skin Hydration Benefits of Corn Flour:
Some amino acids present in corn also help in the improvement of skin texture and condition. Also, the protein content helps in regulating the skin hydration that is necessary for it to glow.
4. Corn Flour Helps in Increasing Anti-Ageing Effects:
The protein content in the corn helps in boosting the collagen level and supports the anti-ageing formula. Minerals like zinc, copper, phosphorus and magnesium present in corn help in fulfilling the skin requirements and keeps it healthy and glowing.
5. Corn Flour Helps in the Reduction of Redness And Dryness:
The presence of vitamin E in corn flour helps in the prevention from redness and dryness of the skin. It also helps protect from the harmful UV radiations of the sun to some extent.
6. Corn Flour for Skin Lightening:
Corn’s ability to boost the collagen level helps to lighten the skin tone. Also, it helps in getting rid of blackheads and whiteheads. It helps treat suntan and makes the skin healthy.
7. Corn Flour Possesses Bleaching Properties:
Corn flour also has bleaching properties being the reason behind the glow the skin gets after applying this wonderful ingredient.(2,5)
Amazing DIYs Using Corn Flour:
Below are given 13 wonderful DIYs using corn flour. First, we will look at the face packs using corn flour:
Corn Flour Face Packs:
1. Corn Flour Face Pack to Lighten the Scars:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Baking soda – 1 tbsp.
Turmeric – 1 tbsp.
Lemon juice – 2 tbsp.
Rose water – As required
Way to Use:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Wash your face properly and then apply this mixture. Keep it for 20 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- lightens acne scars and dark spots.
- enhances facial radiance.
- imparts a glow to the skin.
Why does it Work?
Lemon juice and turmeric are both excellent skin lightening ingredients. Turmeric possesses amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps give skin a glowing lustre. Baking soda has anti-bacterial properties that help keep the face protected from bacterial infections. Rose water is a natural toner.(5)
2. Corn Flour Face Pack for Blemish-Free Glowing Skin:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Rose water – 1 tbsp.
Buttermilk – 1 tbsp.
Way to Use:
To make this face pack, mix all the three ingredients in a bowl and make a paste. Add a pinch of turmeric (optional) in the mixture and apply it on the face.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- helps get rid of acne spots and blemishes.
- treats the tanning.
- provides a glow to the face.
- helps in anti-ageing and lightening of wrinkles.
Why does it Work?
Buttermilk has the properties of tightening skin pores and its regular usage lightens the dark acne spots also. Rose water is a brilliant toner as well as a cleanser for the skin. It helps open the skin pores so that the benefits of corn flour can penetrate deep into the skin layer. (3)
3. Corn Flour Face Pack for Even Skin:
You Need:
Corn flour – 2 tbsp.
Rice powder – 2 tbsp.
Honey – 2 tbsp.
Milk – 3 tbsp.
Way to Use:
Mix all the ingredients to form a creamy mixture. Wash your face thoroughly and then apply this mixture. Keep it till it dries completely and then wash it off with cold water.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- helps in treating suntan.
- treats discolouration and uneven skin tone.
- lightens the skin tone.
Why does it Work?
Corn flour helps in boosting the collagen level in the skin. Honey and milk lighten and soften the skin. Rice powder absorbs impurities and oil from skin imparting a natural skin lightening effect. It also helps in exfoliating.(5)
4. Corn Flour Face Mask To Maintain the pH Level of The Skin:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Vinegar – 2 tsp. (organic)
Way to Use:
Mix both the ingredients in a bowl and form a paste. Apply this paste after cleaning your face. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Now, wash the face with cold water. Pat dry the face with a soft clean towel and apply a suitable moisturizer.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- helps in getting rid of stubborn blackheads.
- maintains the pH level of the skin.
- gives a smoother texture to the skin.
Why does it Work?
Vinegar helps in unclogging the blocked skin pores and improving the skin texture. Both corn flour and vinegar absorb excess oil and dirt from the skin that helps in controlling skin problems like acne, blackheads and other problems.(6,7)
5. Corn Flour Face Pack to Get Rid of the Skin Impurities:
You Need:
Corn flour – 2 tbsp.
Banana – 1
Papaya – 2-3 slices
Rose water – As required (for dry and normal skin only)
Lemon juice – As required (for oily and combination skin only)
Way to Use:
Mash the banana and papaya slices till you get a smooth paste. Mix corn flour in that mixture. Then add lemon juice or rose water as per your skin type.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and keep the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Wash your face properly with a good face wash before applying this mixture. Lightly massage this paste in a circular motion on your face. Leave it as it is and wipe it off with cotton ball soaked in cold water or simply wash your face.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- imparts glowing lustre.
- smoothens the skin.
- absorbs dirt and excess oil from the skin.
- treats pigmentation.
Why does it Work?
Papaya helps in the reduction of pigmentation from the skin and banana helps to keep it hydrated. The application of papaya and lemon juice on acne-prone skin controls further breakouts on the skin and keeps it clean. Papaya also imparts an excellent glow. Banana nourishes the skin. Rose water keeps the skin moisturized to prevent dryness.(5)
6. Corn Flour Face Pack for Clean and Clear Skin:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Yogurt – 2 tsp.
Honey – 1 tsp.
Way to Use:
Add all three ingredients in a bowl and mix to form a fine smooth paste. Then wash your face properly with a good natural face wash. Lightly massage your skin with this mixture. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then wash off with cold or normal water. Pat dry the face with a soft clean towel and apply a suitable moisturizer.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- treats suntan.
- helps in getting rid of any fungal, bacterial and microbial infection on the skin.
- imparts natural glow by cleansing the skin.
- provides anti-ageing effects.
Why does it Work?
Yogurt is an excellent ingredient for reversing ageing effects. It helps in exfoliating the skin by keeping it soft. Corn flour is a very popular oil and dirt remover that helps in the face cleansing so you can get a glowing dirt-free younger-looking skin.(6)
7. Corn Flour Face Pack for Younger Looking Skin:
You Need:
Corn flour – 2 tbsp.
Egg – 1
Honey – 1 tbsp.
Orange juice – 2 tbsp.
Way to Use:
Take the egg white in a bowl and mix other ingredients in it. Whisk it well. Wash your face properly and then apply this mixture. You can apply 2-3 layers of this paste to ensure that it is applied to the whole face. Keep it till it dries completely and then wash your face with cold water.
Benefits:
This face pack:
- gives you glowing skin.
- diminishes wrinkles and fine lines.
- gives a youthful feel to your skin.
Why does it work?
Orange juice contains vitamin C that helps in protecting the skin from ageing signs like wrinkles and fine lines. Honey imparts glow and softness. Egg white has protein, riboflavin, potassium and magnesium that promote youthful skin.(5)
Other DIYs Using Corn Flour
Given below are 2 DIY scrubs using corn flour to exfoliate the skin well:
8. Corn Flour DIY Scrub 1:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Water – a few drops
Way to Use:
Mix water and corn flour to make a dry paste. Massage the paste on your skin like a scrub. Gently scrub the face with this for a few minutes. Wash off with cold or normal water. Pat the skin dry and apply a good moisturizer that suits your skin.
Benefits
This scrub:
- effectively exfoliates the skin.
- absorbs all the excess oil and impurities from the skin.
- removes dead skin cells.
Why does it Work?
Corn flour has good absorbing and exfoliating properties due to its dry and granular nature. Water helps in the easy application on the face.
9. Corn Flour DIY Scrub 2:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Oatmeal – 1 tsp.
Coconut oil – 3 tbsp.
Coffee powder – 1 tsp.
Way to Use:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Wash your face properly with a good organic face wash before applying this mixture. Lightly massage your skin with this mixture. Keep it for 5 minutes and then wash it using cold water.
Benefits:
This scrub:
- exfoliates the skin well.
- makes the skin radiant and flawless.
- removes suntan.
- hydrates the skin.
Why does it Work?
Coffee and oatmeal both are very effective ingredients for exfoliating the skin pores. Due to their granular texture, coffee increases blood flow in the skin and oatmeal acts as natural moisturizing element preventing the skin from being dry. The antimicrobial and deep moisturizing properties of coconut oil helps in controlling skin issues like blackhead and pimples.(5)
10. Corn Flour Peel Off Mask for Removing the Unwanted Facial Hair:
You Need:
Corn flour – 1 tbsp.
Egg – 1
Sugar – 1 tbsp.
Way to Use:
Mix corn flour and sugar in egg white. Apply this on areas where you have facial hairs. Let it dry and then peel it off quickly. This is a quite effective home remedy for removing facial hairs without waxing, threading or using a razor.
Benefits:
This mask:
- helps get rid of unwanted facial hair.
- helps get rid of dead skin cells that make your face look dull.
- makes the skin glowing.
Why does it Work?
Egg white possesses skin-tightening and excessive oil control ability. The minerals and vitamins present in egg white also help the skin to look better. The mixture of sugar and corn flour makes a natural peel off mask that pulls unwanted hairs from the skin.(4)
11. Corn Flour As A Bad Odor Remover:
Corn flour can be used as a remedy to remove bad odor from armpits. So, when you have nothing around to get rid of bad odor, corn flour comes to rescue.
You Need:
Corn Flour – 1 cup
Way to Use:
Just dab some corn flour on your armpits and rub it all over. Once it is done, clean all the flour with the help of a cloth.
Why does it Work?
Corn flour has anti-bacterial and moisture-absorbing qualities. It absorbs all the sweat and bacteria present in your armpits that gives you clean and bacteria-free armpits that will be free of bad odor.(7)
12. Corn Flour Bleach for Skin Lightening:
You Need:
Corn flour – 3 tbsp.
Yogurt – 2 tsp.
Turmeric – A pinch
Lemon juice – 1 tsp.
Vitamin C tablet – 1 tablet
Way to Use:
This bleaching process is divided into two steps. First is the preparation of bleaching cream and the other is an activator.
- Bleaching Cream: Mix corn flour, yogurt and lemon juice in a bowl. Adding lemon juice may lead to a stinging feeling on the skin. But if you feel severe or more than usual stinging, then avoid this DIY. You can also have a patch test before applying it on the face.
- Activator: To prepare the activator, take the Vitamin C capsule content in a bowl and mix turmeric in it.
- Mix the activator in the cream slowly and little by little. Now wash your face and apply it on your face and let it be there for 10 minutes. Wash properly using cold or normal water.
Benefits:
This DIY bleach:
- helps in skin cleansing and lightening.
- helps in getting rid of any fungal or bacterial infection of the skin.
- helps in lightening of the dark spots.
Why does it Work?
All the ingredients used in this DIY have splendid benefits on the skin. Yogurt is a popular exfoliator of dirt and dead cells without causing dryness and turmeric is a traditional remedy for spots lightening and glowing skin. Vitamin C provides antioxidants that in turn help skin to repair and glow.(6)
13. Corn Flour as Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoos are those powders that absorb oil and dirt from roots of hair without the use of water. These can solve your problem of dull oily hair without shampooing if you are in a hurry and don’t have enough time to shampoo.
You Need:
Corn Flour – ½ Cup
Essential oil (any oil good for hair) – 2-3 drops (optional)
Way to Use:
Mix corn flour with essential oil. Essential oil is recommended for a nice fragrance. Sprinkle on the scalp and massage as you do shampoo. Do this for a few minutes to cover the whole scalp. You will get an oil-free scalp.
Benefits:
- helps get rid of all the oil and dirt of the scalp and hair.
- gives a good bounce to the hair.
Why does it Work?
Corn flour has oil and dirt absorbing ability. When massaged on the oily scalp, all the oil get absorbed by it and what you get is oil-free scalp for the day.(8)
Points to Remember Before Using Corn Flour on The Skin and Hair:
Even though corn flour has a large number of benefits and useful qualities, there are some points to remember while using this on your skin or hair. There are not any harsh side effects of corn flour as a solo ingredient in DIYs but still, some precautions are recommended to follow to prevent any possible harm:
- Always do a patch test of all the DIY face packs and mixtures. This is necessary to ensure that all the ingredients used in the mixture suits you and none will cause any harm to your skin.
- Please do a double check of all the ingredients you are adding in the mixture with corn flour. If you are allergic with any of them or with the flour itself, kindly avoid that DIY.
- Corn flour absorbs excessive oil from the skin. Therefore, please follow the instructions properly. Excessive use on dry skin can cause more dryness.
- Always apply any face pack after washing your face only. Do not skip this step.
- After completing exfoliating and scrubbing face packs, apply a good moisturizer to avoid harshness and sensitivity. If you are going out, apply a good sunscreen to keep your face safe from harmful UV radiations.(1,2)
Conclusion:
Corn flour is a wonderful and useful ingredient found in every household. This basic ingredient has amazing beauty benefits including absorption of dirt and oil, antioxidants, anti-bacterial and skin lightening properties. The affordability and easy availability of this ingredient make it a good choice to be involved in beauty DIYs and masks.
Mixing it with other basic ingredients can create effective face packs, bleach and peel off masks. This amazing flour is not only great for skin but it can also act as a dry shampoo that can save you from regular hair wash problems. It also acts as talc that can effectively remove sweat from the armpit area.
Enjoy the easy and natural tips and DIYs using corn flour to get a glowing, youthful and bright skin without spending lots of money.
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dry-shampoo-recipes-instant- fix-greasy-hair/