Skin Brightening Turmeric Face Mask

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice used in many Indian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, but what many Western don't know is that when combined with yogurt, milk or olive oil, it's also a brilliant face mask. Indian women use it as a skin brightener and it's common practice for Indian brides (and, apparently, their grooms) to smear a turmeric paste made of the powder and sunflower oil on their skin to brighten their complexions for the wedding.

Actress Thandie Newton (who is a light-skinned black woman) reportedly adds turmeric powder to her tinted moisturizer to give her the perfect glow.

Warning: Turmeric powder can stain fair skin. The same properties that make yellow and dark skin glow can make pink-skinned women look sallow. However, the stain does fade away after a few hours.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons flour (used to thicken the paste)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• For oily skin: 1/4 cup plain yogurt & few drops of lemon juice
• For dry skin: 2 tablespoons olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil, maybe more
• A few drops of honey

Preparation:

Mix the flour and turmeric together.

If you have oily skin: Add lemon juice and stir. Slowly mix in the yogurt until a creamy paste is formed. Use more or less yogurt to your liking.

If you have dry skin: Add the oil slowly and stir until a paste is formed. Add more for more creaminess.

Apply mask to face and neck.

Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes.

Using a warm, wet washcloth that you don't mind staining (turmeric will stain), rinse off the mask.

Link  http://beauty.about.com/od/organic-skincare/r/Skin-Brightening-Turmeric-Face-Mask.htm