5 ways to use tomato, Athiya Shetty’s go-to skincare ingredient, in your DIY beauty recipes

If you’d rather put tomato on your face instead of tossing it in your salad, you have a nod from dermatologists, who usually agree that DIY masks using this fruit are easy and effective. The readily-available refrigerator ingredient has been actor Athiya Shetty’s favourite element too. “Whether it's pureed tomatoes or yoghurt, I make natural face masks at home. I've been doing that since I was a child,” the 27-year-old star once told Vogue in an interview.

Tomatoes are a powerhouse of antioxidants. Starting with carotenoids (the pigment that gives a fruit it’s primary colour), tomatoes are boosted with alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. Each of these antioxidants aid skin in its maintenance, hydration and elasticity. Our body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol)—a common ingredient found in anti-ageing products. As the skin ages, the production of collagen starts diminishing, which in turn leads to the appearance of wrinkles. Tomatoes boost the natural production of collagen and plumps out skin and cuts down fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it improves skin tone and colour and reduces mottled patches. Lycopene too has a myriad of benefits, from calming inflamed skin to protecting it from free-radical damage.

Tomatoes have also shown it has the ability to defend against UV radiation, making it a quick-fix sunburn salve. Moreover, they work double duty as a bleaching agent to reduce sun tan. Those suffering from a parched complexion will find respite in its astringent properties that work like a toner without drying out the skin further. Regular use of tomato extract on your scalp can increase blood circulation to promote hair growth. On the other hand, it can decrease impurities and reduce dandruff. One of the biggest benefits of putting its juice in your hair is to add a glossy to tired, dry strands.

Here's how you can use tomatoes in your skincare and haircare DIY recipes

1) A DIY tomato and sugar face scrub

Cut open a tomato, extract its juice, and then douse it in granulated sugar. Use this concoction as a make-it-yourself exfoliator. Sugar scrubs help in two ways: the grains can exfoliate the skin, and second, sugar is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids, which dissolve the connections between dead skin cells on the outer skin layer to exfoliate them. Tomatoes also minimise skin inflammation and help your skin glow.

2) An acne reduction tomato face mask

Mash one tomato with an avocado and blend it. The mixture is designed to clean your pores out. Apply it liberally all over your face, and let the paste sit for about 20-30 minutes before rinsing. The tomato works to remove the oil while the avocado offers antiseptic and hydrating properties. If a deep cleanse is what you’re trying to achieve, leave it on for about 45 minutes. This treatment will leave your skin feeling cooled down and help eliminate mild to moderate acne. 

3) A skin brightening mask

Blend half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a tablespoon of yoghurt and tomato pulp. Then, apply this mixture to your face for about 15 minutes. The tomatoes will aid to shrink open pores, eradicate tanning and make it supple, while turmeric takes care of minor inflammations to make it appear smooth and flawless. As a natural bleaching agent, tomato works towards clearing blemishes and brightening the skin too.

4) A tomato hair conditioner

Hot weather, pollution and chemical hair treatments can suck the moisture out of your hair. A good way to condition your tresses naturally is with honey. Blend two ripe tomatoes in a mixer, before adding two tablespoons of honey. Stir until it takes on a paste consistency. Apply the concoction to your strands and cover your hair with a shower cap to let the goodness soak in and rinse it off with a mild shampoo after 30 minutes to say goodbye to dull, damaged hair.

5) A mask to promote hair growth

Take two tablespoons castor oil and one ripe tomato to get started. Give it a whiz in a blender until you’re left with a smooth paste. Then, apply the mixture on your scalp and start massaging it. Leave it on for an hour. Wash it off using a mild shampoo and conditioner. Repeat this twice a week for desired results.

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