Lemon Juice for a Paler Brighter Complexion

The obsession for pale skin has survived through ages of civilizations in Asia. Japan, Korea and China probably spend as much money coming up with new bleaching creams for women as they do on, oh I don’t know, military technology. My mother used this ridiculous Japanese whitening powder that allegedly contained pearls and what-not.

Personally, I advise against using any bleaching products you would buy at a store. Instead, head for the grocer’s and pick up a bottle of pure lemon juice. This bottle will be residing in your refrigerator, not your bathroom counter.

Every morning and every evening before your normal skin regime, apply lemon juice all over your face and neck the way you would a toner. Out of environmental concerns, I skip the cotton ball, applying the juice with my fingers directly.

Twice a day and within two months’ time, you will see results. Be sure to avoid contact with the eyes, though. You probably won’t turn significant shades lighter overnight, but gradually uneven splotches and acne scars do fade.

Lemon juice works as an astringent and thus also eliminates blackheads and helps to even out skintone. I’ve found that my skin is brighter, far more radiant than before, and allows me to be confident without makeup on in public. Friends are always commenting on my skin. “Are you seriously not wearing any makeup at all right now?” They ask. It’s true. Lemon juice is my holy grail beauty secret. It also seems to retard the growth of pimples and other blemishes. I haven’t had clearer skin since I was a baby.

Breath Freshener + Medicinal Perks

And nothing freshens the breath quicker than swirling a little lemon juice diluted with water in the mouth. I can get rid of morning breath and the sallowness of a tired face all in one go. Lemon juice gargle is also great for warding off colds, strengthening the immune system. To alleviate a sore throat, stuffy nose, and other flu symptoms, mix lemon juice and honey with hot water for a phenomenal home remedy.

Lemon Juice as a Nail Soak

Mix one part lemon juice to two parts warm filtered water for a great nail soak. This brightens and strengthens your fingernails. Soak for at least 15 minutes, then pat dry. Rubbing a little Vaseline or olive oil into the nails afterward gives it a nice sheen.

Unless I’m dolling up for a special event, I skip the polish altogether and this habit is all I need to keep my nails healthy and handsome.

Tofu

One of my aunts, a former pageant queen, revealed to me her secret for flawless skin texture: tofu. This woman would eat fresh unseasoned tofu for lunch, by itself. I wouldn’t be able to tolerate that on a daily basis, or at all, but I did adapt her tip to my lifestyle.

I try to eat about one carton of tofu per week.

As a sweet dessert or snack, drizzle sweetened condensed milk over silken tofu or edamame tofu (light green in color) and serve with fruits, like mangoes, lychees or watermelon. Westerners who claim to dislike tofu have never had it served up this way!

Firm tofu can be stir-fried with any assortment of vegetables and meats. In spite of the warning to avoid too much soy sauce, soy sauce and tofu make a delicious combination. When making dumplings, crab cakes, or deep-fried shrimp balls, I always make sure to include mashed up tofu.

This isn’t a cooking blog, so recipes will have to be found elsewhere. Google is your friend.