Coriander: My skin’s new BFF (you may know it as cilantro!)

I have grown up with the sweet, spicy and herbaceous aroma of fresh coriander (also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley) wafting through the house at mealtimes. I know it’s great for lowering cholesterol and treating digestive issues, when taken internally.

However, it wasn’t till I was reading the label on Sunday Riley’s Juno Transformative Body Lipid Serum that it really struck me how this ancient spice is taking over the beauty world. Seriously, look around and you will see that it’s everywhere! Complexion perfecting masks, smoothing body oils, sleekifying shampoos, woody perfumes… coriander forms an integral part of all labels.

And there is a good reason behind it all. Plenty of good reasons.

Coriander, it turns out, is brimming with free radical destroying antioxidants, complexion-friendly minerals and skin boosting vitamin C. It’s also a potent anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, disinfectant, detoxifier and anti-inflammatory. Plus, it soothes and cools the skin. Time then to figure out what wonders this super-herb can work when used in a beauty recipe right at home. Quite a lot, it seems.

Skin smoothing coriander face mask

Toss 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/4 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of chopped cucumber and 1 handful of fresh coriander into a food processor or blender
Blend for about a minute, till the mixture starts looking smooth; spoon it out into a glass bowl
Apply this mixture on your face and let it sit for 20 minutes or until hardened; then rinse

Good riddance to bad acne coriander treatment

Add 1 teaspoon each of lemongrass, coriander and chamomile to a pan
Add 1 cup boiling water and let it cool for an hour
Pour the herbs and water in a blender and blend on high till it seems like a paste
Apply this paste to cleansed skin for 20 minutes, then wash with warm water. End with a final splash of cold water

Refreshing rice & coriander face mask

Combine a handful of fresh coriander (leaves and stems), 2 tablespoons plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel in a blender or food processor
Pulse until fully blended
Combine the mixture with 1 tablespoon coconut milk powder, 1 tablespoon rice powder and 2 tablespoons white kaolin clay
Apply the mask to clean skin, and allow to dry for 20 minutes; rinse and follow with your moisturizer

Coriander & egg white face lift

Toss a handful of fresh, rinsed coriander leaves, 2 egg whites and 1/2 cup uncooked oats into a food processor
Blend till everything is well mixed and reaches a thick, paste-like consistency
Apply this paste to freshly cleansed face; let is sit for 10-15 minutes or until it hardens, then rinse off

Blackhead-busting coriander spot treatment

Mix 1 teaspoon each of coriander juice and lime juice
Apply on affected areas; leave for at least an hour, then wash off with warm water

Banish those moles coriander salve

Grind coriander seeds into a pulp using a mortar & pestle or food processor
Apply the pulp to your mole; cover with a bandage and leave for approximately an hour
Wash off with a gentle cleanser and moisturize as usual. You should start to see the mole lighten after 10 days. This treatment is safe to use daily and leave longer than one hour, if desired

Getting lippy coriander balm

Prepare a mixture of 2 teaspoons of coriander juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Apply this all over the lips and leave overnight. Wash off next morning and repeat the same for a few days to reveal smooth pink lips

Icky itches coriander paste

Make a paste of coriander seeds with a little bit of water and a teaspoon of honey
Apply this paste over the itchy skin for instant relief

Healing coriander body oil

Soak 1 tablespoon powdered coriander seeds in 1 cup of sunflower, almond or olive oil; let infuse for a week
Apply this oil all over your body at night, especially concentrating on areas that have been sunburnt, wounded or scarred; repeat daily

Stop the hair loss coriander oil

Add 1 tablespoon powdered coriander seeds to your hair oil and let them infuse for a week
Use this infused oil to massage your scalp at least twice a week. This will prevent further hair fall and help stimulate the roots for growth of new hair

Coriander detox remedy

Boil 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds in half a litre of water and add a teaspoon of sugar or honey
Drink the mixture when it is still warm; repeat thrice a day