T T Turmeric, Na Na Cosmetic

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Yesterday was one of those rare occasions that I arrived at the movie theater in time. Mostly you would find me rushing in when a movie has already started or if I am lucky, when the National Anthem is on. So there I was, quiet proud of myself, as I sat down in my seat to watch Dil Dhadakne Do, with my usual mix of cheese and caramel popcorn. The Ads were being played and there it was, the age old "Vicco Turmeric, Nahi Cosmetic" Ad. It made me nostalgic. For time immemorial, Vicco Turmeric Cream ads have been playing during movie screenings at multiplex theaters across the country. 

So is it only about a catchy jingle? May be not. From toothpaste to cream, whatever Vicco sells is Ayurvedic, instead of products that are chemically synthesized. As the health conscious generation has moved from aerated drinks to fresh fruit juices and from gyms to yoga classes, so has it moved from cosmetics to herbal products, be it for skin care, hair care or tooth care. Ayurveda is a kind of medicine that has tons of benefits derived from a range of medicinal herbs. And that is what makes Vicco stand out as one of the top herbal brands in India.

But we as aam aadmi or “mango people”, do not have the abilities to conjure up such Ayurvedic medicines. What we do have though, are those age old Grandma’s ‘nuska’s’. Those home remedies passed down by that generation somehow never fails. Here are three of those tricks or tips that would definitely work better than any of those cosmetic creams out there in the market –

1. Honey and Milk – Some say this was the secret behind Cleopatra’s beauty. Now that’s something very difficult to prove, but the honey-milk mixture is indeed an age old formula for radiant skin. Honey has anti-bacterial properties and also acts as a moisturizer and milk contains Vitamin C, calcium and protein. The combination makes it a definite hit.
2. Tomato juice – Once after a Goa trip, my cousin went to the nearby vegetable vendor and told him she wants to buy one tomato. Her demand for a single tomato shocked me as much as it shocked the sabzi guy. It was later that she told me tomatoes are great for removing tan. And that’s when I finally understood the link between Goa and that single tomato :P. Tomatoes contain anti-oxidant and it is further effective if you add in a dash of lemon juice and then apply it to your face.
3. Turmeric + Sandalwood powder + Milk – Turmeric is an excellent antiseptic that works wonder for the skin (which also explains the Haldi ceremonies at the Hindu weddings). Sandalwood is an anti-biotic that is known to clear pimples and blemishes. And you already know why milk is great for the skin. When the combination of these three lands on your face and is left there for 5 minutes, it makes your skin appear fresh and bright. And this again brings me back to the jingle of the original cream of Vicco, which kept telling us over the years that 'Haldi Chandan ke gun isme samaye'. Bingo!

Long live 'Vicco Turmeric, Nahi Cosmetic' in our multiplexes.