Health

Vitamin C serum : Benefits and Uses

What is Vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C serum is considered as one of the best ingredients to maintain smooth and glowing skin. Many skin care specialists or dermatologists are recommending Vitamin C serum to maintain skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect the skin from damage.

This is a great alternative for moisturizers and creams. In very rare cases, Vitamin C serum has some side effects and risks for the ones with hyper-sensitive skin. Overall though, there are also some wonderful benefits of adding Vitamin C serum to the skin.

Benefits of Vitamin C serum

Here are some amazing benefits of Vitamin C serum:

Vitamin C serum has an excellent profile for keeping skin safe, and you can use it regularly to keep your skin healthy.
Healthy skin needs good hydration and Vitamin C serum has Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate which has an excellent hydrating effect on the skin and helps to retain moisture.
Vitamin C serum helps to reduce pigmentation and smoothes the skin surface to reduce dullness to give a youthful glow. It also works effectively on dark spots.
Vitamin C serum has an anti-inflammatory agent which soothes your skin and reduces redness. It neutralises the free radicals and optimises the immune system.
Most of the common skin problems are sunspots and age spots which occur due to the overproduction of melanin in certain areas of the skin. Vitamin C serum can help to tackle such problems and it also helps to get rid of under-eye bags and dark circles.
Collagen is an important protein for the skin. If collagen production comes down, it will lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C serum will help to promote collagen production.
Vitamin C serum has antioxidants that will protect your skin cells from sun damage and soothe the Sun burns as well.
Vitamin C serum works wonderfully on wounds. It speeds up wound healing and reduces inflammation, infection, and scarring.

How to apply Vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C serum can be applied to the skin in three different methods. Let’s check them out.

1)Facial Cleanser: A facial cleanser is one of the best methods for applying Vitamin C serum. It brings added benefits because it promotes better serum skin penetration. Apply it on your face and wait for a few minutes, then wash your face with lukewarm water.

2)Face Scrub: A face scrub is almost similar to the facial cleanser method. Apply it on your face and scrub the serum in a circular motion, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

3)Direct Application: You can apply serum to your skin directly by adding a few drops of serum to your palm or you can use the mother tincture and rub it in gently. Do not overdo it by rubbing it again and again. Let it absorb naturally into your skin.

You can work with all the methods once or twice a day as per the medication or your skin type. Make sure that you give some time for the serum to dry completely before you apply anything else to your skin.

Side Effects and Risks

There are some side effects and risks, usually reported by people who have hypersensitive skin. The most common type of side effects and risks are:

Slight Irritation
Itching
Tingling Sensation
Redness

If somebody is experiencing a continuous burning sensation or any allergic reactions like swelling or hives, then it is recommended to rub off the serum/product immediately and visit your doctor for a better solution.

These are some of the many wonderful benefits of Vitamin C serum for the skin. Vitamin C serum gives you a marvellous glow and protects your skin from a variety of damage. Consistent use of Vitamin C serum can keep your skin healthy and you will see the effects gradually.

March 20, 2022

Wedding Wellness with Luke Coutinho: Starting the Journey

Luke Coutinho, India’s leading Integrative Lifestyle Expert, believes that true wedding prep goes far beyond fitting into an outfit or chasing picture-perfect looks. For him, it’s about building strength, balance, and inner calm that lasts well beyond the wedding day. Here, he shares his holistic wellness guide for brides and grooms stepping into this new chapter. From a holistic health perspective, how early should brides and grooms start preparing their bodies for the wedding? I’ve always believed that wedding prep should start with the inside. If we’re talking about sustainable energy, balanced hormones, strong immunity, or calm emotional states it’s not a 15-day crash course. It’s a rhythm you build. Ideally, I encourage couples to begin six to 12 months in advance. That gives us space to work on the deeper layers like gut repair, sleep cycles, metabolic health, and emotional resilience. Even three months can make a real difference if done right. But more than timelines, I believe in intention. Whether you start 12 months or six weeks before, ask yourself: Am I just trying to look good for a day, or do I want to feel well through all the days that follow? How can couples set wellness goals that go beyond just looking good in wedding photos?It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics wanting to fit into a certain outfit or chase a number on the scale. But real wellness is about how you feel your energy, your digestion, your mood, your ability to stay calm amidst the chaos. I always tell couples: Don’t make the goal about shrinking your body. Make it about strengthening your health, supporting your hormones, and building the emotional resilience to actually enjoy your wedding. When you feel good inside, it shows up outside on your skin, in your eyes, and

Health

Eating Right, Feeling Bright: How to Stay Healthy and Happy This Festive Season

As the festive season arrives, it’s easy to get swept up in the celebration and sometimes, overdo it. Between rich sweets, back-to-back parties, and emotional highs (and lows), maintaining your health both physical and emotional can become challenging. SINDURI VUPPALA speaks to two experts Dietician Vidhi Chawla, Founder of FISICO Diet & Aesthetic Clinic, and Rajvir Kohar, a seasoned Mental Health Clinician to bring you a guide on how to eat mindfully and feel emotionally balanced this season. “It’s okay not to feel festive. Honour your emotions.” – Mental Health Clinician Rajvir Kohar While cultural celebrations and holidays offer opportunities for connections and joy, they also come with increased expectations and responsibilities. Research indicates that mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and emotional eating often rise during the festive season. Many individuals experience heightened stress around the holidays, primarily due to factors such as financial strain, time pressures, and family dynamics. Financial challenges can be particularly overwhelming, as people feel the burden of purchasing gifts, hosting gatherings, and keeping up with social expectations. For individuals already managing financial constraints, these demands can deepen feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Additionally, the festive season can bring emotional pain for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Others may experience a profound sense of loneliness, especially if they lack close family or social networks, making the celebratory atmosphere feel isolating rather than inclusive. Common mental health symptoms during this period include disturbed sleep, changes in appetite (either overeating or under-eating), increased irritability, fatigue, and social withdrawal. While these feelings are common, they often go unnoticed amidst societal expectations to “stay cheerful.” Despite these challenges, it is possible to approach the festive season with mindfulness and care. By adopting practical strategies, you can protect your mental health and still engage

Health

Managing Psychological Stress in Marriage in India

Marriage, while often seen as a sacred bond in India, is also a complex partnership that involves emotional investment, societal expectations, and continuous adaptation. In the Indian context, marriage isn’t just a union between two individuals it’s often a confluence of families, traditions, and social norms. While love and companionship are central, psychological stress can quietly build over time due to unmet expectations, communication gaps, external pressures, and the lack of personal space. Managing this stress effectively is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling marital life. Understanding the Sources of Stress Recognizing the Signs of Stress Psychological stress in marriage often doesn’t manifest dramatically. Instead, it appears in small, persistent ways: If left unaddressed, this stress can escalate into anxiety disorders, depression, or even marital breakdown. Strategies to Manage Marital Stress 1. Open, Non-Judgmental Communication The cornerstone of any successful marriage is healthy communication. Couples must learn to express themselves openly, without fear of being judged. Schedule “talk time” to share your thoughts, concerns, or even simple day-to-day feelings. Use “I feel” statements rather than blame-focused language to prevent defensiveness. 2. Set Realistic Expectations Bollywood and societal portrayals of “perfect marriages” create unrealistic standards. Accept that no marriage is without flaws. Understand each other’s limitations and strengths, and be willing to compromise without losing your core identity. 3. Establish Boundaries with Extended Family While respecting elders and family traditions is important, couples must create healthy boundaries. This includes making joint decisions independently, especially on matters like finances, parenting, or living arrangements. A united front reduces external interference and strengthens the couple’s bond. 4. Seek Professional Help Therapy is still stigmatized in parts of India, but counseling individuals or couples can be transformative. A trained therapist helps you identify patterns, improve communication, and resolve conflicts constructively. Many Indian metro cities and

Health

Why Soaking Rice Reduces Glucose: Science, Steps, and Stats

Rice is a staple food for millions across the globe, but it’s also often blamed for raising blood sugar levels—especially white rice due to its high glycemic index (GI). However, a simple, age-old practice can help: soaking rice before cooking. This traditional method doesn’t just make rice softer and faster to cook—it also offers a science-backed way to reduce its glucose content and make it healthier. Hashtag Magazines gives you a lowdown… The Science Behind Soaking Rice When you soak rice, several things happen: Supporting Research and Statistics A study published in Food Chemistry (2015) found: Another study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted: A 2022 clinical trial in India showed: How to Soak Rice to Lower Glucose Step-by-Step Method: Glycemic Index Reduction – Before & After Soaking Type of Rice GI (Unsoaked) GI (After Soaking) White rice 72 60–65 Brown rice 68 55–60 Basmati rice 58 45–50 Red rice 55 40–48 Additional Tips to Reduce Sugar Spike from Rice Why This Matters for Diabetics and Health-Conscious Eaters Blood sugar spikes can lead to fatigue, weight gain, insulin resistance, and long-term complications like diabetes or heart disease. Making simple changes like soaking rice helps: Conclusion Soaking rice is a simple, no-cost step with massive health benefits. Whether you’re managing diabetes, watching your weight, or just aiming for better gut health, soaking rice before cooking can significantly lower its glucose impact. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Indian kitchens, now backed by science.