Can Saffron Really Make You Fair?

Back in the olden days, saffron was used as a "skin perfector" and there is a good reason why! Saffron when used in a face mask has antibacterial properties, which cleanse the skin of impurities, soothe inflammation and kill pimple-causing bacteria.

It has high skin-lightening properties, more than any other herbal ingredient you can get your hands on, which works to make the skin lighter, brighter and fairer.

Furthermore, saffron increases oxygen supply to the skin, which opens the pores and helps skin breathe better.

To boil it all down, saffron indeed brings about a noticeable difference to the skin. However, not an overnight result, and it does not radically change your skin tone.

The objective, as emphasized time and again, should not be fairer skin, but healthy-looking skin that is clear and radiant.

Before we get on with saffron face masks for younger-looking skin, you need to know what exactly to look for when buying good-quality authentic saffron than a cheap knock-off.

Did you know that corn husks can be painted to look like saffron threads as well? Real saffron will have flavour and aroma. Only way to check it is to immerse a few strands in a cup of plain water.

Real saffron will colour the water, yet when removed it will have its deep red hue intact. In a fake saffron, the colour will wash right off!

After having known about the details on how to differentiate between real and fake saffron, here are 12 saffron face masks that you can try at the comfort of your home to achieve younger-looking skin. Take a look.

Radiance Mask
Take a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and mix in a few strands of saffron. Using milk, whip it into a smooth paste. Apply it to your clean face. Let it sit for 30 minutes. When dry, rinse it off with plain water.

Acne-Clearing Mask
Add 5 to 7 strands of saffron in raw milk and let it sit for 3 hours. The milk will have changed in colour from white to yellow. Using a cotton ball, apply this liberally to the affected area. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse it off. Try this DIY saffron mask 4 to 5 times in a week to clear acne.

Scar-lightening Mask
Take 5 to 6 fresh basil leaves, and an equal amount of saffron. Using rose water, grind it into a fine paste. Apply it to your face and neck. Let the herbal saffron face mask for fair skin stay for 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse.

Skin Brightening Mask
Take a tablespoon of honey, and mix in a few strands of saffron. Wash your face of all the dirt and residue. Once done, massage the mask on to your skin in a circular motion for 5 minutes. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it with cold water.

Skin Toner
Soak a few strands of saffron in a tablespoon of rosewater, and add 2 drops of glycerin. After cleansing, using a cotton pad, apply this toner all over your face. Let your skin absorb the solution. Once dry, apply a light moisturiser.

De-tanning Mask
Take a tablespoon of besan, add a few strands of kesar, and a required amount of yogurt. And whip the ingredients together into a smooth paste. Apply it to your face and neck. When dry, scrub and rinse.

Skin-Firming Mask
Mix 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, a few strands of saffron and a teaspoon of honey. Mix all until they blend well. Apply a thin coat of this saffron face pack for younger-looking skin all over your face and neck. Let it sit until your skin starts to stretch. Wash it off with cold water.

Age Spot Clarifying Mask
Mash a ripe papaya into fine pulp. Add in a few saffron strands, a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Wash your face and apply the mask. Let the saffron face mask sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

Skin-Whitening Mask
Soak a teaspoon of sunflower seeds in a tablespoon of milk with a few strands of saffron. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, grind the mixture and apply it to your face. Let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Then scrub and rinse.

Skin-Softening Mask
Add a pinch of saffron to hot bathing water and a tablespoon of honey. Let it stay for 5 minutes. Soak yourself in the water for 20 minutes. It will not only gently slough dead skin cells, but also work to make skin supple and smooth.

Skin Exfoliator
Mix a pinch of saffron, a teaspoon of sugar in a tablespoon of olive oil. Scrub your skin with the mixture in a circular motion. Do this for not more than 5 minutes and then rinse.

Dry Skin Mask
This is yet another simple tip on how to brighten the skin using saffron. Take a teaspoon of milk powder, add in a pinch of turmeric, saffron and a few drops of almond oil. Mix into a paste-like consistency. Apply it evenly to your face and neck. Once dry, rinse it with cold water.