As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo on Monday (May 18, 2026) for a two-day visit where he will hold bilateral talks and then meet with leaders of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark for the 3rd India-Nordic summit, conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and their economic impact will be
Bengaluru man leaves Bellandur at 5 pm, remains stuck in traffic 3+ hours laterVarun Rangarajan wrote in an X post that he left Bellandur at 5:17 pm but remained stuck in traffic hours later. Updated on: May 19, 2026 10:36 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A Bengaluru man’s social media
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.I tried these 5 face serums on my sensitive skin, and this Korean brand one worked like magicIf you have sensitive skin and always dicey about which face serums to go for
Some TCS employees claim lower take-home pay after appraisals: ‘Salary decreased by ₹3,000’Employees report mixed appraisal outcomes at TCS, with top performers receiving up to 13% hikes while others face reductions in compensation. Updated on: May 19
Mouni Roy makes Cannes comeback amid 'chaos', days after announcing separation from Suraj. See her chic monochrome lookMouni Roy makes a powerful statement at Cannes Film Festival 2026 following her recent separation from Suraj Nambiar. She was spotted in a striking look. Published on: May 19
The U.S. Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against Indian tycoon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, bringing the high-profile securities and wire fraud case in New York to a complete close after prosecutors concluded they could not sustain the allegations.The U.S
Congress leader VD Satheesan takes oath as Kerala CM; makes important decisionsSenior Congress leader VD Satheesan took oath as the 13th chief minister of Kerala, made key decisions for the welfare of women and senior citizens. Published on: May 19
In Paris, police deployed tear gas. In Milan, Italy, a fistfight erupted. In London, Singapore and New York, all-night queues snaked from the doors of Swatch stores — the latest examples of status-symbol “drop culture” to flash across the globe when status symbols and resale value collide
Applying homemade masks for Diwali glow up? Find out if they really work or not
Diwali 2025: In the days leading up to Diwali, as homes are cleaned and illuminated, there's also a mad dash for the coveted festive glow-up. Radiant, glowing skin is an accessory in itself, bagging the crown for Diwali parties OOTD. Many are eager to achieve the glow. Among the steps, many are opting for detanning, restoring the skin's suppleness, and achieving an even-toned texture for the festivities. One popular hack is using homemade masks, like ubtan, rosewater and more. But are they really effective?
ALSO READ: Beauty expert Blossom Kochhar shares top 5 tips for glowing skin on Diwali: Natural ingredients like banana, almond oil
HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to find out whether homemade masks really work, and which techniques can help achieve healthy, radiant skin this Diwali.
The homemade masks are time-honoured, dating back to our grandmothers' era. They do offer benefits, as Dr Rinky Kapoor, celebrity dermatologist, co-founder and director, The Esthetic Clinics, shared with us. As per Dr Kapoor, they are easy to make, cost-effective, and free from synthetic preservatives and fragrances that some people prefer to avoid.
The face masks offer valuable results too. “Sandalwood contains anti-inflammatory compounds, saffron offers antioxidant properties, gram flour used in ubtans can help physically exfoliate, while lactic acid in dairy provides gentle chemical exfoliation. Rose water acts as a mild toner, while coconut and sesame oils have been used for centuries in abhyanga massage to improve skin texture and circulation," Dr Kapoor described each of the popular homemade masks' results on skin health.
So if these masks are helpful for the skin and offer natural benefits, then what's the catch? Are they safe to use over the weekend leading up to Diwali?
Dr Kapoor revealed some downsides of these homemade masks. While they do have perks, the drawbacks far outweigh them.
“Fresh ingredients lack stability testing and proper preservation, which can harbour bacteria and lead to skin infections. Natural doesn't guarantee safety; many plant-based ingredients cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, or irritation, particularly on sensitive or compromised skin,” Dr Kapoor shed light on the lack of bacterial safety in the homemade masks. Just because the ingredients are natural, they do not guarantee safety. The risks of allergy, irritation remain.
Glow up in a practical sense means a dewy, even-toned skin. But even-toned appearance largely depends on skin texture. Homemade masks may compromise the skin barrier, throwing the pH balance off.
Dr Kapoor warned, “DIY formulations often have improper pH levels that can disrupt your skin barrier rather than strengthen it. Ingredients like lemon juice, certain enzymes, or essential oils can cause photosensitivity, pigmentation, or chemical burns if misused or applied in incorrect concentrations.”
To stay away from any kind of irritations or breakouts, before fully applying the homemade face mask, Dr Kapoor asked to do a patch test for any new ingredient for at least 48 hours. Further, she cautioned people with active acne, rosacea, eczema, or any inflammatory skin condition to avoid homemade masks.
So what brings true radiance? While homemade masks do offer some benefits, it is not entirely risk-free. As discussed before, they may cause an imbalance in the skin's pH levels or introduce bacterial contamination. We connected with another expert to understand the way forward. Dr Anuradha Sharma, Medical Advisor and Skin Expert at Fixderma, said that the key to achieving well-nourished skin is to hydrate from the inside out, while avoiding adding anything new to the routine last minute.
She shared these 5 tips to hydrate inside out:
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Can 10 Years Of Polluted Air Be Cleaned In 7-8 Months Bengaluru Majestic footpaths cleaned up after Canadian’s video exposes mess People sell homes 10 decor trends to shape homes in 2026 How Senior Living Homes Are Addressing A Silent Health Risk In India M-SANVI's Affordable Homes Initiative People sell homes From hills to homes Several homes catch fire in West Jordan Over 1,200 Bengali Muslim homes demolished as state continues eviction drive
Rajasthan Pre DElEd Admit Card 2026 available on predeledraj2026.com, BSTC exam tomorrowRajasthan Pre DElEd Admit Card 2026 is available for download on the official website at predeledraj2026.com. The exam will be held on May 20, 2026. Updated on: May 19
1 hours ago
Chennai, May 19 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that Ruturaj Gaikwad is still a work in progress as captain after the side’s playoff hopes in the ongoing IPL were left massively dented by a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad here.Chennai
1 hours ago
Who is Sibi George, the Indian diplomat winning praise for taking on Norway press head onSibi George is currently serving as Secretary (West) in the MEA, overseeing India's engagement with countries in Europe, West Asia and multilateral forums. Updated on: May 19
1 hours ago
Sometime last year, Dattu Valvi took up temporary work offered by the state forest department in his village Mogarbara in Gujarat, about 120 km away from Surat. The job required him to drive a tractor carrying a filled water tanker to irrigate young saplings that the department had planted
5 hours ago
The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives last week have been located, officials have confirmed to the BBC. The Italians were found inside a 60-metre-deep (197ft) cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian
5 hours ago
Arsenal have never been closer to a Premier League title under Mikel Arteta's management. The Gunners' 1-0 win over Burnley left them close to ending their 22-year wait for the league crown - and that dream could be realised as early as Tuesday
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for May 19, 2026: Stop accepting mixed signals and emotional confusionLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 19, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries An emotional ending may create unexpected freedom
4 hours ago
The Central Information Commission has ruled the Board of Control for Cricket in India is not a public authority. This reverses a previous 2018 decision. The BCCI is therefore not legally bound to respond to Right to Information applications
5 hours ago
Pisces Horoscope Today for May 19, 2026: Avoid shortcuts or emotional spendingPisces Horoscope Today: Stay organised, avoid unnecessary stress, and give yourself time to rest. Updated on: May 19, 2026 5:42 AM IST Edited by Kanakanjali Roy Share via Copy link Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Daily Horoscope
4 hours ago
Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid has been granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court. This comes after the passing of his father in New Delhi. Rashid will arrive in Srinagar on May 19 to attend the funeral prayers. He has been in Tihar jail since 2019
5 hours ago
Patriotic Kenny dies at 84 after courageous cancer fight, fans call him a 'beautiful soul'Patriotic Kenny became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram for his uplifting videos, infectious optimism, and patriotic spirit. Published on: May 19
4 hours ago
OAKLAND, Calif. — A federal jury on Monday sided with OpenAI and its top executives in a feud with Elon Musk, who accused them of betraying a shared vision for it to guide artificial intelligence’s development as a nonprofit dedicated to humanity’s benefit.OAKLAND, Calif
4 hours ago
Enterprises today generate more information than ever before, yet critical knowledge often remains fragmented across teams, systems, and workflows. As AI adoption accelerates, organisations are beginning to recognise that growth, agility, and execution increasingly depend on how effectively
4 hours ago
Jammu: Mistaken intake of wild plant behind Rajouri man’s death, indicates preliminary findingAn elderly man lost his life and seven others of the same family fell ill in Modha Draj village of Kotranka tehsil in Rajouri district on May 16 Published on: May 19, 2026 7:58 AM IST By HT Correspondent
4 hours ago
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asserted his authority following a recent cabinet expansion. The portfolio allocations demonstrate a clear focus on stability as assembly elections approach. New ministers have been accommodated, but key departments remain with the Chief Minister
5 hours ago
Check petrol, diesel rates for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata after fresh price hikeThe latest revision comes after fuel prices were raised by ₹3 per litre last week. Published on: May 19, 2026 7:56 AM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link State-run oil marketing companies on Tuesday increased petrol
4 hours ago
West Bengal’s newly elected BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to implement the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees in a move aimed at reducing the long-standing pay gap between state and central government staff
5 hours ago
Kerala's new Chief Minister VD Satheesan has swiftly implemented key election promises. Free bus travel for women begins June 15. Asha workers receive a Rs 3000 honorarium hike. Anganwadi staff also see a Rs 1000 increase. A new department for senior citizens is approved
5 hours ago
The Mandalorian & Grogu is released this week and is set for the lowest opening weekend of any Star Wars film ever. With the TV shows also struggling, here's why interest is waning. It's been seven years since the Star Wars franchise visited a galaxy far, far away on the big screen
4 hours ago
Manchester City are preparing for Pep Guardiola's exit after Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa. Sources have told BBC Sport that the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. City maintain Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful
5 hours ago
20-year-old college dropout lands ₹70 LPA job with US startup after multiple rejectionsFrom underpaid freelancer to earning ₹70 LPA, a 20-year-old dropout shared his viral roadmap for landing a remote job at a US tech startup. Updated on: May 19
4 hours ago
The prices of petrol and diesel were increased on Tuesday with immediate effect amid rising global oil rates and supply concerns as the conflict in West Asia continues. This is the second time in less than a week that the price of the fuel has been hiked
5 hours ago
Nothing Phone (3) is currently available on Amazon India with a major discount offer, bringing the effective price down significantly for buyers looking for a premium Android smartphone. The smartphone, which carries an MRP of Rs 84,999, is currently listed at Rs 44
5 hours ago
New Delhi: Public sector lender Bank of India (BOI) on Monday hiked interest rates on medium- and long-term fixed deposits of less than Rs 3 crore. The latest rates are effective from today (18 May 2026). Senior citizens and super senior citizens will continue to receive additional interest
5 hours ago
Aaron Rai secured the 2026 PGA Championship title with a remarkable final round. His victory at Aronimink Golf Club marked a significant achievement. Rai's win is historic, being the first Englishman to claim the PGA Championship since 1919. The triumph highlights his dedication and hard work
5 hours ago
Rekha Gupta, Delhi ministers travel by metro and buses under ‘Metro Monday’ initiative to promote fuel conservationPWD minister Parvesh Verma and social welfare minister Ravinder Indraj Singh also accompanied Gupta during the journey and interacted with other passengers. Updated on: May 19
4 hours ago
Buy or sell stocks, 19 May 2026: Amid weak global cues and persistent macroeconomic concerns, the key benchmark indices of the Indian stock market finished almost flat after witnessing a highly volatile session on Monday. The Nifty 50 index ended marginally higher at 23,649
5 hours ago
