My pre-teen 12-year old daughter has pimples on her back and face, especially on her T-Zone. I’ve tried almost a dozen of topical acne agents off the shelves from creams to gels, lotions, essential oils and washes with ingredients targeting acne but none worked. I’ve even tried fresh aloe vera gel directly from the plant and ‘cooling powder’ made from fermented rice but none worked as well.  One night,  I applied organic arrowroot powder on my daughter’s acne and the next morning when she got up, the acne dried up. The arrowroot powder worked like a charm!   I’ve been using organic arrowroot powder as loose powder and blusher for several years now.  We’ve not looked back since.  My daughter now applies arrowroot powder on her face and body after each shower.  The powder not only prevents the acne from flaring up but also gives the skin a very smooth and silky feeling.

Apart from thickening food, arrowroot powder contains health properties and lots of uses in the area of vanity!  Arrowroot contains a good amount of potassium, iron and B vitamins, which is great for metabolism, circulation and heart health. Studies have even shown that arrowroot can stimulate immune cells and boost the immune system.

Arrowroot powder is an inexpensive agent in the cosmetics industry.  It is also used as a topical treatment to promote the healing of cuts/scars.  These are some of the best uses of arrowroot powder in your everyday beauty routines:

1. Clears Acne. Arrowroot absorbs oils/sebum excellently and promotes natural healing as it penetrates the skin. Rubbing some into skin before bed and in the morning can reduce oil production, soften skin and dry out/heal blemishes.

2. Lightening loose face powder. When mixed with loose face powder, it can lighten the tone by several shades. This is particularly useful for gradually adjusting the shade of holiday make-up as your tan naturally fades. It is so lightweight that it blends seamlessly into the powder and leaves skin soft and silky to touch. It also reduced the need to reapply make-up as it absorbs sweat/oils.

3. Dry Shampoo.  This will be ideal for women in confinement after giving birth or those bed-ridden. Massage the arrowroot into your scalp and along the first couple of inches of the length of your hair. It will absorb the oils and leave your hair bouncy and soft. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe away any remaining traces of the powder on your hair.

4. As a base for home-made make-up. Arrowroot makes an excellent base for DIY make-up projects. Foundations and face blushers using a blend of arrowroot, cinnamon, roselle, beet root and cocoa powder are a major trend now. It’s excellent as you can adjust the measurements to get the shade exactly right for your skin tone.

5. Replacement for baby powder.  Mix a few drops of essential oils to the arrowroot powder and store the homemade homemade baby powder/talcum powder in a salt shaker.

How to use arrowroot powder as talcum powder and acne powder
Pour some organic arrowroot powder into an extra large salt shaker and shake some onto your palm before applying generously on your body and acne. The feeling of your skin will be silky smooth. Try it to experience it!

Using arrowroot powder as blusher and loose face powder
Mix some organic roselle powder or beet root powder with arrowroot powder. Mix well and adjust the shade according to your liking.  Store the powder in an empty loose powder container and apply on your cheeks with a blusher brush or a powder pad.