Renad Ghanem

Saudi Gazette

 

People have always used different natural products, such as honey or natural oils, to treat hair and skin conditions. But there are some who argue that using edible beauty products is immoral; they say that food is a gift for eating, and instead of using it to treat skin or hair, they argue that people should donate it to those who can’t afford to eat.

 

Those who shun edible products often prefer to endure the pain of invasive cosmetic surgery, or take various medications, rather than use natural products made from vegetables, fruits, and other plants.

 

One such person is 41-year-old Badria Ali, a Saudi who refuses to use any natural or edible products in her cosmetics, arguing that it is shameful to do so while others can’t afford to eat.

 

“I’ve read advice to use natural material for my hair-fall issue,” she said. “Many people said to use a hair mask with pure arugula, garlic and onion; I mean, those look like not main components, but many people cannot find them to feed their children.”

 

“What makes me avoid using these fresh food was living in Egypt in 2006, and the Egyptian housemaid told me that she cooked for her children without onion because it was very expensive, despite that Egyptians cook much of their food with onions.”

 

Instead, Badria uses a medication for her hair, and said she thinks of her former Egyptian housemaid when others advise natural remedies.

 

Noha Shafie is a 31-year-old account manager who won’t use edible products or milk in her cosmetic recipes, as she argues that it’s merciful to give this food to those less well off instead.

 

“I’m only 31 and I have face wrinkles,” Shafie said. “Many recipes for skin and hair include honey, yoghurt, and milk.  Does anyone tell them that in Africa children die daily because they cannot find a drop of milk? We should be a merciful. I would love to have obvious wrinkles rather than use any food or milk to vanish them.”

 

“I never imagined that I’d get cosmetic surgery, but I decided to endure the pain of Botox injections rather than use milk or honey on my skin,” she added.

 

Another young Saudi, Sarah Ahmed, who suffers with dark skin around her eyes, refuses to use any natural recipes, and has instead opted for the extreme measure of surgery instead.

 

“My black halos are very obvious; many people told me to use potato, cucumber and yoghurt,” she said. “I did it once, but I never did it again because during using this mask I imagined poor people who can’t find food, and the people who die of starvation everyday. Food is to eat, not for cosmetics. I’m going to have surgery to remove these black halos.