• Published on: Apr 04, 2020
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

THE CHALLENGES FACED IN MAKING A VACCINE FOR COVID-19 — Part 2

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Previously we’ve seen the difficulties researches face in trying to make a vaccine. But even if we make a vaccine, that’s just half the battle. Viruses are unique because they can mutate, and they can mutate to astonishing degrees. In humans mutations to tiny parts of our DNA can cause severe diseases or even death. In viruses mutations can change their structure, making them more infective and giving them a new coat. It gives them a survival advantage, the ability to evade our immune system and make our vaccines ineffective. This is why we need a new flu vaccine every year.

If it takes months to a year to develop a vaccine, it will be based off the virus found in December 2019. By this time the virus may have spread and mutated to such a degree that it is not effective. This does not mean all the effort was for nothing. Going through the steps and understanding the issues faced with making a COVID-19 vaccine can make the process quicker for subsequent vaccines against its mutated versions.

https://www.sciencealert.com/who-says-a-coronavirus-vaccine-is-18-months-away So Long to Develop a Vaccine

FAILURES FROM THE PAST

These issues were faced during the Ebola and Zika virus epidemics, and many large companies are understandably hesitant to develop vaccines for COVID-19. Ebola first broke out in 2014, and it was only in December 2019 that the first vaccine was approved for use by the European Commission and the United States. This is despite multiple large institutes in Canada and the UK working together to develop it.

13 different Ebola vaccine candidates had been identified soon after the outbreak, but none had been tested on humans. Unfortunately this is the most expensive part of development, and the area biopharmecuticals stand to loose the most money. Return on investments is also low, since epidemics usually take place in poorer countries, and the potential customers are unable to pay the high prices for these brand new treatments. It is an unfortunate realisation that research into medicines is driven by rich countries, for diseases that affect the rich.

https://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2016/06/16/why-did-the-market-fail-to-produce-an-ebola-vaccine Ebola 

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

This is all well and good, but what does it mean for COVID-19? We know we cannot rush a vaccine, because a poorly designed vaccine with unknown side effects can cause more harm than good, especially if given to children or the elderly. Currently the WHO are tracking 31 different attempts at making a COVID-19 vaccine, using different methods as discussed before. All of these are currently in the pre-clinical stage, focusing on isolating parts of the virus and creating a target the body will recognise and react to.

Researchers at the University of Queensland were one of the first to start using the genetic code of COVID-19, released openly by Chinese researchers. They have developed a test vaccine within 6 weeks using state-of-the-art genetic techniques, used for the first time. If animal models prove successful then human testing might begin within 6 months. In the pharmaceutical industry advancements this quick are almost unheard of.

Additionally over 293 clinical trials are taking place in China using existing drugs on the market. The advantage is we already know these drugs are safe to use in humans, but we are trying to work out if they will work against COVID-19. Some scientists are also looking at medications that were initially developed against SARS and MERS, but never completed because these outbreaks died down and the medication was no longer required.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/china-recovered-develop-effective-covid-19-treatments-200302082850237.html COVID-19 treatments

https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus-landscape-ncov.pdf?ua=1 WHO news

https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/28/21156385/covid-coronavirus-vaccine-treatment-moderna-remdesivir-research COVID-19 treatment

Its not all doom and gloom. Challenges drive innovation, and we are already benefitting from this. New forms of genetic sequencing, new methods for extracting viral proteins, new techniques in creating a vaccine. These innovations are already benefitting us on the drive to create an effective vaccine for COVID-19, and they will benefit us in the future when the next pandemic hits.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, Product Manager Second Medic UK

www.secondmedic.com

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home remedies for glowing skin

Best Home Remedies for Glowing Skin

Glowing skin is not simply a cosmetic goal. It is a visible reflection of skin health, hydration, and cellular repair. While the market is flooded with serums and treatments, dermatologists consistently observe that the most sustainable skin glow comes from consistent, simple, and evidence-supported practices. The good news is that many of the most effective ingredients are already available in an Indian kitchen.


Why Skin Loses Its Natural Glow  

Before applying any remedy, understanding the root cause of dull skin is essential. Dermatologists identify the following as the most common triggers in the Indian context:

Cause

Effect on Skin

Pollution and sun exposure

Oxidative stress, pigmentation, uneven tone

Dehydration

Reduced elasticity, dryness, dullness

Poor diet and nutrient deficiency

Slowed cell renewal, loss of radiance

Disrupted sleep

Impaired skin repair, dark circles, puffiness

Hormonal imbalance

Acne, oiliness, pigmentation

Harsh skincare products

Damaged skin barrier, redness, sensitivity

Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is as important as applying any topical remedy. Skin that appears dull despite consistent care often signals an internal factor requiring dietary or medical attention.


Which Home Remedy is Best for Glowing Skin?  

Among all widely used natural ingredients, raw honey combined with aloe vera gel is considered the most universally effective home remedy for glowing skin. Honey acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin, while its antibacterial and antioxidant compounds protect against environmental damage. Aloe vera complements this by delivering vitamins A, C, and E directly into the skin, supporting collagen synthesis and reducing inflammation.

This combination works across all skin types, requires no preparation time, and demonstrates consistent results in clinical observations relating to skin hydration and barrier repair. Applied three times a week for 15 to 20 minutes, this remedy produces visible improvement in skin texture and brightness within two to three weeks of regular use. For individuals with oily or acne-prone skin, aloe vera used alone without honey is the preferred option as it is non-comedogenic and lightweight.


Top Home Remedies for Glowing Skin by Skin Type  

One of the most significant gaps in standard advice is that remedies are rarely matched to skin type. Applying the wrong ingredient can worsen the skin condition rather than improve it. Dermatologists recommend the following skin-type specific approach:

Skin Type

Best Remedy

Key Benefit

Frequency

Dry Skin

Raw honey and milk paste

Deep hydration, lactic acid exfoliation

3 times per week

Oily Skin

Multani mitti with rose water

Sebum control, pore tightening

2 times per week

Combination Skin

Aloe vera gel

Balances moisture without clogging pores

Daily

Sensitive Skin

Oat flour and plain yogurt pack

Soothes inflammation, gentle exfoliation

2 times per week

Normal Skin

Turmeric and honey mask

Antioxidant boost, brightening

2 to 3 times per week

Dull or Pigmented Skin

Potato juice or tomato pulp

Natural kojic acid, reduces pigmentation

3 times per week

Matching the remedy to skin type is the single most important factor in achieving consistent results from any natural skincare routine.


Which Kitchen Ingredients Work Best for Skin Glow?  

Several common Indian kitchen ingredients carry clinically recognised skin benefits. The mechanism behind each ingredient matters as much as the application method:

Turmeric (Haldi): Contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Curcumin inhibits melanin synthesis, which helps reduce pigmentation and uneven skin tone over time. Used as a paste with milk or honey, turmeric is one of the most researched natural brightening agents.

Raw Milk: Contains lactic acid, a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, stimulates collagen production, and improves skin luminosity. Applying raw cold milk with a cotton pad and leaving it for 15 minutes is a simple and effective brightening practice.

Besan (Gram Flour): Functions as a mild physical exfoliant and oil absorber. Mixed with turmeric and rose water, besan-based face packs have been used across Indian households for generations and remain dermatologically appropriate for most skin types.

Aloe Vera: Rich in polysaccharides that support skin hydration and mucilaginous compounds that form a protective barrier. Clinical data supports its use in reducing UV-induced skin damage and accelerating epidermal repair.

Potato Juice: Contains catecholase, an enzyme with mild skin-lightening properties. Particularly useful for reducing dark circles, tan lines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.


How to Get Glowing Skin Naturally in One Week  

Most competitors list remedies without telling readers how to actually use them together. The following 7-day routine is structured to progressively address cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and brightening within a single week:

Day

Morning

Evening

Day 1

Raw milk cotton pad cleanse

Aloe vera gel application

Day 2

Rose water toner

Honey and aloe vera mask (15 min)

Day 3

Raw milk cleanse

Turmeric and honey mask (10 min)

Day 4

Rose water toner

Aloe vera gel application

Day 5

Raw milk cleanse

Besan, turmeric and rose water pack (15 min)

Day 6

Rose water toner

Potato juice on dark spots (20 min)

Day 7

Raw milk cleanse

Honey and aloe vera mask (15 min)

This routine uses no more than three to four ingredients across the entire week, minimising the risk of ingredient overload or skin irritation. Always perform a patch test on the inner forearm before applying any new ingredient to the face.


Lifestyle Habits That Support Glowing Skin From Within  

Topical remedies address the surface. Skin glow that is deep and lasting is primarily determined by internal health factors that all four competitor articles fail to address:

Hydration: Dermatologists observe that inadequate water intake is the single most common and most overlooked cause of dull skin among Indian adults. A minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily supports cellular metabolism and maintains skin turgor.

Diet: Skin cells require vitamins C, E, and A along with zinc and omega-3 fatty acids for repair and renewal. Indian dietary staples such as amla (Indian gooseberry), carrots, spinach, walnuts, and flaxseeds provide these nutrients in bioavailable forms. Reducing refined sugar intake is equally important, as excess glucose triggers glycation, a process that breaks down collagen and accelerates skin ageing.

Sleep: The skin's repair cycle peaks during deep sleep between 11 PM and 3 AM. Chronic sleep deprivation elevates cortisol, which degrades collagen and increases inflammatory skin conditions. Clinical specialists recommend seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep as a non-negotiable component of any skin improvement plan.

Gut Health: Emerging dermatological research on the gut-skin axis confirms that dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) is linked to acne, rosacea, and dull skin. Incorporating fermented foods such as curd and buttermilk into the daily diet supports gut microbiome balance, which in turn improves skin clarity.


Home Remedies to Avoid: What Dermatologists Warn Against  

This section exists in none of the competing articles and represents the most clinically important addition to this topic. Several widely promoted "natural" skin remedies are actively harmful:

Lemon juice directly on skin: Lemon juice has a pH of approximately 2, far too acidic for direct skin application. It disrupts the skin's natural acid mantle (pH 4.5 to 5.5), causes photosensitivity, and can result in chemical burns or permanent pigmentation when skin is exposed to sunlight post-application.

Baking soda: Despite its popularity on social media, baking soda has an alkaline pH of 9, which severely disrupts the skin barrier, strips natural oils, and causes microbial imbalance on the skin surface.

Toothpaste on pimples: Toothpaste contains fluoride, menthol, and hydrogen peroxide, none of which are formulated for skin. It causes contact dermatitis, dryness, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly on Indian skin tones.

Undiluted essential oils: Applying undiluted tea tree oil, lavender oil, or any essential oil directly on the face without a carrier oil causes irritant contact dermatitis and skin sensitisation.

Dermatologists advise that if a remedy causes stinging, redness, or visible irritation, it should be discontinued immediately regardless of how widely it is recommended online.

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