Natural ingredients make some of the best skincare products out there. After all, if they’re good for your body when eaten, they’re certainly good when applied on your skin! They’re cost-effective too, in fact, many ingredients that can work wonders on your skin are staples in your kitchen. Most of the best skincare products in the market boast about how they use all-natural ingredients, so why not skip the middle man and DIY it from the comfort of your own home?
In this article, we’ll take a look at eight natural skincare ingredients you can grab from the kitchen to help your skin look smooth and supple without breaking the bank.
#1: Green tea
The health benefits of drinking green tea are no secret. Not only does it have a calm, soothing effect on your mind, but research has linked it many heath beneficial effects. Lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improved brain function, a higher metabolism are just examples among others. It can also work miracles with eyebags. Simply freeze the tea bags after you’ve brewed yourself a cup and place them on your eyes for at least 30 minutes. Your face will look a lot brighter and less tired!
You can also add a bit of green tea to your moisturizer and massage it into your skin. As it contains polyphenols, it can protect your skin from UV damage and preserve its elasticity. Overall, it’s a great ingredient to use if you want to keep your skin looking youthful.
#2: Raw honey
Honey doesn’t just taste good, it’s one of nature’s most powerful healing ingredients. It’s particularly useful with acne or random breakouts due to its anti-bacterial nature. Plus, it contains glycolic acid, making it a gentle exfoliant too. All of this makes it the perfect ingredient for a face mask! You can combine it with other ingredients to get the most out of your mask. For example, egg whites will get rid of blackheads, avocado will hydrate your skin, and cinnamon will make fine lines less visible.
#3: Oats
Nearly everyone has a box of oats sitting in their kitchen cabinet from their “I’ll-eat-oats-every-morning” phase. The good news is, you can repurpose it to help your skin glow! As they have anti-inflammatory properties, they’re great at soothing dry skin. They’re also a gentle exfoliant – perfect for those with sensitive skin. Simply mix it with water and apply it to your face and neck for 10-15 minutes before washing off. You can also add honey to target those pesky breakouts.
#4: Apple cider vinegar
Another product that’s great for your health and your skin is apple cider vinegar. It’s one of the best DIY toners out there, and it’s extremely simple to prepare. All you need to do is mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water for normal to dry skin, or equal parts vinegar and water for oily skin. Apply it with a clean cotton pad after washing your face. You can also add essential oils to this mix to create a lovely smell while enhancing its effects. We particularly like lavender – but feel free to go with your favorite one.
#5: Milk
If you work with your hands, you may feel like it’s near impossible to find a product that can rejuvenate them. Milk soaks are the best way to soften your tired hands. Even if you don’t work with your hands much, it’s a great experience that’s certain to soothe you and hydrate your skin. Simply pour enough whole milk to submerge both your hands into a bowl. Then, microwave it until it’s warm. Soak your hands for 5-10 minutes – the fats and vitamins from the milk will hydrate and nourish your skin.
#6: Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an incredibly versatile ingredient, not only in cooking but also as a natural skincare one. You can add a few drops to your face masks to enhance hydration. Or, you can use it as a moisturizer after a shower for both your face and the rest of your body. You can even use it in a home manicure to nourish dry cuticles by rubbing a little on each fingernail and wrapping it with cling wrap so it is fully absorbed. Lastly, dab a little on your lips for a natural lip balm.
#7: Baking soda
Not everyone has the time to scrub at their feet with pumice stones to get rid of all that dead skin. Plus, a good foot soak is immensely relaxing, especially when you’ve been on your feet all day. Baking soda helps loosen dead skin and is a great way to give yourself a pedicure at home. Add ½ a cup of baking soda to every 3.5 litres of water in a shallow tub and stir until fully dissolved. Then, sit back and relax for 30 minutes. Remember to apply some moisturizing cream afterwards!
Another benefit of baking soda is that it absorbs pretty much everything it comes into contact with. That’s why it keeps your fridge smelling so fresh. This soak is, therefore, a great way to keep your feet smelling fresh too!
#8: Olive oil
Another oil that’s delicious in cooking and healthy for your skin! Using olive oil for natural skincare has been around for a long time – in fact, even Cleopatra used it. It’s extra useful for those with dry skin due to all the mono-saturated fatty acids it’s made of. This means that it’s incredibly hydrating and nourishing, and is guaranteed to help your skin be smooth and supple.
Olive oil also offers protective effects against UV rays as it is rich in antioxidants. This means that it will slow your skin cells’ ageing process too!
Most, if not all, of these 8 ingredients are easily found in the kitchen, so what are you waiting for? Try these amazing DIY skincare recipes out and see which one works best for you. And if you are more interested in natural cosmetics in general, check our excellent piece on the matter here.