15 Beauty Uses for Common Pantry Items
There is something so satisfying about using all-natural beauty products. Instead of wondering what that long list of chemicals means and what all those things are actually doing to your skin, just use one natural ingredient! From fruit and grains to simple pantry ingredients, the following 15 foods are not only part of a healthy diet, but they do wonders for your skin and hair!
1. Baking Soda: There is very little baking soda can’t do. Try using it as an exfoliant to cure blackheads, as a dry shampoo, as a teeth whitener and as a detox bath. Adding a little bit to your shampoo will clear up buildup and all your products will work the way they are supposed to again! (via Daily Makeover)
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is an excellent way to remove excess buildup from your hair and will give your tresses extra bounce, body and shine. It can also be used for a natural deodorant and will help prevent and clear up breakouts! (via Free People)
3. Honey: Honey is full of antioxidants, which help prevent wrinkles and aging skin. It’s also antibacterial, which helps with acne treatment and prevention. It clarifies skin by opening up and unclogging pores and is also a great moisturizer that soothes blemishes. An additional bonus? It leaves a lovely glow. (via Style Craze)
4. Lemon: One age-old lemon use is to highlight your hair! Just mix with water, spray onto your locks, go out into the sun and wait for nature to do its thing. You can also rub lemon juice onto your scalp to reduce dandruff and dab it onto blemishes to dry them out. (via Free People)
5. Olive Oil: Olive oil is closer in chemical structure to skin’s natural oil than any other naturally occurring oil, making it the perfect moisturizer for dry skin. It has regenerative power to keep skin toned and firm, and it can also be used in your hair and as a makeup remover. (via Style Craze)
6. Aloe Vera: Not only is aloe great for first-aid uses, it can be a powerful beauty product: Use it to treat acne, as a skin moisturizer, to reduce stretch marks or as an aftershave. You can even massage it into your scalp to speed up hair growth. (via Free People)
7. Cucumber: Famous for reducing puffy eyes, cucumber has a lot of other uses when it comes to creating a glowing complexion: It reduces breakouts, can be used as toner, will remove dark circles and is great for your hair after a long day in a chlorinated pool! (via Natural News)
8. Strawberries: Packed with Vitamin C, these little berries work wonders on your locks for starters. The little seeds also make them a natural exfoliator when you want to make a face scrub. You can even make a hair mask out of strawberries for a nourishing treat that will get rid of any excess oil buildup that your scalp may be holding in. (via Free People)
9. Milk: Milk can make your face look more radiant by smoothing the skin, shrinking pores, smoothing wrinkles and exfoliating dead skin cells. It can also be combined with other ingredients to make a face mask, hair conditioner and face cleanser. (via Stylist)
10. Papaya: This tropical fruit has a naturally creamy consistency, making it the perfect hair mask. It is full of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium to nourish, moisturize and brighten your hair. (via Free People)
11. Coffee: Coffee scrubs are a great way to start your morning off with a boost of energy. The caffeine in the coffee grounds exfoliate your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. (via Sincerely Kinsey)
12. Avocado: We know avocado is great to eat, but it’s also amazing when you use it outside your body as a natural beauty product. Not only are they incredibly moisturizing, but they are filled with vitamin A, which helps purge off any dead skin cells. The glutamine amino acid present in avocados cleanses your skin and offers protection against harsh environmental factors. (via Free People)
13. Oatmeal: Best known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, oatmeal is especially good for sensitive skin and can be used in the bath for very gentle exfoliation. It’s also great for helping fight breakouts as a face cleanser. (via Daily Makeover)
14. Coconut Oil: There really isn’t anything coconut oil can’t do. Use it as a skin moisturizer and a hair conditioner, lip balm, makeup remover, deodorant and face scrub. If there is one all natural ingredient to keep in your beauty arsenal, coconut oil is it! (via Free People)
15. Yogurt: When applied to the skin, yogurt will help moisturize, fight acne, prevent premature aging, relieve sunburn and reduce discoloration. It’s an all-around beauty multi-tasker. (via Bella Sugar)
Would you try any of these all natural beauty tips? Let us know in the comments below!
