When I was pregnant, I was told I had to ditch my reliable acne fighting products and go organic. UGH! At first, it was a nightmare navigating the world of all-natural skincare. Finding all-natural stuff that really worked was hard. Two kiddos later, I’ve embraced natural skincare. There are a few secret weapons right in my pantry that pack even MORE of a punch than some of the skin products I’ve used in the past. Since I love to cook, I have these things in my house at all times anyway. Whip up some miracle winter skin (and hair) savers right at home with these pantry staples. You’ll feel good knowing they’re all chemical-free.
1. Honey
Honey has powerful healing enzymes, perfect for banishing blemishes and discoloration, and it’s full of antioxidants, too. You can use it to zap pesky pimples, smooth away fine lines, and more — naturally.
Get glowing skin by pouring half a cup of honey into a mixing bowl and apply all over the face and neck using your fingers. To make the consistency a little more user friendly, splash your face with water and pat dry. Leave the mixture on for 15-20 minutes for glowing skin.
Tame wrinkles naturally. Mix a couple of tablespoons of honey with two egg whites and apply the mask to your face for a soft, smooth complexion.
Make an amazing skin peel. Mash up some papaya with a dollop of honey and plain yogurt, and you will have yourself one multi-tasking face pack. Papaya is a natural exfoliator, killing bacteria yet keeping skin hydrated. Basically perfect!
2. Lemon Juice
The minerals and antioxidants in lemons, including vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, can do wonderful things for your skin and hair. From getting rid of blackheads and lightening dark spots to brightening your hair color and strengthening your nails, this citrus fruit is a beauty must-have.
Moisturize your hair with a DIY mask. You’ll need one avocado, a teaspoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of aloe gel. Mash your avocado in a bowl and add in the rest of your ingredients. Apply to damp hair for 30 minutes for a reviving treatment.
Condition your dry scalp by adding four tablespoons of coconut oil to two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of grapefruit juice. Part the hair down the center and apply your fruity mixture using an application brush (the ones you get in the DIY home color kits). Massage your scalp and leave the treatment for 20 minutes before washing as normal. Added bonus: It’ll even help promote hair growth and shine and get rid of product build up. Winning!
Lighten your stretch marks by rubbing a slice of lemon on them. The natural bleaching properties in the fruit work to lift the reddish hue and buff away dead skin cells. So slice a lemon in half and rub it on your areas of concern on a daily basis to lighten your scars.
Shrink your pores by combining two to four drops of lemon juice with one spoonful of tomato juice. Apply for 15 minutes.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
The enzymes in this magic elixir promote healing and good health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties — making apple cider vinegar the ultimate health and beauty staple.
Get baby-soft skin by diluting vinegar with two parts water and swiping over skin with cotton wool balls; it’s the perfect toner for all skin types.
Banish warts. Warts…EEEEK! Save yourself the sort of embarrassing convo with the doc, and wrap your warts in cider-soaked cotton wool and secure with a bandage. It’s like the freeze treatment, just without the sting.
Rid your hair of product build-up. Dilute 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in two cups of water and pour over your hair after you wash it. Rinse after a minute or two. Bye-bye, icky build-up!
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