Foods That Can Be Used As Beauty Products
From acne to dry hair, and so much more, beauty products are the solution to many of life’s little problems. However, sometimes we can’t make it to the store, or perhaps we would prefer a more natural or budget-friendly solution to these beauty woes. Thankfully, there are actually foods that can offer up solutions that have us are reaching into our kitchen cupboards more than our bathroom cabinets! These foodie solutions may not work for everyone, but they’re a great natural approach to beauty that thankfully, is often always on hand (just in the kitchen now). Find out if these beauty food hacks work for you and you might just be having a whole new outlook on your daily beauty regime!
1. Strawberries For Teeth Whitening
Teeth whiteners are a popular beauty product! You see teeth whitening advertised in toothpaste, mouthwashes and those expensive little strips to give you a quick white & shine up!
However, a strawberry (that ironically looks a bit like a tooth in shape) can help whiten your teeth. Since they contain something called malic acid, that malic acid can help whiten the enamel on your teeth. Now that’s a tasty way to whiten!
2. Papaya For Exfoliating Sunburned & Dry Skin
We see papaya extract often in beauty products, but I for one, always assumed it was just for an added sweet touch of fragrance, not considering it could actually be harnessing some benefits. While papaya does have some fantastic moisturizing agents, it’s even better when used as an exfoliant.
If you’re suffering from skin peeling after a sunburn, or perhaps in need of a good facial exfoliant – some mashed up papaya may actually do the trick, in a gentle way! Gently rub some mashed papaya onto your skin and leave for 5 minutes before rinsing off to help remove dead skin cells. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, so that sunburn may feel so much better after this little treatment.
3. Lemon Juice For Hair Highlights
Start channeling your inner 13-year-old because this easy lemon squeezy beauty tip is legit. Popular amongst the teen-scene in the 90’s, many still opt for this natural method of “bleaching” hair for some subtle highlights in the summer.
In a spray bottle, combine 2 parts lemon juice with 1 part warm water and spritz onto your hair. Your hair will feel stiff with this, so just rock the messy look for a bit while you go and chill in the sun for 1-2 hours. The change is expected to be minimal and subtle, but for many – this is just perfect!
4. Coconut Oil For Deodorant
We’ve all heard the jokes about how coconut oil solves all of life’s little problems. To be honest, it can’t (surprise!) but it certainly has a real place in the beauty world.
From hair masks, daily moisturizer, shaving cream, lip balm and makeup remover, coconut oil is a well-loved food that’s doubled as a beauty product. But the one thing it can do that may surprise you, is replace your deodorant. Since coconut oil is an antibacterial, it can help protect against bacteria that cause odor. However, it’s still an oil, and can definitely cause some issues when applying too much. Use sparingly, creating a thin layer on your underarms. Allow absorbancy to happen before putting on clothes and you’re good to go!
5. Brown Sugar + Oil For Lip Scrub
If you’ve stopped by a beauty product retailer, one of the items they’ll often recommend for perfect lipstick application is pre-treating your lips with an exfoiliating sugar scrub. However these lip scrubs, of course, come at a price and it’s not always cheap.
Thankfully, this is an easy one to make at home with a simple mashup of brown sugar and olive or coconut oil (and maybe some vanilla too if you’d like a nice smell). Rub onto your lips with your fingertips to remove dead skin cells on your lips before washing away. It’s of course also safely edible, but you might not want to eat it after you’ve completed your scrub. Make a small batch to store in a tin and have on hand in your bathroom to make this DIY sugar scrub part of your beauty regime!
6. Garlic For Acne Spot Treatment
We’ve all had those moments of desperation where a pimple appears on our skin and we need it gone, and we need it gone fast. Recently, thanks to some viral beauty youtube vloggers, this little garlic hack seems to be a trend on the rise.
The advice is simple: using a clove of garlic, slice off the end or make cuts into it to begin extracting the garlic juice, then rub the garlic onto your pimple. It’s claimed that this will work instantly on whiteheads, and if left overnight on the pimple, known to heal any larger pimples beneath the surface of the skin. Since garlic is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it’s no wonder this is working for many!
7. Apple Cider Vinegar For Dandruff
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is well known in the health-food world for its healing abilities from the inside out (you can read more about ACV’s benefits HERE). But what if you use it on TOP of your skin, or more specifically, your scalp?
Since ACV has enough acidity in it, it not only helps remove existing dandruff but also makes it difficult for dandruff-forming fungus to grow on the scalp. Create a mixture of equal parts water to ACV in a spray bottle and spray onto your hair after you shampoo. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this method 2x a week for a dandruff-free life!
8. Avocado For Dry OR Oily Skin
Avocados are often an item we buy “by the bag”, only to have them all go ripe at once, without a need to use all of them in the same day! Instead of tossing, try making a face mask with them to help treat your dry or oily skin.
When you combine mashed avocado with oats, you can create a facial mask ideal for DRY skin. When you combine mashed avocado with lemon juice, you can create a facial mask for OILY skin. Treat your skin exactly for its specific needs! Let the mask sit for 20 mins before rinsing thoroughly.
9. Cucumbers For Dark Undereye Circles
Sure, we’ve all seen it before. Those images of women relaxing at the spa with cucumbers on her eyes. But it’s not just for appearances, cucumbers actually are fully equipped to help treat dark under eye circles that many of us work hard to conceal!
Simply slice a fresh (chilled) cucumber and place on the eyes for about 10 minutes. Gently rinse or wipe the area with water afterwards. Cucumber has both a skin-lightening and astringent benefits, so it’s no wonder this works like a charm!
10. Baking Soda For Dry Shampoo
If you’re a fan of dry shampoo, you’ve likely run into the same problem I have – running out at exactly the time you need it most. It can be frustrating when you don’t have time to shower, but your hair is little a little stringy and oily.
Next time this happens to you, head to the kitchen! Simply grab some baking soda and gently sprinkle onto your roots, brushing to disperse or try spreading with a clean powder makeup brush for a more precise application. The baking soda will not only remedy the appearance of oily hair but also mask and absorb any odor your hair might have. If you have dark hair, try mixing a little bit of cocoa powder into it for a darker dry shampoo option that will disguise well in your hair.
11. Green Tea To Reduce Rosacea
Rosacea is a fairly common skin disease that in appearance often looks like someone is blushing, while sometimes accompanied by a small bumpy rash that isn’t acne. Found most commonly on the cheeks, nose and chin, it can be an embarrassing problem to try and fix.
There are tons of expensive treatments and recommendations for rosacea, but you may want to try starting at home with a solution that’s as easy as making a cup of tea. A cooled down green tea bag can help alleviate the signs and symptoms of rosacea leaving you feeling relieved of these symptoms and more confident to take on your day. Simply make a cup of green tea and the bag to cool, while you enjoy your cup of tea for half an hour. After the tea bag is cool, apply gently to the affected areas. It will help to both drink the tea and apply it topically so you can treat from the inside and out!
12. Turmeric For Smaller Pores
Pores, especially as we age can become enlarged and open, prone to clogging and blackheads. A solution to these problems can be fickle.
By mixing some turmeric with coconut oil, you can effectively shrink your pores, while also tightening all your skin for a refreshed look. Mix 1 teaspoon of each: coconut milk, maple syrup and turmeric powder to create your mask. Apply and leave on for 20 minutes. Should you be fair-skinned, you may be left with a slight yellow tinge to your skin afterward. Simply cleanse with an oil-based cleanser and moisturize afterward to reverse this.
