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A daily skincare routine doesn’t have to be expensive, so why not switch things up with food that is free and fresh? Everyday kitchen ingredients can help to nourish your skin from both the inside and out. Natural food has been used as skincare for thousands of years, so the well-known ones are well-proven through repeated use generation after generation.
Oatmeal mask
Oatmeal leaves your skin clean and smooth by drawing out excess oil. It also helps to infuse fresh moisture into the skin. It takes about five tablespoons of oatmeal to make enough paste for one treatment. A fine coursed oatmeal works best, but you can use any type of oatmeal after processing it in a coffee grinder or blender. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of water at a time until it becomes a spreadable consistency.
Raw honey
Honey helps to balance the skin’s bacteria after an acne outbreak. It also helps to moisten the skin and fights free-radicals. Honey works best when it is applied to the skin as a solution. For application, mix raw honey with either coconut oil or olive oil.
Green tea
Green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties are something that the body cannot get enough of. Not only can you drink it, but you can also reap its benefits by topically applying it. When it comes to your skin, the key ingredient it contains is epigallocatechin gallate. Epigallocatechin gallate is a type of polyphenol. Research has proven that polyphenols help to reduce acne and balance oily skin.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil helps dry skin by locking in its moisture. If you have dry skin or spend your days in an arid environment, then raw coconut oil can be a great alternative moisturizer. It’s also great for soothing irritated skin because it contains linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that some acne suffers may be deficient in.
Egg whites
Egg whites can be easily whisked up into a facial mask. It’s great because it helps to tighten and tone the skin, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You only need one egg white and a teaspoon of lemon juice to make one face mask. Whisk it until it becomes frothy. Avoid getting the solution into your eyes, nose, and mouth when applying it to the face. After it dries, rinse it off with soapy warm water.
Cucumber
There’s a reason that you see cucumber listed as an ingredient in many beauty products. Cucumber is a common food ingredient that has been used for decades to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. They are rich in polysaccharides, which help the skin absorb and retain its moisture. Cucumbers are also used in a way similar to aloe vera because they help to cool and soothe inflammation from sunburns.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid and Vitamin C which help with removing toxins. The acidity helps to clean out and remove oil from pores. Lemon juice is safe to use when it is diluted properly by combining two parts of lemon juice with three parts water. Gently apply it to your face with a clean tissue, and then rinse your face with cool water after it has dried.
These are just some of the simple everyday kitchen ingredients that you can use to improve your skin. Feel free to play around with your food until you find the ones that work best for your skincare needs. It’s also important to note that what you eat or drink has an important impact on your skin. In general, think about skincare as a whole-body plan that involves nourishment both inside and out.
