KITCHEN KONFIDENTIAL: 10 ESSENTIAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS IN EVERY KITCHEN
- Elle Nicole
- Jan 25, 2015
- 7 min read
Admittedly, I am a certified beauty product junky. Seriously. I'm the biggest sucker for the latest product that promises to give you flawless, photo-ready skin in one, two or ten easy steps. God forbid there is some QVC infommercial promising the next best skin product since soap, because I'm the first to run to my computer to buy it. When bareMinerals released their new bareSkin serum foundation, I just couldn't resist the image of the woman with the perfect skin as her hair blew in the wind machine and the perfect lighting gave her a Heavenly, dewy glow as the soothing angelic music played softly in the background. Who doesn't want skin like that? Surely, this product would give me the look that the other 435,762,098 products in my bathroom cabinet couldn't. And when Lancôme expanded their full coverage foundation colors and named Lupita Nyong'o their new spokesperson, I couldn't even bother to wait for the delivery truck, so I went to my local cosmetics store and bought my perfect shade the same day. Move over bareMinerals, there is a new product in town.
What's even worse is the money I've spent on my mountain of makeup while convincing myself that Mommy deserves nice things too. Even worse than that is the fact that most of these beauty products end up in the "product graveyard" as they rarely live up to the promises they make. Truth is that the best products can often be found in your kitchen, and these products are typically healthier for your skin since they are not filled with harmful, cancer causing chemicals. It's like those expensive designer sunglasses I spent a small fortune on only to constantly wear my favorite pair that only cost $15. When it comes to beauty products, simple and pure is better. A higher price tag doesn't necessarily mean it works. This is why I decided to list the 10 essential beauty products that nearly everyone has in their kitchen or can easily buy in any grocery store.
Here goes.
1. Lemon - While a lemon wedge can make a fine garnish to a much needed cocktail, it also serves as a beauty tool for both skin and hair. The vitamin C and citric acid found in lemons work as hair and skin brighteners. Vitamin C is found to block free radicals and increase collagen production in the skin, which helps lighten dark marks, age spots and hyperpigmentation from acne. The same goes for hair. Lemon can add subtle highlights when applied to hair and exposed to sunlight. One precaution, lemon can also dry hair out, so a deep conditioning treatment is recommended after using it for highlighting. If you have dry skin, the application of a moisturizer is also recommended after using lemon to lighten marks. And for those with oily skin, a mixture of purified water and lemon can act as a natural toner and clarifier.
2. Honey - This is probably my favorite natural beauty product, because honey has natural antibacterial properties. It is also a humectant, which means it helps retain moisture. These properties serve as a great remedy for various skin problems such as acne, dry skin and even aging. Therefore, it has many, many uses especially for those with less than perfect skin. Add some honey to fresh lemon juice and you have an instant skin-lightening mask. Mix honey with whole milk and you have a moisturizing facemask. There are literally thousands of skincare recipes you can make using honey, which is why it is often found in soaps, lotions, facemasks, makeup and tons of other beauty products.
3. Water - Yes, water. I'm sure you've heard the age-old advice: Drink 8 cups of water a day for perfect skin. Well, there is actually some truth to that. Our skin contains lots of water just as our bodies do, and both the skin and the body require water in order to stay hydrated and working in proper order. Drinking water helps keep the skin moisturized, which, in turn, helps ward off wrinkles and dryness. Additionally, water keeps the digestive track moving in order to flush out unhealthy, skin-wrecking toxins from the skin and body. Dr. Elton Tinsley, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon, recommends 64 ounces of water a day. According to WebMD, acne and a host of other skin problems come from not drinking enough water, which leads to waste and toxins building up in the digestive system.
4. Milk - Milk contains a plethora of vitamins and nutrients such as biotin; protein; vitamins A, B6, D, E, and K and, of course, calcium. These nutrients make milk not only good for the body, but also for hair and skin. It can be added to just about any beauty product to increase moisture. The lactic acid in milk also has lightening and brightening effects and serves as a safe, mild way to fade dark marks. Raw and whole milks are preferable over lower fat milk since they contain more fat, which is beneficial for both hair and skin. For a simple moisturizing milk mask, mash an avocado and add a few tablespoons of milk. The avocado will clarify the skin while the milk adds moisture and softness. For fading dark marks, simply use a cotton ball and apply to the skin. Leave on overnight and wash it off in the morning. Dark marks will gradually fade over a few months. Milk can also be used as a toner for those with oily skin. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a couple of tablespoons of milk, and apply with a cotton ball.
5. Eggs - Just as eggs make baked goods moister, they do the same for skin and hair. Eggs contain protein, lutein and vitamin A, which all help keep the skin and hair hydrated. For a deeply conditioning and moisturizing hair mask, beat an egg (or several depending on hair length), add a few drops of olive oil and apply to hair. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes and rinse out. The mixture will not only add moisture but it also gives strength and body to dull, flat hair. The same mask can also be applied to the face for those with dry skin. If you have oily skin, try egg whites and oatmeal. This simple mask will absorb excess oil and leave your face soft and not overly dry. For those with acne troubles, apply egg whites to your face and leave on for 30 minutes. The egg whites will firm the skin and tighten pores while treating the inflammation caused by acne.
6. Olive oil - Much like honey, olive oil has anti-bacterial and hydrating properties. As such, it can be used for almost any skin ailment, and there are literally thousands of olive oil beauty recipes out there. For a simple body or face scrub, add sugar to a cup of olive oil. Apply to the body and rinse off in the bath. The scrub will not only exfoliate rough, dry skin, but also add tons of moisture. Be careful if using as a face scrub since the skin on our face is more sensitive than body skin. Gently rub on the face in order to avoid unnecessary inflammation. Olive oil can be used on hair as a conditioning treatment. Simply apply to your hair for at least 30 minutes. For extra conditioning, cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and sit under a dryer for 30 minutes. Wash out and style as usual. For those with extremely dry skin, olive oil can also replace lotion.
7. Salt - This common seasoning is the best homemade exfoliator ever, and it's far cheaper than the incredibly expensive body scrubs you'll find at your local beauty store. Salt, especially sea salt, works as a great body and face scrub thanks to its natural coarse texture. Sea salt, in particular, has a ton of nutrients such as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. You can virtually add salt to any essential oil, fruit, honey or other natural product and you have an instant body or face scrub. One of my favorites is a honey, olive oil and salt body/face scrub. The antibacterial properties of the honey along with the hydration of the oil and the exfoliation of the salt make this scrub perfect for dry, winter skin.
8. Baking soda - This is a kitchen favorite that is actually pretty new for me. I just learned of the pretty amazing uses of baking soda. Baking soda, which is a sodium bicarbonate, actually helps keep skin and hair in balance by neutralizing the pH. It can be used for everything from a cleansing agent to reducing acne and inflammation. The possibilities are almost endless: It's works as a gentle, safe teeth whitener, a clarifier for oily hair and scalp, face and body scrub, foot and bath soak, acne treatment and much more. The best thing about baking soda is that is just needs a little water to get the consistency you need to apply to the skin and hair. Cheapest beauty fix ever.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar - Similar to baking soda, apple cider vinegar can help keep the pH of the skin and hair balanced since it is slightly acidic. It is also contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids, which makes it a great facial cleanser and toner. If you have acne or skin problems, apple cider vinegar treats acne by absorbing excess oil and restoring the pH of the skin. The acid in the vinegar works great as a cleanser for hair as it removes dirt, oil and dandruff. A mixture of apple cider vinegar and water extinguishes bad breath. Just gargle, as you would with your normal mouth wash. The acid also works well in getting rid of fungus whether it's a foot, skin or vaginal fungal infection. The uses of this vinegar are nearly endless.
10. Yogurt - Similar to milk, the lactic acid, protein and various vitamins found in yogurt make it extremely beneficial to skin and hair. Again, much like milk, yogurt adds hydration to skin and hair as well as has lightening effects on skin to help get rid of dark marks. You can make an easy hydrating body scrub with the mixture of yogurt, olive oil and salt. A mixture of honey and yogurt makes a great acne-fighting facemask. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt as a facemask for 30 minutes to help fade age spots, hyperpigmentation and dark marks. For intense hydration of dry, brittle hair, mix olive oil with plain yogurt and apply. I tried this with one of my sons, and it worked wonders.
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