Beauty routines can often feel like they empty your wallet and consume too much of your time. But what if you can meet your beauty goals using just what you already own?
Household items can surprisingly double as beauty tools. It helps you save time and money, while it also helps your self-care ritual.
Let’s dive into beauty hacks that use the items from your kitchen. These small tips are easy to follow and promise to uplift your beauty routine.
1. Olive Oil as a Makeup Remover
Olive oil safely dissolves makeup, even the waterproof kind. It leaves your skin smooth, and it doesn’t have chemicals. Because it’s all-natural, it’s a good substitute for store-bought removers.
Simply dab it on a cotton ball and wipe gently across your face. To finish, make sure you cleanse as usual because you want to remove any oiliness that’s left behind. I also use olive oil on my hair, it has so many benefits.
2. Baking Soda as a Teeth Whitener
Baking soda whitens teeth effectively. It’s a mild abrasive that removes surface stains from teeth.
Use baking soda and water mixture to brush your teeth. Follow up with your regular toothpaste to clear the baking soda flavor. It’s a simple, at-home tweak to your routine for a whiter smile.
3. Coconut Oil for Hair Conditioning
There are many oils that are great for your hair. Coconut is one of them, use it to nourish your hair. It helps get your hair that intense moisture it needs. It can reach deeper into hair strands, which sets it apart for hydration benefits.
This versatile oil is easy to wash off too. Warm up the oil slightly before you apply it, to help the absorption. For deeper treatment, you can leave it on overnight and rinse in the morning.
4. Cucumber Slices for Puffy Eyes
Cucumber slices offer a quick fix for puffy, tired eyes. They come packed with antioxidants, which soothes your skin at the same time. Simply cut a cucumber and lay the slices over your eyes.
For added coolness, refrigerate the slices beforehand. Aim to unwind for 10-15 minutes with them on to reap full benefits. I like to apply a facemask at the same time, to get even more benefits in the same timespan.
5. Honey as a Face Mask
Honey serves as a natural moisturizer and an antibacterial mask. It draws moisture to your skin and helps any skin dryness you may have.
Apply honey with your fingers or a brush for ease. Use it on clean, slightly damp skin for the best absorption. I like to combine it with cinnamon to get a DIY face mask with anti-acne solution.
6. Sugar In Lip Scrubs
Sugar can exfoliate chapped lips, which leaves them softer and smoother. The small granules remove dead skin without doing any damage.
Mix sugar with olive oil to form a homemade lip scrub. Apply this blend to your lips in circular motions to exfoliate. Do it carefully, you don’t want to press to hard. Then, simply rinse with warm water and follow with your favorite lip balm for hydration.
7. Tea Bags for Tired Eyes
Tea bags can alleviate under-eye bags and soothe your eyes. The tannins in tea reduce swelling and lighten dark circles. Simply steep them in hot water, then let them cool.
Choose caffeinated tea for added effectiveness because caffeine tightens blood vessels. Rest with them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes for a refreshed look.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar as a Toner
Apple cider vinegar helps balance your skin’s pH for an improved radiance. Its slight acidity clears skin and eliminates dead cells.
Use a 1:1 ratio of water and apple cider vinegar to create a gentle toner. After you cleanse your face, dab the solution on with a cotton ball. Keep clear of the eye area to avoid irritation. First try it on a small patch of your skin, because some skin can’t handle
9. Toothpaste to Treat Pimples
Toothpaste can help reduce pimples in no time, thanks to its antibacterial properties. It helps minimize both redness and size effectively.
For sudden, unwelcome spots, it comes as a prompt remedy. The best results come from white, non-gel toothpaste. Use this sparingly because you don’t want to irritate your skin.
10. Rice Water as a Facial Rinse
Rice water has vitamins that can help your skin’s brightness and elasticity. Its antioxidants protect against free radical damage.
After you rinse the rice in water for 30 minutes, save the leftover water for a beneficial facial rinse. Use this solution as a final rinse in your skincare routine.
11. Avocado as a Moisturizing Mask
Avocado is a deep moisturizer because it’s rich in natural oils and vitamins. Its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory shield your skin from environmental harm, too, which gives you a healthy complexion.
Mash avocados to make a mask and apply directly on your face. For additional hydration, combine it with honey, which leaves your skin soft and revitalized.
12. Milk Bath for Soft Skin
Milk hydrates and exfoliates your skin, which leaves it soft and smooth. Plus, the lactic acid in milk gently clears dead skin cells.
Add milk to your bath water for a luxurious experience. Opt for full-fat milk to make sure your skin gets as much moisture as possible.
13. Lemon Juice for Brightening Nails
Lemon juice acts as a natural stain remover and nail brightener because of its acidity. Apply it directly to your nails for local treatment. For application, a cotton swab does the trick neatly.
Alternatively, soak your fingertips in a mix of water and lemon juice. Always rinse your hands thoroughly after the treatment. When you’re done, don’t forget to follow up with moisturizer to nourish your nails and skin.
14. Aloe Vera for Soothing Sunburn
When sunburn strikes, aloe vera has a soothing effect. It also deeply hydrates your skin, which speeds up your skin’s recovery through better blood circulation to the burn area.
Slice an aloe leaf and smooth the fresh gel onto the affected areas. If you want more relief, chill the aloe beforehand. Apply with a gentle touch to prevent further irritation from burns.
15. Coffee Grounds Body Scrub
Don’t discard those coffee grounds, because they have so many uses, and one of them is a skincare secret. Rich in caffeine, coffee grounds help exfoliate your skin, which minimizes cellulite appearances. They also pack antioxidants that fight aging and promotes smoother skin complexion.
Combine the coffee grounds with coconut oil to create a homemade scrub. Gently massage in circular motions for a few minutes. Then, rinse off to show off that beautifully cleansed skin.
16. Oatmeal as a Soothing Facial
Oatmeal does more than fill your breakfast bowl. It offers a gentle touch to ease your irritated skin. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants, which helps fight off everyday environmental stresses.
You can mix oatmeal with water to create a soothing face mask. Apply it, then take a moment to unwind for up to 15 minutes. After that, rinse with warm water for a revitalized, calm complexion.
17. Turmeric for Skin Brightening
The spice turmeric isn’t just for cooking, it’s really great for your skin. Its key ingredient, curcumin, works wonders for skin enhancement and battles the bacteria-causing acne.
Mix turmeric with yogurt to create a face mask that brightens your appearance. Keep it on your face for 15-20 minutes before you rinse off. Wear gloves because turmeric can leave stains on your hands when you apply it. Turmeric also works really well in a face scrub.
18. Vaseline for Taming Eyebrows
Vaseline, a hidden gem, works wonders for eyebrows. Its thick texture conditions and tames them effortlessly. To groom your eyebrows perfectly, apply it with a clean mascara wand.
A little goes a long way to dodge that greasy look. It’s perfect for a natural, glossy eyebrow style. Achieve that with minimal effort and watch your brows transform.
19. Garlic for Strengthening Nails
Do you have brittle nails? Try garlic. It’s rich in selenium, a booster for nail strength. Garlic also fights off nail infections thanks to its antifungal qualities.
Simply rub a garlic slice on your nails. Let the juice sit for a few minutes, then wash off. Or apply it before sleep for overnight absorption and stronger nails.
20. Epsom Salt for a Detox Bath
Photo Credit: SavvyHomemade
Epsom salt helps detoxify and soothe inflammation. Muscle aches? It’s got you covered—it also helps remove toxins and soothes sore muscles.
Make your bath a mini spa by adding this Epsom salt recipe. Drop some lavender oil in, too, and soak for 12 minutes.
21. Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff Control
Do you have dandruff issues? Consider an apple cider vinegar hair rinse your go-to remedy. It effectively kills dandruff-causing fungus and corrects scalp pH.
Apply it to your scalp before you put shampoo. Stick to it twice a week, and you’ll likely see a clear difference.
22. Ice Cubes for Puffiness Reduction
Woke up with puffy eyes? Grab an ice cube. They tighten blood vessels and reduce swollen undereye circles.
Plus, ice brings down skin irritation and gives a fresh glow. Just glide an ice cube underneath your eyes each morning. Stick with it, and watch those under-eye bags fade away.
