10 Skin Care Products You Never Knew You Had

Looking in the refrigerator

Your fridge and pantry shelves hold a lot more than simply items to eat. Some of those same ingredients you planned on throwing into a salad or including in a recipe can work wonders on your skin. So put aside your cookbook for a moment and consider what some of these kitchen staples have to offer in the beauty department. Here’s a rundown:

Brown Sugar
You know that scrub you paid a lot for? Brown sugar granules are just as effective at sloughing away dead skin cells. Combine a half cup with a few tablespoons of olive oil, some water and pour into a small plastic food storage container. Take the mixture into the shower with you and scrub away!

Eggs
Crack ’em open, separate the yolks from the whites and you’ve got two distinct beauty treatments. The whites, when whisked until frothy, make an excellent mask. Apply evenly to your face, allow to dry for 30 minutes and then rinse. Purported to contain anti-aging properties, egg whites act as a mild astringent or toner. Egg yolks, meanwhile, are a good moisturizing treatment and may prove helpful with skin breakouts. Mix with a fork and gently coat your face. Let dry and then wash off.

Baking Soda
Turn your existing facial cleanser into an exfoliant by adding a tablespoon of baking soda. Form a paste in the palm of your hand and then massage into your skin in circular motions. Rinse as usual.

Cornstarch
Troubled by an oily complexion? Put an end to shiny patches with a few swipes of cornstarch – use it like you would any facial powder for a matte and shine-free look that lasts all day. Here’s a little secret: all makeup powders have cornstarch or talc (sometimes both) in them anyway!

Avocado
Mash one of these up, skip the chips and apply to your face instead. Avocado has super moisturizing properties and can help lighten pesky brown spots.

Tea Bags
Got a cold sore? Applying a dampened tea bag to the site speeds up the drying process and helps form a crust. Earl Grey blend, in particular, contains bergamot, a medicinal herb used to clear up skin infections. If dark and puffy under-eye circles are spoiling your look, try a similar treatment with chamomile blend. Its anti-inflammatory properties will instantly refresh.

Garlic
The antioxidant properties in garlic make it an effective topical treatment for acne. If their odor offends, try soaking peeled garlic cloves in milk for about an hour first. Then rub a slice on blemishes and let the antioxidants go to work killing bacteria. In fact, garlic offers a whole range of health benefits. Useful as a cold sore remedy as well, its natural anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce pain and swelling at the site. Its anti-fungal properties help relieve itchy athlete’s foot. Simply soak your feet in a bath of warm water and crushed garlic.

Sour Cream
The lactic acid in sour cream works to improve skin tone and texture. It’s especially well-received by sensitive skin types. Simply apply a tablespoon or so of the full-fat variety as a face mask for about 20 minutes, then rinse off for a healthy, glowing complexion.

Honey
Honey is another one of those items that has a lot to offer skin care-wise. It’s naturally antibacterial, so it’s great for acne treatment and prevention. It’s full of antioxidants so it’s helpful for slowing down the aging process. It’s also extremely moisturizing and soothing – no wonder it’s listed on the label of so many skin care products! Why not skip the fancy packaging and pricing and make your own honey mask? Simply apply a thin layer of raw honey to slightly damp skin using a circular motion and leave on for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water to reveal soft and radiant skin.

Apple Juice
Here’s a way to tighten pores and restore your skin’s pH balance. Dampen a cotton ball or two with apple juice and swipe across your face. It’ll restore moisture just where you need it. Want to take it a step further? Freeze some juice in an ice cube tray then pass a cube gently over your skin. The malic acid in the frozen juice is an anti-aging alpha-hydroxy acid so it’s rejuvenating and refreshing!

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