Achieve flawless skin with these natural goodies that can be used as face masks and scrubs.
Thanks to the circuit breaker, people are finding a new love for cooking, baking and even working out. If that’s not your cup of tea, what about pampering your skin with a DIY face mask or scrub? Yes, you actually have all the ingredients you need lying around the kitchen to create the ultimate beauty treatment at home. Scroll down for some inspo.
Disclaimer: Always do a patch test before applying the following ingredients on your skin.
Cucumber
You know how in movies when girls place cucumber slices over their eyes for a miraculous makeover? Well, there’s a little truth in this. ‘Cos of their high water content and cooling effects, cucumbers can give a quick pick-me-up to your peepers. Plus, they’re loaded with vitamin C and folic acid, which help fend off skin stressors that make your eyes look puffy. Just cut ’em up, use a few slices, and add the rest to your salad!
Coconut oil
Coconuts might have taken a backseat with superfoods like quinoa and kale taking centre stage, but don’t overlook this husky fruit. Its oil should be a beauty staple in every household. Not everyone is obsessed with the smell, but this MVP is just magic for your skin. Apart from applying it sparingly as a moisturiser, coconut oil can also be used to remove makeup, tame frizzy hair and even help achieve thick, luscious lashes. Be sure to get the cold-pressed ones for best results.
Lemon
What do you do when life gives you lemons? You use them to brighten your skin. With its natural brightening properties, this vitamin C hero can remove the toughest dark spots on your body. Fair warning: lemon juice is highly acidic so you’ll have to dilute it. Add equal parts lemon juice and water into a bowl, then use a cotton pad to apply the solution onto the desired area of your skin.
Brown sugar
It’s no beauty secret that brown sugar is a great exfoliator, and beauty brands have jumped on this bandwagon. There are numerous ways to make a DIY polish, but if you’re new to this, stick to the basics. Mix the brown granules with either olive oil or coconut oil and gently scrub your dead skin away. This works as a lip scrub too – it’ll leave you with supple lips.
Potato
Who would have thought this carby vegetable could give you flawless skin? Thanks to its high starch content, potatoes help to tackle blemishes and hyperpigmentation. All you have to do is squeeze the juice out of grated potatoes and apply it on your face using a cotton ball. This natural elixir also contains brightening elements such as vitamin C and an enzyme called catecholase. Great for dark circles, if you ask us.
Baking soda
The innocuous baking powder doubles as a beauty saviour. Show some love to your feet by treating yourself to a luxurious pedicure session at home. Soak your feet in warm water mixed with baking soda and your choice of essential oil for soft calluses. Too lazy to wash your hair? A dash of baking soda on your scalp can help absorb excess oils.
Turmeric powder
Way before beauty brands started adding this spice into their products, Indian women have been using the natural antiseptic powerhouse as clay masks for decades. Why, you ask? Curcumin is the answer. Found in turmeric, it helps to brighten skin, reduce scar marks and kill acne-causing bacteria. For an easy DIY mask, mix one tablespoon of milk and one teaspoon of turmeric powder and honey. Apply it on your face and let it dry for about 15 minutes for clear skin.
Honey
For any DIY face mask, honey is an easy go-to mixing agent as it is a natural humectant and gives you a healthy dose of hydration. Its antibacterial component also helps to remove the gunk on your face, especially those pesky blackheads, leaving you with cleansed pores. Got a stubborn pimple? Apply raw honey directly to it and let it work its magic for 10 minutes before washing your face.
Yogurt
Made of lactic acid, colloquially known as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), yogurt helps to destroy dead skin cells, promote collagen production and hydrate the skin. The live cultures found in yogurt are not only beneficial for your digestive system but also help to slow down signs of ageing. What are you waiting for? Slather the velvety goodness on your face for a cooling homemade mask treatment.
Coffee grounds
A cup of joe helps to jolt your body out of slumber… and it can also leave your skin feeling fresh. Coffee scrubs have been making waves on social media but you don’t have to fork out exorbitant amounts of cash to get that coffee-induced glow. You can use the ones at home to scrub away dead cells. Plus, caffeine reportedly helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Make your own body scrub by mixing two parts coffee grounds with one part sugar and coconut oil.
Epsom salt
Create a decadent spa experience right at home by adding a sprinkle to your bath sessions to soothe muscle tension and alleviate stress. On top of that, epsom salt also helps to deeply hydrate the skin, and it’s a superb exfoliator to boot.
