I always enjoy finding natural remedies for things. As someone who has frequent migraines, arthritis, and cystic acne, I take plenty of medications- so when I am able to fix a problem without a prescription, or without even going to the store (for the most part), it’s a big deal. I ransacked my kitchen and tried everything from cucumbers on the eyes to egg whites in the hair. Below, I’ve listed 6 beauty substitutes that’ll save you money and give you great results.
Sugar: It’s better outside your body than in, and the gritty texture and sweet taste make it a great lip exfoliator! First, put a thick coat of vaseline on your lips (a lip moisturizer I swear by that will help keep the sugar in place), hold a teaspoon of sugar sideways and basically kiss the sugar so your lips are covered. Then, rub your lips together like you’re spreading chapstick. For even better exfoliation coverage, use your finger.
Coffee grounds: For all you coffee lovers, get more out of your morning cup of joe by taking your used coffee grounds and making a body scrub. The coffee grounds alone work as a powerful exfoliator, and can actually combat blemishes and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. Adding a little olive oil will help keep in your skin’s moisture, too. Worried about a pungent coffee and olive aroma? Mix in some orange zest to give the scrub a fruitful fragrance.
Baking soda: I’ve tried whitening my teeth before with Crest Whitestrips and Glamorous 3D White toothpaste, but nothing does the job quite like baking soda. I like to use a pea-sized amount of my Crest 3D White toothpaste and sprinkle a layer of baking soda over it. Then I go to work scrubbing the teeth. The point here isn’t to clean the mouth but remove stains, so I’m always careful to keep the paste on my teeth. It also helps to let it sit for a couple of minutes. And while the taste of baking soda is honestly pretty fowl, those pearly whites are totally worth it.
Salt: Now this is one that I wasn’t expecting to work, but when combined with baking soda and lemon, salt can make for a great hair cleanser and dandruff reducer. The grains of the salt and baking soda mixture are able to release residue from the hair while the lemon juice works to balance the pH of the scalp. Perfect for those frigid winter months when the air is dry.
Olive oil: Split ends you have met your match! For a long time I had really long hair and in between haircuts, my ends would split and fry up with heat damage. To combat this, I would drench my hair in olive oil, cover my head in a bag with the hair inside, and sit around for thirty minutes before showering. Afterwards, the damage was less noticeable and with the extra moisture my hair was less staticky in the winter.
Cinnamon: I love a good cinnamon face scrub. Why? Because not only does it smell amazing, but cinnamon has antimicrobial properties which means it fights microorganisms and bacteria living on the face, leaving you less prone to acne. I combine cinnamon with baking soda (whitening properties help those pesky red marks), nutmeg (exfoliator), and sometimes even chili pepper (for an added kick). Your face will immediately feel smoother, but this will dry the skin out so be sure to follow with a moisturizer.
I know that few college students have actual kitchens, but if you find any of these items laying around, I urge you to give it a shot and comment what you think!