Facial products can cost you your entire savings these days! We can easily get caught up in the fancy glass bottle, the persuading lingo and enticing celebrity endorsements, but when it comes down to it, there happen to be some cheap and accessible alternatives right in your home. First stop? Your kitchen—aka the ultimate spot to grab the best skincare products. You will not believe all of the goodies that Katie Wiercinski, licensed esthetician, says will give you the most radiant and moisturized skin for just under $5 per item—you can’t beat that anywhere! Want to find out what Wiercinski thinks you should add into your skincare routine to get popping results? Keep reading!
Oatmeal
We know that a quick bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon sprinkled on top may be your breakfast favorite, but believe it or not, using it on your face works wonders! When cold seasons approach, dry skin can be a big pet peeve. Wiercinski swears by using oatmeal, especially for extra moisture. “First oatmeal is great for sensitive skin; even the most sensitive skin types can benefit from oatmeal,” she explains. And as for the major perks, “oatmeal has soothing and moisturizing properties.” Of course, not just any oatmeal will do. “Obviously you want to pick a plain oatmeal, pumpkin spice is not the way to go,” warns Wiercinski.
Hey Fran Hey, a blogger, YouTube vlogger and healthy living advocate, also approves of oatmeal. Check out her oatmeal rose-water honey mask, which promises to help with acne prevention and dry skin!
Aspirin
We’ve all been caught running to the medicine cabinet to grab aspirin in hopes of alleviating pesky pain, but now you’ll be turning to aspirin to get rid of blemishes too! “Aspirin is a great acne treatment, as well as exfoliator. It is chemically very similar to salicylic acid, which is great for people struggling with acne and oily skin. You can mix a few tablets with water to create a paste for a masque or water down a little more for a scrub. Aspirin’s natural grittiness is great for a good exfoliation.” Unfortunately, there is one catch. “Aspirin treatments are not for people with very dry or sensitive skin,” Wiercinski adds.
Convinced aspirin deserves a try? You will see clearer, softer and more radiant skin in no time with this DIY aspirin mask!
Lemon
Whether you want to add a little kick to your tea or remove a hard stain from your favorite shirt, lemons are it! But what else are they good for? According to Wiercinski, adding lemons into your skincare routine can keep you looking youthful and fresh as ever. “Lemon is full of vitamin C and citric acid that are awesome for the skin. They keep the skin looking young!” she says. But there are some downsides. “You should also be careful with lemon and other citric fruits … because they can leave a tingling or burning feel that should be avoided if the skin is really sensitive,” Wiercinski cautions.
There are more than a few ways to infuse lemon into your routine, but if you suffer from extremely oily skin, applying this honey lemon mask 2 to 3 days a week may be perfect for you.
Greek Yogurt
Beauty bloggers across YouTube rave over amazing results from using Greek yogurt in various hair mask mixtures. But did you know that Greek yogurt can also be a great addition to a moisturizing facial mask? Oh yes it can! “Greek yogurt if full of lactic acid which [has] a bunch of benefits. Lactic acid is great at reducing pigmentation and is also a great mild exfoliator. Again like oatmeal you want to find plain Greek yogurt, you don’t want to be putting added sugars on the face. Yogurt is also great at moisturization, [and] combined with oatmeal and honey makes a great masque,” Wiercinski says. This sounds too good to be true!
Lauren Conrad, best selling author, designer and blogger, offers a quick 2-step recipe for a Greek yogurt mask that will change your life.
Honey
The last item in your kitchen that is oh-so-sweet and perfect for facial care is honey. Already having made a few guest appearances on our list, honey clearly has multiple benefits and can supplement other ingredients well. “Honey is great for moisture but also for minor breakouts because it has antibacterial properties. Mixing a little honey and lemon together and applying on the nose is great for blackheads,” Wiercinski says.
Sick of store-bought goodies that irritate sensitive skin? Trade in your favorite pre-made mask for a more natural remedy with this amazing recipe for a honey face mask.
When you think of your skin, you want to give it the best nutrients possible, and these DIY remedies are sure to help. And to supplement your kitchen beauty haul, Wiercinski has one last tip. “Out of all of the items I mentioned the number one thing a person can do to help with their skin is to drink plenty of water. Unfortunately things like the sun and coffee can strip the skin of hydration, so make sure to drink the appropriate amount of water to help keep your skin beautiful!” Wiercinski says. Ready to turn heads without breaking the bank? It’s time to get crafty in the kitchen with these skin-saving ingredients!