KITCHEN CUPBOARD SKINCARE

As a beauty junkie, I love to splurge on products, but sometimes, there’s nothing more satisfying than utilising what’s already in the kitchen. Yes, that’s right, I’ll often raid the fridge and cupboards when I need a pick me up. With a wealth of so many natural ingredients lurking in our homes, I wanted to share some of my kitchen beauty tricks.

First up, one of my favourites – natural yogurt. This is packed full of so many benefits for our bodies, from probiotics to protein to vitamin D. Its healthy bacteria not only aids digestion, but also works wonders on our skin. When applied topically as a facemask, it can help with a whole host of problems such as sunburn, acne and premature aging.

Applied as a simple facemask two or three times a week, natural yogurt will leave you with soft, supple skin—and save you money on beauty products, too! When shopping around, be sure to buy the thick kind containing active cultures, and strain before use if too runny.

Yogurt is anti-aging, too. Yes, really! Helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, yogurt’s lactic acid dissolves dead skin cells and tightens your pores. For a youth-promoting facemask, add a tablespoon of olive oil to three or four tablespoons of yogurt and apply three times a week for thirty minutes.

If your skin is sore and irritated, with its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, yogurt can promote healing, too. Either apply on its own, or mix with a few drops of chamomile essential oil.

My next kitchen cupboard hero is honey – the healing antiseptic. Often thought of as a healthy sweetener, this ingredient has tons of beauty benefits, too. I’m convinced there’s nothing honey can’t do, from hydrating to fighting bacteria, as well as tackling the appearance of wrinkles. And so, next time you do a food shop, look out for raw honey as this hasn’t been heat-treated or pasteurized. It also contains more antioxidants and enzymes.

As a natural humectant (yes, I had to look this up, too!), honey helps our skin hold on to moisture. Slather a teaspoon onto cleansed, dry skin and rinse off after 15-20 minutes.

Honey is also a brilliant cleanser, as it enzymes keep pores super clean. The trick I use is to stir one tablespoon of honey into two tablespoons of coconut oil before massaging onto my face. Its antibacterial ingredients help prevent the build-up of bacteria. Always apply to clean, dry skin, avoiding the delicate eye area.

When it comes to breakouts and imperfections, honey is packed full of calming antibacterial and antifungal properties. Apply a dab of honey to affected areas and wait 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

And it’s not just your skin that can honey can help. Its enzymes and nutrients give your hair a real boost. Add one tablespoon of honey to two tablespoons of coconut oil, which will condition and smooth hair’s cuticles, and apply from ends to root. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Lastly, mix honey with baking soda and what do you get? A nourishing and hydrating face wash! Baking soda is a gentle, natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells to give you back that glow.

Next up is the almighty avocado! This superfood has an impressive list of properties such as iron, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, as well as vitamins A, E, B and K. This fruit doesn’t just work wonders on the inside, it can also help soothe your dry skin.

Using my two previous kitchen cupboard heroes, I’m going to show you how to make a winter facemask . . .

Take a soft, ripe avocado (straight from the fridge is more refreshing!) and mash until smooth. Mix with one teaspoon of plain yogurt and ½ teaspoon of honey. Apply this super nourishing mask to clean skin for 10 minutes, before rinsing off and pat-drying your face. My top tip for anyone with super dry skin is to add a few drops of olive oil, too.

Which leads me nicely on to my next ingredient, olive oil – a staple in everyone’s cupboards. If you need another reason to love this healthy fat, it doubles up as a beauty product, too. Adding a squeeze of lemon to a teaspoon of vitamin E rich olive oil is proven to help fight dandruff. And in the winter months, olive oil also smooths the appearance of spilt ends.

Given that supple cuticles are the key to strong nails, add a drop of olive oil to your hands every night. For a more intensive treatment, soak your hands for twenty minutes a week and its moisturizing properties will prevent your nails from breaking.

And lastly, a mix of olive oil and sea salt is not only great for clearing away dead skin, but also works a treat on fake tan disasters. Though don’t be too harsh when you scrub – use gentle, circular motions before showering.

So there you have it, my guide to your kitchen cupboard skincare regime. Have any tips you’d like to share with You Glow Girl? Pop them in the comments box below.