By: ROEYNA MAY FAMISARAN
WE always spend thousands in our skin care regimen – branded products, facial sessions, diamond peels, and a whole lot more. Imagine buying an eye cream in an eency-weency packaging worth more than P5,000. That’s the same amount of a back-and-forth plane ticket. A face scrub more expensive than your weekly intake of Starbucks coffee, a serum which costs more than your meal allowance, and a toner that can already make you purchase two pairs of shoes. Our skin care regimen is definitely painful in our pockets.
Beauty products are everywhere. And they are not just inside malls and department stores. Surprise – they can also be seen in your kitchen. It’s good to save a few bucks from your “beauty allowance” and spend that money on other things – plane tickets, concerts, gasoline, rent, etc. Why not try these kitchen staples and discover a much cheaper yet effective skin care routine.
- Potatoes
Model Victoria Brito swears by the power of potatoes to get rid of dark circles. Did you cry yourself to sleep last night or did you pull an all-nighter due to that thesis presentation? Either way, potatoes are the best alternatives to concealer.
“To get rid of dark circles, take a potato, cut it into slices like a pepperoni, and put one slice over each eye for about 15 to 20 minutes once a week. I swear, after doing it about five times, you’ll start to see a drastic reduction of dark circles. The potato literally starts to get dark and shrivel up while you use it—it’s crazy,” Brito explains in an interview with beauty website byrdie.com.
This is because science says the vitamin C, starch, and enzymes in potatoes nourish skin. Its vitamin A component, meanwhile, keeps skin firm.
- Coconut oil
Forget about expensive and sticky hair serums. Coconut oil is the coolest beauty product out there. It can be used in any aspect of your skin care regimen – from hair mask, to face serum, to body lotion, to moisturizer.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Say hello to that radiant skin with apple cider vinegar. Remember when your grandmother used to dab this on a mosquito bite and you abhorred its smell? Granny was right. Apple cider vinegar can create miracles – at least on your skin.
Apple cider vinegar can help reduce age spots, fight acne, clear blemishes, and removes toxins from your face. Useful, right? Apply a diluted mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent apple cider vinegar on your skin and see the best results.
- Bananas
A banana should be your go-to fruit for a number of reasons. It is rich in potassium and folate. Plus, its vitamins can help you fight aging.
Mash a ripe banana with honey and lemon juice to make a face mask. You will surely feel like you just got out of a derma clinic afterwards.
- Honey
In the kitchen, honey is a healthier alternative to sugar. But in the beauty world, honey can be an alternative to facial wash, scrub, and moisturizer. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients and it can be used to treat the skin, hair and nails.
For a moisturizing mask, just apply the honey to your face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. If you want to use it as hair conditioner, mix one tablespoon of raw honey with two tablespoons coconut oil. Apply, let sit for 20 minutes, and rinse well. For your nails, honey can be a really good cuticle moisturizer. Say goodbye to your dry and dull cuticles by just applying raw honey mixed with coconut oil and lemon juice. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes and rinse well.
- Brown sugar
Now, there’s no need to buy that expensive facial scrub or spend hours at the derma clinic. Just mix brown sugar with coconut oil, apply it on your face, let it sit for 20 minutes, and you’re good to go./PN
