6 Surprising Beauty Ingredients Hidden in Your Kitchen l Healthy Tips l Ways to Look Great

Apple Cider Vinegar

Although it may sound strange, apple cider vinegar is a great treatment for hair. It prevents split ends, removes residue from conditioners, highly alkaline shampoos and styling products, and leaves your mane smoother and shinier. Try mixing one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into one cup of warm filtered tap water. Apply the rinse after shampooing, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out fully with water. You may notice a slight vinegar smell, but it will disappear as your hair dries. Apple cider vinegar, which has a pH similar to skin, is also great for your complexion. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water (or more water if you have sensitive skin) to make a refreshing astringent toner that helps reduce blemishes, red marks and softens skin. Lightly dab or spray it on your face after cleansing. The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly.

Baking Soda

You probably have a bright-orange Arm & Hammer box of baking soda in your refrigerator to eliminate odors, and maybe in your cupboard for baking. But this kitchen staple, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used as an alternative to many expensive beauty treatments. For a reinvigorating facial scrub, make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub gently onto your face with circular strokes, then rinse with warm water. Baking soda can also be used to remove stains from tooth enamel, giving you whiter teeth. Simply pour some baking soda into a small dish, dip in your damp toothbrush into it so the bristles are covered, brush for about one minute then rinse with water. Alternatively, you can combine baking soda with your toothpaste. Add toothpaste to your brush, then sprinkle baking soda onto it.

Coconut Oil

You may be using coconut oil for stir-frying, sautéing and baking, but this healthy food item also offers a host of beauty benefits. Celebrities like actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Emma Stone cite it as one of their favorite beauty ingredients. Coconut oil can be used in a variety of ways from moisturizing dry skin to removing even the most resistant waterproof mascara. It’s also used as an under-eye and eyelid cream, a lip balm, a body moisturizer. And for a wonderful body scrub, melt about a half cup of coconut oil at very low heat (if it’s solid), pour over one cup of brown sugar and stir well. Massage the body scrub over damp skin in circular motions and then rinse. If you want it to smell extra-delicious, put a few drops of an essential oil into the mixture.

Honey

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Honey is often considered a healthier sweetener, but you may be surprised to learn that it’s great for your face and nails. Honey gently removes dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of natural oils, balances oily skin, and moisturizes dry skin. Indeed, the sweetener reportedly has excellent antibacterial and healing properties and calms sensitive and acne-prone skin. Next time you’re at the grocer’s, look for raw honey. Make sure the label says “raw” or “unpasteurized” or “unfiltered.” To use it, take about a half teaspoon, warm it between your fingers, add a few drops of water for a spreadable consistency, and smooth it gently on your face. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. To moisturize nail cuticles, mix one teaspoon honey with one teaspoon apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon coconut oil. Rub into cuticles, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, rinse.