Is the Secret to Replenished Skin Hidden in your Kitchen Cupboards?

There is no doubt that there are some skincare products on the market which are full of chemicals that can be harsh on our skin, especially some make up removers. It is important to be mindful when it comes to what we treat our skin with – and a good rule of thumb is the more natural the better. From this point of view, this means that there could be the perfect face cream or face mask hidden right under your nose in your kitchen cupboards!

Many skin products are botanically derived and contain vitamins and minerals which are found in the food we eat, so if you need a quick fix for your skin and have ran out of your favourite face mask or eye cream – why not try some of these homemade remedies!

We have come up with some simple treatments you can try at home with the contents you will likely have in your kitchen.

The honey and oatmeal face mask is a super simple but effective option, all you need to do is make one portion of oatmeal, add honey while it’s hot and let it cool down before applying to your face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

This recipe is suitable for all skin types as the ingredients are safe for sensitive skin with lots of benefits. The honey will open up your pores and it is well known that honey is a natural antiseptic and has antibacterial properties so this will cleanse your skin, a great ingredient to use if you suffer from acne. If you have blemished skin or suffer from acne scars honey will help speed up the skin’s healing process and reduce inflammation and redness.

Oatmeal also has a variety of benefits for your skin as it contains avenanthramides which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, this can cleanse your skin of pollution and chemicals. Oatmeal is great for sensitive skin that can’t use face scrubs due to being too abrasive on the skin, the texture of the oatmeal is enough to exfoliate the skin but will also soothe itchy and irritated skin without aggravating it.

We’ve all heard about putting tea bags on your eyes, but is there really a benefit to this? Ever wondered the science behind this and if it actually works or if you’re wasting your time? Well this hasn’t been scientifically proven but there is evidence out there that makes us think it’s still actually a pretty good idea.

The caffeine in tea will constrict your blood vessels and reduce inflammation, so if you suffer from puffy eyes then this could reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes and relieve those dark circles, making your eyes brighter and refreshed looking (cold tea bags work best for this). So if you’ve had a late night and your eyes are giving it away, this is a great trick. It has also been suggested that the tannins found in tea can help to tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s worth a shot, right?

All you need to do is steep 2 tea bags as you would if you were going to drink them, squeeze out excess liquid and let them cool – they can be applied warm or cold – just pop them in the fridge if you would like them cool. Then apply these to your eyes and relax for 15 – 30 minutes.

As summer approaches and the first day of warm sunshine hits, we go to put our sandals on and realise that we have neglected our feet all winter. No one wants to show off dried and cracked heels, so we have a great recipe which will moisturise and exfoliate your feet so they are ready to be showcased in your new pair of sandals this summer.

Cracked heels and dry feet is mainly due to a lack of moisture, minerals and vitamins, this recipe will replenish your feet with what it’s lacking.

All you need is 3 tsp rice flour, 1 tsp honey and 3 drops of cider vinegar. Mix all the ingredients together into a thick paste – and there you have a great foot exfoliator. First soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and then gently scrub the paste across you feet to remove dead skin. You can use this foot scrub 2 – 3 times a week for the best results.

While the rice flour provides a textured scrub to remove the dead skin, the honey provide a natural antiseptic and will help to heal any cracks or broken skin, and the acid in the vinegar will soften your skin so it’s easier to exfoliate.

These recipes should be suitable for most skin types, however we would recommend doing a patch test 24 hours before using any new products on your skin to ensure you don’t have a reaction, even with these natural products.