"Plain yogurt contains a small amount of lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin, along with probiotics that feed the microbiome on your skin's surface," explains Hart. (FYI, the microbiome is made up of bacteria and microorganisms that are an essential part of healthy skin.) Apply a little bit straight onto your face, as you would a mask, or combine with a bit of raw honey for even more complexion-enhancing benefits. Either way, be sure you're using a plain, full-fat variety; the fattier the yogurt, the more hydrating it will be.
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Green Tea
It's tea time. Loaded with protective antioxidants, this healthy beverage can do double-duty as a refreshing face mist. Brew it stronger than you would if you were drinking it, using either two tea bags or letting it steep longer, then store in the fridge in a spray bottle, where it will keep for a few days. "The soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make this a perfect skin spritz to use after a day in the sun or a hard workout," says Hart.
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Avocado
The beloved ingredient is more than just a delicious topping for toast or dip for chips. Loaded with healthy fats, it's choice for hydrating both your strands and your scalp. Use it in Wolfer's simple hair mask recipe, which uses half of a ripe avocado, half a cup of full-fat sour cream, and a teaspoon lemon juice. (Is it just us or does that sound very delicious?) Mash the avocado until smooth before mixing with the sour cream and lemon juice. Slather the mixture directly onto your scalp, pop on a shower cap and let it sit for 20 minutes before shampooing and conditioning. Along with all those fats in the avocado, lactic and citric acids in the sour cream and lemon juice gently exfoliate your scalp, creating the ideal environment for healthy hair growth.
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Bananas
Quit monkeying around with eye cream and grab a few bananas instead (sorry, we couldn't resist). Rich in potassium, a mineral that helps cells retain moisture, bananas may help hydrate the thin skin around your eyes, notes Wolfer. Blend up a quarter of a banana with a quarter of a peeled cucumber and a tablespoon of raw honey, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Apply a thin layer of the cooled mixture under your eyes for 15 minutes before rinsing; the potassium in the bananas, along with the hydrating honey and cucumber, make this mega-moisturizing and a great way to plump away fine lines around your peepers, fast.
