If you're anything like us, there's probably no shortage of hair- and skin-saving products to be found in your medicine cabinet, but the secret to complexion perfection and stellar strands may just be hiding in your kitchen, not your bathroom. Ahead, six natural ingredients -- plus easy, DIY recipes -- that can help solve any and every beauty woe.
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An exfoliant, hydrator, and acne-fighter in-one, this sweet ingredient is a major multi-tasker. The key is to use it in its raw form, explains Jolene Hart, health coach and author of the "Eat Pretty" book series. "Unlike processed honey, it hasn't been heated to kill the living components, which include enzymes, pollen, and propolis," she says. Hart suggests applying a teaspoon or two on clean, damp skin for 15 minutes. "Its antibacterial properties fight blemishes, and it also loosens dead cells and draws moisture to the skin, leaving you with an amazingly soft complexion and fewer breakouts," she says. Sweet, indeed.
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Many people tout the health benefits of drinking ACV, but it also works wonders when used topically, both on skin and strands. "Diluted apple cider vinegar is a great astringent that can help restore or maintain your skin's naturally acidic pH," says Hart. Just mix with water, and dab on using a cotton ball or pad, as you would a toner.
For your hair, it makes a great clarifying treatment, ideal for removing excess product build-up and residue. Try this easy recipe, courtesy of Alexis Wolfer, founder of TheBeautyBean.com and author of "The Recipe for Radiance". Combine the juice of three lemons, half a cup of apple cider vinegar and three cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Mist onto dry hair until it's fully saturated, then massage in for three to five minutes before shampooing and conditioning as usual.
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For your hair, it makes a great clarifying treatment, ideal for removing excess product build-up and residue. Try this easy recipe, courtesy of Alexis Wolfer, founder of TheBeautyBean.com and author of "The Recipe for Radiance". Combine the juice of three lemons, half a cup of apple cider vinegar and three cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Mist onto dry hair until it's fully saturated, then massage in for three to five minutes before shampooing and conditioning as usual.
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"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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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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