With a revolving door of beauty technology on the market these days, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of sonic cleansing brushes, hyaluronic acids, vampire facials (eek!) the list goes on. But are we losing sight of good old at-home remedies that have served generations before us for years?
Whether it’s a recommendation from your mum or an old wives’ tale from your aunt, natural remedies are actually all around us and to be exact, in our kitchen cupboards. Here are some wonderful and natural beauty hacks that have been tried, tested and really work.
Teeth whitening with strawberries and baking soda
Not only is it the secret to fluffy cakes, unblocks drains and cures heartburn, did you know that baking powder is also a miracle-worker on stained teeth? If you’re a smoker or tea and coffee drinker, you may notice some natural staining over time. Toothpastes claiming to whiten often don’t work or are deemed unsafe by some dental professionals, so there’s no harm in trying this amazing natural remedy.
Mixing it with strawberries is even more effective because they contain a whitening agent called Malic acid that acts like an astringent by removing surface stains (and it tastes great.) Mash up a couple of strawberries in a cup and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Using a soft brush, spread over your teeth for a few minutes and rinse. Repeat daily until you see results.
Skin brightening with an avocado and oatmeal face mask
Avocados are the superfood hero of the new generation. With unlimited health benefits and a food pioneer for “good fats,” the tasty fruit is also amazing for skin and hair. Rich in vitamin E, fibre, B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, using it on your skin will make you glow. With the soothing and brightening effects of oatmeal too, this mask will revive and brighten your complexion, even on your dullest of days. Blend half an avocado with a quarter cup of raw oats and add two tablespoons of honey. Leave on your face for 10 minutes, rinse, moisturise and glow.
Cure your cracked cuticles with honey and olive oil
If you’re yet to find an effective cuticle cream that keeps them supple and moisturised between manicures, trust us and try this. Say goodbye to broken skin around the cuticles by mixing a spoonful of honey and a drizzle of olive oil in a dish, applying to your cuticles using a cotton bud and leaving for five minutes. Do this twice a week and you can thank us later.
Tone your skin with apple cider vinegar and water
Apple cider vinegar is another of those fabulous beauty remedies that’s said to make hair shiny, skin glowy and aids weight loss when incorporated into your diet. Although it can smell quite pungent, a diluted mixture with water on a cotton pad can do wonders for your complexion. Mix one-part vinegar to two parts water and use as you would a toner. After cleansing and before moisturising, it will make you look radiant, especially after continued use.
Exfoliate your body with ground coffee
If it’s good enough for Halle Berry, it’s good enough for us. This remedy was reportedly her preference over expensive body scrubs. With brands such as FRANK body and Grounded releasing ground coffee scrubs, it truly is a great at-home beauty hack. Applying caffeine to the skin is said to stimulate blood-flow, which may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks and other skin conditions such as eczema.
