The cosmetics market is on a constant rise with new products being introduced every day. The market generally targets women’s beauty issues concerning areas such as the nails, skin, and teeth. Most of these products are advertised to help improve your cosmetic appearance.
However, it is also common for these products to be quite expensive, despite the unsatisfactory results they show. While there are a few worthy products, it may be helpful to dive into the world of natural cosmetics.
There are a number of natural ingredients that can be used for your skin care routine and even target specific cosmetic concerns that are common among women. This article highlights such natural remedies that are worth a try.
Inexpensive Beauty Remedies That Every Girl Should Know
The following natural ingredients can work in multiple ways to address your cosmetic concerns and improve your overall beauty routine. It is best to conduct a patch test before trying the remedies to rule out any allergy or sensitivity reaction.
1. Rose water as a toner
Rosewater-based toners can go a long way in giving your skin a glowing, rejuvenated look. Commercially prepared through steam distillation of rose petals, rose water is a clear, fragrant liquid that can help hydrate, moisturize, and refresh the skin.
Aside from being used as a toner, rose water can also be found in face sprays, moisturizers, face masks, and makeup removers. You can buy rose water from cosmetic stores, but you can also make it at home easily, giving you fresher rose water.
How to use:
- Boil 2 cups of rose petals in water for about 25 minutes.
- Allow the solution to cool, filter it, and transfer it into a spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of rosehip essential oil to the rose water and shake the bottle.
- Spray the toner on your cleansed face.
2. Aloe vera for acne
Acne is one of the most common skin problems faced by teenagers and women on their periods. It includes pimples on the face, back, neck, shoulders, and chest and other skin breakouts such as whiteheads and blackheads.
These problems occur due to an increase in sebum production, which clogs skin pores and enables the growth of bacteria. (1)
Aloe vera is an excellent natural remedy for acne-related skin problems. It not only contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help control acne, but it also soothes, nourishes, and hydrates the skin.
How to use:
- Extract fresh gel from an aloe vera leaf.
- Mix in a few drops of tea tree oil.
- Apply the gel mixture to the affected area.
3. Shea butter for moisturization
Skin dryness is another common dermatological issue that is more frequently encountered in the dry, winter season. In addition to weather conditions, excessive bathing, lack of hydration, use of harsh soaps, and certain medical conditions can cause skin dryness.
The primary care for dry skin involves the use of moisturizers to regain skin hydration. You can easily buy commercially prepared creams and lotions, but they are often overpriced and laden with chemicals.
An excellent alternative to store-bought moisturizers is shea butter. This natural moisturizer deeply hydrates the skin and also provides skin nourishment.
How to use:
- Melt ½ cup of shea butter in a double boiler.
- Once melted, switch off the heat and mix in vitamin E oil from one pill.
- Transfer the mixture into a container.
- Use it as a moisturizer daily, especially after taking a bath.
4. Chickpea flour for exfoliation
Chickpea flour has been long used as a natural exfoliator as well as for facials, full-body treatments, and hair masks. The small granules of chickpea flour exfoliate the skin gently, aiding in the removal of dead skin cells and unclogging of pores.
Chickpea flour also doubles as a skin-lightening agent, helping lower skin pigmentation and giving the skin a radiant glow.
How to use:
- Make a paste using 2 tbsp of chickpea flour and 1½ tbsp of fresh milk cream.
- Apply the mixture to the skin and massage it for a few minutes.
- Allow the mask to dry before washing it off with lukewarm water.
5. Charcoal mask for oil control
Oily skin often results from overactive sebaceous glands. This overproduction of natural oils is influenced by several factors such as stress, genetics, humidity, and hormonal changes.
Cleansing your skin using a charcoal mask that absorbs the oil and controls oil production can be helpful. When used long-term, it can give your face a clear, radiant look.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tbsp of charcoal powder, 1 tbsp of gelatin, and 1½ tsp of distilled water to make a paste.
- Using a brush, evenly apply the paste to cleansed, dry skin.
- Gently peel off the mask after it dries, which can take up to 25–20 minutes.
6. Cold green tea bags to control puffiness
Puffiness around your eyes may appear due to a lack of sleep, stress, crying, hormonal imbalance, allergies, or even genetic factors. While rarely a serious medical concern, puffiness around the eyes is quite noticeable if you have thin skin and can therefore be a cosmetic problem.
Applying cold tea bags to the eyes can help calm the eyes and tighten the surrounding skin. Moreover, the cold temperature constricts the blood vessels, reducing the puffiness. (2)
How to use:
- Brew 2 cups of green tea by placing 2 sachets of tea in hot water for a few minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and allow them to cool in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
- Place the cold tea bags on your eyes.
- After 4–5 minutes, remove the tea bags and wipe your eyes.
7. Sugar scrub for chapped lips
Dry, chapped lips can be quite discomforting, not to mention cosmetically bothersome. The goal is to have soft plump lips. However, factors such as sun exposure, high caffeine intake, smoking, use of low-quality lip products, and hormonal changes can cause chapping of the lips.
Exfoliating your lips using a natural sugar scrub can help restore their natural pink color and suppleness. (3) It works by removing the accumulated dead skin cells, hydrating the skin, and boosting circulation.
How to use:
- Mix 3 tsp of sugar, 2 tsp of honey, and 2 tsp of olive oil.
- Massage this sugar scrub on your lips for a few minutes and then wash it off.
- Optionally, apply a few drops of honey to your lips to keep them moisturized.
8. Coconut oil and lemon juice for dandruff treatment
Dandruff refers to flaky white skin on a usually oily scalp, which can be quite visible against the hair, often becoming a source of embarrassment. Fortunately, a healthy hair care routine can help combat the problem.
The combination of lemon juice and coconut oil is a popular home remedy for dandruff. Lemon juice helps rebalance the scalp pH, while coconut oil hydrates the scalp and fights bacteria.
How to use:
- Melt 1½ cups of coconut oil in a saucepan.
- Add in 7–8 curry leaves and cook until the leaves start changing color.
- Remove from heat and filter the oil once it’s cooled down to room temperature.
- Add 4–5 drops of lemon juice to the mixture and transfer to a storage bottle.
- Massage the oil on to your scalp and hair and leave it on for 30–40 minutes before shampooing.
9. Baby powder for oily hair
Oily hair can be unpleasant as it increases the chances of developing dandruff, scalp acne, and itchiness. Also, oily hair can look unkempt and dirty.
While washing your hair often may seem to be a good solution, overwashing the hair can strip it of its natural oils. To compensate, oil production increases, and the problem keeps going in cycles. Therefore, only wash your hair 2–3 times a week using lukewarm or cold water.
If your hair looks oily in between the wash days, applying baby powder on the scalp is an excellent solution. Similar to dry shampoo, baby powder absorbs the excess oil, giving you a grease-free look. This hack also comes in handy when you are short of time for a shower.
How to use:
- Apply baby powder or talcum powder to the roots of your hair and comb it through the lengths using your fingers.
- Brush your hair gently to distribute the powder and remove any excess.
10. Sea salt and almond oil for soft feet
The feet, despite bearing the load of the body throughout the day and wearing different kinds of footwear, are often ignored when it comes to skin care. As a result, layers of dead skin accumulate on the feet, making the skin rough and dry.
It is vital to exfoliate and moisturize your feet. Sea salt and almond oil exfoliators are excellent for the feet as they not only remove dead skin cells but also provide good moisturization.
How to use:
- Prepare a scrub by mixing ½ cup of sea salt with 4–5 tbsp of cold-pressed almond oil.
- Massage your feet with the scrub, concentrating on the dry or rough skin.
- Wash your feet after a few minutes.
Final Word
Recently, a great deal of attention has been given to skin care with people’s increasing awareness of skin health and self-consciousness. But you don’t have to rely on marketed, chemical-laden products to reveal your skin’s best. Many natural ingredients can boost the natural health of your skin.
Besides helping solve problems such as acne and dandruff, these natural ingredients can boost your immune system, strengthen the skin, and combat damaging oxidants, improving your overall skin health. Moreover, the remedies can be easily used at home and are largely cost-efficient and skin-friendly.
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