5 seriously unexpected DIY dry skin cures that are already in your kitchen
Dry skin is often less a type of skin, and more just a reaction of environmental factors like diet and climate. If you find that in the colder season skin tends to feel reactive, inflamed, flakey and tight, you likely have seasonly affected skin. High heat indoors and icy cold outdoors upset the natural balance skin strives for. Good thing you can take control with these 5 ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen that you’d never thought of as skin savers. It’s time to look twice at those carrots.
1. Jam
Yes, your sticky, sweet scone spread can work as a face mask in a pinch. Jam contains sugar, which has glycolic acid, which is perfect for exfoliating without abrasion. Fruits, like strawberries, also contain Alpha hydroxy acids which are helpful at removing and breaking down dead skin cells. Choose a jam with minimal ingredients (such as strawberries and sugar), leaving out additives you don’t want all over your skin like pectin.
To use:
Apply a half teaspoon of jam with a foundation brush (or your hands), and smooth evenly over skin. Leave for 5 to 10. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
2. Rice
No longer just for risotto, rice water makes a moisturizing and gentle cleanser that can calm skin and is full of vitamins like C and E, as well as antioxidants and minerals. Be sure to choose an organic rice that hasn’t been treated with anything harmful.
To make:
Measure half a cup of jasmine or other rice and rinse through a sieve. Dump the rice into a container that holds at least a cup and fill with water. Let sit for 10 minutes to an hour. Drain the water into a jar or cup.
To use:
Using a cotton pad, sponge rice water over skin. Let sit for a minute. Splash away with lukewarm water. Can also be used after a face mask as a toner.
3. Carrot
Not exactly a well-known skin treatment, carrot is gentle and moisturizing and rich in vitamin A, C, iron, antioxidants and potassium and can be whipped into submission as a moisturizing face pack. Always pick the best carrots you can find – local and organic if you can.
To make:
Peel and chop a carrot. Boil in a small saucepan until slightly soft. Let cool. Drain, saving the water. Put in blender with a tablespoon of yogurt and some of the carrot water. Blend until smooth. If you’re mixture is runny, press through a cheesecloth or sieve. (Save the liquid to use as a cleanser later.)
To use
Apply with a brush to skin and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with a cloth and lukewarm water.
4. Yogurt
One of the best cleansers for dry skin, and a personal favourite, yogurt contains probiotics which balance and calm skin, and lactic acid which helps to break down dead skin cells. It’s also cooling and calming and feels luxurious.
To use:
Take 1/2 teaspoon of thick creamy yogurt like Greek with a high fat content and no additives and smooth over skin evenly. Let sit for a minute or two then rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Orange Peel
Dry, flaky or chapped lips driving you crazy? Use the inside of an orange peel – the white part – to remove flakes.The pith contains vitamin C, and is a gentle way to buff off dead and dry skin from the thin skin of the lips.
To use:
Take a small piece of orange peel and massage the inside white part gently against lips. Wipe away with a damp cloth and apply a hydrating balm.
, leaving out additives you don’t want all over your skin like pectin.
To use:
Apply a half teaspoon of jam with a foundation brush (or your hands), and smooth evenly over skin. Leave for 5 to 10. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
2. Rice
No longer just for risotto, rice water makes a moisturizing and gentle cleanser that can calm skin and is full of vitamins like C and E, as well as antioxidants and minerals. Be sure to choose an organic rice that hasn’t been treated with anything harmful.
To make:
Measure half a cup of jasmine or other rice and rinse through a sieve. Dump the rice into a container that holds at least a cup and fill with water. Let sit for 10 minutes to an hour. Drain the water into a jar or cup.
To use:
Using a cotton pad, sponge rice water over skin. Let sit for a minute. Splash away with lukewarm water. Can also be used after a face mask as a toner.
3. Carrot
Not exactly a well-known skin treatment, carrot is gentle and moisturizing and rich in vitamin A, C, iron, antioxidants and potassium and can be whipped into submission as a moisturizing face pack. Always pick the best carrots you can find - local and organic if you can.
To make:
Peel and chop a carrot. Boil in a small saucepan until slightly soft. Let cool. Drain, saving the water. Put in blender with a tablespoon of yogurt and some of the carrot water. Blend until smooth. If you’re mixture is runny, press through a cheesecloth or sieve. (Save the liquid to use as a cleanser later.)
To use
Apply with a brush to skin and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with a cloth and lukewarm water.
4. Yogurt
One of the best cleansers for dry skin, and a personal favourite, yogurt contains probiotics which balance and calm skin, and lactic acid which helps to break down dead skin cells. It’s also cooling and calming and feels luxurious.
To use:
Take 1/2 teaspoon of thick creamy yogurt like Greek with a high fat content and no additives and smooth over skin evenly. Let sit for a minute or two then rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Orange Peel
Dry, flaky or chapped lips driving you crazy? Use the inside of an orange peel – the white part – to remove flakes.The pith contains vitamin C, and is a gentle way to buff off dead and dry skin from the thin skin of the lips.
To use:
Take a small piece of orange peel and massage the inside white part gently against lips. Wipe away with a damp cloth and apply a hydrating balm.){kind=link}