With hundreds of brands and thousands of products to choose from, beauty has become one of the world biggest industries.
But if like us, you’ve found yourself spending the best part of an hour choosing between three equally unpronounceable and expensive eye creams, then this article might just be for you.
We sat down with Woman’s Day’s skincare guru and Acting Beauty Editor, Kelsey Ferencak, to find out which basic pantry staples can be re-purposed as a natural remedy for healthy, clear and radiant skin.
So if you want smooth lips, silky hair and blemish-free skin for a fraction of the cost, then you better keep reading!
Most of us look to coffee as a way to become a friendly, functional human being before 9.00am, but caffeine happens to be a miracle worker that has many magical properties to make your skin sing!
1. Coffee
The antioxidants found in your morning saviour can help reduce the appearance of cellulite by dehydrating and drawing fluids away from fat cells, causing the area to tighten up and smooth out.
Kelsey recommends mixing up a daily shower scrub with equal parts coffee grounds and olive or almond oil.
“Massage in circular motions over any problem areas,” she says, adding “Over time a weekly scrub will help fade dimples and imperfections while stimulating blood flow and smoothing skin.”
2. Paprika
This fiery red ingredient is so much more than a spice.
“For a radiant complexion, mix one tablespoon of ground paprika with honey and smooth on to your face. Rinse the fragrant mask off after ten minutes.”
“The red spice works to detoxify skin, increase circulation and even out pigmentation, leaving you with a rosy glow,” Kelsey explains.
Miley Cyrus is a big fan of using natural ingredients, like avocado, as a nourishing face mask.
3. Coconut oil
This all-in-one miracle product can serve as a moisturiser, lip balm, makeup remover and even a hair treatment, but the list doesn’t end there!
“This multi-tasking product is pretty much found in every celeb’s bathroom cabinet, and for good reason! It’s all-natural, easy to use and cheap,” our beauty ed tells.
“Pop it all over your body after stepping out of the shower, sweep it over your cheeks as an instant highlighter or mix it with baking soda to help whiten your teeth.”
4. Greek yoghurt
By now you’re very aware of the food’s ability to maintain a healthy balance in the gut, but it may surprise you to discover that yoghurt can actually be used as an all-round skin perfecter.
“All that good bacteria in Greek yoghurt means you can say goodbye to blemishes and clogged pores,” reveals our expert.
“Pop it straight on your mug as a cleanser or exfoliating mask and watch the lactic acid loosen dead skin and dissolve dirt and makeup.”
Model muma Chrissy Teigen uses coconut oil as a natural moisturiser for baby Luna!
5. Apple cider vinegar
Another beauty all-rounder is apple cider vinegar, which can be used to shine those tresses, sooth sunburn and tighten skin.
“Pop it on as a toner to help fade pigmentation, use a spot treatment to kick pimples to the curb or add a capful to your bath to tone skin and clear cellulite,” Kelsey advises.
Is it just us, or did Woolworths just become the new Sephora?
Check out Chrissy Teigen’s guide to coconut oil in the video player below!
