Body scrub of oatmeal, sugar, honey and oil in glass jar on blue rustic table, homemade cosmetic for peeling and spa care, top view
Image: Shutterstock/Julia Sudnitskaya

Looking to save some time and money, and go a bit more natural with your lifestyle? Raiding your fridge for beauty ingredients isn’t just healthy. It’s smart. From natural exfoliators to homemade moisturizers to natural antioxidant face masks, it’s all waiting for you in your pantry or at your local grocer. So isn’t it time you decided to play with these beauty foods?

Oatmeal: This classic skin moisturizer is best when added to baths. Simply add a cup or so of raw oats to a coffee filter, secure it and let it sit near the running water as the tub fills. You can also grind the oats and have an instant natural exfoliator that gives you smooth skin.

Milk: Milk has long been used as a way to moisturize and nourish skin. Just add a cup or two of milk to a running bath for added skin nourishment.

Olive oil: This falls into the category of one of nature’s greatest moisturizers. You can leave it on your hair for thirty minutes to moisturize it, or olive oil makes a great base for natural exfoliation scrubs containing anything that provides some abrasion, like sugar.

Freshly cut half and whole lemons on rustic boards
Image: Shutterstock/KingJC

Mayo: Here’s something you connect with sandwiches more than beauty. Yet it’s a great way to moisturize hair and leave it looking glossy. Just add it to your hair in the shower, and leave it on for twenty minutes.

Egg: This is also a common hair mask and skin moisturizer. You can whip raw eggs and put them on your face or hair for 15-30 minutes, and then rinse. You’ll have shiny hair and moisturized skin.

Lemon: Lemon is a natural lightener, making it great for adding highlights to hair or getting rid of dark spots. Just apply lemon juice to your hair or a dark spot for about thirty minutes, and then rinse. Repeat until you see the desired results.

The strawberry in the basket with selective focus on the front strawberry
Image: Shutterstock/Mindmo

Cucumber: Here’s a classic way to get rid of bags under the eyes. Either use the chilled slices or make a cool puree. Leave that under your eyes for 15-30 minutes.

Sugar: This household staple has long been used as a natural exfoliator. Combine it with olive oil for a way to get rid of calloused feet and rough elbows. Mix enough sugar and oil together to form a paste and rub those troubled areas. You can do the same with brown sugar for a more gentle face and lip scrub.

Strawberry: The most common way to use strawberries for beauty is to put a strawberry puree on your teeth to naturally whiten them. The strawberries have malic acid to whiten the teeth. Combine one mushed strawberry with about a couple pinches of baking soda. Put that on your teeth for five minutes, rinse and then brush with toothpaste like normal. Use only weekly to not damage the teeth.

Sliced avocado on plate, on wooden background
Image: Shutterstock/Africa Studio

Avocado: Packed with vitamin E, avocado is great in face masks for nourishing and moisturizing skin. Mush up an avocado and leave it on your face for thirty minutes.

Yogurt: Another one of nature’s moisturizers, just use it like the avocado as a face mask. You can also leave it on your hair for thirty minutes to get shinier locks.

Coffee: Coffee grounds make a wonderful natural exfoliator. Just add them to olive oil and scrub away.

Cup with tea bag on wooden table close-up
Image: Shutterstock/Africa Studio

Tea: Tea bags have long been used to clear up under-eye bags, along with a host of other uses. Simply press a cool, wet tea bag under your eyes for about twenty minutes.

Almonds: Almonds make a soothing exfoliating scrub. Simply grind them up and combine them with olive oil to form a paste, and then get scrubbing.

Cocoa: Cocoa is rich in antioxidant flavonoids that protect the skin. (A great excuse to also eat it!) Add a quarter cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to a bath, along with optional milk and oatmeal.

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