GreenMe Editorial team In our daily routine, we face a number of small beauty problems that can be annoying. Fortunately, nature offers a wide range of remedies that can help us solve them. Here are ten natural and DIY solutions for some of the most common beauty problems.
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Waking up every morning feeling fresh, relaxed, and radiant seems like an ideal. However, beauty and wellness require consistent care, and it’s even better when using natural, affordable, and eco-friendly solutions instead of costly beauty treatments. Ingredients like honey, olive oil, vinegar, tea, yogurt, lettuce, and cocoa can work wonders in improving both your health and appearance. Here are ten homemade remedies for common beauty emergencies.
Rough and chapped hands
Cold weather, temperature fluctuations, frequent use of cleaning products, and dust can all cause your hands to become red and cracked. A highly effective and natural remedy is olive oil. You can apply it like a cream, ideally before going to bed, massaging it into the most problematic areas. To help the oil absorb and avoid greasing everything around you, it’s best to wear cotton gloves overnight.
Dark circles and tired eyes
For tired eyes and dark circles, as well as to relieve irritation, redness, and puffiness of the eyelids, there are some well-known and affordable remedies. You can try placing slices of raw cucumber or potato on your eyes for 15-20 minutes. Cucumbers contain antioxidants that can help reduce swelling and brighten the skin under your eyes. Alternatively, you can use tea bags: soak two tea bags in hot water as if preparing an infusion, then let them cool. Once cooled, place them on your eyelids and relax.
Oily skin
You can prepare homemade cleansing and purifying products to restore a fresh and healthy appearance to your skin. For example, try this oatmeal scrub: take two tablespoons of oatmeal and mix them with one tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your face, focusing on the most critical areas like your chin and nose, then rinse with lukewarm water. Alternatively, you can apply aloe vera, which has astringent properties that help control sebum production.
If you have extra time, you can also try astringent and purifying masks. One option is a strawberry mask: mash two or three strawberries in a bowl and mix them with two tablespoons of honey, two egg whites, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply a thin layer to your face, leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Before applying any mask, remember to ensure your face is thoroughly cleansed, free of makeup. After the mask, it’s always good practice to follow up with a toner, preferably an eco-friendly one (alternatively, dilute a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar in water).
Dry skin
For dry skin, there are various homemade masks that are nourishing and hydrating. One option is a lettuce mask: boil some lettuce leaves in a little water, mash them into a paste, and mix with an egg yolk and enough almond flour to give the mixture some consistency. Apply the cream to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then remove it gently with lukewarm water.
Another option is a yogurt mask: mix half a jar of plain yogurt with half a cup of honey. Apply this mixture to your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then remove it gently, perhaps using a sponge, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Greasy and dull hair
After a regular shampoo, apply the juice of two lemons to your hair, massaging gently into the scalp, then rinse. Lemon gives hair a shiny finish and, due to its astringent properties, helps balance sebum production.
Alternatively, you can use mint: crush fresh mint leaves and boil them in a pot. Once the mixture has cooled, add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Apply this mixture to your hair after shampooing, massage, and rinse thoroughly.
Dry or damaged hair
For hair suffering from stress, environmental factors, or excessive treatment, you can make a nourishing pack with honey and sweet almond oil. Melt the honey in a double boiler, then mix it with the oil. Apply the mixture to dry hair and leave it for about an hour before washing it as usual.
Alternatively, you can mix olive oil, almond oil, and the yolk of an egg, then distribute the resulting cream onto dry hair, leaving it for about 15 minutes before shampooing (it’s always better to use an eco-friendly shampoo to avoid damaging the hair and scalp).
Dandruff
Stressful periods or prolonged use of harsh products like hairspray or gels can lead to dandruff. A natural home remedy is vinegar (apple cider vinegar is best): mix it with water and use the mixture to massage your scalp. Then, wrap your hair in a towel and leave it overnight before washing. Flaxseed oil is also a great dandruff remedy—apply it to your scalp before shampooing. However, remember that “grandmother’s remedies” might not be enough to completely eliminate dandruff, and if the scalp is irritated or scratched, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for specific treatment recommendations.
Bad breath
In addition to regular daily oral hygiene, try rinsing with a mixture of water and lemon juice. Just a few drops of lemon can improve the situation and leave you feeling fresh. Alternatively, fennel seeds, green tea, anise, or mint (either in teas or lozenges) can help. Another traditional remedy is to chew parsley leaves or coffee beans after meals, or rub your teeth and gums with sage leaves.
Rough and dull skin
For your body, here’s a truly delicious treatment: a chocolate scrub. Mix cocoa powder with brown sugar (or regular salt if you prefer a less sweet alternative) and dilute with seed oil (or sweet almond oil) until you get a soft cream. Apply this mixture to your skin, gently massaging it to hydrate and soften it, then rinse thoroughly.
Chapped lips
Cocoa butter (many natural options are available) hydrates and protects your lips but doesn’t remove dead skin cells. For exfoliation, try olive oil, a classic remedy. Alternatively, spread some butter on your lips, leave it on for a few minutes, and then gently remove the dead skin with a toothbrush. Honey, in addition, works as an emollient and helps heal cracks.
No matter your specific issue, remember that a healthy, balanced diet is essential for physical well-being and often contributes to resolving many aesthetic concerns.
