Summer is here and who doesn’t want to rock an effortless glow?

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on skincare to look good, in fact, most of what you need is probably already on your kitchen shelves.  

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Credit: Yelena Yemchuk

Baking Soda

Baking soda has many uses, from cleaning to baking, but did you know it’s also a natural exfoliator? It’s gentle enough to use daily and it deep cleanses your pores better than most store-bought exfoliators, sloughing off your dead skin cells to make room for fresh ones.

What to do with it: Create a paste of baking soda and warm water. Slather the paste on your skin and leave it there for 3-4 minutes before gently washing it away. Exfoliation is recommended a few times a week to keep your skin looking fresh.

Credit: jenifoto
Credit: leonori
Credit: jenifoto
Credit: leonori

Apple Cider Vinegar

You may be familiar with apple cider vinegar for cooking or tummy aches, but it also makes for a great natural skin toner. Use it to tighten pores, fade age spots, and removing toxins from your skin.

What to do with it: Mix apple cider vinegar with 50-50 with water. After cleansing, apply in a wiping motion with a cotton pad twice a day. You should start to notice a difference in your skin in just a few weeks.

*Be sure to avoid getting this vinegar in your eyes, it will sting!

Credit: Anna-Ok

Aloe Vera

Okay, so this one may not be in your kitchen, but if you have an aloe vera plant anywhere in your home, you've got a plant pulling double duty as an air purifier and a super moisturizer. It not only seeps deep down into your pores and penetrates better than a lot of store-bought moisturizers, but it also heals scars and evens out your complexion.

What to do with it: Extract the gel from your aloe vera plant and apply it to your skin. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then massage in the remaining gel and wipe away excess. Use daily to reduce scarring or weekly for a boost of hydration.

Lemons

Lemons are my secret pimple destroyer! I have used several pimple remedies and this natural fix works the best by far. The citric acid in lemon juice acts as an antiseptic, killing the bacteria so that you don’t have to worry about that pimple returning any time soon. It’s also great for reducing dark spots and promoting cell renewal.

What to do with it: Apply fresh-squeezed lemon juice to your entire face using a cotton pad and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat daily or every other day.

Honey

Don’t have time to schedule a facial? Look no further than your kitchen cabinets. Honey, especially raw manuka honey, makes a great face mask. It’s anti-bacterial and a natural moisturizer. Manuka honey also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits.

What to do with it: Apply raw honey directly on your skin and let it dry naturally. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat once daily or every other day.

Honey Mask Bonus: Mix and match some of the previous ingredients with honey for a super mask. For example, combine ½ teaspoon of lemon with 2 teaspoons of honey and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before applying for a fresh, invigorating mask. Add lavender or rose for a soothing mask that smells amazing. See what's in your pantry, and start experimenting.

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