What’s poppin’ in the local market scene?
Fact: Filipinos are intelligent consumers. While some still tend to easily jump on the bandwagon, there are those who meticulously select, dissect, and study every ingredient of the products they choose to buy – yes, they do research – specially with cosmetics and skincare products.
Since the skin is the largest external organ of our body, it is understandable to be extremely particular with every single product we apply on it hence the thriving of organic products with clear-cut and minimal ingredients in the local beauty market. “Organic” “Natural” “Plant-based” “Vegan” “Sustainable”- we see them here and there, all the rage, easily available. So, what’s the catch? They can be hella expensive. But the good news is, there are good ol’ home solutions that have been tried, tested, and passed down through many generations.
Here are some of the most popular ones you can try at home.
• Lemon for Brightening Skin
Citrus fruits such as lemons and limes are rich in Vitamin C that gives numerous benefits to the human body. With its phytonutrient properties and natural lightening components, lemon is a good alternative to the usual chemical-infused exfoliator and whitening cream and gel. You can rub a slice of it directly in an uneven skin tone and other dark areas such as elbow, underarms, bikini line or mix a small amount of its freshly squeezed juice with water and apply as a facial toner; you may also add your favourite essential oil like tea tree or witch hazel to fight acne and skin inflammation. For blemishes, acne marks, and dark circles, mix the lemon juice with honey, apply it to your face as a facial mask, leave it for 20 minutes then wash it off with cold water. One thing to note: As they say, too much of anything is bad so be careful with putting excessive amount of the lemon juice as it can dry your skin.
• Banana and Honey for Radiant, Glowing Skin
This duo might sound like a good thing to try on a breakfast menu, and that’s completely true like how it can also be good when applied on your skin. Banana won’t only sustain your body’s needs for potassium, it can also smoothen and soften your skin. Potassium can hydrate and give moisture to dry and dull skin; vitamin B is procurable in banana and it can protect you against premature aging. Crush a ripe banana and apply it as a face mask at night, let it sit for about 20-30mins then rinse off with water. If you have acne-prone skin, you may also try mixing honey with it; honey’s anti-bacterial properties can help prevent further skin breakout.
• Castor Oil for Hair Growth
Take your Kilay gaming to a whole new level by adding this affordable and easy step in your everyday skincare routine. Not everyone is blessed with thick, feathery brows and it might seem impossible for some to achieve that on fleek eyebrow but here’s the good news: castor oil can help you thicken those wispy supercilia! Though there’s no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, the internet has testified to using castor oil as an effective hair grower. Use a clean mascara wand for fuss-free eyebrow application at night; you may also do the same with your eyelashes if you desire to lengthen them as well. If you’re a little skeptic about it but still wanna give it a shot, you can do a patch test first with a few drops on the underside of your arm before proceeding on applying the oil in your face.
• Cucumber for Dark Undereye and Puffy Eye
Having dark circles underneath the eyes is one of the biggest concerns for some, and frankly speaking, considering today’s rampant lifestyle, it’s practically unavoidable (we know you’ve been binge-watching that new Netflix series because, guess what, we are, too). Cucumber is not new in skincare product ingredients – we’ve seen it in facial mists, sheet masks, and eye creams – and what better way to incorporate it in your skincare routine than applying it freshly and directly onto your tired skin. Cucumber is high in antioxidants and rich in water content that helps in adding moisture in the skin. For tired and puffy eyes, refrigerate a couple of cucumber slices, sit back, relax, and let it sit on your eyes for a few minutes.
• Brown Sugar for Removing Dead Skin Cells
Ahh, sugar scrubs – the great, multi-tasking exfoliators, the easiest to DIY. If you’re a fan of body scrubs, brown sugar and honey can be your best pals; they’re affordable, healthy for the skin, and suitable for all skin types. This is a good natural alternative to those usually pricey and chemically infused exfoliants: just mix an ample amount of brown sugar and honey in a clean container and – voila! You’re good to go! Use it in your legs, arms, or lips to soften the skin and remove dead skin cells. For added whitening effect, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice in the mixture.
• Aloe Vera Plant for Dull and Dry Skin
Aloe Vera is considered as the miracle beauty plant. Being one of the most popular skin care ingredients alongside cucumber, Aloe Vera’s raw gel has nutrient-packed properties that are good for the skin. Among the myriad benefits are Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, and its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing characteristics. Aloe Vera’s raw and fresh gel is used for several beauty problems such as acne, sunburn, wrinkles, and dry skin.
• Ice to Minimize Large Pores
Clog pores are one of the culprits for bacterial inhabitation that often results in breakout and irritation. Gently massaging ice to your face can boost blood circulation, helping the pores tighten and reduce swelling, redness, and inflammation. It can also delay the appearance of wrinkles as it hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
Know any other natural skincare DIY that’s not on our list? Share with us in the comment section below!
Sources: healthline.com, refinery29.com, india.curejoy.com
Images from pexels.com