Think twice before you follow just any DIY skin care method. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day explained how some ingredients can help -- or hurt. For starters: Honey is an ancient treatment for wounds because it has antiseptic properties and creates a breathable, skin-like barrier. It is often used in recipes for acne treatment, reducing eye puffiness, exfoliating scrubs and eczema.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Think twice before you follow just any DIY skin care method. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day explained how some ingredients can help -- or hurt. For starters: Honey is an ancient treatment for wounds because it has antiseptic properties and creates a breathable, skin-like barrier. It is often used in recipes for acne treatment, reducing eye puffiness, exfoliating scrubs and eczema.
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Vinegar is an effective deodorizer which kills yeast and bacteria that lead to body odor. But it has a pungent smell of its own. It's best used in solutions that include essential oils to mask the salad smell.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Vinegar is an effective deodorizer which kills yeast and bacteria that lead to body odor. But it has a pungent smell of its own. It's best used in solutions that include essential oils to mask the salad smell.
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Aloe has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, so it's great for the pain associated with burns and poison ivy.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Aloe has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, so it's great for the pain associated with burns and poison ivy.
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Olive oil and coconut oil are effective hydrators. They're good for treating irritated skin because they are so gentle on their own, they are often used as a binder for sugar or salt scrubs.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Olive oil and coconut oil are effective hydrators. They're good for treating irritated skin because they are so gentle on their own, they are often used as a binder for sugar or salt scrubs.
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Salt and sugar are effective exfoliants and often the base of home scrub recipes. Baking soda works as a fine-grained exfoliant, and might have antiseptic and brightening qualities.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Salt and sugar are effective exfoliants and often the base of home scrub recipes. Baking soda works as a fine-grained exfoliant, and might have antiseptic and brightening qualities.
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Tea can deliver antioxidants and caffeine to the skin better than, say, crushed blueberries. White tea has the highest levels of both.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Tea can deliver antioxidants and caffeine to the skin better than, say, crushed blueberries. White tea has the highest levels of both.
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Recipes including papaya and kiwi fruit will exfoliate skin without over-drying it. While papaya is a little safer on the skin, both make skin cells less sticky.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Recipes including papaya and kiwi fruit will exfoliate skin without over-drying it. While papaya is a little safer on the skin, both make skin cells less sticky.
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The best dairy to use in any DIY beauty treatment is yogurt. Yogurt delivers enough lactic acid to treat skin, and is used in anti-aging recipes and keratosis pilaris treatments.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
The best dairy to use in any DIY beauty treatment is yogurt. Yogurt delivers enough lactic acid to treat skin, and is used in anti-aging recipes and keratosis pilaris treatments.
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Bananas have no effect on the skin, but it's a useful tool to ease the spread of helpful ingredients like honey, olive oil or aloe on your face.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Bananas have no effect on the skin, but it's a useful tool to ease the spread of helpful ingredients like honey, olive oil or aloe on your face.
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Egg whites can have a temporary tightening effect on the skin, but using raw eggs can present a risk of salmonella.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Egg whites can have a temporary tightening effect on the skin, but using raw eggs can present a risk of salmonella.
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Spices can irritate and dye skin, but they have some healthful properties when they're ingested with food.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Spices can irritate and dye skin, but they have some healthful properties when they're ingested with food.
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Citrus fruits, especially lemons, irritate the skin. Lemons also increase sensitivity to sunlight.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Citrus fruits, especially lemons, irritate the skin. Lemons also increase sensitivity to sunlight.
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Hydrogen peroxide can bleach your hair, but because it is toxic to skin cells, it can also irritate.
DIY beauty from your pantry —
Hydrogen peroxide can bleach your hair, but because it is toxic to skin cells, it can also irritate.
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