Splotchy, dull, and lifeless are three words you probably hope never describe your skin. But when hormones, dry weather, or sun damage come knocking at your door, this less than stellar vocabulary may be far too accurate.
The good news? The ingredients for a skin-saving treatment are probably sitting in your pantry right now.
Whether you need moisture, exfoliation, or help with toning — and whether you want results overnight, in a day, or in 10 days — there’s a home remedy for that. Try any of these 11 suggestions to get glowing skin ASAP.
1. Water
You didn’t think we’d skip the H2O, did you? Your skin needs major hydration to stay dewy and clear, so stock up. It can be tough to stay hydrated in weather extremes, both hot and cold. Lug your water bottle with you everywhere, and keep sipping throughout the day.
How much water you need will depend on your size, the weather, and your activity level. While it’s up for debate how much water we really need on a daily basis, the Institute of Medicine suggests shooting for 9 to 13 cups a day.
You can get an idea of your hydration level by looking at your pee — an accurate indication of your water intake. If your pee is a light, straw-colored yellow, your hydration’s good to go. If it’s dark yellow or has a hint of brown, shart drinking stat.
2. Coconut oil
We love coconut oil for so many reasons, one of which is that it makes us feel like we’re lathered in a piña colada! But this wonderfully natural ingredient actually has some serious benefits for the skin. Coconut oil can:
- help repair the skin’s outer barrier
- provide antibacterial protection
- reduce inflammation
- provide antioxidants
- promote healing
- slow skin aging
Coconut oil is best for normal to dry skin because it locks in moisture, replenishing skin hydration.
Application: You can use coconut oil on its own or add sugar, salt, or baking soda to make a scrub. If you’re using coconut oil alone, you can leave it on overnight or wash it off before bed. Scrubs can be rinsed off after 15 minutes or so. If you opt for a scrub, you only need to exfoliate two or three times a week unless you have oily skin.
3. Honey
Honey isn’t just for the bees or your cornbread. It protects and nourishes your skin, acting as a moisturizer and acne treatment. The key is to use raw, unpasteurized honey that still contains healthy bacteria.
The bacteria works with your natural immune system to reduce inflammation and irritation, as well as put a smackdown on the bacteria that cause acne. It can even help heal and lighten acne scars.
Honey’s benefits don’t stop there. It naturally exfoliates your skin, removing the dead skin cells that make your skin look dull.
A word of caution — if you have allergies to pollen, celery, or bee venom, test the honey on a small area of your skin first. You don’t want to have an allergic reaction once the honey’s covering your face.
Application: You can smooth honey right on your face or mix it with other ingredients for multiply the benefits. Try mixing 3 parts honey to 1 part cinnamon as an acne treatment. Leave it on for 8 to 10 minutes, then rinse it off.
Another option is to mix 1/2 a teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon each of baking soda and olive oil. The baking soda adds extra exfoliating power, while the olive oil brings extra moisture to the skin. Apply to your face and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
4. Turmeric
This brightly colored spice contains curcumin, which has natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, it can treat acne, heal injuries (including sun damage), and bring out your skin’s natural glow.
On the grosser but still helpful side of things, it can also be used to treat scabies, which are nasty microscopic mites that cause an uncomfortable rash.
Before rubbing turmeric on your face: a few things to think about. First, it can temporarily stain your skin a yellow-orangish color. Second, some people are allergic to turmeric. Test it on a small area of skin before applying it to sensitive facial skin.
Application: Keep it simple and mix up a paste that’s 1 part turmeric to 2 parts water. Simmer until it thickens, cool, and apply to skin. Or mix turmeric with other natural ingredients like honey. Try mixing 1 tablespoon honey with 1 teaspoon of turmeric. Apply to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes then rinse, and pat dry.
