DIY Beauty Products from Your Pantry

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays you may have forgotten to stock up on your dwindling beauty products. Thankfully, your pantry — and refrigerator — provide several quick and easy substitutions when you are running short on supply, time and cash. 

If you are like me and love to exfoliate, combine coffee grounds, olive oil, coarse salt and brown sugar to your preference and you have a body scrub substitute. And don’t worry if your facial toner runs out – mix apple cider vinegar with equal parts water to create a refreshing pore cleanser. 

For those who just squeezed out the last drop of body lotion or hair conditioner, organic coconut oil can be used for multiple purposes once the solid (at room temperature) is warmed. Not only is it an excellent alternative for moisturizer thanks to its fatty acids (great for smoothing out wrinkles and healing dry skin), but it can also be used as conditioner by applying oil liberally throughout hair; follow by rinsing strands well with warm water.

Finally, if you run out of toothpaste or whitener, dampen your toothbrush with water, sprinkle with baking soda and brush. This pantry staple can also be used as a deodorant by dusting it under your arms alone or combined with a small amount of coconut oil. Or mix with water until it forms a loose paste and use as shampoo, then rinse hair with white or apple cider vinegar before dousing with water. And if you break out with acne, add water to baking soda for a facial mask; leave on for 30 minutes to an hour to help shrink pimples. 

If you find yourself low on lip treatments, under eye bag solutions or your skin simply needs a pick-me-up, perhaps help is right under your nose in the lettuce crisper or behind the jar of peanut butter.  What is your favorite beauty product substitution?   

Written by Chris Schmidt, who continues to strive for anti-aging and anti-acne solutions on a shoestring budget, while doing what she can both nutritionally and fitness-wise to maintain her physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.  Find out what she’s rambling about this week at alwaysthewritetime.wordpress.com.