Cooking essentials are my beauty essentials

Some of my friends were asking me what's my secret for having a smooth and healthy skin. They were thinking that I am a high maintenance lady who disposes a lot of money buying branded beauty products. I told them that my secret lies not on the salons and cosmetic shelves on supermarkets but in my kitchen cabinets.  Yes, you heard me right! You're kitchen can be a very good source of recipes to keep you all glowing and beautiful! 

I am already tired of using beauty products that only give us false hopes and more harm than good. In addition, it is hard for me to find beauty products here because the labels are not written in English.  So, I decided to be natural and organic; aside from being free of chemicals it is less expensive and can be bought even in the wet market. So, why spend a lot of money on pricey salons and beauty products when you can find the beauty recipes up on your kitchen shelves?

Here is the list of the cooking essentials that I've been using as my beauty recipe.

1. Water

Cliche as it may sound, but water is undeniably the most effective recipe for a healthy skin.  It flushes out toxins and keeps your skin hydrated. It helps maintain skin elasticity and suppleness and moisturizes your skin inside and out.

My routine: I drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day. My trick is that I always replenish water in my body every after I make water.

2. Honey

Honey, as we all know, is commonly used as a substitute for sugar or flavor enhancer for food, but a few only knows that it can also be a substitute for facial mask and skin care product. Honey is known to be an anti-oxidant which promotes younger-looking healthy skin by slowing down part of the natural aging process.  Honey can help you carry out the sweet-sixteen look by brightening the skin and preventing skin discoloration.  

My routine: I put honey on my face 3-4 times a week after steaming and exfoliating. I leave it on my face for 30 minutes, depending on how tolerant you are to sticky stuffs, then rinse it with my favorite cleanser and cold water. Sometimes, I mix brown sugar with it for exfoliation.

Note: Put a label on your honey jar! My husband sometimes fails to remember that it's for my face, not for his tongue! :p

3. Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is an effective sweetener not only for food but also for the skin. It is necessary that you exfoliate your skin on a regular basis to achieve a healthy and glowing skin. Based on experience, sugar scrubbing is the best and gentle way to exfoliate the skin just about anywhere on your body.  

They are less dehydrating than salt scrubs and can be used by all skin types.

My routine: After mixing an ample amount of brown sugar with 1 tsp honey(depending on how small/big your face is), I scrub it on my damp face for 1-2 minutes, concentrating on rough patches.  Sometimes I substitute virgin olive oil for honey if I want my face to be slightly oily the next day. You can also use this for the body, but I suggest mixing the brown sugar with olive oil for this. The texture of my skin is so smooth the next day or even after doing it. 

Note:  Never forget to apply moisturizers after using this scrub to prevent water loss. The skin on your face is very delicate so be moderate on doing sugar scrubs. 

4. Milk

Aside from drinking milk, you can also use it as facial toner solution. Since the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra's era, using milk for skin has been an ancient treatment.  I've read a lot of stories that she took milk baths to maintain her radiant skin.  The natural ingredients found in milk can help to exfoliate and revitalize your skin, making it feeling soft and supple. I've used this procedure when I was still younger, and maybe you want to also try it.

My routine: I dip 2-3 cotton balls into the bowl of milk and squeeze out the excess, and then I apply the milk to my face and leave on for at least 15 minutes. I rinse it with my favorite facial wash and tepid water.

Note:   Make sure that there is no milk residue left on your face to keep bacteria growth from happening.  Consult a physician first before using this procedure if you have a dairy or milk allergy. Don't blame me if your allergy might trigger by doing this; you are responsible for your own skin. :p

5. Egg

You can't beat an egg face mask when it comes to simplicity and effectiveness.   

"When you dab egg white on your face, then your face will be covered by a thin liquid that will dry up. At the time of drying, the protein layer will lose its water content as it evaporates, so that the lining will pull your skin and give skin tightening effect immediately." - cheerful-life.com 

My routine: The egg mask routine is as simple as the ABC. I just beat an egg and massage the egg white all over my face and decollete using my fingertips. I leave it for a few minutes until it dries up and then rinse it with tepid water. 

Note:  Egg white is known to dry out the skin, so it is advisable to put moisturizer afterwards. You can use the egg yolk if you have dry skin. 

6. Lemon

In my experience, the best ingredient for skin lightening is lemon and PATIENCE.  This yellow fruit is the reason why I have an even skin tone - from face to toes. I know that some girls are having skin pigmentation problems on some skin areas like: knees, armpit, inner thigh, and elbows. I've been there, done that. I diligently researched about how to ditch this skin problem.  I have already used a variety of whitening creams and even gave over money for dermatologists' false promises but nothing happened, some had even worsen my skin problem. My former colleague advised me to try putting lemon juice on the affected areas. I did not listen until I had no choice but to try it here. And voila! It is really effective.  I also use lemon juice to remove scar from my skin asthma.

My routine: Before taking a shower, I put lemon juice to my elbows, knees, inner thighs and pimple scar (if there is any).  I  leave it on for 15-30 minutes, depending on how I can tolerate the unpleasantness of its stickiness.  

Note:  Don't put lemon juice on fresh scars or rashes because it will aggravate the skin more. You may dilute the lemon juice with a little water if your skin is sensitive to citric acid in lemons.  Never apply lemon juice to your skin before sun exposure as it makes the skin extra sensitive to the sun's rays. 

7. Turmeric powder

While my husband was making curry powder for his chicken curry, I was thoroughly looking to the the orange colored powder and realized that there's something vaguely familiar about it. I remembered reading an article in the internet about skin whitening and encountered the word turmeric. I researched it again and found out that, combined with lemon juice, it is an effective way to lighten dark spots. I tried it for weeks and it really made wonders. My dark spots has really lightened after a series of patience and tolerance. Turmeric powder is the super skin care spice as they call it.  I put this paste only when I don't have schedules going out as its stain is hard to remove.

My routine: I mix one pinch of turmeric powder in a 1 tsp lemon juice to make a paste. I massage the paste on the affected areas and leave it for at least 15 min. I rinse it thoroughly with sugar, soap and water when taking a bath.

Note:  Turmeric powder will leave a yellow stain on your skin so it is advisable to take it off with olive oil with a warm cloth.  I usually do this procedure bare-skinned so that I won't not leave stain on fabrics.

8. Garlic

Garlic is a natural potent herb not only for health care but also for skin care.  It is a great way to treat and reduce acne scars because it has natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties.  Since I don't have acne, I only use this procedure when I have premenstrual pimple.

My routine: When I feel that a pimple is trying to grow on my skin, without delay I rub it with garlic slice several times.  My pimple stops from growing and sometimes heals. 

Note: Be careful not to put your hands with garlic on your eyes. Test a small patch of skin before using as with all other herbal treatments.

9. Olive oil

Thinking that olive oil is greasy, you might be afraid of applying oil to your face.  Oil is not to be blamed for your pimples, zits, blackheads, whiteheads...these are caused by different factors including hormones, bacteria or dead skin cells.  Olive oil has been used since the age-old times not only for culinary and therapeutic uses but also for skin regimen. This treatment is best during winter.

My routine:  I frequently use olive oil for my skin, hair and lips. I usually mix olive oil with brown sugar to exfoliate my skin. After doing this, I gently wipe the excess oil from my skin and rinse it with tepid water.  Sometimes, I splash some cold water on my face.  Believe me, I've been using olive oil for several months now and it's making a huge difference.  

Note: If you feel that your skin is itching after frequent application of olive oil on your skin, you better stop immediately.  Olive trees produce pollen that can cause seasonal allergy for some people.

10. Cucumber

The biggest problem of my face is my puffy eyes! I've tried several eye creams but none of them worked.  I got worried on my wedding day because my exhaustion had been manifested in my eye bags.  I had  no choice but to put a slice of cucumber on each of my eyes before taking a shower. It has somehow managed to relieve my puffy eyes in a little way - better than never.

My routine:  Of course, I make sure that the cucumber is cold and clean before putting it on my eyes. I put two slices of cucumber on my shut eyes and recline for 15 minutes. 

Note: Never leave the cucumber slices on your eyes for so long. I've tried putting cucumber on my eyes for an hour and I ended up having skin rashes perfectly shaped like the cucumbers I put on. Be careful not to extend the "leave-on" time. :p

If you have better suggestion or advice, feel free to comment below.  Maybe you can help our sisters out there! :)