Top 5 Vegan Beauty Secrets Found in Your Kitchen

Tucked away in your kitchen cupboards are some of the Earth’s best-kept beauty secrets. These readily available items can be used to make over your beauty routine for cruelty-free, naturally beautifying and wallet-friendly results.

1. Avocados

Containing vitamins A, D, and E, this humble fruit can help improve your skin’s complexion and treat sun damage. Avocados have also been known to display antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent breakouts. They’re great for making moisturising masks for your hair and face as well as soothing eye creams and skin-softening body creams.

Avocado Hair Mask
1 avocado, mashed
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. sea salt
1 Tbsp. aloe juice or gel or 2 tsp. olive oil (infused with rose petals, if desired)

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until a paste is formed.
• Apply to dampened hair and leave in for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Tip: If the mixture is too runny, thicken by adding wheat flour or finely ground, uncooked oatmeal.

Makes 1 hair mask

2. Coconut Oil

This tropical treat is a one-stop shop for DIY beauty products and can be used in face creams, makeup removers, deodorants, hair products, lip balms, scrubs, and soaks. It is 50 percent lauric acid, which promotes a healthy metabolism, and has antibacterial and antifungal attributes.

Coconut Oil Deodorant
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 Tbsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 drops tea tree oil

• Combine all the ingredients together, then dab onto desired areas.

Makes enough for about 10 applications

3. Pumpkin

Filled with antioxidants, zinc, and vitamins, pumpkin is nourishing for dry and tired skin.

Pumpkin Body Scrub
1/4 cup cooked puréed pumpkin
1/4 cup brown or raw sugar
Cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. (To spice it up, sprinkle in some cinnamon and nutmeg.)
• Apply to your body using a damp cloth. Scrub using circular motions and rinse with warm water.

Makes enough for 1 treatment

4.Green and Black Tea Bags

Green and black tea bags contain anti-irritant properties to help soothe puffy eyes.

Tea Bag Eye Treatment
2 green or black tea bags

• Dampen the tea bags in cold water for 3 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water and place in the freezer until cold to the touch.
• Place on your eyes for about 20 minutes. Rinse your face with cold water after using.

Makes enough for 1 treatment

5. Oatmeal

Oats are highly absorptive and hypoallergenic, which means that they’re great for softening the skin. Oatmeal works well as an exfoliating agent and as a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin.

Oatmeal Facial Cleanser
1 Tbsp. oatmeal
Warm water, for mixing

• Grind the oatmeal in a food processor or coffee grinder. Combine in a small bowl with a small amount of warm water until a paste is formed.
• Massage into your skin before rinsing with warm water. Follow with a moisturizer.

Makes enough for 1 treatment

Posted by intern Liselle Finlay