Before starting this blog, I didn’t know a lot about do-it-yourself projects, especially those involving beauty and skin care. After trying out an egg and olive oil treatment on my hair as a kid—and living through the embarrassment of having greasy hair for days—I stopped experimenting with at-home remedies. Now it’s my favorite thing to test out different ingredients and share.
Got a fruit or veggie? Yep, I’ll find a way to put the food on my face, although I did stop sharing pictures of myself with masks on (thanks to the hubby).
As I get older, getting compliments on my skin (which I attribute to my coconut oil moisturizing regimen) totally makes my day. I love telling people that I slather myself in coconut oil!
What food do you love putting on your face? Here are 15 of my favorite kitchen beauty ingredients.
1. Coconut oil
Benefits: Coconut oil has a hundred uses, from helping to boost circulation to healing injured skin [source]. It’s also a great source of antioxidants and energy [source], enables you to cope with stress [source], and is an anti-inflammatory that can moisturize and protect your skin [source].
So not only should you be ingesting it, I highly recommend adding coconut oil to your beauty routine. It does cause some people to breakout on their face, but that shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying coconut oil’s benefits elsewhere.
How I use it: It works well as a key ingredient in any lip gloss recipe and even in my mani. And did I mention it does wonders with stretch marks?
Other ideas: You could also make your own deodorant, soap, moisturizer, and body scrub using coconut oil. You can also successfully use coconut oil to condition your hair.
2. Yogurt
Benefits: Your body will love the “good” bacteria in yogurt. But it’s not just your digestion and immunity that benefit. Yogurt also comes with a good dose of calcium and vitamin D, enough for an adult’s daily need. Even better if it’s Greek yogurt, which has additional protein.
Choose the plain kind without added fruit, because those are high in sugar content. You can always add your own fresh fruit, which tastes better anyway.
How I use it: The moisturizing Greek yogurt face mask is one of my favorite ways of pampering myself, as is this at-home facial. Here are 7 ways to use yogurt in your beauty routine.
Other ideas: Boost your dark hair color with yogurt, or mix it with strawberry for a delicious face mask.
3. Brown sugar
Benefits: There may not be much nutritional value in it, but you can’t beat the taste and texture of brown sugar. And what would baking be without it? But, fortunately, it also makes one of the best scrub bases out there!
How I use it: The pumpkin spice facial wouldn’t be the same without brown sugar, and the same goes for the cellulite scrub or my date night secret weapon.
Other ideas: It goes well with almonds for body scrubs, with essential oils for calming purposes, and with vanilla to smooth your lips.
4. Coffee
Benefits: Few of us can truly start a day before having a cup of coffee. But, apparently, coffee also improves cholesterol, which lowers the risk of heart attacks [source]. Think about that the next time you order a latte (but watch the other ingredients you add in because they can do the opposite).
How I use it: Coffee grounds can be mixed with brown sugar to beat cellulite! (A recycling dream come true.) These coconut coffee scrub bars are also amazing.
Other ideas: Many choose to make soap with coffee—this vanilla latte sounds delightful, while this kitchen soap seems so useful! Other ideas I love are an energizing body scrub, bronzing butter bars, a foot treatment with bananas, and this coffee mask for puffy eyes.
5. Baking soda
Benefits: We use it for baking and cleaning, but this wonder powder can do just about anything. Baking soda can be used as an all-natural cold & flu remedy, to relieve sunburn, cure stinky feet, and even protect your teeth.
How I use it: Baking soda is a great exfoliator, so I always include it in my 4-step facial. And I learned that washing your hair with baking soda will remove some of the color in your hair—it was a real lifesaver when I dyed my hair dark. WAY too dark.
Other ideas: You can make various bath bombs with baking soda or simply add it to your bath soak. Toothpaste and deodorant can be made on the cheap with this basic kitchen ingredient plus coconut oil. And it can also replace shampoo!
6. Honey
Benefits: What can’t that little honey bear do? Used in healing for ages, honey contains powerful antioxidants with antiseptic and antibacterial properties [source]. And you should definitely try local honey to help with allergies!
How I use it: It can be used in any season, from my autumn pumpkin apple mask to the summer sandal foot mask. It also works in lip scrubs, or face wash, and as an acne treatment.
Other ideas: Body scrubs offer infinite possibilities! You can also put honey on your hair or in the bathtub.
7. Turmeric
Benefits: This richly colored Indian spice is a powerful antioxidant, and it has even been connected with blocking cancerous cells. Turmeric is also recommended in joint pain and as an anti-inflammatory [source].
How I use it: In a quick and easy face mask, it can create that glowing skin.
Other ideas: Turmeric is also said to reduce wrinkles [source]. You can use this gorgeous spice to add color to bath bombs and soothe sensitive teeth.
8. Chocolate
Benefits: Everyone’s favorite treat contributes to a healthier heart and reduces stress. What’s even more surprising is that dark chocolate can prevent diabetes and even induce weight loss [source].
How I use it: When I’m not eating chocolate, I make it into mint chocolate soap or face masks.
Other ideas: You could try lip gloss, a decadent face mask, or chocolate milk bath.
9. Pineapple
Benefits: All those vitamins and minerals it contains are doubled in benefits by its low cholesterol and fat. Pineapple keeps your gums and eyes healthy, has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties [source], and it strengthens the bones. The high concentration of bromelain in pineapple reduces inflammation, swelling and bruising.
How I use it: Nothing compares to an exotic treat such as the pineapple and papaya facial.
Other ideas: Use the peel for body scrubs or mix it with honey for a delightful facial. You can also try pineapple in this age spot face mask that your skin will adore.
10. Vanilla
Benefits: While the Mayans believed vanilla to have aphrodisiac qualities, we now know for sure that it’s beneficial for nervous system functioning [source] and body metabolism.
How I use it: Aphrodisiac or not, vanilla is a major ingredient in my beloved man magnet body spray. It’s also perfect in bath salts and sugar scrubs and makes a great gift as soap made with dried roses.
Other ideas: Homemade soap is always a good idea, as is a good body scrub and a homemade solid perfume.
11. Kosher salt
Benefits: This perfectly natural mineral gets a bad rap sometimes, but your body needs it! Salt helps the body regulate the electrolyte balance in your cells. I happen to be a fan of kosher salt because it contains no additives.
How I use it: First, I make myself a margarita… and then this refreshing body scrub.
Other ideas: Get beachy hair at home with a simple salt spray, make your own shaving scrub, or try this herbal bath soak.
12. Oats
Benefits: Aside from your morning jar of overnight oats, you might want to upgrade this cereal to a trusted DIY beauty ingredient. Oats can help regulate your skin’s pH levels, relieve redness and itchiness when used in the bath, and turns out to be helpful in treating many different dermatologic conditions [source]. Moreover, it gently exfoliates, making it ideal for face scrubs.
How I use it: This oatmeal bath soak is perfect when you’ve had too much fun in the sun.
Other ideas: You can start with cleansing grains, then move to a face mask, continue with a scalp scrub, and even use oatmeal for soapmaking.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Benefits: Isn’t ACV the best? Yes. Potassium, pectin, malic acid, calcium, enzymes, proteins, and good bacteria all contribute to what makes apple cider vinegar so versatile.
How I use it: An at-home skin peel made with ACV and applesauce is still my favorite facial treatment.
Other ideas: ACV can be used for acne, as a toner, as well as on your hair.
14. Green Tea
Benefits: There are different teas you can use in your beauty routine, but antioxidant-rich green tea is by far our favorite. And while drinking a cup of hot green tea is definitely a health booster, you’ll love all the ways you can use green tea for your skin and hair to reverse the effects of aging [source].
How I use it: In summer, this cucumber and green tea mist is my go-to. Mixed with another favorite ingredient, coconut oil, this whipped moisturizer is always reliable.
Other ideas: Use green tea to amp the SPF of your lip balm or sunscreen, regenerate your skin with a mask or body wash, and don’t forget your hair either.
15. Olive Oil
Benefits: Olive oil is an antioxidant and antibacterial, it’s filled with vitamins A, D, E, and K, and of course, it’s moisturizing. It appears that applying olive oil to the skin after sun exposure might even fight cancer cells [source]. And while drizzling olive oil on your salad might make it tastier, using it in your homemade beauty routine might be even better.
How I use it: I still love using olive oil to deep condition my hair.
Other ideas: Use an olive oil based facial cleanser for its anti-aging properties or make a DIY makeup remover. You can also make scrubs for your feet or for cellulite, and even use olive oil in your home manicure.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Love this list and I’m so glad to have a fellow coconut oil mega fan. I use it for EVERYTHING from face and hair to diaper rash and sticky goo removal. It’s amazing!
I hadn’t thought of it for diaper rash! Awesome idea.
Great roundup, Steph! So useful. Last week my hairdresser gave me all sorts of cool homemade recipes to use on my curly hair and now I am totally hooked on using natural products that we have around the home as beauty ingredients!!! xx
Yes to all of these! And thanks for the shout out! xo
Brilliant post! A pineapple and honey facial sounds amazing right now, although I think I might end up eating it before I get a chance to put it on my face…
Oh these are great! and I’m proud to say I’m regularly using most of them… except turmeric for a mask!?! Will have to try this over the weekend!! One of my faves is coffee + brown sugar + sweet almond oil = scrub. And you live with no need for lotion ever after!
I’m not a DIYer, especially not with food. I’d rather eat it, haha :D But I must say that I’ve heard great things about the use coconut oil and a few other kitchen ingredients in masks ertc :) x
I love this post! A very practical and great roundup, Stephanie.
Beautiful round up Stephanie. I love using food in beauty treatments because it doesn’t matter if it accidentally goes in my mouth! LOL Just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed your posts this year. Have always enjoyed your blog but just lately, all your ideas are so fresh and original and the photos have just been beautiful. You’re so creative Stephanie and your blog has become like a favourite glossy magazine and I look forward to seeing what you’ve created every day. Good on you.
Anne xx
Aww, Anne, you made my day. Thank you m’dear! I think you are pretty darn creative too – dare I say genius in the kitchen? I always enjoy seeing the clever things you’ve cooked up! :)