Nature is your skin's best friend, and its worst enemy. You get a dose of vitamin D just by being outside, but environmental toxins, the sun's ultra violet rays, and allergies can send your beauty regime into overdrive. Brand name beauty products can be expensive; and they don't always do what they promise.
You can save money with drugstore beauty creams and let Mother Nature take care of the rest.
More: Beauty on the Go
Wipe Out Wrinkles
Drugstore creams with antioxidants such as soy or green tea extract, vitamins A, B3, C and E, offer affordable options for beautiful skin. Work from the inside out by eating a half cup of raw red bell peppers, they have twice as much free-radical fighting
vitamin C, and a third less calories than a medium orange.
Allies for Puffy Eyes
Besides exercise and diet, there isn't much you can do about puffy eyes. Aging eye ligaments weaken and cause fat to slip down. Combine that with thinning skin and you get bulging under-eye circles. A gentle face massage will help drain excess fluid. A generic antihistamine will help reduce swelling due to allergies. Baby shampoo contains lauric acid, which is non-toxic, making it safe for eye-makeup removal.
Bright Hair Brew
Bring out highlights in dyed or natural hair with a tea rinse. Chamomile polishes blond hair, black tea brightens brunettes, and red tea restores red hair's natural luster. Saturate your locks with 8 oz. of cool tea. Leave the tea in your hair for 15 to 30 minutes. Then rinse with water.
More: The Everything Guide to Tea
Lighten Up Dark Spots
Sunscreen is the most affordable and effective way to
protect your skin from dark spots. Lycopene, an antioxidant found in orange and red produce, is a natural sunscreen. Half of a pink grapefruit is a rich source, and it's all you need for added sun protection. To diminish spots and protect your skin from environmental damage, make a mask with yogurt, strawberries and lemon juice.
More: How to be Safe in the Sun
Banish Bothersome Blemishes
Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy that gently exfoliates your skin. Applying a thin layer for 10 minutes will help clear clogged pours. Collard greens are a rich source of vitamin A, which normalizes oil production and keeps glands free of debris. Capers contain quercetin; just two tablespoons a week will help calm inflammation and act as an antihistamine.
Bolster your body with these fiscal-friendly tips, and your beauty will see a positive return on your investment.
More: How to Be Confident, Sexy and Happy
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