6 Fall Spices That Smooth Wrinkles, Reverse Hair Thinning, Fade Age Spots, and More
When fall rolls around, we always make sure to have plenty of nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon on hand for baking all our favorite apple and pumpkin treats. But did you know that adding these nutrient-packed fall spices into spa-inspired beauty treatments can leave you glowing from head to toe in no time? Here’s how to make the most of those pantry staples — and as a bonus, your kitchen will smell amazing when you’re whipping them up!
Smooth wrinkles with nutmeg.
Chock-full of vitamin A, nutmeg spurs collagen production to firm skin. “Its unique compounds also plump skin to ‘fill in’ creases,” says Heather Wilson, a holistic beauty expert at the East West Essentials clinic in Beverly Hills. Pairing with exfoliating yogurt and hydrating honey boosts the anti-aging benefits. Here’s how: Mix two tablespoons of yogurt, two teaspoons of ground nutmeg, and one teaspoon of honey. Rub on skin and let sit 15 minutes before rinsing.
Reverse hair thinning with ginger.
The antioxidants in ginger strengthen follicles to thwart shedding, while its vitamins thicken the diameter of strands for fuller-looking locks. And mixing with olive oil adds a hydrated sheen to hair. Simply combine two teaspoons of powdered ginger and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply all over damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Fade age spots with turmeric.
Turmeric’s skin-brightening compounds and vitamin C help lighten the dark spots and halt excess pigment production to prevent new ones from forming. Combining with jojoba oil (it further brightens skin) evens out discoloration faster. To do: Mix a quarter teaspoon of powdered turmeric and two teaspoons of jojoba oil. Dab on spots; let sit 15 minutes, then rinse.
Plump thin lips with cinnamon.
Cinnamon increases blood flow to lips, “swelling” them for an instantly plumper look. Even better? The spice’s age-defying compounds promote new collagen formation for long-term volumizing benefits. For bonus plumping, mix with coconut oil. Its lauric acid deeply hydrates, helping lips appear even fuller in seconds! Just mix a half tablespoon of coconut oil and one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Apply to lips and rinse after two minutes.
Soften rough patches with sage.
Sage’s ursolic acid whisks away dead skin cells, while its vitamins and minerals generate new ones for softer skin, says Wilson. Mixing it with oatmeal (it exfoliates) and almond oil (it moisturizes) speeds results. Here’s how: Combine one teaspoon of dried sage, two tablespoons of oatmeal, and two tablespoons of almond oil. Rub on damp skin for one minute; rinse.
Nix shadows, whiten teeth, and heal scars with clove!
Dark shadows under your eyes? Stained teeth from drinking coffee and red wine? Scars that won’t seem to go away? Clove can help!
For under-eye shadows, clove’s compounds increase circulation to move stagnant fluids that pool and create dark circles underneath the eyes. Just put two steeped, cooled clove tea bags on top of your eyes for 10 minutes, then rinse.
To whiten your teeth, combine a fourth teaspoon of ground clove and a half teaspoon of water. Brush on teeth for one minute, then rinse. The gritty spice whisks away mild surface stains, while its antibacterial properties cut down on tooth-discoloring plaque.
The antioxidants in clove absorb into skin, boosting blood flow to mend damaged tissue and scars. Just mix a teaspoon of ground clove and half teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Apply to scars, then rinse after 15 minutes.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
