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Beauty

5 Surprising Beauty Benefits of Mint

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We all know mint freshens your breath, goes great in a summery cocktail, and makes a delicious ice cream flavor. But did you know you can also infuse your at-home spa-inspired treatments with this versatile herb? Here are five tips to help you become a more relaxed, refreshed, and radiant you using the beauty benefits of mint — all summer long.

Slow sweating with a mint spritz

Astringent properties in mint temporarily constrict sweat glands to decrease perspiration. And combining the plant with witch hazel whose its tannins also limit sweat production, boosts benefits.

TRY IT! Add 1 tablespoon of crushed mint leaves and 3⁄4 cup of witch hazel to a spray bottle. Spritz onto skin along areas that get sweaty once a day.

Soothe a sunburn with a mint salve

The plant’s rosmarinic acid reduces the inflammation and irritation that come with a sunburn. And mixing it with antioxidant-rich coconut oil repairs damage to speed healing.

TRY IT! Combine 2 teaspoons of chopped mint and 1 ⁄2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Rub onto areas of sunburned skin; let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Volumize limp locks with a mint rinse

Mint’s stimulant menthol props strands up and off of the scalp to outsmart volume-sapping humidity — and continues to work long after application. Plus, it leaves behind a lingering cooling sensation to keep the scalp from feeling overheated on a scorching day.

TRY IT! Steep a handful of mint leaves in 2 cups of hot water. Once cool, strain out leaves and pour the liquid onto damp hair. Massage into the scalp for 1 minute, then let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.

Mattify oily skin with a mint toner

Unique compounds in mint cut down on excess oil production, so skin won’t look greasy. Pairing it with apple cider vinegar, whose alpha hydroxy acids shrink enlarged pores, helps expedite results!

TRY IT! Mix 5 crushed mint leaves, 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1⁄2 cup of water, then add to a lidded jar. Saturate a cotton pad with the liquid and sweep onto clean, dry skin on the face once a day.

Banish belly bloat with a mint wrap

The herb’s menthol absorbs into skin and increases circulation to push out excess fluids and toxins that make the belly look puffy. Mixing with olive oil (its amino acids tighten skin) helps the tummy look slimmer even faster.

TRY IT! Mix 1 tablespoon of chopped mint leaves and 1⁄4 cup of olive oil. Apply mixture onto the belly; wrap loosely with plastic wrap (this encourages fluid-flushing sweat). Let sit 15 minutes; remove and rinse skin.

Grow your own mint — easily!

Because mint is an aggressive grower, it’s best to plant the herb in containers to keep it from taking over your garden. To do: Fill a pot with well-draining soil, remove mint seedlings from their plastic nursery pots, then nestle the roots into the soil. Place in a sunny spot and water regularly. Bonus: Ingesting the herb has been shown to improve digestion, boost metabolism, and ease any inflammation in the body, so you’ll look and feel great in no time! To reap the health and beauty benefits of mint, add to iced tea, lemonade, smoothies, and more.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.

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