8 Kitchen Leftovers That Double as DIY Beauty Treatments

Love pampering yourself, but don’t want to shell out cash every time you feel like giving yourself a little TLC? Look no further than your kitchen! Instead of tossing out leftovers like egg whites, veggie peels, and coffee grounds, you can use these nutrient-packed foods in DIY beauty treatments. You’ll be surprised by how ordinary kitchen staples can leave you rejuvenated and radiant!

Smooth crow’s-feet with egg whites.

The combination of amino acids and protein in egg whites tightens skin so fine lines are less apparent, says New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman, M.D. Add moisturizing honey into the mix to speed skin-smoothing results. To do: Whisk the whites from one egg for one minute until slightly frothy. Add two teaspoons of honey and mix. Apply around the eyes with a cotton swab and let sit for five minutes before rinsing with cool water.

Fade age spots with parsley stems.

Parsley’s leafy green stems are packed with a unique bleach-like compound that lightens discoloration. When paired with exfoliating yogurt, it brightens your skin even faster. To make your own age spot fader, puree the stems from a bunch of parsley in a blender. Combine with a quarter cup of plain yogurt. Dab onto spots and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Slim a double chin with coffee grounds.

“Diuretic caffeine in the brew’s grounds draws out excess fluids from skin, depuffing the area underneath the chin,” says Dr. Jaliman. When mixed with moisturizing olive oil, skin along the jaw will appear tauter — stat! Want to give it a try? Mix two tablespoons of brewed coffee grounds with one tablespoon of olive oil. Rub onto skin from the jawline down to the neck. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Reverse thinning hair with apple core.

There are some wonderful tools (like these brushes) for thinning hair, but you can beef up your mane routine with apples. Packed with hair-fortifying B vitamins, apple cores strengthen strands at the root to thwart fallout, plus increases circulation to the scalp to encourage new hair growth. Combining with sea salt (its granules help unclog hair follicles) and sunflower oil (its antioxidants further fortify hair) helps strands look healthier and more youthful in no time. Here’s how: Mix one pureed apple core with one tablespoon of sea salt and half a tablespoon of sunflower oil. Apply throughout damp hair, and then massage into scalp for one minute. Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Firm crepey skin with carrot peel.

High amounts of vitamin A in carrot skin encourage collagen and elastin production to firm up loose skin. To up the anti-aging benefits, combine it with coconut oil. Its antioxidants repair damaged cells while its hydrating fatty acids make skin appear more supple. To incorporate this crepey skin beauty food into your routine, finely chop the peel from one carrot and mix with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage onto areas with saggy skin, like the chest; let sit for 15 minutes, and rinse.

Nix yellow nails with baking soda.

The mildly abrasive powder buffs away surface stains so nails appear whiter. Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with two teaspoons of water. Gently scrub onto nails with a toothbrush for one minute, and then rinse.

Soften rough skin with brown sugar.

Fine granules in the sugar slough off dry patches for baby-soft skin in no time. Add two teaspoons of brown sugar to a palmful of body wash. Rub on skin while showering for one minute. and your skin will be silky smooth.

Heal chapped lips with milk.

Milk’s protein and fat content moisturize and repair skin, while its lactic acid removes dead cells to rejuvenate lips. Soak a cotton pad with milk and place on your pucker for five minutes before rinsing away.

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