How to Use Eggs for Hair, Skin, and More

Got a few extra eggs? Use ’em to make these turn-back-the-clock beauty remedies to look younger in no time.

Firm crepey skin with egg + avocado.

“Albumin, the protein in egg whites, helps improve skin’s elasticity and also promotes cell regeneration, growth, and repair to diminish the appearance of crinkly skin,” says dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD. Combined with avocado (its creamy fats deeply hydrate and plump skin for a tauter look) and yogurt (its lactic acid gently exfoliates), skin will look smooth and crease-free in a jiffy.

Try it: Combine 1 egg white, half an avocado, and 2 tsp. of plain yogurt. Apply onto crepey areas like the chest and let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat two to three times a week to reveal firmer skin in as little as three weeks.

Thicken hair with egg + oil.

Egg yolk’s biotin strengthens strands at the root to thwart shedding while also encouraging healthy new growth, explains Dr. Jaliman. And adding in olive oil (its amino acids reduce the breakage that makes hair look thin) boosts the benefits.

Try it: In a bowl, combine 1 egg yolk and 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Apply to damp hair from roots to ends, then cover with a shower cap. Let sit for 15 minutes; rinse. Use twice a week for thicker tresses in less than a month.

Shrink pores with egg + honey-lemon.

Astringent properties in egg whites constrict pores to reduce excess oil production and help create the look of smoother skin, says Dr. Jaliman. Combine with lemon juice (its citric acid unclogs pores) and honey (a humectant) to speed results.

Try it: Mix 1 egg white, 1 tsp. of lemon juice and 1 tsp. of honey. Saturate a cotton pad with the liquid and swipe over enlarged pores; rinse after 10 minutes. Use daily; store leftovers in the fridge for one week.

Soften skin with egg + coconut oil.

“Eggshells can be used as an exfoliator to gently remove dead, dry skin cells,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Plus, minerals in eggshells, like calcium, help repair damaged skin.” Pair it with coconut oil (it hydrates) for silky skin in seconds.

Try it: Grind 2 eggshells in a blender until pulverized, then mix with 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil. Massage onto damp skin; rinse. Repeat once a week for smoother skin.

Strengthen nails with egg + jojoba.

Hydrating fatty acids in egg yolks deeply moisturize the nail bed to reduce brittleness while their proteins encourage healthy nail growth. Mix yolks with jojoba oil (its vitamin E repairs damage), and nails will be stronger in a flash.

Try it: Combine 1 egg yolk with 1 Tbsp. of jojoba oil. Massage onto cuticles and let sit for 10 minutes; rinse with warm water. Use three times a week for results in two weeks.