5 All-Natural Home Remedies That Smooth Wrinkles, Fade Age Spots, and Volumize Hair
Send your body on vacation — no travel required! — by whipping up spa-inspired treatments made with a tropical fruit or two. The result? A gorgeous, rejuvenated you from head to toe.
Fade age spots with papaya.
The tropical fruit has a unique enzyme that lightens areas with discoloration for brighter-looking skin, says New York City dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. Pairing with yogurt (its lactic acid exfoliates) helps even out skin even faster.
TRY IT: Mix half a cup of mashed papaya and a quarter cup of yogurt. Apply to areas with dark spots and let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Soften rough patches with kiwi.
Kiwi is packed with vitamin C, which stimulates cell turnoverr to remove dead, dry skin-cell buildup. Plus, it has emollient properties that restore skin’s moisture levels. And you can boost the skin-smoothing results by combining kiwi with exfoliating brown sugar.
TRY IT: Mix two tablespoons of mashed kiwi and two tablespoons of brown sugar. Massage onto damp skin while showering for one minute, then rinse.
Calm rashy skin with coconut.
“Anti-inflammatory properties in the fruit’s oil soothe irritated and inflamed skin,” says Dr. Nazarian. Even better? Its lauric acid content strengthens skin’s barrier to prevent new rashes from forming.
TRY IT: Apply a quarter-size amount of coconut oil to irritated skin and let absorb.
Smooth wrinkles with mango.
Vitamin A–packed mango boosts collagen production to firm skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines. Using with hydrating honey plumps skin to “fill in” creases, stat.
TRY IT: Combine a quarter cup of pureed mango and two tablespoons of honey. Rub on areas with wrinkles; rinse after 15 minutes.
Volumize hair with passion fruit.
Passion fruit’s vitamins and minerals increase circulation to the scalp, encouraging hair growth. And adding in fatty acid–rich olive oil “swells” strands to speed results.
TRY IT: Mix a quarter cup of mashed passion fruit and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply all over damp hair. Let sit 15 minutes; rinse.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
