Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers into Beauty Treatments
Use that extra butternut squash, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie to reduce wrinkles, firm your skin, and rejuvenate dry winter hair
Although your Turkey Day dinner table holds the power to add a pound (or two) to your figure, it also holds the power to brighten your skin, soften your hair, and tighten pores.
Say what?
It’s true: Many common Thanksgiving ingredients—and even some complete recipes—can double as DIY beauty treatments. So this year when you say no to seconds, you’ll both save calories and have more leftovers to turn into all-natural masks, scrubs, and soothing bath soaks. Whip up these recipes for smooth, glowing skin and soft, shiny hair.
This fall drink staple brightens the skin by regulating its pH. “A higher, or more basic, pH diminishes the skin’s ability to protect itself,” says Jasmina Aganovic, founder and CEO of skincare line Bona Clara. “Apple cider regulates the skin’s pH, plus it has high amounts of alpha-hydroxy acids that eat away at dead and dull skin.” The oats in her mask have natural cleansers called saponins that help remove dirt, oil, and other buildup, while the enzymes and vitamin C in the fresh lemon juice evens out skin tone and the brown sugar exfoliates.
Ingredients:
3/4 teaspoon apple cider
3 teaspoons ground oats
3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse brown sugar
Directions: Combine cider and oats in a bowl to form a smooth paste. Add lemon juice and sugar and stir to combine well. Apply to cleansed skin and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow ingredients to work away at the top layers of the skin. Then rub in circular motions to promote circulation and help exfoliate off dull skin cells. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
