Like many girls out there, I can be considered a product junkie. I love trying new hair and skin cosmetics to find what works and what doesn’t. Sadly, my product obsession has resulted in a lot of wasted money and lackluster results. However, past disappointments never deter me from my search to find the perfect product. Through my journey of product discovery, I have found a few dependable methods that keep my hair and skin healthy. What are these methods? Homemade beauty remedies! Many of you may have already discovered the centuries old benefits of homemade beauty remedies, while some of you may still be unaware. The true beauty of these remedies is not only the cost, but the fact that these mixtures are effective without the addition of damaging chemicals that are added to manufactured cosmetics.

At first, it may be weird to put ingredients that you typically cook with in your hair and on your skin. Fortunately, you will eventually get used to the odd textures and smells after a couple of uses. Here are 5 tried and true homemade beauty remedies for your hair and skin. The ingredients in each remedy can be found in your kitchen.

Egg White Face Mask
Ingredients: 1 egg
Directions: Grab two bowls, a fork, and a whisk. Tap the fork against one side of the egg, in order to make a small crack. Allow the clear egg white liquid to drip out into one of the bowls. After all of the egg white has oozed out of the egg, break the egg in half and pour the yellow egg yolk into the other, unused bowl and dispose of the shell. You will no longer need the yellow egg yolk for this mask, so feel free to cook it for a snack! Whisk the egg white mixture and apply it to your face. Allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes then rinse.
Benefits: Minimizes acne and makes skin smooth and soft. Use weekly for maximum results.

Peanut Butter Hair Conditioner
Ingredients: ½ cup of peanut butter, a varied amount of extra virgin olive oil and raw honey
Directions: Grab a bowl and a food beater. Mix the ½ cup of peanut butter with a several drops of olive oil and honey in your bowl. Use your food beater to purée the mixture. Test the mixture with your finger to insure that it is not too runny. The finished mixture should be both light and creamy. After you are sure the mixture is the right consistency, apply it to your hair and leave on for an hour, then rinse. Feel free to apply a warm towel to aid the mixture in penetrating your hair shaft.
Benefits: The protein in peanut butter strengthens your hair shaft, while the olive oil and honey moisturizes. Use weekly for maximum results.

Olive Oil and Honey Conditioner
Ingredients: ½ cup of olive oil, ½ cup of raw honey
Directions: Mix the olive oil and honey in a bowl and microwave for about 5-10 seconds. After testing the mixture with your hand, apply it to your hair and leave on for 1 hour-overnight. When done, rinse and style as usual or follow with a light conditioner.
Benefits: The Olive Oil and Honey is a great moisturizing conditioner. After use, your hair will be restored of moisture and shine. Use weekly for maximum results.

Brown Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:1 cup of brown sugar (use as needed)
Directions: After getting out of the shower, lightly dry your skin with a towel. Make sure your skin is still damp and rub the brown sugar into your skin until soft. Rinse and apply lotion.
Benefits: The brown sugar helps exfoliate and soften your skin. Use weekly to bi-weekly for maximum results.

Cornmeal Face Mask
Ingredients: ½ cup of cornmeal
Directions: Apply the cornmeal to your face and allow to sit for 15-20min then rinse.
Benefits: This mask will shrink pores and refresh your skin. Use bi-weekly for maximum results.

By: Angel Mills | Image: Source