Great skin can be achieved with quality skin care, but not everything you treat your skin with has to be made in a lab. On the contrary, nature is abundant with goodies that are not only good for your nutrition, but your skin as well!

That’s right, chances are your house is filled with nutrients that can go straight from the fridge or the pantry and onto your face.

Even better, most of them don’t require any super-complicated preparation – in fact, many can be used topically.

Cucumber

There’s a reason why “skin pampering” immediately evokes images of women lounging around with cucumber slices covering their eyes.

This super fresh veggie is composed of whopping 96% water, making it ideal for every occasion when your skin is feeling a little parched.

Moreover, cucumber can help with a host of different skin care concerns.

For example, if your under-eye area is feeling particularly tired and a little dark of puffy, simply slap on two pieces of cucumber peel and if will help reduce the puffiness and bring circulation back into the skin.

On the other hand, if your dermis is experiencing dryness or dehydration, cucumber can be a great way to restore moisture levels in the skin and bring back that dewy effect into your complexion. Another upside to using cucumber for hydrating your skin is that is can be beneficial for virtually all types – especially the oily one.

Due to its soothing properties, cucumber can also act as a natural reliever for irritated or inflamed skin. It can be a life-saver if you’re skin is burnt after a long day in the sun or if you’re experiencing any other kind of irritation.

Egg Whites

The thought of putting eggs on your face might seem a little unappealing at first, but when you find out about all the superpower of this little wonder of nature, you’ll quickly change your mind.

One half of the egg is especially good for the skin – egg whites.

This goopy substance possesses skin firming and pore-tightening properties, making it an ideal treatment for people who are looking to simultaneously battle signs of oily and aging skin.

And best of all, it’s super-easy to treat your skin to all off egg white’s benefits.

Simply crack an egg or two and separate the yolk from the white. Whisk the egg white well, until you reach fluffy, foamy consistency.

Use your fingers to apply it onto the face, avoiding the eye and the mouth area.

Leave it on for about 10 minutes – you will feel your skin tightening as the egg whites dry.

Rinse it off with lukewarm water and you will unravel firmer skin, less visible pores and more balanced complexion all in one.

Honey

There are few 100% natural ingredients that are as nourishing for the skin as honey.

Honey holds anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and treat aggravated skin.

Moreover, honey is packed with moisture, and even a single use can greatly improve your skin’s H2O levels.

One of the best things about using honey in skin care is the fact that this wonder of nature is incredibly mild, which means it can suit even the most hyper-sensitive skin types.

Honey as a cosmetic tool can work in a multitude of ways: you can use it to cleanse, moisturize and spot-treat your skin.

As a cleanser, it is supposed to be applied onto wet skin, as this assists the cleansing process. Take a teaspoon amount and use your fingers to warm it up and melt away the makeup. When you’re done massaging and cleansing your skin, rinse honey with lukewarm water, then restore the pH balance in your skin with a hydrating toner.

It can also work as a moisturizing mask to make your skin more supple and glowing. Simply grab a tablespoon of raw organic honey and spread it onto freshly cleansed skin. Keep on for 20 minutes, then rinse with water and apply your regular moisturizer. You skin will instantly become soft and dewy.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of Mother Nature’s most versatile ingredient – other than being a supper yummy edition to any dish, it can also do wonders for your hair, nails and skin.

This is because this tropical oil possesses immense moisturizing properties, which can improve the complexion of even the driest and most damaged skin textures out there.

Moreover, due to its balmy texture, coconut oil can work great as a natural makeup remover and can break down even the most stubborn layers of mascara and eyeliner without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.

All you need to do is scoop out a coin-sized amount of virgin coconut oil and warm it up between your fingers. Begin massaging it into your face in circular motions, slowly breaking down all the product on your face.

When all of your makeup is melted away, rinse your face with lukewarm water, then proceed to your usual face wash for a double cleansing method or go straight into your toner.

Green Tea

Used since the ancient times in many regions of East Asia, green tea can be a true-life saver for the skin in many ways.

This powerful natural antioxidant can be especially useful for combatting signs of premature aging, but also for minimizing symptoms of dull, sullen complexion.

In fact, due to its natural skin-balancing properties, green tea can completely replace your toner.

You can do this by soaking 2-3 green tea bags in hot water and setting it aside to cool down.

After you’ve cleansed, use your hands to apply green tea all over your face. For added toning effect, grab a couple of cotton rounds, drench them in tea, then stretch the damp rounds onto your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Leave for about 5-10 minutes, remove from the face, then move directly onto your moisturizing products.

Sugar

A secret to a well thought-out skin care always includes an exfoliating step.

And if you want your scrub to be all natural, you might want to go with nature’s ultimate exfoliant: sugar.

The tiny grains can do wonders for stripping the outer layer of dead skin cells, as well as dislodging all the dirt and grime that accumulates in your pores over prolonged periods of time.

Sugar works great when combined with other natural ingredients such as coconut oil or honey. Use your fingers to gently massage the scrub into your skin in circular motions. When you’re finished, rinse your face with lukewarm water, then proceed to the rest of your skin care.

Avocado

A true superstar among health connoisseurs, avocado makes for a great healthy fats-packed snack.

In addition to being a yummy addition to your everyday diet, this creamy fruit contains can also be beneficial for perking up your skin.

Due to its high concentration of water and amino acids, avocado is a god-send for people with dry and damaged skin. Moreover, it can be effective in reducing signs of premature aging, such as fine lines, cracked patches and wrinkles.

Introduce avocado into your skin care by transforming it into a lush face mask. For example, if you want to make your complexion supple and radiant, mash your avocado and add a tablespoon of raw organic honey into the mixture.

Mix it well, then spread the concoction onto your face, leaving it on for about 15-20 minutes before you rinse it with lukewarm water. Voila – a soft and glowing complexion in a matter of minutes!

Turmeric

Turmeric is a root plant that you will often find in South Asian dishes.

Other than its fantastic taste, turmeric has also been hailed for its immense medicinal properties, which can be useful for the skin as well.

This is because this orange-hued root plant is loaded with a substance called curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that can elevate the appearance of your skin in a host of ways.

For example, antioxidant found in turmeric can help alleviate any irritation, itchiness or redness that occurs on the skin.

Moreover, due to its potential in the fight against free radicals, turmeric can be a welcome addition to any skin care routine focused on anti-aging.

Finally, turmeric can be excellent for treating acne-prone skin, as it can help calm the skin, but also reduce the appearance of scars caused by acne-related flare-ups.

The easiest way to introduce turmeric into your nature-based beauty regimen is by treating yourself to a luscious face mask. This kind of mask ca simultaneously reduce inflammations, minimize signs of aging and bring back moisture into the skin.

Plain Yogurt

Yogurt makes for a delicious and excellent breakfast food and you’ll be pleased to know that it can double up as skin treatment.

This is because this creamy goodies is packed with lactic acid, nature’s very own exfoliant that can be effective in improving the appearance of your skin.

Lactic acid, which belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid group, acts as a natural exfoliant, meaning it can gradually break down dirt, excess sebum and dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface levels of your dermis.

This helps minimize the chances of breakouts, but also reduces the visible signs of aging skin, such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines and even wrinkles.

Treating your skin regularly to lactic acid can promote cell turnover, which means you will be helping unravels the layers of flawless, healthy skin that hiding underneath the outer layers.

Banana

Bananas make for a great, energy-packed snack when you’re on the run, but did you know that this tropical fruit can also be a godsend for upping your skin’s moisture levels?

That’s right, the fruity treat packed with potassium and vitamins that can transform your skin for the better in a number of ways. 

To begin with, applying banana topically on the skin can help reduce puffiness, especially in the under-eye area.

Due to its moisturizing properties, banana can also be a valuable weapon in battling cracked skin and dry patches.

Finally, adding banana to your skin care routine can liven up dull complexion and bring back that lush glow into your skin.

Oatmeal

Even though oatmeal may not be the most famous natural skin care ingredient, it can be incredibly useful in certain circumstances.

This is because it possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which can act as a natural skin relief when your skin is experiencing irritation.

This can be especially in case of sunburn, where you can instantly soothe the skin and reduce hyper-sensitivity and puffiness by treating it to oatmeal.

To maximize on oatmeal’s natural anti-inflammatory features, grind it using a food processor. Add a tablespoon of milk and honey each to the powder and mix well. Apply the concoction onto affected areas and leave it to rest on the skin for about 20 minutes.

After you’re finished, remove the paste using by gently wiping it from the skin by using a damp washcloth.

Other than sunburn, oatmeal paste can be used for other kinds of irritation, itchiness and bloated skin.

Hopefully, this list has helped convince you of the cosmetic power of edible ingredients. Next time you find your face feels less than ideal, just head over to your local green grocers and – who knows – you just might find your next skin care savior!