Home remedies are definitely having a moment right now.
Of course, they’ve been around forever. Home remedies used to be the only remedies, after all! These all-natural solutions have definitely seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, though.
Now, I’m not saying to avoid modern medicine or anything, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few other solutions up your sleeve, either. Sometimes, the natural route is best when it comes to getting quick relief without unnecessary side effects.
It’s also a great way to save some money! Some of these products aren’t exactly cheap, and their home remedy counterparts are often ingredients you already have at home. Do you have oatmeal in your pantry? What about petroleum jelly in the bathroom cabinet?
The world of home remedies is vast, so for today, let’s focus on skincare.
If you’re hoping to get better skin on a budget, check out these five home remedies. From healing wounds to clearing acne, these common products will do wonders for your skin.
If you have serious ailments or infections, it’s best to check with your doctor or dermatologist before treating the problem on your own.
Petroleum Jelly
If you don’t have petroleum jelly in your bathroom cabinet, it’s time to pick up a jar. This product is inexpensive and incredibly useful when it comes to your skin. It is a mixture of mineral oils and waxes that has numerous topical uses.
First things first: petroleum jelly is an effective occlusive moisturizer – which means that it holds in moisture. Applying petroleum jelly to your skin after a bath or shower will prevent moisture from evaporating out of your skin throughout the day. You’ll have soft, supple skin all day long!
This product’s ability to keep skin moist is also helpful for healing. It prevents minor cuts, scrapes, and scratches from drying out and forming a scab. Scabs take longer to heal, and there’s more risk of lingering scars. Similarly, it can help heal cracked skin, like on your lips, hands, or heels.
As an added bonus, petroleum jelly can be used as a barrier to protect skin from polishes and dyes. Slather some of this stuff on the tops of your ears and around your hairline the next time you dye your hair. Or, swipe petroleum jelly around your nails as an easy-to-remove barrier before painting them with nail polish.
Oatmeal
Did your mom ever put oatmeal on itchy poison ivy or chickenpox? Using oatmeal topically isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Your mom was actually on to something. Oatmeal has long been used to improve skin dryness and texture, and to soothe irritated and itchy skin.
When using oats topically, it’s best to use colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground and processed into a powder that dissolves in water. If you have regular oats at home instead, you can still use those, too. Grinding them up yourself won’t give you the same powder, but it will still be effective for your skin.
If you use a coarse-ground oatmeal, it also makes for a great exfoliant to scrub away dry, dull skin! It’s safe to use both on your face and your body, so get your glow on.
Aloe
I have a ton of houseplants that I love, but my aloe vera is extra special. Not only is it cool looking and easy to care for, it is actually very useful when it comes to home remedies.
Aloe vera has long been used for treating wounds. The gel inside the leaves can help accelerate the healing of minor scrapes, cuts, and burns. Some research shows that aloe may help with other skin conditions, too, such as psoriasis or eczema.
Aloe is also extremely moisturizing, so it makes a great natural alternative for combatting dry skin. It doesn’t leave me with that slick lotion feel, either.
Cucumber
Putting cucumber slices on the eyes has become somewhat of a stereotype, but did you know it actually has real benefits? It’s not just anecdotal. And you don’t even have to go to a day spa to get those benefits!
Studies have shown that cucumber can reduce swelling and puffiness, soothe skin, and stimulate antioxidant activity. Cucumbers also have a high water content, which means those cucumber slices do a great job moisturizing the area under your eyes, too.
For added effect, chill the cucumber slices in the refrigerator before applying them to your eye area! Place them on clean, dry skin for at least 15 minutes.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an incredibly useful substance that every household should have on hand. That’s because tea tree oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
All of that means that you can use tea tree oil topically to treat a number of different maladies, like athlete’s foot, acne, nail fungus, and even lice. It will help kill common bacteria and viruses on your hands that are responsible for causing illness, and can be used to treat minor cuts and abrasions to prevent infection.
Because it kills bacteria, it can also be used to help control underarm odor, too. Sweat only smells when it combines with bacteria on your skin. Tea tree oil makes a great natural deodorant because it kills the odor-causing bacteria.
