Did you know you might have three great beauty products right in your pantry? You may have been hearing a lot lately about the beauty benefits of natural products that you might think you can only use in your cooking. My dear friend/foodie Yuki Pitkin claims these three in particular do wonders for your skin, hair, AND body (and I stand as witness that she looks amazing!).
Hi Everyone!
Today I am going to take this column a different direction and talk about a few items that we associate with cooking but these items have TONS of health and beauty benefits that are all the rage right now!
GRAPESEED OIL
First up is Grapeseed Oil. This oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes and usually comes from France, Italy, and the United States as it is a by-product of winemaking. Today I am going to talk about how this product is miracle worker when it comes to our skin!
To start there is a difference between the kinds of Grapeseed Oil we cook with versus the oil we need for our skin. So if you have a bottle of Grapeseed Oil in your kitchen please, please just leave it there. The Grapeseed Oil you will want to look for can be found at most health food stores and the label will indicate that it can be used on the skin. About two years ago I stumbled upon my esthetician who is nothing short of a miracle worker, and this is where I was first introduced to this amazing product!!
Here are just a few benefits:
1. Great for oily skin since it helps regulate the oil production
2. Great for dry skin-it acts as a natural moisturizer
3. Loaded with antioxidants-so it protects your skin from free radicals
4. The oil protects the collagen in your skin which will keep it firm
5. Skin tone/texture-when used consistently it can help your skin become more even and brighter
How to use:
Use at night and give at least 15 minutes to absorb before you go to bed. Give it a shot for 2 weeks every night and you may find yourself tossing all your expensive night creams….I know I did!!!
COCONUT OIL
Up next is Coconut oil. Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm and similar to Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil should be purchased in a “virgin” or an unprocessed form. Coconut oil is actually solid and opaque at room temperature because it’s high in a saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides. Why is this a good thing? Triglycerides go from the liver to the digestive tract and are absorbed and quickly turned into energy. These fats work differently than other types of saturated fat in the body.
Here are just a few benefits:
1. Coconut Oil can increase your energy level
2. Coconut Oil can help keep your hunger in check
3. Coconut Oil can protect your hair against the sun since it is a natural sun screen and it is a great moisturizer for your skin
4. Coconut Oil kills bacteria and can be used as a natural mouthwash. Also known as “pulling”.
Please feel free to research this in greater detail. I can attest that after a month of putting a spoonful in my coffee every morning that I have definitely noticed a greater level of energy and don’t feel like I am starving once lunchtime rolls around!
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Lastly, Apple Cider Vinegar. In raw, organic form it has been used as a natural disinfectant and to detox the body for over 5,000 years! You want to look for cloudy vinegar which means the friendly enzymes and bacteria that promote healing have not been removed (try Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar).
Here are just a few benefits:
1. Natural conditioner to make your hair shine.
2. Natural teeth whitener.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar contains probiotics for better breath, higher energy and better digestion.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar reduces sugar cravings and balances your pH balance to promote weight loss and a reduction in body fat.
5. Skin toner for eczema and acne.
How to use:
1. Fill an empty shampoo bottle with 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 1 cup of water. Pour on your hair after shampooing 3x/week.
2. Take your finger and rub apple cider vinegar on your teeth for 1 minute. Then rinse mouth out with water. The pH of Apple Cider Vinegar can remove stains from your teeth which helps naturally whiten.
3. Drink a cleansing detox cocktail every morning with hot water, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and a dash of cinnamon.
4. Rub it on your skin or use it to wash, then apply coconut oil to clear up skin issues.
Cheers and Happy Spring!!
View all of ‘The Mix with Yuki’ articles here
Photo & styling by Erika Brechtel
