We all have seen those beauty DIY’s on Pinterest and bookmarked the recipes for a rainy day. Chances are we forget we’ve done that and never get around to making it, but since I’ve decided to be more intentional about my consumption and waste, I’m re-thinking those recipes. I actually found many of them use the same ingredients and they were all items I already owned. Better yet, they were also items I could find (some, not all) at the dollar store. If you’re wondering how to make the most of your pantry items, and be less wasteful, then just keep reading.

Honey

This is pretty obvious, but the benefits of honey are endless. It is a natural moisturizer and antibacterial, so it’s perfect for a lot of those beauty DIY’s you’ve been wanting to try. Here are some of my favorites and why. For skincare, I love using Raw Honey on breakouts at night: it helps to kill bacteria and reduce swelling. You can also mix one part honey and two parts Aloe Vera Gel for a DIY face mask that will leave you glowing like the goddess you are! For hair, I love mixing it with egg yolk and castor oil to create a hair mask that helps smooth your hair, restore it’s shine and also stimulate hair growth! A perfect hair DIY for the brutal winter months. Other beauty recipes include Lip Exfoliators (sugar and honey), Acne Mask (Honey & Yogurt) and so much more. The list really is endless. If you’re looking to turn it up a notch, try Manuka Honey, too!

Coffee Grounds

This has to be my most used pantry item (mainly because I’m caffeine obsessed.) One way I like to re-use my coffee grounds and cut back on my waste is by taking the soaked coffee grinds from my Chemex once I have brewed coffee, adding honey, water, witch hazel, and tea tree essential oil to create an all-over body scrub. This is great for those with dry and sensitive skin. It can also help treat some skin conditions like eczema when you add Aloe Vera into the mix. It helps to exfoliate, revitalize, and refresh your skin for another day! Fun fact! You can also use Coffee Grinds to re-dye some clothing items as well.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a fantastic spice that originates from India. It’s super healthy when ingested and applied topically. I like to use it best for skincare because its benefits are out of this world! Just take some time to Google before and after photos of Turmeric in skincare to see for yourself. Benefits such as brightening skin from severe hyperpigmentation, plumping saggy skin from wrinkles or fine lines, clearing hormonal and cystic acne, and helping reduce the appearance of stretch marks. I like creating a skincare gel that targets a lot of skin concerns. Here’s the recipe. Mix Aloe Vera Gel, Turmeric Powder (or oil), and Tea Tree essential oil together. After mixing, I like to set it in the fridge for at least an hour to get nice and cool. It will help repair scars from acne, lighten any dark spots or hyperpigmentation caused by the sun, and leave your skin clear and glowy!

Green Tea

This is a great one now that it’s getting chillier outside and most likely, I’ll be enjoying a warm cup of tea each night before bed. Green Tea, as we all know it, has so many health & wellness benefits. Besides being a great detox, energy boost, and overall antioxidant for our body, topically it has some amazing benefits too. Because I’m fair skin, my skin is so sensitive to the sun and often times (even though I lather on the 100+ SPF) my skin can get burnt. I love creating “after sun” products to help cool my skin down, reduce the peeling, and add moisture back into my skin. For this, you’ll need, Aloe Vera Gel, Green Tea, Witch Hazel, and a spray bottle. Mix all the ingredients up in a spray bottle, shake well, and leave in the fridge for as long as you can.

Rice

You may be thinking how can you re-use rice and let me tell you, we aren’t…we’re reusing rice water. Rice water has been used for years, especially in the Asian beauty society. When it comes to skin and hair, rice water is full of nutrients, protein, and antioxidants. I love using rice water in two different ways. The first way is wih a DIY face toner. I mix 1 part rice water, 5-10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil, and a splash of witch hazel. Spray it on your skin after your nightly routine and it pretty much feeds your skin in the best way while you sleep. The second way is with hair. I use rice water, witch hazel, and castor oil as an leave-in hair-growth treatment after a hot shower. Spray directly to your roots! The rice water gets into your hair follicles and stimulates hair growth.

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These are just five items in your pantry that you can use in beauty DIYs but there are so many more. Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Baking Soda, Sugar, etc… Let us know if you have tried any of the ones we have listed or know any other recipes down below. We would love to hear from you! In the meantime, happy blending! 

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Feature Image via Vanessa Granda