5 Household Skincare Items with S.W. Basics

The “magic” ingredients for healthy skin are not found in a synthetic cream or fragrance-filled cleanser: They are found in your kitchen. I’ve built my skincare company, S.W. Basics, on this philosophy; that’s to say, I believe healthy skin is achieved through the exact same components we use to feed a healthy body. This means avoiding preservative- and chemical-laden ingredients and sticking to real, whole foods. These five kitchen staples will actually accomplish everything that a “high-performance,” and synthetically derived beauty product pledges it will deliver – but in a 100% natural, wallet-friendly way. Best of all? Each really is good to the last drop. Try these household skincare items and experience the benefits!

Olive Oil

Many people are freaked out by the prospect of applying olive oil to their skin, but it’s one of my favorite natural moisturizers. Antioxidant-rich, it’s filled with polyhenols and phytosterols, thus helping neutralize the free radicals that cause skin damage. It’s also one of the gentlest, lightest oils out there. Apply it alone or combine it with sea salt or coarse sugar for a super-nourishing exfoliant. (1)

Fine Grain Sea Salt

Sea salt is a wonderful natural skincare ingredient. It cleans deeply, removes dead skin cells, eliminates fluid retention, pulls toxins from pores, and relaxes muscles. It’s also great for acne and is an ideal treatment for a flare-up. The simplest way to use sea salt is to wet your skin, put some salt on your wet hand so it sticks, then gently pat it onto your wet skin. Just make sure you don’t scrub too hard – it is already quite abrasive on its own. (2)

Apple Cider Vinegar

I think apple cider vinegar is magical. Well, not really, but its natural ability to balance your skin’s pH is pretty incredible (making your skin less oily and less dry). Plus, it promotes blood circulation and kills bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. Tip: ALWAYS dilute apple cider vinegar – it’s pungent stuff. I recommend one part vinegar to four parts water; apply to your face with cotton or a spritzer and leave it on. (2)

Baking Soda

Baking soda helps regulate pH, balancing acidity with alkalinity and serving as antiseptic. This means it is a great spot treatment, deep cleanser, and odor fighter. Having a breakout? Baking soda is your secret beauty weapon: Take a little bit in your hand, add some water for a paste-like consistency, and dap it on the offending blemish. (2)

Coarse Sugar

Heard of those crazy, expensive glycolic acid chemical peels? That’s essentially a synthetic version of sugar. Skip that junk and scrub down with coarse Demerara sugar (unrefined, raw sugar that is rich in minerals) for shiny, clear, fresh skin – it melts quickly in the water and leaves skin exfoliated, moisturized, and smooth. (2) Cheers! Adina Grigore of S.W. Basics and Suja Juice