Salt and Pepper are undoubtedly essentials in your culinary toolkit, but don't let these kitchen staples fool you into believing that they are only meant for use in food! These simple condiments are remarkably effective when used in beauty and wellness regimes. Salt for example, may sometimes be blamed for bloating, but it holds a treasure of hidden beauty properties. From exfoliation to actually reducing puffiness in skin, try these uncommon and incredibly effective uses with the kitchen staples.
USES OF SALT FOR BEAUTY
SALT EXFOLIANT: A main benefit of sea salt is the mineral magnesium. Magnesium is great for your skin because it helps get rid of dry skin. This will help improve the texture of skin and skin hydration. Mix 5 teaspoon fine-grain salt and 5 teaspoon olive oil in a small bowl. After you take a shower or bath, and while your skin is still wet, sprinkle the mixture onto your hands and rub it gently on arms and legs. A salt massage will exfoliate dead skin cells and improve circulation.
BEACH-WAVES SPRAY FOR HAIR: To create perfectly textured waves, dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt into an 8-oz. spray bottle of warm water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid coconut oil and a dab of hair gel. Then just shake and mist.
DANDRUFF TREATMENT: Work crushed sea salt into the scalp before wetting hair to loosen flakes and better enable scalp treatments to penetrate.
TOOTHPASTE: A classic natural beauty recipe. Combine 1 part crushed salt and 2 parts baking soda. Dip a dampened toothbrush into the mixture and brush your teeth. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive and helps to get rid of the plaque and buildup on your teeth. Salt is also a natural antiseptic so therefore has antibacterial properties. You can even make a salt mouthwash by rinsing with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed into a glass of water.
USES OF PEPPER IN BEAUTY
Black Pepper has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it an amazing medicinal spice. Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and pigmentation issues can be easily solved when combining black pepper with the right ingredients topically.
When using pepper, always remember as since it is an irritant it should only be used if it has been diluted with a carrier oil or any other substance.
BLACK PEPPER EXFOLIANT: Mix 1 teaspoon of organic unflavoured yogurt with 1 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper and apply this paste all over your face making sure to avoid the delicate eye and mouth area. Leave it on for about 2 minutes and relax while you feel the tingly sensation all over your face, this means that its bio actives are working. Then taking a warm washcloth wipe away the paste from your face revealing clear and polished skin.
LEMON PEPPER SCALP TONIC FOR HAIR GROWTH: Just like Cayenne pepper had its moment in the sun for being used in various hair growth solutions, thanks to its stimulant properties, black pepper is not too far behind. Black pepper can be used to stimulate hair growth. It's also a common way to relieve dandruff and achieve shiny, strong locks. Before you shampoo your hair, make a solution of lemon juice and black pepper and dilute it with a light carrier oil like olive or apricot seed oil.
For the best results, make sure to use the best quality Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt as they contain a higher proportion of essential minerals as compared to Table Salt. As for Pepper it is always better to use whole Peppercorns as the powdered version can be heavily adulterated.
