Cosmetic companies regularly market new creams to us, and many times we get swept up in their promises and spend a lot of money on them. However, long before these companies existed, women and men engaged in self-care with natural products passed down by word of mouth and from generation to generation, just as our grandmothers did. The best beauty secrets and tips for skincare, body care, and hair care were found among the older generation, where accessible, inexpensive, and effective products were used to prevent wrinkles, make the skin glow, and add shine and volume to the hair. Anyone who has met a grandmother with smooth, glowing skin knows that her creams came from nature and worked well for her, just as they will for you. So, it's time to discover what these 9 special beauty products contain...
1. Protein mask to prevent wrinkles
Face masks provide the extra nourishment the skin needs, and it's essential they are part of our weekly beauty routine. We all want to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and early signs of aging, and one way to do this is with a mask made from egg white, which contains potassium and magnesium that maintain skin moisture, prevent damage from free radicals, and help the skin regenerate. To nourish the skin with such a mask, whisk an egg white with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for a minute and apply the mixture to your face. Leave the protein mask on the skin for 10-15 minutes, then rinse it off thoroughly with water. Your skin will become more radiant and firm, and you'll also benefit from acne prevention treatment along the way.
2. Fresh milk for skin nourishment
If you happen to live in a rural area with a dairy or goat farm nearby, the following tip will be especially useful, as right under your nose lies a wonderful beauty secret that can significantly improve the look and feel of your skin. The secret lies in the top layer that forms in fresh milk, which should be applied to the entire body like a moisturizer. Fresh milk will soften your skin, reduce the number of wrinkles, shrink your facial pores, and some claim it even brightens the skin. You can use cow's milk, but if you have access to goat's milk, its effect on the skin will be even better.
3. Rhubarb for facial skin nourishment and wrinkle prevention
The following vegetable isn't well-known, but with a little push, it could become more popular, at least for cosmetic uses – rhubarb, also known as rebas. Rhubarb is a pink, sweet-tart vegetable resembling celery, more commonly used among Anglo-Saxons and Persians. When using it for food, only the stalks are consumed since the leaves are toxic. Because rhubarb is rich in vitamins A and C, zinc, and calcium, it serves as a fantastic source for preventing damage from free radicals caused by sunlight and air pollution, factors that contribute to premature skin aging and wrinkle formation. Additionally, the vegetable fights skin infections and is used in alternative medicine to disinfect wounds. To prepare a homemade rhubarb mask, blend 2 stalks (without leaves) with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the paste onto your face in circular motions, and after 10-15 minutes, wash off the mask to reveal glowing and refreshed skin.
4. Rainwater for hair care
If you've heard the term "hard water" in reference to tap water in Israel, it doesn't mean the water is difficult to deal with, but rather that the concentration of calcium and magnesium is high. If you use an electric kettle and notice lime scale building up at the bottom, it's due to this high mineral concentration. Rainwater, on the other hand, does not contain high amounts of calcium and magnesium, making it much healthier for washing your hair, helping it become softer with a silky texture, as well as promoting hair growth. Rainwater also won't leave chemical residues from cleaning products like shampoo and conditioner, as hard water does. To use rainwater, make sure you're collecting it in an area without air pollution to avoid using rainwater that has accumulated acidic deposits.
5. Apple cider vinegar for cleansing hair and face
The uses of apple cider vinegar span many areas, and its benefits to our health are numerous, from balancing blood sugar levels to aiding in weight loss. Apple cider vinegar is rich in nutrients such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and various vitamins, making it valuable for nourishing facial skin and hair. This natural and wonderful product has been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes and is considered effective for removing spots and pigmentation from the skin, as well as for cleaning hair. To use vinegar on your face, dilute it in water and apply it with a cotton pad to your skin. Additionally, you can use it to cleanse your hair, add volume and shine, and prevent dandruff by washing your hair with apple cider vinegar once a week.
6. Coconut oil for makeup removal
The cosmetic benefits of coconut oil can't be overstated – the oil, used for centuries for beauty and care, works wonders for dry and lifeless hair, prevents excessive hair loss, moisturizes dry skin, and is also excellent for nourishing facial skin. For those who are put off by the greasy feel and look of applying coconut oil as a face cream, a great solution is to use it as a makeup remover – this way, you'll still nourish your skin without the heaviness. To use the oil, apply a small amount to a cotton pad and remove your makeup with it. Afterward, rinse your face with lukewarm-cool water and gently pat dry.
7. Black tea for sunburn
Black tea is the common tea we all have at home, usually packed in a black box that indicates its contents. The cosmetic use that our grandmothers made with black tea with all its benefits will not only surprise you but also help you greatly during the scorching summer months. Although we are always warned to be sun-smart, many of us still get sunburned after a long day at the beach or a short outing, and then suffer from the pain and redness that spreads across our bodies. What can save us in such a situation is black tea – an accessible and inexpensive product that, when added to bathwater, can soothe the burning sensation in the skin within minutes. To prepare a tea infusion to add to a cool-lukewarm bath, place 5 tea bags in a pot of boiling water, let the tea cool to room temperature, add it to the bathwater, and soak your body in it for several minutes or until you feel relief from the irritated skin.
8. Mayonnaise for softening hair
Our hair determines a lot about our lives, and it can be so dominant that how we feel in the morning is sometimes tied to its appearance. Despite the wide range of commercial hair care products – some of which can be quite expensive – an ancient and natural secret used long before the invention of industrial hair care products lies in mayonnaise. Yes, that spread we usually put on a sandwich or salad is a product that can work wonders for your hair, giving it moisture and an incredibly soft touch. If you're making homemade mayonnaise, it's preferable, but store-bought, high-fat mayonnaise will also work well. Simply apply 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise to your hair and brush it out after 2-3 minutes. Afterward, rinse the mayonnaise thoroughly from your hair with shampoo and conditioner – the results will amaze you.
9. Oil and vinegar for treating acne
Finally, we'll reveal a secret from grandmothers who likely saw quite a few of their grandchildren battling acne during their teenage years and offered them a natural and effective alternative to acne treatment products. The recipe is simple and contains olive oil and vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar) in equal proportions, along with a little salt and sugar. The mixture should be gently applied to the areas of the face where acne tends to break out, and then the paste should be thoroughly washed off with water. The effectiveness of the treatment varies and depends on the skin, but it has done wonders for the younger generation who discovered this beauty secret.
