Top Skin Hacks You Need To Know

When it comes to treating skin, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Arm yourself with an arsenal of know-how so that when skin emergencies arise, you are in the best position to whip up a solution from common items in your home.

Salt a zit

You’ve got two options here: You could ice a zit to help bring the inflammation down or even better (and maybe more comfortable): You could salt it. Sea salt has powerful antibacterial properties and works to pull oil from the pore. Try combining one teaspoon of sea salt with enough water to form a paste. Dot this on the offending zit, let it dry for up to an hour (10 minutes for sensitive skin types) and then rinse it off.

Doctor says: make sure there is no open wound or irritated skin before doing this. Stubborn acne may require further treatment. Try an antibacterial gel such as Clear Bliss for faster resolution without irritating skin. If you want an almost instant fix, try Pimple ER that uses an intralesional injection to bring down swelling and redness of the offending zit in 24 hours.

Internal Cleansing

“Squeeze fresh lemon into a mug full of hot water and drink when you wake up,” says Debra, a workout enthusiast,adding that you can always sub in lemon juice. “This helps flush out and purify the body internally, potentially reducing toxins and bacteria in the small intestine that can lead to acne.” You know how your diet can sometimes make you break out? This is like the reverse of that.

Doctor says: A healthy diet is also key to ensuring your skin has all the supplements needed to heal and fight infections. To boost vitamin levels in your skin, also consider applying it directly to the target area. Try Citrine, a fresh vitamin C powder that is activated just before application onto your skin.

Burn Remedy

Burn yourself with your hair iron, saucepan, or tea kettle? Instead of applying ice to minor burns, reach for some raw honey and slather on a thick layer. It will immediately cut the sting of the burn but also provide antibacterial protection while keeping skin hydrated.

Doctor says: Deeper burns require immediate medical attention. Keep the area clean and help boost skin healing by keeping the area moist and covered. Sometimes a layer of vaseline can also help.

Soft Feet

If you have rough, dry, or cracked feet, you need a tougher exfoliator than your face does. Mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to half a cup of coconut oil and apply the blend to your feet in a circular motion. Then wash off with a warm washcloth. It will help to get of a lot of the dead skin off in a gentle but effective manner.

Doctor says: Make sure there are no open wounds on cuts on your feet prior to scrubbing. Don’t forget to moisturize the skin after exfoliation.

Read More: Is the Way You Sleep Aging You?

Hair Removal sans Razor

Shaving legs, underarms, and backs can hurt the skin if done too often without the proper moisturizer or shaving gel. Instead, mix together 1 tablespoon of iodine two percent with 1 cup of baby oil and rub it into the desired removal area. Let it set for only five minutes without water flow. Then, gently wipe away with a damp cloth, and with the mixture will remove the hair without the pain or possible injury.

Doctor says: A more permanent method of removing hair is to use lasers such as the alexandrite laser (for fairer skin types) or diode laser (for darker skin types). A series of sessions can give you permanent hair removal effects safely and effectively when the correct laser is used under trained hands.

Fix Morning Eyes

Waking up with puffy eyes doesn’t help anyone look like a morning person. Place a spoon in the freezer the night before and in the morning hold under or on top of the eyelids to decrease puffiness and inflammation. Cool cucumbers or teabags work as well. The caffeine constricts blood vessels and, when applied to the under-eye area, decreases puffiness.

Doctor Says: For more permanent dark eye circle fixes, avoid rubbing the skin of your eye excessively, always moisturize it with a peptide-infused eye serum such as Liquid Gold. To instantly lighten the darkened areas, try Eye Illuminator Program that targets the weakened, thinning skin of the peri-orbital area.

Read More: 5 Solutions For Acne Skin That Do Not Involve Medications

DIY Facial Scrub

Exfoliate summer skin with Epsom salt, which is the go-to bath ingredient for post-gym workouts to soothe sore muscles. Add half a teaspoon into your favorite cleansing cream or lotion and gently massage the face in small circles once or twice a week. The mineral’s compound of sulphate and magnesium helps flush toxins and calm inflammation.

Doctor says: Exfoliate gently and never over-exfoliate facial skin. For a deeper exfoliation, try customised chemical peels for the face which uses a combination of AHA, BHA, vitamin C and B for holistic skin benefits.
Read More: Best Skincare Essential You Should Have In Your 30s

Skin Soothing Baths

For bubble bath lovers, add half a cup of baking soda to hot water for a soothing soak. It will neutralize acids and skin irritants such as sunburn and bug bites.

Doctor says: For maximal skin hydration, apply a body moisturizer over damp skin.
Read More: 5 Botox And Filler Alternatives