Striving4Zen

You probably don't open the refrigerator in search of beauty aids, but you might want to start. Turns out, some common kitchen staples are chock full of oils and potent phytochemicals (including antioxidants) that give your skin and hair a healthy boost.

Here, we've put together a list of body-pampering pantry basics, along with expert tips on how to apply them.

AVOCADO
Rich and buttery, avocados are perfect for hydrating dry skin and hair, says Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home (Owl, 2002). Avocados contain skin-nourishing vitamin E and phytosterols, which, similar to the skin's own lipids, provide a barrier to environmental elements and lock in moisture.

• Make it: Donna Maria Coles Johnson, who wrote Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions (Storey, 2000), likes to mix a couple of tablespoons of avocado with a tablespoon or so of banana and egg yolk for a moisturizing face mask. For a hair pack, Cox suggests mashing avocado into a smooth paste and spreading it on clean, damp hair for 20 minutes.

COCOA
The antioxidant powers of this distinctive bean promote healthy skin. Preliminary research shows that topically applied cocoa reduces skin irritation and combats cellular damage, and eating chocolate—contrary to popular belief— may even improve the skin's appearance (Journal of Nutrition, 2006, vol. 136, no. 5).

• Make it: For a soothing mask, mix cocoa powder with a little water or buttermilk—an excellent source of lactic acid that stimulates the cocoa's antioxidant function and softens the skin, says Audrey Kunin, MD, author of The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual (Simon & Schuster, 2005).

GREEN TEA
Green tea's plentiful antioxidants help fight free radical damage. And its active ingredient, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is a powerful anti-inflammatory, according to Kunin. When applied topically, the tea reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and can even help prevent skin cancer and signs of aging resulting from sun damage (Current Drug Targets, 2003, vol. 3, no. 3).

• Make it: Apply a compress soaked in chilled green tea to irritated skin or puffy eyes. Caffeine and EGCG help reduce swelling and calm skin, Kunin says. Cox likes to use green tea as a toner: Brew strong tea (one or two tea bags per 1 cup water) and apply to face after cleansing.

HONEY
Honey can be used head to toe, Cox says. Its strong antimicrobial properties help clean and clear away bacteria, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, she says. According to Kunin, honey is also a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin.

• Make it: To help clear up blemishes, Cox suggests dabbing honey on pimples. Kunin likes honey for a hydrating and exfoliating mask: Apply a thin layer of honey over face and neck for 10 minutes. If the honey is hard to spread, gently warm it first and/or dilute it with a small amount of water.

OLIVE OIL
For centuries, olive oil, rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, has been the beauty ingredient of choice for dry skin and hair.

• Make it: Apply olive oil to damp skin before bed, put on your pajamas, and wake up to smoother, hydrated skin, Coles Johnson says. For a fresh, uplifting scent, she suggests adding a few drops of citrus essential oil to the olive oil.

SUGAR AND SALT
When used as natural exfoliating particles, sugar and salt help loosen lifeless epidermal cells that need to be physically removed, Kunin says. But they can also cause irritation, so use a gentle touch, especially with salt.

• Make it: Simply mix a tablespoon or two of salt (sea salt contains skin-nourishing minerals) with any light vegetable oil for an easy body scrub, suggests Cox. For a gentle facial scrub, mix a teaspoon of sugar with your favorite cleanser and apply in small, circular motions, she says.

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Labels: DIY, food for the face, living holistically, skin care