Spice Up Your Beauty Routine

Spices have been used as natural medicine and healing for centuries. Of course, they are also well known for their signature aromas and flavors. But did you know they’re equally as effective at fighting premature aging as they are at giving your chili kick?

If you’re starting to see the signs of premature aging then you’ll definitely want to add these five spices to your daily routine.

Cloves

This spice is harvested from the buds of evergreen trees that are primarily located in Indonesia, Madagascar, India, Zanzibar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Back in the day, they were most commonly used by dentists to numb a patients mouth, but they also have great skin beautifying properties.

When used in facial cleansers, their antimicrobial properties make them a great ingredient for fighting acne and providing a deep, warm cleanse.

Fennel

Known for its licorice scent, this root is great for sensitive skin. The natural properties in fennel reduce inflammation and redness and are also effective at soothing sunburned skin.

To combat oily skin you can use this spice to both purify and tone. All you have to do is crush 2 tablespoons of gram flour and mix them with buttermilk. Allow them to boil down together for 30 minutes then strain out the seeds. Once cool, apply to your face as you would any other cleanser.

The best way to boil down this cleanser is via a double-burner, but if you don’t have one, place a smaller pot in a large pot full of boiling water. This way the buttermilk won’t burn from direct heat.

Pepper

Pepper is a great spice for increasing blood flow and circulation which leads to brighter, clearer looking skin. Cayenne pepper is my personal favorite and it can be used in massage oils and scrubs or consumed to see results.

For a skin refreshing scrub, mix 1 part salt and pepper to 3 parts olive oil or yogurt. Mix it up then slather it all over your body and gentle exfoliate away all those dead skin cells clogging your pores.

If you have skin sensitivities stick with black pepper. Cayenne may cause irritation.

Sage

This spice is a wonderful source of vitamin A and calcium; both increase blood flow to help offset the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also quite effective in battling varicose veins.

Increased blood flow can also rid your body of toxins that build up and form cellulite. On top of that, this super spice can heal nasty skin conditions like acne, athlete’s foot and dry skin.

To benefit from this spice, just boil a few leaves in 1 cup of water and use this sage water like a toner.

Turmeric

The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin. Recent studies have shown that this ingredient may fight cancer. Most commonly, this spice is used to battle against dark spots, blemishes and reduce puffiness and redness from acne-inflamed skin.

To give your face a boost, make this skin brightening mask. Mix 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons gram flour (it’s Gluten-Free!) and a few drops of honey and fresh lemon juice. Let it sit on your face and neck for 20 minutes then rinse off for instantly brighter looking skin.