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Ever read that avocado is good for shiny hair and, next thing you know, find yourself slathering it all over your head like you’re a Mexican food appetizer? How about turning yourself into a campsite snack trying a honey face mask for fewer breakouts and dewy, moisturized skin?
Whether it came from a mother, a great-aunt, or an afternoon on Pinterest, we’ve all heard of - and even tried - a grocery store beauty hack or two. Maybe they worked. Maybe they didn’t. Maybe all they left you with was a sticky situation and a ton of cleanup.
At Eight Saints, we want to help you cut back on the trial and error. That’s why we decided to test ten of the most popular hacks around. Here’s what works, what doesn’t, and why.
What it’s for: Sunburn soother, eyebrow gel, moisturizing shampoo booster
First thing’s first: getting the aloe out of the plant. To get the job done, simply cut off large leaves as close to the stem as possible (or buy a few from your local grocery store). Rinse them under water, cut off the top parts of each leaf, and scoop out the gel with a spoon.
After it's all scooped out, blend the gel in a food processor or blender for just a few seconds to achieve totally smooth consistency.
So what will you use all this fresh aloe for?
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
We love it so much we've included it in our Pep Rally hydrating gel serum, our Night Shift hydrating face gel, and many other products.
What it’s for: Face cleanser
Tons of people use oil-based cleansers - and for good reason. Cleansing the skin with oil prevents stripping away your skin’s natural barrier - which, in turn, can help prevent infection and improve sensitive skin.
But what about ditching the “cleanser” part of the equation and using straight olive oil? Turns out, it’s a great idea. Olive oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and natural lipids - all of which make it a great replenishing moisturizer. On top of that, it can help cleanse by dissolving the oils that are already on your face, helping you remove oil-based makeup and dissolve any oily skin residue.
So how do you use it? It’s as easy as it sounds: just rub olive oil onto dry skin in small, circular motions for 20-30 seconds. When you’re done, wipe clean with a moist washcloth until your face is clean.
From there, play it by ear with the moisturizer. You may not need one at all afterward.
Our rating: ★★★★☆
You'll find olive oil as a key ingredient in our All In de-puffing eye cream and our Zen Out of Ten detox scrub.
What it’s for: Face mask or burn ointment
You know that yogurt can be great for the digestive tract - but did you know it can also help your skin? Plain, preservative-free yogurt contains probiotics and lactic acid, an AHA that can dissolve dead skin cells, unclog pores, and even skin tone.
For the perfect grocery-aisle face mask, simply apply a thin layer of yogurt to your face and neck. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and gently rinse with warm water.
Dealing with a burn? Dab some plain yogurt on the affected area and leave it on for 10 minutes to soothe the burn and help restore your skin’s natural barrier.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Moisturizer, hair mask, makeup remover
Coconut oil is one of our all-star grocery store ingredients. Pure virgin coconut oil can serve as a great eye makeup remover, body moisturizer, and hair mask:
Our rating: ★★★★☆
We use coconut oil in our Cloud Whip brightening hydration cream and our No Plans antioxidant clay mask.
What it’s for: Stings, toothpaste, exfoliating scrub
This is another grocery store multitasker that is worth adding to your bathroom counter. Use it as:
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Face mask, acne spot treatment, infections
A recent study from the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (that’s a mouthful) found that Manuka honey can kill infections and even superbugs withoutgiving the bad guys a chance to build immunity.
This makes Manuka honey a powerful choice for acne, anti-aging, and skin reparation. Plus, it’s loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, making it the perfect go-to redness reducer, inflamed skin healer, and pore oxygenator. Dab some onto the affected area - or all over your face - for instant glow and skincare wellness.
Our rating: ★★★★★
What it’s for: Face mask and hair mask
Like your eggs scrambled? Sunny-side up? How about raw and slathered directly onto your skin? There may be some benefits to the latter option.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Exfoliant
Looking for more than just a morning jolt? Use those coffee grounds directly on your skin to exfoliate the body and improve your skin’s texture.
So what’s the point? Caffeine can perk up your skin while reducing redness and inflammation. It’s also shown to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Hair Lightening
Looking for some naturally brighter locks? Try some lemon juice.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Toner and inflammation
Looking for an effective and balanced toner? Look no further than your drawer of teas.
Green Tea
Green tea is full of antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, and polyphenols. It’s also rich in B vitamins, folate, manganese, and caffeine. All of this can provide amazing benefits to the skin, helping to combat free radicals, heal blemishes, and improve skin elasticity.
Chamomile
This soothing nighttime brew can do more than just calm nerves and provide some relaxation. Its powerful antioxidants also soothe redness, reduce puffiness, and minimize inflammation.
Simply brew a cup of your tea of choice and let it cool. Dip a cotton ball directly into the tea and apply to dry, cleansed skin up to twice a day. Store the remaining tea in the refrigerator and replace once a week.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
What it’s for: Toner
Scarlett Johannsen likes this one. Apple cider vinegar can make a great - albeit slightly stinky - toner. It’s a natural astringent, and it can help heal breakouts, remove dirt, and restore the skin’s pH balance.
To use it, you should mix it with water - more water for dry skin, less for oily - and swipe over your face using a cotton pad right after you wash.
Our rating: ★★★★★
What it’s for: Static hair
This isn’t a grocery store food or beverage product, but it will work nonetheless. Anytime your hair is staticky, grab a dryer sheet and gently run it along the top of your hair to eliminate static electricity.
Our rating: ★★★★☆
