If you’re passionate about holistic health, the beauty aisle of your drugstore can be a frustrating place. Oil-fighting cleansers, pore shrinking toners, exfoliating scrubs, age-defying creams, acne spot treatments—these are just a few of the different skincare products the average person uses per day. After all, these products claim to deliver radiant, clear, and younger looking skin. Sounds great, right?  

The problem is that what you put on your beauty matters just as much as what you put in your body, and many of these products contain hard-to-pronounce chemicals and ingredients that are less than ideal for holistic health – and some of them may be downright harmful.

The good news is that you can clean out your medicine cabinet and replace all of your pricey commercial skincare products with all- natural ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen cabinet.

Here are five holistic health beauty staples that you can depend on to keep your skin nourished and glowing.

1. Coconut oil: Coconut oil is not only a delicious and nutritious superfood, it’s also known for treating various skin issues such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin irritations.  Plus, it works wonders for hydrating the skin without all of petroleum by products that many commercial moisturizers contain. Coconut oil works great as a go-to moisturizer – simply apply it on your face and body right after you shower. It also works great as a make-up remover.
2. Cinnamon: This spice is a powerful acne fighter. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties help to detoxify skin. Add ¼ tsp of cinnamon to ¼ tsp of raw honey for an effective spot treatment or exfoliating mask.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar (ACV), like coconut oil, has a plethora of holistic health benefits. The acids in ACV promote skin cell turnover, which improves and softens skin texture and elasticity. It’s especially great to use as a toner after a workout or whenever your skin needs a refresher. Mix 1 part ACV with 4 parts water in a spray bottle and mist on skin or apply with cotton ball. ACV is potent so just remember to dilute it before using on skin.
4. Aloe: If you want a healthy glow, try applying aloe to your skin. Most people only use aloe after they’ve spent too much time in the sun, which make sense since it contains healing and anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe and heal sunburnt skin. But what most people don’t realize is that it also contains tons of vitamins such as beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E to help keep skin healthy and young all year round. Try adding it to a DYI face wash or applying it on your face as a moisturizer. Just make sure you’re using the purest form of aloe to avoid added ingredients and processing.
5. Bentonite clay: If you want to draw out dirt from your pores, this clay is the way to go. Bentonite clay is known to be one of the most effective healing clays and can be used both internally and externally. When mixed with water it helps to absorb toxins, impurities, and chemicals. Whenever your skin needs a deep cleaning, just mix bentonite clay with water or ACV until it forms a paste and then apply it to your skin for 15-20 minutes. Once it’s dry, gently rinse with warm water. It also works well as a spot treatment. Just dab the paste on a blemish and leave it on overnight—you’ll notice it will be half the size in the morning.

Have you thought about switching to a more holistic skincare routine? We’d love to hear what your favorite natural beauty ingredients are for holistic health! Share with us in the comments below.