Home Remedies That Work

by Valerie Gladstone — December 3, 2007

You can find as many home remedies that work as don't work. The trick is knowing the difference. Here are some effective ones.

Puffy Eyes

• Frozen Peas--Frozen peas work so well because the little peas settle and mold to the eye area. Take the bag out of the freezer and let it thaw for about 10 minutes before placing it on the face so that the ice-cold package doesn't redden the skin.
• Tea Bags--Dipping caffeinated tea bags in cold water and placing them on the lids can soothe the skin in more ways than one. In addition to the depuffing effects of the cold temperature, the caffeine shrinks blood vessels, which helps reduce swelling and redness. The tannic acid may also act as a mild astringent to tighten the skin temporarily. But don't use Earl Grey because it contains oil of bergamot, which may cause the redness and itching of contact dermatitis.
• Cucumbers--Besides their refreshing smell and shape, cucumber slices have soothing and anti-irritating benefits. Rest them in a bowl or ice water for 10 minutes first--the chill will help deflate the area.

Irritated Skin

• Milk--Soaking in a cool bath with a few cups of powdered milk or applying a milk-soaked washcloth as a compress can soothe irritated or sunburned skin because milk contains proteins and fats. But eventually the milk evaporates and will dry the skin, so moisturize afterward.
• Aloe--Using the ooze from the tip of a leaf might work as a calming salve, unless you're sensitive to aloe.

Wrinkles

• Paper Tape--Applying a few stripes of tape vertically between your eyebrows might keep lines from getting worse. It can also prolong the efficacy of Botox.
• Egg Whites--Egg whites whisked to a froth might add a little lift to your face.

Dry Hands

• Vegetable Shortening--Any oil will make the skin softer but if you use something this heavy, rub it on the hands and feet, then put on cotton gloves and socks to cover them and let it sink in overnight.

Dull, Dry Hair

• Beer--Dousing with beer can make hair shinier. The protein in beer fills in the spaces between any ridges or chipped cuticles in the hair shaft. Since protein is the key, use a thick, protein-rich beer such as Guinness. Rinse with water afterward so that you don't walk around smelling like the local bar.
• Apple-cider vinegar--Rinsing with apple-cider vinegar can restore the body and shine to hair limp from product buildup. It's acidic and removes product residue but doesn't damage the hair. It's particularly good before a deep-conditioning treatment, providing a clean canvas so the treatment can penetrate better.

Nails

• Olive Oil--Nothing can actually change the structure of nails once they exist but because one of the causes of brittle nails can be dehydrated nail plates, moisturizing with an olive-oil soak followed by heavy cream can help new nails grow in stronger.
• Milk--Only sour milk has the lactic acid that might help exfoliate cuticles but the still-drinkable variety can benefit the fingertips. Its fat and protein can temporarily soften and soothe red skin around the nail that might have been irritated by picking or biting. But follow with a moisturizer.