Black tea: Once you’ve brewed your morning cup, salvage the tea bags and once they’ve cooled, place them on your eyes. It’s believed that the tannin in the tea can play a role in reducing puffiness.

Chamomile tea: Blonde hair is reputed to look shinier and much less brassy following a rinse with chamomile tea. Three flavonoids – apigen, quercetin and azulene – work together to lighten and brighten the hair. Brew a large cup, and once it cools off, massage into damp hair. There’s no need to rinse.

Green tea: Plant-based compounds known as catechins found in green tea are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a good bet in the battle against acne. Try mixing the leaves with honey or aloe vera to create a revitalizing mask, or dab brewed and cooled green tea on your face with a cotton pad for a quick pick-me-up.

Coffee grounds: As coffee grounds don’t dissolve in water, they make good exfoliants for scrubbing away dead skin cells. A scientific paper presented at a 2015 conference suggests that applied topically, caffeine could help to reduce the appearance of cellulite, at least temporarily.It’s also thought that the chlorogenic acids in coffee might play a role in reducing inflammation and offer protection against some types of bacteria, pointing toward the use of coffee grounds as an ingredient in a facial scrub.

Olive oil: The chemical elements of olive oil, namely oleic acid, palmitic acid and squalene, are all emollients, and may be helpful in smoothing and softening unruly hair. Using very small quantities to start off, massage oil into your ends or even directly into a dry scalp. Don’t go overboard, or you’ll never get it out!

Coconut oil: Coconut oil promotes good oral health by attacking the harmful bacteria in your mouth. It’s believed that brushing your teeth with coconut oil or engaging in the practice of “pulling,” swishing the oil around in your mouth for several minutes at a time, can reduce plaque buildup, prevent tooth decay and fight gum disease. It can also be used to remove makeup, including waterproof mascara.

Sunflower oil: With its beneficial amounts of Vitamin E, gentle sunflower oil can be applied directly to the skin to help seal in moisture. It’s noncomedogenic, which is another way to say it won’t clog your pores. Use organic, cold-pressed oils only in your skin care regime.

Honey: Raw, unpasteurized honey has multiple applications in cosmetic uses, from helping scars to heal to evening out a patchy skin tone. Manuka honey is particularly beneficial, and is even used to heal wounds in clinical settings. Honey can act as an exfoliant, carrying away dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin beneath.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal isn’t only good for you inside; applied topically, it can soak up excess oils, treat dry skin and serve as an exfoliant. For a simple oatmeal bath rich in antioxidants, add uncooked oatmeal and a pinch of a baking soda into the tub and enjoy a soothing soak.

Cucumbers: Vitamin C and caffeic acid are part of what gives the cucumber its potency as a beauty aid. With their ability to soothe and cool, cucumber slices have long been used as a treatment to reduce puffiness beneath tired eyes or as a means to alleviate the sting of a mild sunburn.

Lemons: Antibacterial, Vitamin-C laden, and rich in citric acid, lemons have long been a staple in beauty regimens followed the world over. In addition to its use as a skin brightener, tooth whitener and astringent to combat facial oil, a spritz of lemon juice in the hair before spending time in the sunlight is said to bring out subtle highlights. Many also turn to lemon to reduce the appearance of age spots.

Eggs: Rich in Vitamin A, an anti-wrinkle agent, a whole beaten egg applied as a face mask can tighten, tone and moisturize weary skin. The egg membrane, a source of collagen and hyaluronic acid, can be applied under the eye for a quick rejuvenation. Just be sure to rinse off with lukewarm water.

Yogurt: Plain organic yogurt, rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein, is used to make face masks that can work on their own or in tandem with lemon, honey, olive oil and many more of the aforementioned household staples. The active cultures in yogurt are also considered effective in alleviating the itch associated with a dry scalp.