While there’s nothing wrong with body hair, we have to admit, it feels nice to have super smooth legs and underarms every now and then, especially come summer. Shaving and waxing comes with a price and can be painful. Natural hair removers, on the other hand, may not give you freshly shaven legs the first time around, but with continued use, they gently remove hairs over time. Commercial hair removal creams and scrubs are filled with chemicals, so if you want a more natural approach to getting rid of unwanted body and facial hair, we’ve rounded up our favourite DIY hair removal recipes!
1. Turmeric + Milk
Turmeric is full of antioxidants and is a common ingredient in beauty products. With repeated use, turmeric loosens facial hairs without causing any pain. Create a turmeric paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of turmeric powder with one tablespoon of milk. Mix until you have a thick paste. Spread it evenly on the desired area and leave it for about 20 minutes or until dry. Use a clean washcloth to remove the paste using gentle circular movements. Using turmeric to remove body or facial hair is not immediate, but it’s a chemical-free and pain-free method that also improves the appearance and health of your skin.
2. Turmeric + Papaya
We know the benefits of hair removal for turmeric, but papaya is another ingredient that works well for hair removal. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which has been found to have a “depilatory” or hair removing effect, weakening hair follicles and gradually preventing them from growing back. It won’t instantly remove your hair, but works great over time! Mix 1 tablespoon of mashed papaya flesh with ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and leave on for 15 minutes before washing with warm water. Repeat 1-2 times per week.
3. Sugar + Lemon + Water | Style Tips 101
Sugar wax, made of white sugar, lemon juice and water, is probably one of the most popular DIY methods of hair removal. Instead of sticking to your skin like regular wax, sugar binds directly to the hair and pulls it out from the root. This results in less pain and less skin irritation. It’s a much gentler way of removing your hair, plus it’s 100% natural! Be careful not to burn yourself and have a friend help you if needed!
4. Lemon + Honey
A mask made with lemon and honey can be used as an effective facial hair removal remedy. Combine 4 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and dab it into your skin using a cotton ball. Let it sit for 10 minutes then remove with warm water. Do this twice a week for best results.
5. Baking Soda + Lemon + Water
Baking soda removes unwanted hair, lightens dark hair and decreases hair growth. Mix a small amount of baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice, then add water to thicken the mixture. Apply the mix to the desired areas and leave it on the skin for about 15 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water.
6. Potato + Lentils + Honey + Lemon
Potatoes are rich in acidic properties and act as an active bleaching agent. This helps lighten your hair and reduces the rate of hair growth. When mixed with lentils, the paste pulls out unwanted hairs when used over time. Soak a cup of yellow lentils in water and leave overnight. Then, grind them in a food processor until they reach a thick, paste-like consistency. Add one whole chopped potato, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
7. Oats + Honey + Lemon | Grazia Daily
Oats are really good for your skin as they contain an antioxidant that protects against UV sun damage and reduces redness. They’re also rough enough to exfoliate dead skin and remove unwanted hair overtime with continued use. Honey smooths, softens and hydrates the skin and lemon has a natural bleaching effect, reducing the appearance of dark hairs.
8. Egg White + Sugar + Cornflour
This recipe works well for light facial hair. Mix an egg white with 1 tablespoon of sugar and a ½ tablespoon cornflour. Apply it to the skin, let it dry then peel it to remove. Make sure to apply in the opposite direction of hair growth, then lift the hairs and rip them off in the direction of hair growth.
9. Pumice Stone
A pumice stone can get rid of dead skin as well as hair, so you can use it as a natural hair remover. You can gently rub a dry pumice stone on clean, dry skin, moving in small circular motions. The pores in the stone will cling to the skin, removing them as you go. Pumice stones do a good job to exfoliate the skin, which can leave it dry, so don’t forget to moisturize immediately afterwards.
10. Onion + Basil
This is a unique combination, but you better believe it works! It won’t be immediate, but consistently using this method 3-4 times a week for a month will remove hair over time. You’ll need 2 onions and 15 to 20 basil leaves. Peel the thin, transparent layer of the onions and place them in a bowl. Add the basil leaves and crush them together to create a paste. Apply the paste and leave it on for 15 minutes, rinsing it when the time’s up.
If you’ve been looking for more natural ways to remove unwanted hair from your face and body, try some of these DIY hair removal recipes!
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