Repurpose your cooking water: A zero-waste beauty revolution
Do you discard the water after cooking? It's better to repurpose it in your daily care routine. Water from boiled rice, potatoes, or pasta is a veritable, homemade cosmetic treasure—natural, cost-free, and effective. It's zero waste at its best.
Rice tonic for skin and hair rinse
Rice water is perhaps the most well-known of these kitchen "cosmetics." It has been used for centuries in Asian beauty rituals and is experiencing a resurgence in home care. What are its benefits? Primarily, it brightens the complexion, minimises the appearance of pores, and firms the skin.
Simply drain the water from cooking white rice (preferably without added salt), let it cool, and use it as a toner on a cotton pad. Then, cleanse your face. The effect? Bright, smooth skin with fewer imperfections.
But that's not all. Rice water is also an excellent strengthening hair rinse. Just soak your hair in a bowl with this liquid, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Thanks to the starch and vitamins, your hair becomes soft, shiny, and less prone to damage.
Smoothing potato bath
Do you cook potatoes almost every day? From now on, don't pour out the water. Due to its high starch content, the water from boiled potatoes is great for dry and rough skin. Just add it to warm bath water. This bath acts as a natural smoothing treatment, especially on elbows, knees, and feet. Afterwards, your skin is softer, more elastic, and better hydrated.
Pasta water as a conditioner base
While it may seem surprising, pasta water has cosmetic applications, particularly hair care. It contains starch that softens hair and facilitates the absorption of nutrients from masks and conditioners. How to use it? After washing your hair, briefly immerse it in cooled pasta water, then apply your favourite mask. You can also mix the water with conditioner in a 1:1 ratio and apply this mixture to your hair. The result will be smooth, soft, and manageable strands that are easier to detangle and less frizzy.
Zero waste in home spa
Incorporating cooking water into your care routine is a simple, affordable, and effective way to support your beauty regimen naturally. Besides tangible results, it provides satisfaction by reducing waste and creating homemade cosmetics. However, remember not to add salt when cooking, as it can irritate the skin and dry the hair.
Next time, before you turn on the tap and pour away the pot's remnants, consider whether your skin or hair could benefit from this home care. Water from rice, potatoes, or pasta is a simple way to make everyday cooking beneficial for the palate and your beauty.
