Let’s face it. Unwanted facial hair is our biggest concern. But at the moment we try to remove it, we end up causing red spots and irritation on our face.
Don’t worry! As always, Mother Nature has provided us with amazing solutions that will help us eliminate that much-despised facial hair over time. I said over time because natural remedies take longer to show results. However, using natural products will not harm your sensitive facial skin, unlike those remedies that promise instant results.
You will be surprised to find that there are many natural remedies for removing facial hair:
Gentle Home Remedies for Removing Facial Hair:
Caution: It is advisable to do a patch test (apply on a small area of skin) before applying anything new to your skin.
Sugar and Lemon Juice
What you need:
2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
8-9 tablespoons of water, or enough to create a granular paste
What to do:
1. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, and water. The sugar particles act as an exfoliant.
2. Heat the mixture.
3. Let it cool slightly and apply it to the desired areas, in the direction of hair growth.
4. Allow it to dry.
5. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
6. Rinse with cold water, rubbing in a circular motion.
How often?
Try to do this three times a week. You will start to see results after a few weeks.
Why this works
Sugar has been used since ancient times to remove unwanted hair. Warm sugar sticks to the hair, not the skin. So, once it dries, it pulls the hair out when we start to wash it off our face. Additionally, the sugar is only slightly heated for application. Therefore, it causes less discomfort compared to wax, which needs to be heated to much higher temperatures. The lemon in the mixture brightens the skin tone and lightens any remaining hair, if present.
Caution
Be careful not to overheat it or you may burn yourself. Also, do not leave it on for more than 30 minutes, as the citric acid in lemon juice can dry out your skin.
Lemon and Honey
What you need:
2 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon of organic honey
1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or all-purpose flour
Water, if necessary
A wax strip or a piece of cloth
What to do:
1. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, and honey.
2. Heat the mixture for about 3 minutes until it becomes a wax-like paste.
3. To make the paste thinner, you can add water. Ensure the paste is homogeneous.
4. Let the mixture cool.
5. Apply cornstarch or flour to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
6. Then, spread the paste in the direction of hair growth.
7. Using a wax strip or a piece of cloth, pull the hair in the opposite direction.
How often?
Try to do this two to three times a week. You can prepare this mixture in larger quantities to wax your back, arms, and legs as well.
Why this works
The process is similar to waxing, except that it uses natural ingredients, which are, as you know, much better for your skin than their chemical counterparts.
Caution
Do not overheat the mixture. Those with sensitive skin should opt for another method.
Oats and Bananas
What you need:
2 tablespoons of oats
1 ripe banana
What to do:
1. Mix the oats and mashed banana.
2. Apply the paste to the desired areas.
3. Using a circular motion, massage the paste for about 15 minutes. Rub in the direction of hair growth.
4. Rinse with cold water.
How often?
Apply it once a week and voila, you will be rewarded with glowing skin! This paste can also be used as an exfoliant.
Why this works
Oat flour contains a class of antioxidants called avenanthramides, which reduce redness and irritation of the skin. Therefore, using an oat-based exfoliant will give you soft, hydrated, and smooth skin, along with a face free of unwanted hair. Oat flour also has moisturizing properties that allow the skin to retain moisture.
Oats, Honey, and Lemon Juice
What you need:
1/2 tablespoon of oats
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
What to do:
1. Mix the oats, honey, and lemon juice to obtain a paste.
2. Apply this mixture to the face.
3. Let it act for about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Now, gently rub your face in a circular motion for about 5 minutes. Rub in the direction of hair growth.
5. Rinse.
How often?
You can apply this mixture twice a week. Leave at least 2 days between applications.
Why this works
Oat flour, as mentioned earlier, soothes the skin. Since waxing is a painful process that causes skin irritation, it is a good idea to use oats to remove hair. Honey soothes dry skin, and lemon juice acts as a mild bleach. Together, these ingredients can work wonders in removing hair from the face.
Caution
Do not apply too often. Lemon juice, when used excessively, can make your skin flaky and dry.
Turmeric and Rose Water / Milk
What you need:
1 to 2 tablespoons of turmeric
rose water or milk
What to do:
1. Soak the turmeric powder in rose water or milk (you can use tap water if you don’t have any of the ingredients at home and can’t go buy them)
2. Mix into a smooth paste.
3. Apply the paste to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
4. Leave for about 15-20 minutes or until it dries.
5. Rinse with warm water.
6. For thick hair removal, you can add some finely ground oats or rice flour to the mixture.
How often?
You can do this every day if you wish.
Why this works
Turmeric has been used for treating skin diseases such as eczema and for healing wounds for centuries in India. It has amazing antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Therefore, it is an ideal agent for hair removal, as it protects the skin after the hair has been pulled out.
Caution
Too much turmeric can give the skin an unwanted yellow tint. So, if you use this every other day, make sure to use only a pinch of turmeric. It is also not advisable to use a scrub after using turmeric, as it can darken the skin.
Lentils and Potatoes
What you need:
Yellow lentils, soaked in water overnight
One potato
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon of honey
What to do:
1. Peel the potato and grate it.
2. Extract the juice from the mashed potatoes.
3. Drain the water in which the lentils were soaked. Grind the lentils into a smooth paste.
4. Add the potato juice to the yellow lentil paste.
5. Add the lemon juice and honey to this mixture.
6. Apply this mixture to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
7. Let it act for about 20-30 minutes, until the paste dries completely.
8. Start rubbing the dried paste to remove it.
How often?
You can do this once or twice a week.
Why this works
Potatoes have several benefits for the skin. The high amount of catecholase in potatoes helps improve skin tone. Therefore, using the lentil and potato mixture not only removes unwanted hair but also makes the skin look brighter.
Caution
Some people are allergic to raw potatoes. They complain of itching and rashes on the skin. So, if you have never had potatoes in your kitchen and are unsure how your skin will react to raw potatoes, make sure to do a patch test before applying this remedy.
Egg White and Cornstarch
What you need:
One egg
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of sugar
What to do:
1. Separate the egg white from the yolk.
2. Add the cornstarch and sugar to the egg white.
3. Beat it until it forms a smooth paste.
4. Apply it to the areas with unwanted hair.
5. Leave it on for about 20-25 minutes, until completely dry.
6. Once dry, peel it off.
How often?
Do this 2-3 times a week for best results. It may be slightly painful but not more than wax strips, believe me!
Why this works
Egg whites are the perfect way to get rid of unwanted hair. It is sticky and forms a thin film over the hair on the face. This helps pull the hair out when it dries. Additionally, the sugar adds to the stickiness of the mixture, while the cornstarch gives it a thick and smooth consistency, making hair removal easier.
Caution
For those with acne-prone skin, using this remedy may lead to clogged pores and increase the likelihood of breakouts. Those with sensitive skin should know that egg whites contain vitamin A, which can lead to breakouts and increased sensitivity.
Alum and Rose Water
What you need:
1/2 tablespoon of alum powder
2 to 3 tablespoons of rose water
A few drops of sesame oil or olive oil
What to do:
1. Add rose water to the alum powder and make a paste.
2. Take a cotton ball and soak it in the mixture.
3. Apply the paste to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
4. Let it dry. Apply another layer of the mixture.
5. Repeat this drying and applying process 5 to 6 times. If you have sensitive skin, 3 to 4 times is sufficient.
6. Rinse after the last layer is dry.
7. Apply sesame oil or olive oil to moisturize the area.
How often?
You should do this at least once a week, if possible three times a week.
Why this works?
Alum has traditionally been used by Asian women to inhibit hair growth. It can also be used as a post-wax product, as it soothes the skin.
Papaya and Aloe Vera
What you need:
1 tablespoon of papaya paste
2 to 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon of mustard oil
1 tablespoon of flour
1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
2 drops of any essential oil
A clean and dry cloth
1 tablespoon of olive oil (you can also opt for a moisturizing cream)
What to do:
1. Mix the papaya paste, aloe vera gel, flour, turmeric powder, mustard oil, and essential oil to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste to the areas where you need to remove hair.
3. Let the paste dry for about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Start rubbing the cloth in the opposite direction of hair growth to remove the dried paste.
5. Rinse with water.
6. Massage a few drops of olive oil, baby oil, or moisturizing cream on the sensitized area.
How often?
This remedy should be used 3 to 4 times a week for about three months for best results.
Why this works
The enzyme papain in papaya causes hair to fall out.
Lavender Oil and Tea Tree Oil
What you need:
1 tablespoon of lavender oil
4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil
What to do:
1. Mix the oils.
2. Apply this mixture to the areas where you have unwanted hair. You can use a cotton ball for application.
How often?
Repeat this process several times a day for at least three months to see results.
Why this works
Many women suffer from excessive terminal hair on their androgen-dependent body areas, such as the chin or jawline, due to a condition called hirsutism. Women with hirsutism have excessive hair growth on their face and body. The hair is usually dark and coarse. It typically appears where men usually have hair on the face, chest, and back. Lavender and tea tree oils have anti-androgenic properties and, therefore, when applied locally, can reduce hair growth.
Caution
Tea tree oil can cause skin irritation, swelling, dryness, itching, burning, and redness in people with acne-prone skin. Do not ingest the mixture.
Basil and Onion
What you need:
2 Onions
A handful of basil leaves
What to do:
1. Chop the onion.
2. Remove the thin transparent membranes between the layers of the onion.
3. Crush the basil leaves.
4. Mix both and grind to make a paste.
5. Apply this paste to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
6. Let it act for about 20 minutes.
7. Rinse with water.
How often?
Repeat this three to four times a week for a few months to get rid of unwanted hair.
Why this works
This is one of the best home remedies for removing facial hair. Onion has many benefits for skin, hair, and health. It promotes hair growth! However, it has been observed that when used with basil leaves, onion can eliminate unwanted hair.
Barley and Milk
What you need:
1 tablespoon of barley powder
1 tablespoon of milk
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What to do:
1. Mix the barley powder, milk, and lemon juice to make a paste.
2. Apply this mixture to the areas where you have unwanted hair.
3. Let it act for 30 minutes.
4. Rub it off.
How often?
Follow this process 3 to 4 times a week. This mixture can also be used as an exfoliant. When used regularly, it will give you incredibly soft and supple skin.
Why this works
Barley and milk paste sticks to the hair on the face when it dries. Once we start rubbing it, the hair stuck to the dried paste comes off.
Wheat Flour and Milk
What you need:
2 tablespoons of wheat flour
1 tablespoon of milk (or enough to make a paste)
1 tablespoon of rose water
What to do:
1. Mix the wheat flour, milk, and rose water to make a paste.
2. Apply the mixture to the face.
3. Massage it on the face using gentle, circular motions.
4. Continue to massage until the mixture dries.
5. Rinse with water.
How often?
You can do this daily. If you have sensitive skin, you can use it three times a week.
Why this works
The paste starts to stick to the hair as it dries. Once we start to massage it, the hair stuck to the dried paste comes off.
Wheat flour is the product that remains after we refine the wheat grain. Due to its high nutrient content, it is used in many cosmetic products.
Apricots and Honey
What you need:
2 tablespoons of powdered apricots
1 tablespoon of honey (or enough to make a paste)
What to do:
1. Add honey to the apricot powder.
2. Apply this mixture to the face.
3. Let it act for about 15 minutes.
4. Massage the mixture into the skin with your fingers using gentle, circular motions for about 10 minutes.
5. Rinse. You can use warm water for this.
How often?
Repeat this three times a week for best results.
Why this works
The paste, once dried, helps in removing hair. Apricots are an excellent source of antioxidants, and we all know how antioxidants benefit our skin. Add to that the amazing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of honey, and you have the secret to beautiful skin.
