You cruise the cosmetics aisle on every visit to the drugstore or superstore, just to check out the new products, right? But it’s not just the cosmetics aisle that offers a bounty of beauty buys. Check out these “off-label” uses of familiar products.
1) Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel ($7.81): This gel works nicely to prevent chafing (thighs in summer, need I say more?) and blisters. But the active ingredient, dimethicone, is a silicone similar to the cyclomethicone in Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer ($36). Furthermore, Makeup For Ever’s HD Microperfecting Primer ($32) is dimethicone-based. If you’re looking for a cheaper primer, this Monistat gel is worth a look.
Chafing Gel can double as a foundation primer.
2) Aspirin ($2.19 for 100 tablets): No one I know uses aspirin as a pain reliever, but some may have a big bottle in the beauty arsenal. Aspirin is an acetyl derivative of salicylic acid, which you may recognize as a common BHA exfoliant and acne medication. A paste of aspirin can be used as a mask or a blemish spot treatment, or you can mix up a batch of aspirin toner.
3) Aloe vera gel ($3.69 for 6 oz.): Beach babes know to toss some aloe vera gel in their bag for after-sun soothing. Post-skincare, rub a dollop through your hair—it makes a great, light hair gel. In a pinch, it can also triple as shaving gel.
4) Milk of Magnesia ($6.49 for 12 oz.): The magnesium hydroxide in milk of magnesia acts as a laxative when taken internally. But when smoothed on your face as on a mask, or even as a foundation primer, the same ingredient controls oil.
5) Panty liners ($3.69 for 60): You know a well-timed pantyliner has saved your clothes and lingerie more than once. Slightly trimmed down, panty liners can also act as underarm shields, absorbing sweat and protecting your clothes from deodorant stains.
6) Cornstarch (approx. $2 for 12 oz. at amazon.com): If you cook much, you probably have a can of this in your kitchen cabinet for thickening gravies and sauces. Cornstarch, or zea mays, is a key ingredient in dry shampoos such as Bumble & Bumble Hair Powder ($19). A tiny bit of cornstarch dusted on your roots with a large makeup brush absorbs excess oil. (You can also try talc-free baby powder, which is cornstarch-based, but usually contains fragrance.)
7) Microfiber cloths ($8 for 6 at autozone.com): Aquis charges nearly $8 for a single microfiber washcloth, but you can usually find a value pack of microfiber cloths (intended for detailing cars) in the auto section of discount stores and supermarkets. These work well for gentle face and body exfoliation, and with a pack of 6, you can use a new one almost every day (as you should to prevent bacterial growth on your washcloth).
8) Lansinoh Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers ($9.49): Pure lanolin is great at soothing sore nipples, and is a rich emollient for bleeding, chapped lips.
Prices are from drugstore.com, except where noted.
Beauty Crucible 