I can smell black pepper in any dish, and for whatever reason, my taste buds just don't like black pepper, and if someone tried to sneak it into my favorite pasta dish: I would know about it. Still, I haven't completely given up on this common spice. Unlike my salt habit, I love eating salt like I love putting it in exfoliating scrubs and I use black pepper very strictly for hair and skin care and other beauty tips to control acne, scalp care and fight the harsh signs of aging.
Black pepper is commonly used to relieve coughs and treat minor digestive issues, but this spicy plant has a secret: It can detoxify your skin back to its natural state with all its nutrients and vitamins. Black pepper is made from the unripe fruits of the pepper plant, and the oil is made through a steam distillation method. Fresh black pepper and black pepper essential oil work wonders on our bodies from the inside out, but the great thing about essential oils is that you can rest assured that you won't sneeze while enjoying its many beauty benefits.
According to sources at Style Craze, black pepper is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins C and K. The vitamin C content helps give pepper its extremely high antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiotic properties, so clearly, this is no ordinary spice. When black pepper is combined topically with the right ingredients, fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and pigmentation issues can be easily addressed. Seriously, once you experience the stimulating effects of black pepper applied directly to your skin, you'll be hooked forever.
If maintaining a youthful complexion isn't your priority right now, then maybe clearing away old acne scars and blemishes will put you in touch with the black pepper grinder. Its excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are great for cleansing and healing the skin. According to sources at Cosmetics & Beauty, black pepper can also lighten skin tone and dark spots.
Since, I just want to get rid of my dark spots right after I get rid of my acne, I couldn't wait to create a gentle exfoliant that's cheap and effective. Be sure to test your skin's reaction to black pepper before trying these easy DIY recipes. Black pepper is a irritant and you should never use it without the help of your favorite carrier oil.
black pepper exfoliation
To be honest, I was wary of trying this exfoliant because of a recent chili pepper experiment that went horribly wrong. Luckily, my roommate was easily bribed to test my new concoction. After we confirmed that we were using the right amount of black pepper and that she wasn't experiencing irritation on her face, I tried a combination of organic plain yogurt and freshly ground black pepper seeds - and loved the results. This recipe from Makeup and Beauty only requires half a teaspoon of black pepper and a teaspoon of yogurt to create the perfect exfoliant.
Lemon Pepper Scalp Treatment
Since black pepper is so good for our faces, if you don't add some stimulating ingredients to it, you know your scalp will turn green with envy. According to many sources, including Black Girl Long Hair, black pepper can be used to stimulate hair growth. It’s also a popular way to relieve dandruff and create shiny, strong hair. Before you poop (or not), make a solution of lemon seeds and black pepper and dilute it with a light carrier oil like jojoba or apricot seed oil. I highly recommend using a carrier oil to avoid irritating your scalp, but this treatment from Style Craze claims you can use just lemon and pepper!
Images: David_pics , Martin /Flickr; Jiffy; Christine Collins Jackson
