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Beauty

Katharine Hepburn’s 3-Ingredient Exfoliant Is So Easy to Make

Katharine Hepburn was known for her natural beauty, which of course included her flawless complexion. The starlet famously stood out in Hollywood for her minimal use of makeup, so many folks wondered how she made her face look so camera-ready all the time. Legend has it that it all came down to a natural DIY exfoliant, made of just three simple ingredients we all have at home.

According to Glamour UK, Katharine reportedly used a small mixture of sugar, warm water, and a squeeze of lemon juice to exfoliate her face. It’s rumored that she was so fond of this ritual that she did it every single night before bed. After blending the three simple ingredients together, she would simply massage the mixture into her skin. Then, she would follow up with a splash of cold water to rinse her face off afterward. (We can’t help but wonder if Katharine ever splashed her face as many times as Joan Crawford did!)

Considering Katharine flaunted a no-fuss look throughout her career, it’s no surprise that her beauty secret was such a simple one. And so practical too! Sugar is a natural humectant that helps your skin retain moisture so you don’t get all dried out. If you’ve ever used sugar on your skin, you know just how soft and oh-so-smooth it feels afterward. Meanwhile, lemon juice can be used to even out your skin tone and brighten your complexion.

But before trying this trick at home, it’s best to do a patch test with lemon juice on skin in place less sensitive than your face, like your arm. Experts say some folks with sensitive skin might risk irritation or another negative reactions. It’s also a good idea to stay out of the sun immediately after applying lemon juice to any part of your body.

If you’re not much of a DIY person, you also have the option of buying products such as a lemon peeling gel ($9.90, Amazon) or a brown sugar scrub ($13.94, Amazon) to treat your face to some serious smoothing. And if you find yourself looking more radiant afterward, you only have Katharine Hepburn to thank!

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