I've Used This Skin Brightening Hack For Years, And It's Basically Free

Whenever our skin looks tired or dull, we either start piling on the highlighter or searching the shelves of Cult Beauty for a quick fix. But actually, one of the best skincare ingredients is already waiting in your fridge, orange juice. I know it seems unlikely that orange juice is just as good as a formulated skincare product, but I swear I’ve been doing this for years, and it gives the most amazing natural glow, plus it’s purse-friendly too.

Oranges are a natural source of vitamin C, which is one of the most common ingredients in radiance-boosting skincare products. By applying orange juice directly onto your face, you’re delivering the most natural source of vitamin C that hasn’t been diluted or modified. Vitamin C is also mega hydrating and full of antioxidants, which will instantly brighten your skin while helping protect and shield it from damaging external factors, like pollution and sun damage. Oranges are also packed with natural AHAs like citric acid, which gently exfoliates and brightens your skin, combatting any dark patches.

Orange Toner, Three Ways

Here are our three favorite ways to incorporate orange juice into our beauty regime. Just remember you need to ensure your orange juice is 100% pure OJ that hasn’t been sweetened. We also like to use organic orange juice as this means it’s free of any chemicals.

1. Straight-up OJ: All you need to do is soak a cotton pad with orange juice and sweep it across your face after cleansing. Wash it off 15 minutes later, and we swear you’ll be able to notice a difference. You can also just cut an orange in half and gently rub it in circular motions across your face.
2. Iced Orange toner: To amplify this simple toner, freeze your orange juice overnight in an ice tray and then gently massage it across your face in the morning. It’ll not only brighten your complexion, but the ice will tighten pores and soothe any morning puffiness!
3. Orange Facial Mist: This facial mist is the perfect spray to carry with you when you’re on the go this summer for a quick hit of moisture and a refreshing glow. Start by peeling the skin of one orange and placing it into a large bowl. Then submerge the orange peels with approximately 100ml of boiling water and leave the mixture to soak overnight in the fridge. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle the following morning, and spritz onto a fresh, cleansed face. For more facial mist DIYs, check out this post.