Green tea: for when you want to look like you had 8 hours of sleep, but really only had 3 (and 9 other surprising beauty facts)

Listen. It’s that time of the year, isn’t it? The time of year for surprising beauty facts, you say? Well, yes. When isn’t it.

That and everyone just wants to be fresh and bright eyed and bushy tailed, but we’re all still feeling a confused as how January has been and gone and Rihanna is pregnant, again and where did our resolutions even go? Did I even start them? I’m confused.

Has anyone figured out how to actually relax when they’re supposed to? If so could you let a girl know? For some reason, the second my brain thinks it’s “supposed to” do something – especially something like relax – it can think of 457 more important things to do, and at least 18% of them are absolutely pressing and urgent and must be tended to, immediately.

Needless to say, we’re all feeling the pressure at this time of year. We’re supposed to (there it is again) be back in the swing of things but we’re still trying to figure out how to earth its already mid Feburary and and I feel like I havent catapulted out of Janurary a new revived and different person.

Anyway, being as it’s that time of year when things are still al little fuzzy and we’re all feeling some kind of way, I decided I’d take one for the team and binge listen to as many beauty podcasts as possible, in an effort to learn a thing or two that might save us from ourselves (don’t say I never give you anything).

Here are the 10 most surprising things I learned from that particular binge-session (in no particular order):

1.Using coconut oil as a natural sunscreen can help protect the skin from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Why did this one make the list? Do you have any idea how much money I’ve spent on Australian Tropic products in the adult years of my life? And all this time I thought I was being clever and doing the right thing. Turns out coconut oil is highly moisturising, much more affordable, generally better on the environment and has an SPF of around 8, which depending where you live isn’t too shabby. And, of course we all know the importance of wearing a SPF. Let’s be honest though, is there anything coconut oil can’t do? Definitely one to keep in mind when you’re browsing the overly priced body oil section at Sainsbury’s.

2.Using red lipstick as a form of sun protection, like the ancient Egyptians, can protect the lips from sun damage and keep them looking healthy and plump.

According to one podcast, ancient Egyptians used to use red lipstick as a form of protection from the sun and as a natural plumping effect. And, honestly, if it was good enough for Cleopatra, it is good enough for me. I do love me a matte red lip. Just don’t fall asleep with it on and then attempt to lovingly gaze at your partner in the morning. You’ll look like tiny elves came in at night and sucked your lips out of all of their hydration and painted the deepest crevices of your lip skin in a bright shade of red, leaving the rest normal. I obviously have never done that. But, you might not want to either.

3. You will likely consume around 7 pounds of lipstick in your lifetime. But at least you will have fully expressed yourself, and that’s all that matters.

Weirdly enough, lipstick doesn’t just evaporate from our faces and disappear. We actually eat it. Just another good reason to pay close attention to the products and chemicals you slather on your face. 7 pounds is the average, of course, so it depends how avid a lipstick user you are. But, if you’re inhaling 7 pounds (or more) of lipstick in your life, I think we all could argue… that’s a life well lived.

4. Using honey as a natural treatment for acne can clear up the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes without the use of harsh chemicals.

Acne is a complicated problem, that’s often an inside job before it can really be tackled effectively on the outside. So, take this one with a pinch of… erm… honey but some women on a podcast episode said that it had been really helpful as an antibacterial agent and helped soothe redness and irritation. If your skin is already a bit tired from heavy chemicals and intense acne treatment, speak to your dematologist about trying a small drop of honey in a water-based moisturiser and see what happens.

5. Using green tea to reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes can give a person a more refreshed and awake appearance.

**runs to kitchen to make 6 cups of green tea** this was my personal favourite of all of the random things I learned. According to the episode I listened to, both drinking green tea and using the teabags (cold, obviously, don’t go slapping boiling hot water onto your peepers) on your eyes can help to reduce puffiness, swelling, dark circles and give you a generally more refreshed look. Anything that makes me look and seem alive on the outside when I’m really still wrapping my head around Rihannas Super Bowl performance on the inside gets the green (pun intended) light from me.

6. Applying ice to the face before applying makeup can help to reduce redness and puffiness, resulting in a more even and smooth makeup application.

Alright, I’m going to tell you the truth. This one made it to the list because I was so intrigued when I heard it, that I had to try it. After I got over the absolute ridiculousness of melting ice cubes on my face while my 1.5-year-old desperately tried to rob me of the luxury, grasping at the ice and pointing to his mouth, while I reassured him “no not food. This is for mummy’s old face” – I have to say it actually worked. That day I was feeling particularly puffy, and I definitely felt better after. Giving this one the seal of approval. As long as you can police your children at the same time.

7. Using olive oil as a natural makeup remover can gently remove makeup without drying out the skin.

Hey, who am I to argue with science? And, when science says I can cook AND dissolve my 4-day-old mascara at the same time? Absolutely winning. Tried it with my industrial strength Clinique mascara that fights to it’s dying breath. Even with actual makeup remover. It didn’t remove it all, but it did help and it didn’t feel as drying or obnoxious as most other make up removers. Won’t be adding this to the make up bag line up any time soon, but good to know for those desperate measures when you wake up 5 minutes before that zoom call and you need to cook eggs AND try and make it look like you didn’t literally just fall out of bed.

8. Using lemon juice as a natural teeth whitener can brighten and whiten the teeth, resulting in a brighter and more confident smile.

I knew you could use lemon juice to bleach your hair, did not think about using it on the teeth. Will definitely be trying this one. Some of the advice out there is to make a rinse out of lemon juice and some other things. Some people say just put it in a glass and hold it in your mouth for a few minutes. Just be careful, lemons are very acidic. Teeth enamel doesn’t like acid. Intersting but best you do a little bit more research on this one.

9. Using aloe vera to treat sunburns can soothe and heal the skin, reducing the risk of peeling and long-term damage.

An oldie but a goodie. I wanted to include this one because I felt like it was important to add – not any old aloe vera. If you can somehow miraculously get your hands on the actual plant, this stuff is magic. Especially when you keep it in the fridge. It doesn’t just soothe sunburn, it cures it. Mine disappears if I can get aloe on it immediately. And, you know, the sun will age you faster than a forgotten raisin underneath your child's dry, hot car seat. So, aloe, please be my best friend and never leave me.

10. Drinking water can help to improve the appearance of the skin by keeping it hydrated and plump, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Alright. Alright. We all know this one is true, don’t we? So, why are you so dehydrated? Why am I? Why can’t I do this one simple thing that I know is so good for my health and makes my skin look 15 years younger and literally makes me feel alive? If I drink enough water in one day I feel my insides celebrating, hugging each other and crying. So, ok this on kinda goes without saying. But it’s the best advice and I’m leaving it here as accountability for you and me. If you’re reading this, you probably haven’t drank enough water yet today. Go get some.