Make Beauty DIYs With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving is by far my absolute favorite holiday. Why? One simple reason: the food, duh. There is nothing better than waking up to the decadent aromas of candied yams, pumpkin pie, and cranberry stuffing on Thanksgiving day, knowing you're just hours away from the best meal of the year. But after your 5th serving, when you can't eat anymore, let alone breathe, what do you do with those loads of Thanksgiving leftovers? Instead of binge eating for the next week, do something different and turn those leftovers into beauty formulas that work.

Think about it this way, using your pumpkin pie to make a moisturizing face mask will not only help keep your skin clear and soft, help save money in all sorts of ways. It's like killing three birds with one stone: saving money on beauty products (which seem to always be getting more expensive), stopping yourself from binging all week (only if you want to — I fully encourage eating these leftovers as well) and pampering yourself. Yipee! I've consulted a dermatologist, Dr. Marina Peredo, M.D., F.A.A.D to suggest the best DIY beauty treatments using ingredients found in your Thanksgiving dinner. Here are 5 quick and easy recipes you can whip up yourself.

1. Sweet Potato Wrinkle-Reducing Eye Treatment

Benefit: Sweet potatoes are high in Iron, fiber and beta-carotene, which aid in the production of new skin cells and helps to smooth out fine lines.

Use: For a wrinkle-reducing eye treatment, slice two pieces of cold sweet potato and place on each eye for 20 minutes. The colder the sweet potato slices, the more effective the treatment will be.

2. Hydrating Pumpkin Mask

Benefit: Pumpkins contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc, which help reduce inflammation and redness.

Use: Mix leftover pumpkin with milk and honey for a nutritiously hydrating mask. In need of exfoliation? Add a little brown sugar to the blend. Leave your homemade mask on for 20 minutes for gorgeous, soothing skin.

3. Banana Cream Pie Hair Mask

Benefit: bananas are rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins, all which help to soften the hair and protect its natural elasticity, preventing split ends and breakage.

Use: Create a wonderfully hydrating, healthy, and chemical-free hair mask by adding honey and olive oil to the banana cream filling. Apply the mask to your hair, brush through and let sit for 15 minutes. After rinsing, your hair will be soft and supple, visibly reducing the appearance of split ends.

4. Cranberry Exfoliating Mask

Benefit: Cranberries are considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in all food groups. They are anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory and can help to stimulate collagen in the skin.

Use: For an exfoliating mask, mash up leftover cranberries with raw sugar, oatmeal and a little cranberry juice. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes and rinse to create a healthy glow.

5. Beer-Infused Skin Toner

Benefit: The brewer’s yeast in beer helps balance the pH level in skin and contains anti-bacterial properties and vitamin B Complex, which improve acne.

Use: Apply as a toner all over the face and décolletage after cleansing for a refreshed and more improved skin texture.

Images: Maria Broztowska, Malyshchyts Viktar, Barbara Helgason, gitusik, Brent Hofacker/Fotolia.com