5 Uses for Cornstarch That Will Surprise You

While it may normally lurk at the back of your baking cupboard, that box of cornstarch you own can do far more than simply thicken your sauces. Like its name implies, cornstarch comes from milled corn and has dozens of uses that extend beyond the kitchen. This commonly used starch is used in a variety of industries to make everything from paper and glue to coatings and even pest control products. Our Keizer skin care doctors even know a few ways that cornstarch can help to protect and even repair skin. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways you can use cornstarch at home.

Sunburn Relief

Gently apply a few dabs of a paste made of cornstarch and water to sunburned areas of your skin. Then, after taking a bath in lukewarm water, sprinkle a little cornstarch on your sheets before heading to bed. The smooth texture of cornstarch reduces friction between your sore skin and the fabric of your sheets.

Bug Bite Buster

The next time you get bitten by a pesky critter, consider taking an old school approach to dealing with the inflammation by making a poultice. For those unfamiliar with frontier-style medicine, a poultice is a type of thick paste that’s used to reduce irritation and alleviate discomfort.

Mix roughly three tablespoons of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water, and gently apply the mixture to the irritated area of your skin. Let the mixture dry so it can go to work. You can even leave it on overnight without having to worry about clogging your pores.

A Simple Recipe for a Dry Shampoo

Cornstarch works wonders at absorbing oil, which makes it a handy ingredient to use when whipping up your own homemade dry shampoo. For those unfamiliar, a dry shampoo is just what it sounds like – a type of hair care product that goes to work without any type of liquid, for those who want to keep their hair dry.

To create a simple dry shampoo, you’ll also need another ingredient – baking soda. Just mix two parts cornstarch with one-part baking soda to create your dry shampoo. To apply your mixture, rub it close to your scalp and then brush your hair thoroughly.

Avoid Developing Blisters

When sweat meets friction it adds up to create a blister. Fortunately, you can help to keep your feet dry by sprinkling a little cornstarch on before slipping into your shoes. If you develop a small blister anyway, cushion it with a bandage until the blister goes away. If you develop a large blister, place a doughnut pad around the blister. Going forward, you’ll know which areas of your feet could use a little more protection or even an extra application of cornstarch to treat.

DIY Deodorant

Want to avoid the types of chemicals commonly used in over-the-counter deodorants? Then our Keizer skin care doctors have a simple solution for you. Just mixt an equal amount of baking soda and cornstarch into the palm of your hand. Then, apply the mixture to your underarms using a large makeup brush or cotton balls. This makes a handy and useful solution for those with sensitive skin that’s easily irritated by most store bought brands.