This may come as a surprise, but cornstarch has many applications for your body. Pure cornstarch can be used as a natural antiperspirant, a chafing solution, a dry shampoo, and an emollient. WebMD, for example, recommends mixing it with baking soda and then applying it to your underarms. The starch will absorb excess sweat, keeping you dry. You can also apply cornstarch to your scalp to freshen up greasy hair. This trick can do wonders between washes!
Running a marathon or breaking a sweat on your exercise bike? Use cornstarch on the inside of your thighs to prevent chafing. This common ingredient may also help prevent intertrigo, a type of rash that occurs between skin folds (via American Family Physician). If you're prone to athlete's foot, put some cornstarch in your shoes to reduce excess moisture. Some people also use cornstarch to soothe skin irritation caused by sunburn, blisters, or rashes, but it's safer to stick to pharmaceutical products.
Some beauty bloggers recommend using cornstarch as a setting powder, saying that it eliminates shine. That's not a good idea, though. "Cornstarch is a food source with no preservatives, so when exposed to moisture it can breed fungal or bacterial substances," master aesthetician Tiffany Crews told Woman's Day. "This can happen if someone starts to sweat while the cornstarch is present on her face, which can lead to breakouts and inflammation." There is also a risk of allergic reactions, she added. Likewise, you shouldn't use cornstarch for contouring or exfoliation.
