Save Your Skin While You Sleep: Hot Water Bottles

In the spirit of frugality I want to talk about a beauty secret that the British and Germans have employed for years: the humble hot water bottle. At night, turn down the heat, fill one of these bottles with hot water from the kettle, cap, and slide it under the covers. (Insert Is-that-a-water-bottle-in-your-bed-or-are-you-just-happy-to-see-me? joke here.)

The bottle will heat your sheets up to 9 hours. It'll also alleviate aches and cramps, encourage your body to better heat itself, and increase circulation (which is also beneficial for treating and avoiding cellulite)!

Pretty factor: You’ll wake up with softer skin and less frizzy hair because dry, warm heater air didn't suck all the moisture out. You can spruce up your bottle (and protect your skin from the hot rubber) by wrapping it in a cute pillowcase or even knitting a little sweater for it.

Eco factor: Zero energy used. The traditional red or blue bottles are made of latex rubber. They last for years and keep your water the hottest. But if you have latex allergies or are averse to buying non-recyclable rubber you can buy a German-made transparent bottle of thermoplastic material that's odorless and recyclable.

Frugal factor: You’ll save quite a few bucks on your utilities. The latex version costs as little as $3.95. The German version costs about $20 and will also last many years, still quite a bargain. Most drugstores carry the latex bottles. Click here to buy the German model.

— Jen from Skin Rhythm