Making your own beauty products not only makes sense, it’ll also save you dollars. And, more often than not, your products will be better for you than the store-bought versions.
Here are five fabulous potions and lotions mostly made with ingredients that you’ll have in your pantry or bathroom cabinet. Why not give DIY beauty products a go?
1. Really good foot scrub
This is a simple foot scrub recipe that should be applied before you have a shower. The sugar exfoliates your feet, the oils soothe and moisturise and the peppermint gives you a nice cooling feeling, making those little piggies feel and smell fresh.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated raw sugar
- 1/2 cup olive or coconut oil
- a few drops of peppermint oil (or fresh mint finely chopped, if you have it).
Method:
- place the sugar into a mixing bowl
- add olive or coconut oil (slowly), stirring until you get a grainy paste
- add a few drops of peppermint essential oil or finely chopped fresh mint.
Application:
Take your time to work the mixture into each foot, and leave on for 5–10 minutes before washing off in the shower or bath. Store whatever is left over in a small, airtight jar.
2. Sweet-smelling face scrub
This sweet-smelling face scrub will leave your skin feeling clean and fresh and, best of all, it’s ridiculously cheap and super easy to make. Add your choice of fragrance to make it a scrub that suits you.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp granulated raw sugar
- 1–2 drops of water
- 1–2 drops peppermint, orange, lemon, lavender or tea-tree essential oil (your choice).
Method:
- combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently mix (whoa, that was easy!).
Application:
Gently rub the mixture into your face, using only the tips of your fingers. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. Rinse with water and pat dry your face with a clean towel.
3. You-beaut body lotion
The you-beaut body is so easy to make it’s hard to see why you’ve paid so much for the store-bought stuff in the past. With only two inexpensive ingredients, and your choice of fragrance, you may never visit the beauty aisle again.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups olive oil
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 15–20 drops essential oil for fragrance (your choice).
Method:
- in the microwave, warm two cups of coconut oil until melted (about ten seconds per cup)
- add 1/2 cup olive oil and 15–20 drops (depending how strong a fragrance you’re after), then mix on the lowest setting
- once the oils are well combined, increase the speed of your mixer so more air can be introduced
- keep mixing until you have a fluffy consistency.
Application:
Apply as you would any other body lotion, only you may have to play around with the amount you use, as drier skin may require more and, conversely, oilier skin may need less.
4. Toothpaste
Why make your own toothpaste? Well, it’s cheaper and, quite often, better for your teeth than the chemical-infused products in stores. It is worth noting, however, that if you have any reservations, you seek the advice of a dentist to make sure you’re not harming your teeth in any way. I will say though, that bicarbonate of soda measures much lower on the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale (used to measure the abrasion of toothpastes on teeth), than almost all other brands of toothpaste, including the very expensive ones.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- 1 cup water
- 1–2 drops peppermint, spearmint, anise or cinnamon essential oils (optional)
- airtight glass jar.
Method:
- add baking soda to the jar and slowly add water until you get a paste of medium-thick consistency. Don’t add all the water – just enough to get your preferred consistency
- add one or two drops of essential oils to flavour.
Application:
Apply as you would any toothpaste, taking care to scrub gently in a circular or up and down motion, brushing from the gums to the ends of your teeth.
5. Avocado face mask
Depending on the time of year, avocados may not be the cheapest items in the fruit and veg section. But the good news is that you don’t have to use first-grade avocados for this face scrub. So check your local market for the cheap fruit days, or look for the ‘seconds’ bin for a cheaper alternative.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup raw oats or uncooked oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Method:
- mash the avocado using a fork or spoon
- combine with oats, vinegar, honey and lemon juice and gently mix until well combined.
Application:
Apply a relatively generous portion to your face, taking care to avoid your eyes. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Pat dry your face with a clean towel.
Have you tried any of these DIY potions and lotions? Do you know of any other DIY beauty products that you can recommend to our members?
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