We are all feeling the cost-of-living pinch right now. If you are looking to save some money, why not make your own skincare products? We have collected our favourite homemade skincare recipes with something for the whole family.
Make your own skincare products – benefits
Making your own skincare products has many benefits! You know for sure what is in them, and once you have the necessary components and some experience, you will find that homemade skincare can save you money and take up very little time.
You can also tweak the formulations to fit your own particular needs and skin type. When you make your own skincare, it is like preparing a meal from scratch. You can avoid ingredients, such as preservatives, that you or your family members are allergic to and choose the best ingredients in terms of quality, purity and sustainability. Your homemade skincare products can also use things from the fridge, kitchen cupboard or garden, and you can also choose the aroma. Best of all, you can have fun experimenting.
Our skin is the biggest organ in our body. Not only can it be affected by what we put on it, but it is also an agent of absorption, simply meaning that what we put on the outside of our body quickly finds its way inside and into our bloodstream. With this knowledge (and a little bit of effort), we can avoid using chemically laden products on our family members’ precious skin and enjoy the health benefits.
Homemade skincare recipes for Mum
Facial Exfoliator
Buy a bag of cornmeal. Take a tablespoon of that, a tablespoon of olive oil, and one drop of lavender. Exfoliate your face. Then use a hot flannel to wipe it off.
Sea Salt Body Scrub
Buy a normal jar of sea salt. If it’s a bit coarse, grind it down. Add any kind of oil, including a drop of lavender and a drop of rose oil. Beforehand, dry-skin brush the body, brushing towards the heart.
Facial Moisturiser
Get hold of some good-quality coconut oil. Add one drop of jasmine and rose oil (for mature skin) to a tablespoon of coconut oil. You only need a small dab for the entire face. A simple yet luxurious way to make your own skincare.
Make-up Remover
Use olive oil (not recommended for oily skin). Rub it into your face with your hands, over your eye make-up. Then soak a flannel in warm water, add a few drops of lavender oil and just wipe it off twice for a deeper cleanse.
Strawberry and Oat Exfoliating Mask
This gentle exfoliating mask can be made fresh and used at once. Strawberries are packed full of antioxidants, and the cream contains lactic acid, a natural skin brightener. Mix 20g of organic ground oats, three large ripe organic strawberries, 5 ml or 1 tbsp of organic light cream (or soya cream) and one drop of organic geranium essential oil. Apply to damp skin and leave for five minutes.
Oatmeal and Onion Face Mask for Acne
Oatmeal clears clogged pores. An anti-inflammatory, onions help heal acne scars. For approximately 8 applications, mix 1 ounce of purified mineral water, 3 tablespoons of plain organic oatmeal and 1 medium onion, peeled. Boil water and pour over oatmeal, letting steep for five minutes. Finely grind onion in a food processor, making a smooth puree. Add to the oatmeal while still warm. If the mask is not thick enough, add some honey or green clay until the mask is thick enough to sit comfortably on your face.
The solution will stay fresh for one week in the refrigerator.
Hand and Body Lotion
- ½ cup oil, your choice of almond, sesame, olive, grapeseed, cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil
- ½ cup distilled water, boiling
or substitute a flower water such as rose water, an herbal infusion, or even tea - 2 tbsp. beeswax
- 3 Vitamin E oil capsules
Combine oils (squeeze vitamin E oil out of capsule after puncturing) and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power, checking every 15 to 20 seconds until completely melted. Add boiling water a bit at a time, using a wire whisk to blend carefully. Keep adding and mixing until your desired thickness is achieved. You may use less or more water depending on personal preferences; just keep in mind that it will thicken as it cools.
Set aside to cool and then pour into bottles. Vitamin E is a natural preservative that will help maintain shelf life.
Variations: add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to leave your skin with a light fragrance.
Homemade skincare recipes for Dad
Shaving Cream
- 120mls hot water
- optional: up to 4 tablespoons of dried herbs (slippery elm, green tea, etc.)
- 120g grated bar soap (good quality, such as goat`s milk soap)
- 3 tablespoons solid oil (such as coconut oil, shea butter or cocoa butter)
- 10 drops of essential oil (bay, tea tree, sage, orange, etc.)
Homemade skincare isn’t just for the girls! Make a herb infusion by pouring boiling water over herbs. Let steep in a covered container for 1 to 8 hours. Strain through a fine sieve or a cloth. Reheat the infusion water; dissolve grated soap in hot water. Melt oil of choice into the hot liquid. You may choose to use a mixer or blender to incorporate the soap and oil into the water. Cool. Blend in essential oils. Use additional water if necessary. Store in a lidded container; shake well before using.
Shaving Gel
- 120mls organic liquid Castile soap
- up to 90mls hot water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable glycerine
- up to 10 drops of essential oils (tea tree, orange, grapefruit, rosemary, etc.)
- optional: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
Blend ingredients well. Shake before using. Voila, make your own shaving gel!
Homemade skincare recipes for Bub
What you put on your baby and toddler’s skin is especially important as their developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable, but also because their hands and feet often end up in their mouths. They literally eat the products you put on them!
Herbs, natural oils and some simple pantry staples can create effective and exquisite formulas that pamper and soothe your baby. Try these recipes for quick and easy better baby lotions and potions.
Moisturising Milk Bath
Milk is a soothing, moisturising bath additive that gently cleanses the skin, making it a great ingredient for homemade skincare. (If your child is allergic to cow’s milk, use goat’s milk as a substitute.)
- 1 cup dried milk
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 2-3 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oils (optional)
Combine ingredients and stir. Sprinkle a small amount in a warm bath. Chamomile and lavender essential oils are naturally calming.
Better Baby Oil
Vegetable oils are far more nourishing, soothing and moisturising than mineral oils. This makes an excellent after-bath or anytime moisturiser and also works well to gently loosen and heal cradle cap or eczema. This oil also makes a wonderfully soothing natural massage oil.
- 1 cup grapeseed, almond, sunflower or olive oil
- 2-3 capsules vitamin E
Cut open or pierce the vitamin E capsules and squeeze the vitamin E oil into the base oil. Stir or shake the oils until they are combined. Place in a recycled squeeze bottle and use as needed in the bath, as a lotion or massage oil. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and has many healing properties. It’s an excellent moisturiser and wound healer and is extremely soothing to dry, chapped or irritated skin.
Cradle Cap Remedy
Cradle cap isn’t pretty, but it won’t hurt your baby. You can help coax the flakes away by rubbing a small amount of herbal baby oil onto your baby’s scalp. Leave the oil on your baby’s scalp for about 15 minutes, then gently comb out the loose flakes with a soft baby brush.
Oatmeal Baby Bath
- 1 cup of whole oats
Whirl oats in a blender or food processor until they are reduced to powder. Sprinkle powder into the bath and swirl. You will be amazed at the softness of the water and of your baby’s skin.
Homemade Baby Wipes
- basic roll of paper towels (cut in half to make short rolls)
- 1/8-1/4 cup of castile soap
- 1/8-1/4 cup of vegetable oil (e.g. olive, almond, apricot, etc)
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 1 plastic container that the roll will fit in
Cut the roll in half and remove the centre cardboard. In a container, mix liquid ingredients, and place half of the roll in a container, cut side down. Place on lid, seal tightly and tip upside down. To use, pull out from the centre.
NOTE: Please use essential oils only on babies 6 months or older.
This information is intended to be general in nature only and is not health advice.
Related Stories…
Easy ways to detox your bathroom
How to create a baby food garden
Healthy and Delicious Cauliflower Hash Browns
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
