If you’re anything like me, you don’t always have the time (or the funds) to go out and splurge on the newest exfoliator, hair mask, or lip scrub that every beauty blogger is raving about this month. But… look no further! I’m here to tell you that you can get GREAT results by creating beauty products using only ingredients found in your kitchen. These are easy and all natural products that I use daily, and I really doubt they will let you down. I have been using the same products for years and consulting with different people about the beauty benefits of different ingredients and which skin type each product is good for. So, I’m here to let you in on my secrets, tips and tricks. Enjoy my list of easy and beneficial DIY beauty products for your beautiful bodies!
1. Coconut Oil and Coffee Body Scrub/Face Mask
Starting off this list with a true winner and one of my go-to favourites. This magical mixture is filled with amazing benefits and can work as a face/body scrub and a face mask. After making your pot of coffee in the morning, make sure to save those coffee grounds!
Coffee grounds have great beauty benefits as they can act as an effective exfoliate without being too harsh (like some sugar and salt scrubs you may have tried) so although this is great for all skin types, sensitive skin types will LOVE this one, as it won’t irritate your skin. Just like coffee wakes you up in the morning, it can also wake up your skin! It has stimulating properties that improve blood flow and will brighten your skin. By also improving blood flow, this scrub is known to reduce the look of cellulite on your body! (Use this twice a week for the best results). I promise the coconut oil adds as the ultimate hydrating tool and leaves your skin feeling smoother than ever after washing off. Are you not believing a scrub with just 2 ingredients can be this beneficial? Try it for yourself.
Ingredients:
½ cup coconut oil (microwave to melt)
½ cup of used coffee grounds
2. Brown Sugar and Coconut Oil Scrub
This one is one of my favourites and is always a go-to for me. Sugar is an abrasive ingredient and many are skeptical if it is beneficial for your skin. I am someone with very normal combination skin so I love sugar scrubs; for someone with sensitive skin sugar may irritate and be too harsh for you. If you are someone with sensitive skin, I wouldn’t use sugar in any of these exfoliators, as it will irritate your skin. Instead of using sugar, I would sub-out for a softer ingredient like oatmeal (See # 5). Sugar actually has several beauty benefits; for one, it naturally contains alpha hydroxyl acids, which removes toxins from pores, such as dirt and germs. It also works as a great exfoliator as it removes dead skin cells which could clog pores and cause acne. The softness of the coconut oil also makes your skin feeling smooth and hydrated afterwards. This is a scrub I love putting essential oils into, as they add other benefits for your skin (I’ll list my favourites below).
Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup soft coconut oil
a few drops of your favourite essential oil
Lavender oil = skin rejuvenation, great for dark/red spots and both oily or dry skin
Tee tree oil = great for breakouts
Orange/lemon oil = great for treating oily skin
3. Brown Sugar Lip Scrub
There is no better feeling than having your lips feeling smooth and soft without having to worry about dry flaky skin, and this scrub will get you there! Exfoliating your lips is important and something that most people overlook, it helps retain moisture longer, thus preventing dry cracked lips. Some of you may be wondering if using sugar is such a good idea, and I am here to tell you that depends specifically on your skin type and portions of each ingredient. Using sugar on your lips is great because, since sugar is a very abrasive ingredient, lips are far more resilient in terms of skin surfaces. ALSO, brown sugar is much softer than white sugar, that is why I always sub out for brown sugar just in case. Long story short, you’ll be licking your lips after this sweet scrub is washed off.
1 teaspoons Brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
4. Deep Conditioning Coconut Hair Mask
This one is simple and it involves coconut oil, of course. Not only can you use coconut oil to cook with, kill bacteria, and even help you lose weight, you can use it to repair damaged hair! I’m starting to think coconut oil is the 8th Wonder of the World. Using the mixture of both coconut oil and apple cider vinegar as a hair mask you can replenish, hydrate and strengthen your hair. Combine both coconut oil for hydrating and apple cider vinegar for strengthening, apply to dry hair for 15 minutes and shampoo as normal (I never condition after). Enjoy your luscious locks after this one!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons liquid coconut oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
5. Oatmeal Honey Mask
This one is great for dry and/or sensitive skin types. Using oats in any mask can be very beneficial for your skin. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it can help itchy, dry or irritated skin, it is also very gentle for those with sensitive skin. Honey is also great for acne prone skin; honey is full of anti-bacterial properties, so it can aid in reducing pimples. This ingredient is also great for sensitive skin because it is meant to sooth (always dilute the honey with water/rose water if your skin is extra sensitive). Cook your oatmeal, let it cool and mix the ingredients together. Apply on your face and let it sit for about 15 minutes, rinse with warm water and enjoy.
2 tablespoons honey
½ cup oatmeal
I hope you have some fun with these DIY beauty products and maybe they will become a staple in your routine, too! Enjoy all the compliments you’re about to get, you deserve it.