Herbal and natural beauty products are easy to make at home. Their cost, when compared to the commercial varieties are very inexpensive. Consider that a LUSH bath bomb runs about $5.00 plus shipping and you can make your own for less than $1.00.

They make great, frugal, and personal Christmas gifts when they are packaged creatively and added to a special basket. And, making natural cosmetics may turn into a work at home, money making opportunity for you as well. Hey, LUSH started somewhere, right?

Remember that these products are natural and most of them need to be stored in the refrigerator. With items like tea tree oil and lemon juice, test the product on a small area of your skin to make sure your skin is not sensitive to those products.

For a luxurious spa treatment warm the masks before using!

Facial scrubs keep your skin looking radiant by sloughing off old, dead skin cells and keeping the pores clean. Since the skin on your face is delicate it is important that you keep harsh chemicals away from it and use products that are formulated to work with your type of skin.

Natural Scrub For Dry, Mature Skin:

1/2 c organic coconut oil

1 cup sugar

a drop of rose otto essential oil

You may want to let the coconut liquefy at room temperature for a while and then add the sugar. Allow to firm up. Use a tablespoon full and rub gently into your skin. Rinse with warm water.

Natural Scrub for Oily Skin

1/2 c almond oil

1/2 c sea salt

a squeeze of lemon juice

Mix until a paste forms. Rub gently on skin. Rinse well with warm water.

Body Scrub

1/4 C Brown Sugar

1 Tbs Dry Milk Powder

2 Tbs Oatmeal

1/2 tsp vanilla (just for scent)

1/4 c coconut oil

Mix into a paste. Use it to scrub your body to cookie scented smoothness.

Masks are created to put on your face and then leave for a period of time. these are especially formulated to moisturize and protect dry skin.

Pumpkin Mask:

1/2 c pumpkin puree

1/4 c coconut oil, softened

2 Tbs honey

2 Tbs cream (optional)

Mix well. Spread on face and leave for 20 minutes. Wipe off with a warm, soft cloth.

Avocado Mask

warning: make this fresh each time..it discolors.

2 Tbs avocado mashed

1 Tbs coconut oil

1 tsp cream

Leave on face for 20-30 minutes. Wipe off with a warm , soft cloth.

Banana Buttermilk Mask

This one also discolors:

2 Tbs mashed banana

1 tsp honey

1 Tbs whole buttermilk

1 Tbs softened coconut oil

Mix together and spread on face. Leave on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Strawberry Refreshing Mask

1/2 c strawberries mashed

1 tbs honey

1 -2 drops tea tree oil

Spread on face. After 20 minutes rinse with warm water.

Sage Rosemary Cleansing Mask

1 tsp dried sage crumbled

1 tsp dried rosemary crumbled

1/4 c french green clay powder

Mix together. When ready to use take a tablespoon or so of the powder and mix with enough water to make a thin paste and smooth over face. Let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse and dry.

Yogurt

2 Tbs plain yogurt

1 tsp lemon juice

Spread on face. Let dry for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.