Homemade Skin Care, Body & Hair Products | DIY Beauty Recipes | Bath Spa Gifts
Make Your Own All-Natural Concoctions & Save Money
Creating your own beauty products at home is getting to be more and popular as people become increasingly aware of the (often unknown) chemicals contained in store-bought products.
Below you'll find many recipes for homemade deodorants, moisturizers, lotions, hand creams, body butters and scrubs, lip balms, solid perfumes and blackhead/acne treatments. There are soooo many things you can DIY, and some products like the sugar scrubs make excellent gifts. I have tried to include how-tos that use only natural products, and there are just a couple which don't (due to the inclusion of Vaseline for instance).
I hope you find this page useful and I hope it inspires you to try replacing some of your purchased products with homemade :)
Please note: Please do not ingest any of the below unless it's made of entirely edible ingredients, and do not use anything on your skin which you know you may be allergic to. Always check a little bit of the product first, at least 24 hours before trying the product for real. I can't take any responsibility for any reactions so if unsure, don't do it!
Homemade Bath Salts
Why Should I Make My Own Beauty Products?
There has been a growing trend over the years for making homemade skin care and beauty products because of the increasing awareness of just how many chemicals are contained in your average skin product; whether it's deodorant, shampoo or cleanser. More and more people gravitate towards 'organic' and 'natural' products anyway nowadays, and making your own lotions and creams from raw and pure natural ingredients is just the next step. I do find it a worry myself when I look at the list of strange chemical numbers in product ingredients, and I doubt many people in the world know what they are or what they do.
When you make your own products from scratch, however, the recipe will include only pure and organic ingredients so it gives great reassurance and sense of control because you know exactly what you are putting on your skin and what is being absorbed into your body - after all, your skin is the biggest organ in the body, so you need to take good care of it :)
People who have allergies or problem skin should see a lot of benefit from switching to all-natural skincare because the unknown chemicals are cut out which makes it easier to eliminate any individual ingredients that cause issues with your skin. A lot of parents also do not wish to put products which they do not know the origin of onto their child's skin, especially as kids do put their hands in their mouths a lot. A popular rule to follow is: if you wouldn't eat it; don't put it on your skin!
The ingredients used in the recipes below include a lot of different waxes such as beeswax, and different oils including essential oils and olive oil. Often there are only a few items needed for each recipe, and you probably won't have to buy any extra equipment either, although a double boiler would come in very handy for melting wax and so on. Examples of what you can make include bath salts, sugar scrubs, face and hair masks, facial cleansers, body butter, bath bombs, foot soaks/creams, lip balm and blackhead remover strips.
Some ingredients are quite expensive but many work out very cheaply, especially if you buy in bulk, and you can usually make products for a lot less money than you can buy them for. Plus it's very fun to mix up your own products, and you can make the products exactly how you want them so they suit your personal tastes and preferences. Once you get into the habit and get comfortable with different ingredients, you can start experimenting and can even whip up some great personalized gifts for friends and family!
Shea Butter & Beeswax
Shea butter and beeswax are probably the most popular ingredients in the DIY creams and lotions listed below. There is a variety of other butters and waxes available, but these are the most widely used.
Homemade Blackhead Removers & Cleansers
- The Oil-Cleansing Method
With a tip for using baking soda to minimize blackheads. - Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Treatment
Information about how the vinegar helps, plus 3 recipes to try. - Banana Peels Against Acne
Using just 2 ingredients; honey and lemon. - DIY Pore Strips
Sort out your T-Zone with this natural version of Biore strips. - Aloe Vera Cleanser
Aloe Vera has a long history of being used in skin products. - Egg Pore Strips
All you need is an egg and some tissue paper! - Aspirin Facial
Make skin smoother and help prevent breakouts. * Test before using*. - Baking Soda Face Mask
Mixed with orange juice, this mask is for getting rid of blackheads. - Foaming Cleanser
Made with lavender flowers.
Homemade Lip Balms & Perfumes
Sugar Scrub Ideas - Sugar Scrubs Exfoliate Your Skin & Make It Look Fresh
The texture of the sugar helps rub away dead skin cells to uncover the healthy skin underneath, giving your skin more of a 'glow'. Using a sugar scrub once a month is a great treat.
- Orange Spice Body Scrub
Exfoliating and moisturizing treatment with a spicy aroma. - Mud Scrub
Invigorating sugar and coffee grounds scrub. - Peppermint Candy Cane Scrub
Perfect for a Christmas gift - I like the idea of coloring using raspberries. - All-Natural Moisturizing Hand Scrub
Pretty and pampering product for keeping by the kitchen sink. - Rosemary and Mint
With some interesting background info on making scrubs. - Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
With a vanilla pod used which will create a wonderful authentic smell. - Ginger & Coconut Oil
For bath and body, this recipe has facts to back up the use of each ingredient. - Detox Lemon Scrub
With a step-by-step tutorial for making lemon oil from scratch. - Pumpkin Spice Scrub
Ideal for the Fall months and at Halloween. - Coconut Rose Tea Sugar Scrub
Beautiful looking scrub containing rose tea petals and leaves. - Organic Citrus Scrub
Both lemon and lime are used for a fruity concoction. - Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
Using 2 types of sugar and honey. - Lemon Honey Sugar Scrub
Classic mix of ingredients for an effective exfoliator. - Gardeners Hand Scrub
Soothe rough hands with this scrub containing honey and sugar.
DIY Hair Mask
Skin & Hair Care Lotions and Potions
- DIY Body Butter
Decadent whipped lotion with only a few ingredients needed. - Make Your Own Shampoo
Have control over what goes in your shampoo, and save money too. - Honey & Oil Hair Mask
2 ingredients go into this conditioning hair treatment. - Coconut Milk Shampoo
Includes instructions on making your own coconut milk from scratch. - Skin Brightening Kiwi Mask
Brighten your skin with a mask packed with vitamin C. - Avocado Hair Mask
A widely used avocado recipe to produce silky smooth locks. - DIY Dry Shampoo
Simple powder mix for getting rid of greasy hair in-between hair washes. - Whipped Shea Butter Lotion
Ingredients have lots of advantageous properties for the skin. - Rosemary Oatmeal Face Mask
Rosemary is good for skin as it is naturally antiseptic. - Easy Raw Hair Recipe
Nopal shampoo made with possibly the simplest recipe ever. - Hair Detangler Recipes
Sprays which make hair softer and more manageable.
Videos For Making Lotions & Moisturizers
DIY Bath Bombs, Salts & Smellies
- Bath & Massage Oils
For a relaxing bathtime or treat. - Shower Fizzy Valentine
These fizzies release your chosen aroma as they dissolve in the shower. - Bath Bomb Selection
Green tea, cinnamon, coconut and vanilla varieties. - Heart Bath Bombs
Using witch hazel and essential oils. - Lavender Bath Salts
Pretty and aromatic product which would make a lovely gift too. - Eucalyptus Bath Sachets
With lemon and mint. - Bathtub Tea
Make your own 'teabags' for a mess-free soak. - Bath Bomb Surprise
Embed a toy surprise inside - great for kids. - Homemade Bath Fizzies
Save money by making these tub treats yourself. - Bubble Bath
With dried lavender to color your bath bubbles.
Lavender Bath Bomb
Products For Feet & Nail Health
- Honey & Lemon Foot Soak
Honey is antibacterial and has long been used for skin care. - Rosemary Soak & Olive Oil Scrub
A two-in-one recipe for a foot pampering session. - Easy Cuticle Cream
Nail and hand care for cold Winter months. - Healing Cuticle Balm
Oils and wax work together to eliminate cracked cuticles. - Lavender & Peppermint Foot Cream
Invigorating cream for tired feet and legs. - Stinky Feet Scrub
Tea tree oil has great anti-fungal properties.
DIY Hair Masks & Sugar Scrubs
Lip Balm Recipes, Perfumes & Fragrances
- Solid Perfume Sticks
A brilliant solution for a portable perfume which won't leak. - Brown Sugar & Vanilla Lip Polish
To keep your lips soft and smooth. - Healing Herbal Lip Salves
A mixture of calendula and chamomile flowers, with added Vitamin E. - Homemade Chapstick
Natural soothing lip care - would make fun party favors. - Solid Perfume Locket Gifts
Essential oil perfume made with beeswax. - Moisture Rich Lip Gloss
Natural shiny gloss which is vitamin rich. - Peppermint Lip Balm
Mix in half of stick of lipstick for the color. - Vanilla Clove Body Spray
Aka the man magnet spray! - Mint Chocolate Lip Balm
With no dyes and no additives. - Grapefruit Lip Scrub
Sugar scrub to exfoliate your lips.
How to Make Stick Deodorant
How To Make Deodorants & Moisturizers
- Gentle Deodorant Stick
A perfected all-natural and safe mixture to put in a push-up container. - Moisturizing Hand Creme
Has quite a few ingredients but looks like a very impressive result. - Handmade Hand Lotion
Recipe for a moisturizing hand lotion. - Easy Winter Hand Salve
Which can also act as an Eczema Fighting Lotion. - Simple Deodorant
A popular recipe for a straightforward deodorant mixture. - Shea Butter Deodorant
Cost-effective jars of deodorant with Cocoa and Shea butter. - Mango Citrus Body Butter
Fruity lotion for super soft skin. - Deodorant With Coconut Oil
Chemical-free deodorant recipe.
Face Masks & Blackhead Removers - They May Look Radical (And Scary) But I've Tried The Tissue Paper Mask & It Works!
Other Fabulous Products You Can Create
- Eye Makeup Remover
Use witch hazel instead of the shampoo for a natural solution. - Olive Oil Make-Up Remover
Mainly made with just extra virgin olive oil. - Sunscreen Lotion
Who would have thought you could make this? - Vick's Vapo Rub
A must-make when you have a cough or cold. - Sleep Salve
Mix up your own salve to help you sleep. - Meadowfoam Sunscreen DIY
SPF 20-30 created using ingredients with natural UV protection. - Shiny Lip Gloss
Make a custom lip gloss in any color you want - using vaseline. - Lip Plumping Gloss
By simply adding cinnamon oil to clear gloss. - DIY Minty Mouthwash
Interesting product to make using mint, cloves and cinnamon.
Best Essential Oils
Essential oils are therapeutic and are used for aromatherapy purposes normally, however they are added in very small amounts to homemade solid perfumes and bath products such as bath bombs so that a lovely scent is given off. Choose your favorite-smelling oils to personalize your creations.
Further Natural Skincare Products
- Natural Skin Care Roundup
With recipes for cold cream and makeup remover. - Homemade Face Scrub
A scrub for glowing skin which you can customize for your own needs. - Whipped Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a very popular product in homemade skincare. - Rose Body Lotion
Plus get the low-down on options for preservatives. - Gardener's Lotion Bar
A soothing bar for your hands. - Natural Bodywash
Easy to make by simply making solid castile soap into liquid. - Fresh Strawberry Facial Mask
A fresh and refreshing face mask idea.
The Oil Cleansing Method
Click Here for a written guide to this method.
More Pampering Recipes To Try Out
- Pumpkin Face Mask
Perfect pick-me-up for Autumn months. - Sweetest Festive Scrub
Vanilla and cinnamon make for a sweet Christmas gift. - Skin Brightening Toner
Tighten your pores with Witch Hazel. - Shower Jellies
A fun product you can make in rainbow colors!
