How to make natural skincare at home

While we’re becoming increasingly aware of the chemicals in our everyday products, many of us are turning to non-toxic skincare and beauty solutions. Creating your own products at home ensures you know exactly what goes into them and allows you to tailor them to your skin’s specific needs. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding process! In this guide, I’m sharing easy and effective DIY skincare recipes that I use myself, the benefits of natural ingredients, and some trusted clean beauty brands for those times when DIY isn’t feasible.

Outside of skincare and beauty, I have a full guide to going more non-toxic in other areas here

Why Choose Non-Toxic Skincare and Beauty Products?

Health Benefits: Commercial skincare products often contain harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which can disrupt hormones and cause skin irritation. Switching to non-toxic alternatives reduces your exposure to these harmful substances and can lead to healthier, more radiant skin.

Environmental Impact: Non-toxic, DIY skincare products typically use natural, biodegradable ingredients, reducing your environmental footprint. You’ll also cut down on plastic waste by reusing containers for your homemade creations.

Cost-Effective: Making your own skincare products can be much cheaper than buying high-end commercial products. You’ll be surprised at how affordable and effective natural ingredients can be.

DIY Skincare Recipes

1. Hydrating Body Butter

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup shea butter
  • 1/2 cup jojoba oil
  • 10-15 drops of essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, or your favorite scent)
• Instructions:
  1. Melt shea butter in a double boiler.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Stir in jojoba oil and essential oil.
  4. Chill in the fridge until partially solidified, then (optional) whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
  5. Store in a glass jar.
• Benefits: This body butter deeply moisturizes the skin, leaving it soft and smooth without any harsh chemicals.

3. Exfoliating Coffee Scrub

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup coffee grounds
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
  2. Apply to damp skin in circular motions, then rinse off.
• Benefits: Coffee is a great anti oxidant and gently exfoliates dead skin cells, coconut oil hydrates, and lemon juice brightens the skin.

DIY Beauty Products

1. Natural Lip Balm

• Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
  • 2 tablespoons shea butter
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 5-10 drops of essential oil (peppermint or vanilla are great choices)
• Instructions:
  1. Melt beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in essential oil.
  3. Pour into small lip balm containers and let cool.
• Benefits: This lip balm provides long-lasting moisture and protection for your lips.

2. DIY Dry Shampoo

• Ingredients:
  • Arrowroot powder (for light hair) add some cocoa powder for dark hair.
• Instructions:
  1. Apply to roots with a makeup brush or sprinkle directly onto the scalp and massage in.
  2. Brush out excess powder.
• Benefits: Absorbs excess oil and refreshes hair without the need for washing, extending the life of your hairstyle.

3. Simple Makeup Remover

• Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
• Instructions:
  1. Mix the oils in a small bottle.
  2. Apply a small amount to your hands and and gently massage into the skin, you’ll see your makeup start to melt away.
  3. Rinse face with warm water.
• Benefits: Effectively removes makeup while nourishing the skin, without harsh chemicals found in commercial removers.

Clean Beauty Brands

While making your own products is rewarding, sometimes you need ready-made solutions. Here are some clean beauty brands that prioritize non-toxic, natural ingredients:

1. Tata Harper

• Known for their high-performance, natural skincare products, Tata Harper uses organic ingredients sourced from their own farm in Vermont. They offer everything from cleansers to serums, all formulated without synthetic chemicals.

2. RMS Beauty

• RMS Beauty focuses on raw, food-grade, organic ingredients to create makeup that nourishes and enhances your skin. Their “Un” Cover-Up Concealer and Living Luminizer are cult favorites.

3. Herbivore Botanicals

• Herbivore Botanicals offers a range of skincare products that are non-toxic, cruelty-free, and vegan. Their products, like the Blue Tansy Mask and Phoenix Facial Oil, are formulated with natural, high-quality ingredients.

4. ILIA Beauty

• ILIA Beauty combines clean, natural ingredients with contemporary makeup performance. Their products are known for excellent pigmentation and staying power, all while being free from harmful chemicals.

5. Drunk Elephant

• Drunk Elephant formulates their products with biocompatible ingredients that are both safe and effective. They are known for their “clean-clinical” approach, offering skincare that is suitable for all skin types

Switching to non-toxic, DIY skincare and beauty products is a great way to take control of what you’re putting on your skin and to ensure it aligns with your values for health and sustainability. By making your own products, you can customize them to your needs and avoid the harmful chemicals found in many commercial products. And when you need a ready-made solution, clean beauty brands offer safe and effective alternatives.

Ready to ditch the harsh chemicals and embrace a more natural beauty routine? Try out these DIY recipes and share your experiences in the comments below. Have a favorite clean beauty brand or product? Let me know!