Ingredients: 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon olive oil (or coconut oil).
Cost estimate: < $1 (and enough for multiple uses).
Benefits: Flaky, chapped lips be gone! This simple lip scrub gently exfoliates and deeply moisturizes. Brown sugar’s fine particles buff away dead skin without micro-tearing (it’s gentler than salt). Honey and olive oil are both excellent conditioners – honey also has mild antiseptic qualities, great if your lips have any cracks.
Instructions: Mix the sugar, honey, and oil in a small bowl or even on your palm. It should form a thick paste. Take a small dab and gently rub it on your lips using a circular motion. Scrub for about 30 seconds to a minute – it should feel grainy but not painful (if it’s too harsh, add more honey/oil). Lick or wipe off the excess (it’s edible and yummy!). Apply a lip balm afterward to seal in the moisture. This scrub is perfect to do before applying lipstick or anytime your lips feel rough. Use once or twice a week. It’s astounding how a 3- ingredient mix can leave your lips so soft and kissable.
DIY Beauty Tips & Tricks: When making your own masks and scrubs, keep these pointers in mind: Use fresh ingredients and clean tools. Bacteria can grow in DIY mixtures since they lack preservatives, so it’s best to make a fresh batch each time or store leftovers in the fridge and use within 1-2 days. (Example: a mask with fresh fruit like banana or avocado should be used immediately; if you must store it, seal it and maybe add a few drops of lemon as a natural preservative, then refrigerate – but still, use by next day.)
Avoid harsh or risky DIY ingredients: Not everything in the kitchen belongs on your face. Lemon juice, for instance, is very acidic and can cause irritation or make your skin photosensitive (prone to sunburn). Baking soda is too alkaline and can disrupt your skin’s pH. Cinnamon can be extremely irritating (some people develop red burns from cinnamon masks). When in doubt, stick to gentle foods (avocado, oatmeal, yogurt, honey are all pretty safe). The DIY ingredients we listed are generally well-tolerated by most skin types.•
Patch test new recipes: Especially if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Before slathering a mask all over, apply a bit to your inner arm or behind your ear and wait a few hours to see if any redness or itching develops. Better to catch a reaction there than on your entire face.
Embrace multi-use ingredients: Many of these pantry items are multi-taskers. For example, oats can cleanse, exfoliate, and calm skin all by themselves (try mixing oat flour with water for a quick soothing mask). Honey can be used straight as a quick mask for a hydration boost – just spread a thin layer, wait 10 minutes, rinse (your skin will feel soft and plump). Aloe vera gel (from a plant or
100% pure from the store) is a fantastic lightweight moisturizer or mask base – cooling and calming for irritated skin. Using single-ingredient solutions can be just as effective as complex recipes, and it keeps things ultra-budget-friendly.
Have fun and personalize: The beauty of DIY is that you can tweak recipes to suit you. Dry skin?
Add a bit more oil or creamy ingredient. Oily skin? Throw in a little witch hazel or a mashed strawberry (natural salicylic acid). Love a scent? Add a drop of vanilla extract or rosewater to your mask for an aromatherapy bonus. You’re the kitchen chemist – experiment!
Clean up properly: Some DIY masks can be messy (turmeric will leave a yellow film in your sink if you don’t rinse it, coffee grounds can scatter in the shower). Just take a minute to rinse down your sink/shower drain well after using these. It prevents any clogging and staining. And remember to wash out bowls and spoons you used – dried oatmeal cement is no fun to scrub later.
By pampering your skin with these edible, affordable treats, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also avoid a lot of unnecessary additives. Plus, there’s something very satisfying about self-care that you created yourself. Your skin can absolutely tell the difference – many natural ingredients have scientifically noted benefits (for example, oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory avenanthramides, honey’s antimicrobial enzymes, turmeric’s curcumin that fights inflammation).
So next time you’re tempted by a pricey spa mask, raid your pantry instead. Your wallet and your skin will thank you!
Have you tried any DIY beauty recipes that you love? Share them in the comments below. And if you know someone who could use a little at-home pampering (on a budget), share this article with them. Happy mixing, masking, and scrubbing – may your skin glow and your wallet stay happy!
(Stay tuned for the next articles in our series, where we’ll tackle topics like sensitive skin on a budget, skincare ingredient myths, and finding drugstore dupes for luxury products!)