Skin care and beauty tips: 5 DIY recipes to make your own beauty products at home

These days, there's a growing interest in returning to nature for beauty solutions. DIY beauty products not only offer a natural alternative but also allow you to tailor ingredients to suit your skin and hair needs. Ready to indulge in some self-care?

Here are five simple recipes to craft your own beauty products at home.

Luxurious Lip Balm: This lip balm is a powerhouse of hydration, thanks to the moisturising properties of shea butter and coconut oil. Beeswax provides a protective barrier, keeping your lips soft and supple even in harsh weather conditions. Customise with your favourite essential oil for a delightful aroma.

Ingredients:

• Beeswax, 2 tablespoons
• Coconut oil, 2 tablespoons
• Shea butter, 1 tablespoon
• A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions: In a double boiler, melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter until fully liquid. Remove from heat and stir in essential oil if desired. Pour into lip balm containers and let cool until solidified.

Nourishing Eye Cream: Banish dark circles and puffiness with this indulgent eye cream. Sweet almond oil deeply nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes, while cocoa butter and coconut oil work together to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E oil provides antioxidant protection, leaving your eyes looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

Ingredients:

• Cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon
• Coconut oil, 1 tablespoon
• Sweet almond oil, 1 tablespoon
• Vitamin E oil, 1 teaspoon

Instructions: In a small saucepan, melt cocoa butter and coconut oil over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in sweet almond oil and vitamin E oil. Transfer to a clean jar and let it cool completely before use.

Refreshing Toner: Say goodbye to dull, tired skin with this invigorating toner. Rose water soothes and hydrates, while witch hazel tightens pores and balances oil production. Apple cider vinegar gently exfoliates, revealing a brighter complexion, while tea tree oil offers antibacterial properties to keep blemishes at bay.

Ingredients:

• Rose water, ½ cup
• Witch hazel, 2 tablespoons
• Apple cider vinegar (optional), 1 tablespoon
• Tea tree essential oil, 5 drops

Instructions: Mix all the ingredients in a clean bottle. Shake well before each use. Apply to a cotton pad and gently swipe over your face after cleansing.

Revitalising Hair Mask: Transform dry, damaged locks into silky strands with this luscious hair mask. Avocado provides essential vitamins and minerals, while coconut oil and argan oil penetrate deep into the hair shaft, nourishing and repairing from within. Honey locks in moisture, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and irresistibly touchable.

Ingredients:

• Avocado, 1 ripe
• Coconut oil, 2 tablespoons
• Honey, 1 tablespoon
• Argan oil, 1 tablespoon

Instructions: Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth. Add coconut oil, honey, and argan oil, then mix until well combined. Apply the mixture to damp hair, focussing on the ends. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Invigorating Body Scrub: Buff away rough, dull skin with this heavenly scrub. Granulated sugar gently exfoliates, sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion. Coconut oil moisturises and nourishes, while the uplifting scent of lemon and lavender soothes the senses, making this scrub a luxurious treat for both body and mind.

Ingredients:

• Granulated sugar, 1 cup
• Coconut oil, ½ cup
• Zest of one lemon
• Your favourite essential oil (like lavender), 10 drops

Instructions: In a bowl, mix together sugar and coconut oil until well combined. Add lemon zest and essential oil, then stir again. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.