25 DIY Recipes for your Body, Head to Toe!
If you’ve ever considered trying some do-it-yourself recipes for skin care at home, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 25 DIY recipes for everything from your head to your toes using common ingredients found around the house. Grab some friends, raid the kitchen and enjoy a day of pampering!
Head & Hair
Clarifying Shampoo
Baking soda is an inexpensive ingredient used for clarifying. Use this shampoo once a month to remove buildup from your hair products. The tea tree oil acts as an antiseptic/antifungal agent by removing bacteria.
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda
- Big squeeze of your favorite shampoo
- A few drops of tea tree oil
Combine the ingredients together and mix throughout your hair, pay special attention to your roots and scalp. Massage in circular motions to remove product buildup and dead skin cells. Rinse your hair with warm water. *Not recommended for color treated hair.
Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Utilizing the texture of sugar and oats will help to exfoliate your scalp, provide moisture to your scalp and hair, and increase blood circulation to hair follicles.
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. dry oats
- 2 Tbsp. hair conditioner
Combine all three ingredients in a bowl and mix well. (Before applying the mixture, shampoo your hair to remove any excess oil or hair products.) Scoop the mixture into the palm of your hand and work in your hair, rubbing it in to your scalp. Rinse thoroughly.
Deep Cleansing Scrub
The use of salt and oil helps to treat dry skin while replenishing the cells and follicles with moisture.
- 2 Tbsp. sea salt
- 1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1-2 Tbsp. olive or coconut oil
Mix ingredients together in a small bowl and add mixture to wet hair. Massage your scalp for 3-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Dry Shampoo for Light or Dark Hair
Using dry shampoo in between washes can help absorb oil, giving your hair a fresh ‘just washed’ look without the wash and blow dry time.
- ¼ cup cornstarch or baking soda (for light hair)/2 Tbsp. cornstarch + 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder (for dark hair)
- 5 drops of your favorite essential oil (I prefer peppermint or lavender)
- Old loose powder make-up brush to apply
- Small jar to store it in
Add essential oil drops to powder mixture in small jar and mix with a metal or plastic spoon. Using the old make-up brush, gently dip the brush into the powder mixture. Tap the brush into your scalp along your hairline, part and other oily areas of your hair. Brush into your hair to remove any visible residue.
Face
Olive Oil Face Cleanser for Dry Skin
Olive oil contains antioxidants ideal for anti-aging, which makes it an effective cleanser while providing additional moisture to dry skin.
Pour small amount of olive oil in to the palm of your hand, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and gently rub into your skin in a circular motion until oil is fully absorbed. No need to rinse.
Clay Cleansing Balm
The mixture of clay, oil and baking soda help to remove oil buildup and pulls dirt from the pores revealing a smoother, fresh complexion.
- 2 Tbsp. jojoba oil
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- ½ tsp beeswax
- 2 tsp. bentonite clay
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 6 drops of favorite essential oil
Boil 2 inches of water in a small saucepan, reduce heat to low. Place measured beeswax in heat safe dish and place in saucepan to melt the beeswax. Pour coconut oil in with the beeswax and melt together. Remove mixture from the heat and add jojoba oil. Finally, add clay, baking soda and essential oil drops and mix carefully. Transfer mixed ingredients to a small container with a lid for storage.
To use: Scoop a small amount of cleansing balm into your hand and massage it gently onto your face. Add a few drops of water to help move the mixture around. Remove with a gently face cloth or disposable cloth, no need to rinse with water.
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
This cleanser is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin and extremely inexpensive to make at home. The ingredients help to control oil in your t-zone.
- ¼ cup castile soap
- 1 cup purified or distilled water
- Empty foaming soap dispenser
- 5 drops of your favorite essential oil (I prefer orange or lavender)
Combine all the ingredients into the soap dispenser and put on pump. Shake ingredients before each use. Gentle enough to use daily.
Detoxifying Cleanser and/or Mask
Using activated charcoal in a cleanser helps to remove excess oil and rids your skin of dead skin cells caused by environmental factors and free radicals. Charcoal combined with bentonite clay, which reduces skins inflammation and removes toxins, this cleansing face mask helps to restore the smooth surface revealing supple, younger looking skin.
- ¼ cup ground oats
- ¼ cup bentonite clay
- 10 capsules activated charcoal
- 7 drops essential lavender oil
- 7 drops essential tea tree oil
Grind oats to a fine powder and combine with clay (measure using a non-metal measuring cup) in glass mixing bowl. Add activated charcoal powder and essential oils. Stir well with a wooden spoon until combined. Transfer to a small air tight container with a lid for storage. Cleanser can be stored for up to 6 months.
To use: scoop a small amount of mixture into the palm of your hand and add a few drops of water forming a paste. Gently massage the cleanser into your skin using circular motions. You can follow by rinsing with warm water or if you’d like to use it as a mask, allow the ingredients to stay on your face for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Sweet Honey Face Wash
Honey has excellent antibacterial properties that are effective at clearing up a breakout or preventing one. It also helps to provide moisture to somewhat dry skin.
- ¼ cup raw honey
- ¼ cup water or coconut water
- 1 Tbsp. liquid castile soap
Combine all the ingredients in an airtight container for storing.
To use: Pour a small amount of the mixture into your palm and massage gently on to your face avoiding the eyes. If you’d like to add a little exfoliation to the mixture, add a tsp. of baking soda. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Deep Cleanser for Blackheads
Using egg white helps to extract dirt from the pores revealing a cleaner skin surface.
- 1 egg white
- ½ tsp. clay
- ¼ tsp. lemon juice
Beat the egg white until it’s fluffy and add clay and lemon juice, mix ingredients well.
To use: Apply mixture to blackhead prone areas like nose, chin, forehead or cheeks. Add a few drops of water to help move mixture around if it feels a bit thick. Rinse thoroughly with warm water after about 5 minutes.
Like the idea? Try this DIY Blackhead Peel Off Egg White Mask from Tasmin Dhaliwal!
Skin Calming Mask
Use honey and lemon help to eliminate bacteria on the skin’s surface and remove dirt and oil buildup causing breakouts. Cinnamon can reduce redness and assists in absorbing excess oil.
- 2 Tbsp. raw honey
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 wedge of fresh lemon juice
Warm honey for a few seconds in the microwave before combining with cinnamon and lemon juice, mix well.
To use: Apply mixture to your face, concentrating on t-zone or dull areas of the skin. Gently massage onto your face and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
Using ingredients like sugar as an exfoliator helps to remove dead skin cells which lead to clogged pores and breakouts and replenishing moisture with coconut oil. Gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
Mix ingredients together and apply in a circular motion until entire surface area of your face is covered except your eyes. Allow to sit for a few minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Nutmeg Anti-Blemish Mask
Nutmeg can be used as a super gentle exfoliator for sensitive or acne prone skin.
- 2 Tbsp. raw honey
- 2 Tbsp. nutmeg
- 2 tsp. milk
Apply mixture to your skin in acne prone areas. Let mask sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Facial Toner
Witch hazel is an astringent that helps to minimize pores and skin irritations. Vitamin E is known as an antioxidant that helps to stimulate skin cell regeneration to produce more youthful looking skin.
- ½ cup witch hazel
- ½ tsp vitamin E oil
- 3 drops lavender oil
- 3 drops cypress oil
- 3 drops tea tree oil
Combine all the ingredients in to a small plastic 4 oz. bottle for storage.
To use: Shake before use. Pour a small amount into the palm of your hand and pat your hands together, then pat hands on your face (avoid the eyes) and rub in circular motions until oil has been absorbed. Or apply to a cosmetic cotton round and gently apply all over facial surface avoiding the eyes.
Daily Facial Moisturizer
Applying moisture to your face daily is essential to healthy skin and using oil combined with shea butter will provide adequate moisture while nourishing the skin.
- 3 oz. argan oil
- 1 oz. shea butter
- 5 drops lemongrass oil
- 10 drops lavender oil
- 6 drops chamomile oil
Combine argan oil and shea butter in a small, heat safe bow. Place the bowl in a sauce pan of warm water like using a double broiler. Allow the shea butter to melt, stir with argan oil. Remove the ingredients from the heat and add lemongrass, lavender and chamomile oils. Stir gently.
To use: Gently apply the mixture to your face and neck daily (morning and night).
Coconut Oil Night Cream
The moisturizing properties of coconut oil make it a great moisturizer for daily use. Combined with Vitamin E, it can help to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
- 1 cup coconut oil
- ½ tsp vitamin E oil
- ¼ tsp tea tree oil
Add coconut oil in mixing bowl and whip until it’s fluffy. Add in vitamin E and tea tree oil, store in an airtight container up to 6 months.
To use: Apply the moisturizer to clean skin at night before you go to bed.
Body
Coconut Milk Body Wash
Coconut milk is packed with moisturizing properties that are helpful for cleansing and moisturizing even the driest skin, but is also a great mixture for normal skin.
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
- 5 drops of your favorite essential oil (we prefer lavender or lemongrass)
Mix ingredients together in plastic squeeze bottle and use as a body wash in the shower with a loofa or washcloth. Ingredients may separate over time, so you can shake the bottle before using. You can also try using this as a face wash or moisturizing shampoo.
Foaming Hand Soap
Using a foam soap dispenser, combine liquid castile soap (about 1 Tbsp.) with distilled or filtered water until almost full. Use as needed.
Or, watch this video from Andrea Crisp - she shows you how to make easy foaming hand soap with different essential oils!
Cooling Body Lotion
Especially nice during the hot summer months, aloe vera and mint have antibacterial properties that help to keep your skin feeling fresh and moisturized all day.
Combine equal parts coconut oil and aloe vera in small storage container. Add 5 drops mint essential oil and stir. Use lotion as needed.
Moisturizing Body Cream
The ingredients in this formula provide exceptional moisture to dry skin; Excellent for use on dryer spots like elbows, knees, feet and hands. Skin will feel supple and soft.
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1/8 cup shea butter
- 1/8 cup cocoa butter
- 1 Tbsp. aloe vera
- 1 Tbsp. liquid oil like almond or olive
- 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I prefer lavender)
Combine shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter over low heat until melted. Remove mixture from heat and add in aloe vera, liquid oil and essential oils of your choice. Stir together and transfer to storage container.
To use: Apply body cream all over concentrating on especially dry areas of your body.
Cellulite Coffee Scrub
The caffeine component of coffee makes it a great ingredient in helping to boost collagen production, tighten skin cells.
- 1 cup brewed coffee grounds
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Olive oil to make a thick paste
Mix the ingredients together in a small, waterproof container and keep it in the shower for easy access.
To use: Scoop a small amount of the mixture and massage gently into cellulite areas. Rinse with warm water. Repeat as necessary.
Bath
Lavender Bath Salts
Bath salts are used to reduce aches and pains, improve circulation, relieve stress or improve skin’s moisture
- 2 cups Epsom salts
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup sea salt
- 30 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 2 Tbsp. oil of your personal preference (coconut, jojoba, almond, argan…)
Mix all of the ingredients in an air-tight medium sized container.
To use: Measure about ¼ cup per bath and disperse in warm water for best results.
Detox Bath Salts
Using a detox bath salt can help booth your health by improving circulation and reducing stress, in addition to ridding skin of toxins and dead skin cells.
- ¼ cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
- ¼ cup Epsom salt
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I prefer lavender)
Combine salt, Epsom salt and baking soda and dissolve in boiling water in a quart size jar; Set jar aside and fill tub with warm water adding apple cider vinegar as it fills. Pour in salt mixture and add essential oils. Soak as long as desired.
Feet
Salt Foot Scrub
Perfect to start the summer or get ready for winter boots by keeping feet soft and smooth, salt is an excellent exfoliator combined with moisture to prevent dry, cracked feet.
- ¾ cup fine sea salt
- ¼ cup coarse sea salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 10 drops favorite essential oil (I prefer peppermint oil)
Mix the ingredients together and transfer to a glass jar (makes about 8oz.).
To use: Scoop out small amount and gently massage onto your feet concentrating on especially dry areas. Rinse with warm water or soak in warm water for 5-10 minutes.
Foot Peel
Feet naturally lose moisture as we age and may need an extra boost of moisture to heal dry, cracked feet.
- Capful of non-coated aspirin tablets, crushed
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. Water
- Few drops of jojoba oil
- Plastic wrap
- Thick socks
Put crushed tablets in a small mixing bowl and add fresh lemon juice. Use a spoon to coat aspirin and slowly add water, mixing thoroughly to avoid clumps. If you need extra moisture, add a few more drops of lemon juice.
To use: Apply a generous amount of the mixture to each foot and use plastic wrap to cover each foot entirely. Put your socks on over your feet and relax. Allow mixture to sit for at least 1 hour, 2-3 if possible. Remove the socks, then the plastic wrap and rinse your feet with warm water. Once your feet are dried with a towel, massage each foot with a few drops of jojoba oil.
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