Who isn’t excited for a day full of spa treatments? The massage, the facial, the steam — bliss. Good news: you can recreate a spa retreat right in your own home.
Professional spas and their services can be pricey indulgences. But you can capture that pampered sensation for a fraction of the cost. After all, a private bathroom with hot running water is a perfect launch point for a DIY home spa.
With just a handful of budget-friendly ingredients — many likely already in your kitchen — you can effortlessly put together a memorable spa day at home. A few modest purchases will also help transform an ordinary bathroom into a cozy, luxurious at-home spa oasis.
12 Ways to Create Spa Treatments at Home
Here are some of our top picks for ways to spoil yourself at home.
1. Buy coconut oil — everything you’ve heard about it is spot-on. Skip the costly body lotions and salon deep conditioners and opt for this inexpensive multipurpose alternative.
Cost: A jar of coconut oil runs around $9 and will last for months.
2. Whip up an avocado or egg hair mask at the start of your spa routine, then wrap the hair in a warm towel. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to do its work.
Cost: An egg costs roughly 17 cents, and an avocado is about $1 to $1.50.
3. Korean sheet masks — cotton sheets soaked in concentrated serums that address various skin concerns — make your complexion glow, though they can be expensive. I found several at my dollar store for a buck each and they performed as well as pricier options. Buying in bulk online can lower the cost even further.
Cost: Sheet masks are often available online or at dollar stores for $1 or less.
4. If you use Lush products or know someone who does, save those little black pots and bottles. Turn in five clean empties and you’ll get a free face mask, saving at least $11.50 or more.
Cost: The cost is essentially that of collecting five products.
5. A tub of plain yogurt can help with blemishes and fine lines. Use it plain or boost it with add-ins like honey or oatmeal for extra benefits.
Cost: A small container of plain yogurt ranges from about $0.60 to $1.25 depending on brand.
6. Make a lip scrub so lips feel soft and renewed.
Cost: Basic components — olive oil and sugar — are likely in your kitchen, along with optional enhancers like cinnamon, brown sugar, or ground coffee.
7. This homemade sugar scrub is both pampering and exfoliating. Mix in a few drops of her favorite essential oil, such as eucalyptus, to slough off dry skin and leave a refreshing scent.
Cost: Under $1 worth of sugar, coconut oil, and salt, plus roughly $6 for eucalyptus essential oil.
8. Try a three-ingredient coffee body scrub made from used grounds from your morning brew. It’s said to help reduce the look of cellulite, too. (Whether that’s a myth or not is another topic.)
Cost: Free, if you already drink coffee.
9. If your skin can’t take a harsh scrub, choose a gentler mix like the one in this WholeElise YouTube recipe. Instead of coarse sugar or salt, it uses oats, water and glycerine (or honey).
Cost: About $3 for oats (free if you already have them) and roughly $4.50 for glycerine.
10. Give hands some TLC with a lemon-sugar scrub that’s simple to prepare, smells fantastic, and leaves hands silky.
Cost: A lemon costs about $0.50, and you likely already own sugar and oil.
11. Ever wonder why movie spa scenes show cucumber slices over the eyes? Because they work. Use the remaining cucumber to make cucumber-infused water to boost that indulgent spa vibe.
Cost: About $1 for a cucumber.
12. Pamper feet with a soothing soak using a mild bath wash you already have. Follow with a homemade foot scrub: mix one part coconut oil with two parts sugar, add a few drops of essential oil, and a splash of lemon juice for extra oomph.
Cost:Peppermint essential oil runs about $10, or substitute eucalyptus if it’s on hand. The remaining ingredients are probably in your pantry.
10 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel More Spa-Like
Here are some ideas to heighten the home spa atmosphere:
1. Invest in a plush, absorbent towel.
2. Pick up attractive jars and containers at the dollar store to display your homemade scrubs and lotions.
3. Gift a soft, cozy bathrobe to wear during the unwind time.
4. Buy a few inexpensive candles to set the mood — or craft your own.
5. Add a plant or a small bouquet to the bathroom; greenery instantly elevates the space.
6. Apply frosted contact paper to windows to soften bright sunlight that might disrupt the calm.
7. Tuck a few sprigs of eucalyptus near the bath to release a refreshing scent when steam rises.
8. Buy a bathtub overflow drain cover so you can fill the tub extra deep for a luxurious soak.
9. Queue up a relaxing playlist to set the tone — something mellow and calming.
10. Use the cucumber you bought for the eye slices to make cucumber and lemon-infused water to sip while she relaxes.
Writers Catherine Hiles and Lisa McGreevy are contributors at Savinly.
