It’s been a tough year. (That’s putting it mildly.)
If you’re like many folks, you probably haven’t set foot inside a spa in months — which is ironic given that this is exactly the moment we could use some indulgence.
Even if visiting a spa isn’t safe yet, you still deserve some self-care.
Luckily, you can create your own scrubs, cleansers, masks and more using items likely already sitting in your refrigerator or pantry. These homemade recipes will help you achieve that spa-day radiance without paying spa prices.
For a complete at-home spa experience, combine one or two of these DIY treatments with a few extras from the suggestions below.
Chocolate Orange Sugar Scrub
Good for: Dry, winter skin
This scrub sloughs away flaky skin cells to reveal softer, smoother skin underneath. Use it weekly to maintain a hydrated complexion, says Essie Button, a former esthetician and makeup pro.
The following batch makes roughly eight ounces, giving you enough for one large container or two smaller jars. (And yes — it smells almost edible.)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp finely grated orange peel
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: Combine all ingredients. Gently massage onto skin to exfoliate, then rinse thoroughly.
Coconut Oil Hydrator
Good for: Dry cuticles
Parched cuticles can be bothersome and unattractive, but a layer of coconut oil helps soften them. The skin soaks up the oil’s fats, preventing cuticles from appearing and feeling rough, according to Kryz Uy, a beauty specialist and writer.
Coconut oil also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports skin protection.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- Plastic wrap
Directions: Rub a small amount into your fingertips, then cover them with plastic wrap. Leave on for 10 minutes. Massage the oil in and rinse away any excess.
Honey and Lemon Mask
Good for: Acne and blackheads
Honey provides antibacterial and antiseptic benefits, while lemon helps remove dead skin cells and clear blemishes and blackheads, says Toby Dash, a blogger at Five Star Skin Care, who focuses on skincare and beauty.
Perform a patch test before using this mask, as lemon and honey can irritate certain skin types. Those with sensitive skin should skip this one.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
Directions: Mix the lemon juice into the honey. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave for up to five minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Oatmeal Face Mask
Good for: Sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin
Oats contain avenanthramides, compounds that may act like antihistamines, explains Cheryl Woodman, a scientist and skin-care formulator in the U.K. There’s also evidence that oats help balance skin pH, which is important for calm, healthy skin.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp oatmeal
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Water (just enough to form a paste)
How to use it: Grind the oatmeal, then mix in the baking soda. Add water until you have a paste. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave for 10–15 minutes before rinsing off.
Directions: Combine the ingredients and spread over your face and neck. Wait one minute, then gently rinse with water.
Tea Tree Oil Cleanser
Good for: Acne, inflammation and dermatitis
Tea tree oil is a common component in homemade facial cleansers, notes James Morgan, editor at Get Rid of Things. You can find tea tree oil at grocery stores, health-food shops and most pharmacies.
Ingredients:
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- A few drops of coconut milk or coconut oil (omit if you’re prone to acne)
Directions: Mix and apply once or twice daily to your face. Rinse off with warm water.
Turmeric Mask
Good for: Hyperpigmented skin
This mask can brighten, firm, nourish and moisturize the skin, says Keione Gordon, a medical aesthetician and co-owner of Zenobia Skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
Directions: Stir the ingredients together and spread on clean, dry skin. Leave on for 15–20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Warm Milk Soak
Good for: Dry hands
This soak softens hardworking hands, says Uy. The milk’s fat (especially in whole milk) softens the skin while vitamins A and E provide nourishment.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk (add more for larger hands)
Directions: Warm the milk to room temperature or heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds until slightly warm. Soak your hands for 5–10 minutes, then rinse.
Yogurt and Lemon Lotion
Good for: Dry skin
Yogurt contains lactic acid, which helps exfoliate and brighten skin, while lemon’s vitamin C enhances radiance, says Dash, who developed this recipe.
As with the other lemon recipes, avoid this if your skin is sensitive and always perform a patch test first.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon
Directions: Mix together and apply to face and neck. Leave on for 1 minute, then gently rinse away with water.
Alex Moreno is a contributor to Savinly.
