Dry Skin? Chapped lips? Get relief with DIY treatments using simple ingredients
Walk down the cosmetics aisle in any pharmacy, and you’ll find dozens of lotions, potions and creams all promising to help us look younger, brighter, smoother and tighter. Most of those concoctions come with a hefty price tag, especially the ones with special anti-aging ingredients.
If you’re not inclined to risk good money on hope in a bottle, or just want to try a natural approach to skin and hair care, you’re not alone.
DIY skin care is experiencing a resurgence, and skin care “recipes” can easily be found online. Dermatologists recommend that you test your creations on a small patch of skin on your arm before applying to more sensitive skin on your face or neck, but most agree that the following ingredients are generally safe for DIY skin care:
- Ground oatmeal or sugar for exfoliation
- Milk, yogurt, or coconut or olive oil for moisture and hydration
- Egg whites for cleansing
- Tea or milk for irritation
You should also speak with your doctor before starting any routine or taking any type of supplement that could affect your health.
Try some of these dermatologist-recommended self-care recipes at home!
For hardworking hands
In a large microwaveable bowl, heat three cups of whole milk until warm. Soak your hands for at least 5 minutes and up to 10 minutes for the best result.
For dry cuticles
Rub coconut oil into cuticles before bed. Slip on a pair of cotton gloves to retain moisture and to protect sheets and bed linens.
For rough or calloused feet
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda per one gallon of warm water in a shallow tub deep enough to cover your feet. Soak for 30 minutes. Rinse your feet, dry them off, apply some lotion and slip on cotton socks to complete the treatment.
For dry, flaking lips
Combine a teaspoon of coconut oil with an equal amount of honey until smooth. Add a tablespoon of sugar and a bit of lemon juice; combine until the mixture forms a paste. Massage into lips with your fingertips or a soft toothbrush. Rinse and apply lip balm.
To exfoliate dry skin
Grind two tablespoons of oats in a food processor or blendr. Combine with two tablespoons of whole milk yogurt and one tablespoon of warm honey. Massage into your face and neck, leave on for three minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Or simply combine two parts sugar with one-part coconut oil, gently massage into your skin, then rinse. Either formula should leave your skin feeling smooth and moisturized.
Two more dermatologist-recommended quick fixes for your nails, eyes, and skin
If your cuticles are red or your nails are prone to infection, try soaking your fingertips in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water when irritation is a problem.
For itchy eyes or skin, brew some chamomile tea, and use the cooled tea bags as a soothing compress. Hold in place for 10 minutes for best results.
For the Gentlemen – DIY beard care
Gentlemen know the importance of keeping their beards neat, trim and hydrated to look their best. That means regular shampooing, combing and trimming – but that’s where most men stop. Using a conditioning treatment can help tame and moisturize dry or unruly facial hair, and there are lots of commercial products available to help, but why not experiment with a DIY treatment just for men?
You won’t necessarily save any money – the raw ingredients in DIY beard oil are not inexpensive – but by mixing your own, you can adjust a basic recipe and add fragrance (or not) to your liking.
The following oils are recommended by beard and haircare experts for at-home maintenance.
Carrier oils – This is the base oil to which you’ll add other ingredients. Most have little to no scent.
- Jojoba
- Argan
- Sweet almond
- Hazelnut
- Hemp seed oil
- Coconut – Available as a solid; melt first before using. Your resulting oil will be quite thick.
Essential oils – These are the oils that imbue your creation with therapeutic properties and scent. The oils listed here are just a few of dozens of essential oils you might want to try.
- Cedarwood
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Sandalwood
- Clove
- Sage
- Tea tree
- Lime
- Bay rum
Beard oil “recipe”
Start with 1 ounce of your chosen carrier oil, and add 3-5 drops of your preferred essential oil for fragrance. You can add more to your liking, but essential oils are quite potent, so 10 drops or fewer is as much as you’ll ever want to add to the carrier oil.
Store your beard oil in a small bottle with a tight-fitting cap. Shake well each time you use it to combine the oils. For best results, use your new treatment on a clean beard, and massage just a few drops into your beard each time.
If you’re looking to take a break from expensive skin care products, or just want to try something new on your hands, feet, face, hair, or beard, the simple recipes found here and the more detailed formulas found in the resource articles will provide plenty of ideas for fresh, fun DIY at home treatments.
9 Dermatologist-Approved Homemade Skin Care Treatments
https://www.thehealthy.com/beauty/face-body-care/diy-skin-care/
10 At-Home Skincare Recipes
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/tips/g527/diy-natural-skincare/
Natural DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type and Concern
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/a29565769/natural-diy-face-masks/
DIY Beard Oil
https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/diy-beard-oil/