“Kitchen Sink Skin Care” :: Create a Homemade Skincare Regimen with Products You Already Own

I began experimenting with making my own skin care products when my friend started selling some of her organic homemade skincare. I read the ingredients on the jar and I thought, “I have all of these!” She isn’t selling her stuff anymore, but all these years later, I’m still whipping up my own products thanks to her.

With all the talk of natural and organic ingredients, homemade skincare products for your face from your kitchen is a perfect fit. A big benefit is that you know exactly what is going on your skin. How many ingredients are on some label you read and you have no idea what they are? Not to mention it is a fun (and convenient) way to experiment with what you like and what works best for you. Instead of running to the store or ordering something online, you can just whip up something at home. Mini spa day, anyone? The possibilities are endless.

The Skin You’re In

Most of us forget that our skin is an organ, just like your heart…only bigger! It is the largest organ on our body. We need to be mindful of how we treat it, especially what we put on it. Our skin is a reflection of what is going on with our body, both inside and out.  There is a lot that our skin is exposed to daily. Using the right ingredients can help us prevent or repair the damage.

Homemade Skincare Musts: Oils for a Mask

A good place to start with ingredients for your homemade mask is oils. Even if your skin is oily, it is still good to use oil on your skin. Most natural oils are great for consuming as well as using on the skin. The most common oils for homemade asks are ones you probably have in your kitchen:

1. Olive oil
2. Almond oil
3. Grapeseed oil
4. Jojoba oil

Oils are important because they act as the base for most of the scrubs I make. Although coconut oil is my favorite and has a lot of benefits, I have heard that some people have adverse reactions, so proceed with caution. I personally have never had an issue, and neither have any of my children. We use it for EVERYTHING!

Shea butter is another oil I love but its thick texture can be a turnoff to some. You also have to make sure it’s the right temperature if you are going to use it as an ingredient in a skin care recipe. It can be hard to work with in its cold state. If you can get over it’s thick texture I think Shea butter is the best moisturizer for your body. It makes your skin feel luxurious.

Homemade Exfoliators

The purpose of exfoliation is to remove the old to make room for the new. Dead skin cells need to be removed to keep your skin soft and smooth. People with oily skin actually benefit a lot from exfoliation because it helps your skin absorb products better.

You have some excellent options for exfoliation in your kitchen. My go-to ingredients for exfoliation are coffee grounds, brown sugar, and finely ground sea salt. Brown sugar is the gentlest of the three options but has less benefits…Coffee grounds have antimicrobial properties and salt has minerals to help soften the skin.

The texture of all of these helps to scrub the dead skin away. This process then reveals the beautiful new skin underneath. You really can see the difference. Once again this is the fun in trying out different mixtures to see which one works best for you.

I exfoliate my skin with a gentle exfoliant every couple of days. When I want a good scrub I use coffee or salt. Make sure you don’t limit exfoliation to your face alone. Your whole body benefits from exfoliation, so grab your scrub and take it in the shower for a silky smooth feeling all over.

My Favorite Homemade Mask Trio

Let me introduce you to my favorite additions to my simple homemade masks: honey, cinnamon, and turmeric. There are so many different choices with just these three!

Honey is full of benefits for your skin. It is important that you get pure honey. Many brands have other ingredients mixed into their honey. Remember you want to know what you are putting on your skin. The best thing to do is get an organic brand; even better if you can find raw honey.

Some of the benefits of honey are it’s antibacterial. It helps with collagen production. Honey is extremely moisturizing. Think of how much honey soothes your throat when you are sick. It can offer the same effect to your skin. All this plus it can act as a gentle exfoliator. Honey is really the perfect go to if you are ever in doubt of what to use. You can simply apply it to your skin. You don’t need anything else. Let it sit for 10 minutes and remove with a warm towel.

Cinnamon and turmeric are the elders of the spice world. They have been around so long. Most people limit these spices to certain recipes, but they’re great in homemade skincare as well!

Cinnamon is antibacterial and is known for helping with acne-prone skin, and let’s not forget how amazing cinnamon smells! You can make a mask and have some aromatherapy all at the same time. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and can help with scarring and calming the skin.

One warning about turmeric is the staining. It will dye your shower, sink, or tub. It might also dye those really nice acrylic nails you just paid for. Don’t panic! It will come off but it can be a bit alarming when you first see it. On your skin, you can use milk if you are really worried about the staining.

Honorable DIY Skincare Mentions

Some other at-home ingredients you might want to try for your skin are cucumbers, lemons, egg whites, and aloe vera. All of these can be tried without mixing anything else with them.

Simple Homemade Skincare Recipes

Everyday Brightening Scrub

(this makes enough for your whole body)

1/4 cup oil (your choice; I use coconut oil)

2-3 tablespoon fine salt

1 tablespoon turmeric (don’t forget the yellow will temporarily stain)

Double Duty Face Scrub

(use this scrub for deep exfoliation 1x week)

1/2 cup of oil (your choice)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons ground coffee

2 teaspoons cinnamon