Do-It-Yourself Skin Saving Solutions
Taking care of your skin is important, but with so many skin care products on the shelf, it can be hard to decide what products are right for you. It also can get expensive to buy products to clear your skin, get rid of acne, smooth fine lines or help with any other skin issues you have. You don’t need to spend on high-end, pricey products though. There are many at-home recipes for skin saving creams or mixtures that can be made with inexpensive products, many of which you probably already have at home. Here are a few of my favorite DIY skin-care solutions:
Skin cleanser and makeup remover
What you need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
This cleanser is super easy to make and is great for removing excess makeup. Despite what you may think, this is especially great for people with oily skin, as olive oil actually dissolves excess oil on the face. Blend the two ingredients together in a bowl, apply to your face with your hands or a cotton ball, then rinse off.
Dry hand remedy
What you need:
- 3 cups whole milk
With just this one ingredient, you can soften your hands and nourish your skin. Heat the milk in the microwave until warm and then soak your hands for 5-10 minutes. The vitamins present in milk are what help moisturize your skin, and heating it makes it cooler and easier to apply.
Skin toner
What you need:
- 2 ounces rosewater
- 6 ounces aloe vera juice
Mix the ingredients together, and you’ve got a product that hydrates, tones and plumps the skin. You can apply it directly to the face or put it in a reusable spray bottle and spray a little on throughout the day when you need to feel refreshed. Make sure to store it in the fridge to avoid spoiling.
Dry knee and elbow relief
What you need:
- 1/2 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 cup fine-grain sea salt
This mixture is great for anyone who suffers from dry, dark elbows and knees year-round. Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight container until ready to use. Massage onto your skin, wherever you have extra dryness, then rinse off in the shower. The oils will moisturize your skin, while the sea salt exfoliates dead skin.
Puffy Under-Eye Solution
What you need:
- Strawberry jam
Here’s another easy one with just one ingredient. Strawberries contain vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help give your dark, puffy eyes some relief. Coat some jam underneath your eyes with a cotton ball or cotton swab. Wait five minutes, then rinse off.
Exfoliating facial mask
What you need:
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 strawberries
Strawberries are truly a skin saver — they also contain salicylic acid, which helps rid the skin of acne. Place the contents in a blender and blend until thoroughly mixed. Apply to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse off with warm water. The mask will unclog your pores and leave you with clean-feeling, exfoliated skin.
Allison Lundy is a recent college grad, writer, area professional and lover of all things beauty. Raised in southern Virginia, Allison moved to the DMV to pursue her aspirations of a career in politics. She attended George Mason, where she discovered her love of writing at the student newspaper. During the day, Allison works in government affairs for a small trade association in northern Virginia. When she isn’t busy working and/or being a political junkie, Allison focuses on her other passions – beauty and fashion. She is always looking for the newest trends and trying out new products.