Homemade Beauty Products: 15 Best DIY Recipes Stop Buying and Start Making

Homemade beauty products can usually be made with basic ingredients you already have around the house like baking soda, coconut oil, and honey. Load up on our must-have ingredients, and you'll be prepared to whip up virtually any homemade beauty recipe from soap to lotion and hair treatments to skin remedies.

While glancing at my Target shopping list the other day, I was astounded at how many personal care products I buy. Even though I DIY a few things (like face masks, toner, and when I'm feeling adventurous, deodorant), I'm still filling my cart with face wash, makeup remover, dry shampoo and tons of other junk.

It makes for an expensive outing every time I head to the store, and I'm also not crazy about all the packaging I'm throwing away or the harmful ingredients that lurk in makeup and skincare products.

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Must-Have Ingredients for Homemade Beauty Recipes

14 Must-Have Ingredients for Homemade Beauty Products

These simple ingredients are the must-haves to stock your DIY beauty pantry. Most of the items on this list have a long shelf life and easily combine with kitchen beauty ingredients like avocado, lemon, and yogurt.

We always recommend buying organic whenever you can, so you won't have the addition of unwanted chemicals.

1. Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel contains a plethora of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that benefit your skin and hair. Aloe's cooling effects make it a tried-and-true remedy for sunburns, but it's also great for moisturizing skin, soothing itchy scalps, calming inflamed acne, and lightening skin discoloration [source].

Try: Vitamin-Rich Aloe Face Pack | Sea Spray for Body and Hair

2. Apple cider vinegar

Trusty ACV is another all-purpose beauty ingredient, full of natural hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate your skin. Applying raw, organic ACV also delivers beneficial enzymes, proteins, and good bacteria to the skin.

Naturally antimicrobial (for the bad guys) and antiseptic [source], it also helps to balance pH levels, making it an effective natural remedy for acne, dandruff, and other skin and hair issues. Look for raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar to ensure you get all the benefits.

Try: Apple Cider Vinegar Skin Peel | ACV Hair Rinse | Homemade Acne Mask

3. Baking soda

Baking soda basically absorbs anything it comes in contact with—which is why it does such a great job making your fridge smell fresh. That applies to beauty uses, too. Placed on the skin, it helps to gently exfoliate, ease skin irritation, and absorb oil and gunk from your pores.

Add baking soda to your bath to soothe sunburns, itchy rashes, and inflammation. This inexpensive, easily found ingredient also helps remove product buildup from your hair.

Try: Lavender Coconut Deodorant | Soothing Sunburn Remedy | Baking Soda Face Scrubs

4. Beeswax

With its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties [source], beeswax is often used to thicken balms and salves. It forms a nice protective layer over the skin to seal in moisture while still allowing it to breathe, making it great for healing minor irritations. It also helps give DIY products a nice texture. Vegans can use carnauba wax instead.

Try: Soothing Bug Bite Balm | Coffee-Infused Eye Cream | Cranberry Coconut Lip Gloss

5. Castile soap

Castile is a plant-derived, biodegradable soap that can be used as a base for DIY beauty products like body wash, hand soap, and face cleansers.

Try: Moisturizing Whipped Soap | Foaming Face Wash | Body Wash | 10 Easy Methods to Make Soap

6. Clay

Smearing clay all over your face is not a new beauty secret! Natural healing clay has long been known for its ability to draw out oil and impurities as well as tighten and tone your skin. Mineral-rich clays are also said to be useful treatments for puffy skin, large pores, bug bites, acne, and eczema.

Use this helpful guide to find the right clay for your skin type.

Try: DIY Calamine Lotion | Activated Charcoal Salve | Deep Cleansing Mask for Blackheads

7. Coconut oil

It's no secret we love using this organic coconut oil as a carrier oil. Rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids, this anti-inflammatory oil hydrates dry skin and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and rough skin patches [source].

This all-purpose ingredient can be used for shaving cream, moisturizers, and conditioners, in addition to cooking and smoothies. Make sure to buy the virgin, unrefined varieties.

Try: Coconut Oil Hair Spray | DIY Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner | Coconut-Coffee Cellulite Scrub

8. Essential oils

Not only do pure essential oils make DIY beauty concoctions smell delicious, but they're also great for your skin. The healing and soothing properties of your favorite botanical distillations have the power to transform the skin. Try geranium for dry skin, clary sage to treat puffiness, and tea tree for acne-prone skin.

Try: Best Essential Oils for Gorgeous Skin | Geranium-Rose Toner for Dry Skin | Tea Tree Makeup Remover Wipes

9. Honey

Honey is a panacea for any skin type—not only does it lock in moisture, but it does so while regulating the skin's natural hydration capacity and without clogging pores. This sweet stuff is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, and its ability to repair skin makes it a go-to beauty ingredient [source].

Look for raw, organic honey—it's the most beneficial for facial care and can be used on dry, sensitive, and even acne-prone skin. If you buy local, raw organic honey, taking a spoonful a day leading up to allergy season can help mitigate seasonal allergies.

Try: 4 Homemade Honey Face Masks | Honey Face Wash | Honey Cellulite Massage

10. Oats

Along with being a protein and fiber heavy hitter, oats are also packed with healthy fats and antioxidants that hydrate and protect your skin. Often used in gentle cleansers, oats exfoliate dead skin while their natural saponins work to cleanse and absorb dirt and oil.

A natural anti-inflammatory that also balances your skin's pH level, organic oats make a soothing addition to baths when you have itchy or irritated skin [source].

Try: Oatmeal Face Mask Recipes | Skin-Soothing Oatmeal Bath

11. Salt

While great for cleansing and exfoliating, natural salts can also deliver a dose of skin-loving vitamins and minerals. Epsom salt is particularly rich in magnesium sulfate, which is essential for good health. Salt baths and scrubs allow your body to absorb these nutrients through the skin, as well as improve circulation and skin tone.

Try: DIY Salt Scrubs | Your Body Will Love These 11 Epson Salt Soaks | Aromatherapy Blends for DIY Bath Salts

12. Shea butter

Softer than cocoa butter, shea butter has a silky texture that's easily absorbed by the skin. Rich in vitamins A and E, it helps to restore skin elasticity, making it perfect for super-moisturizing lotions, creams, and body butters [source].

Try: Whipped Shea Baby Balm | Shea Butter Face Cream | DIY Eye Wrinkle Cream | 18 Recipes You Can Make with Shea Butter

13. Tea

White, green, and black teas contain powerful antioxidants that help prevent sun damage by absorbing UV rays. And after sun exposure, tea's tannic acid and antioxidant catechins and polyphenols can help reduce skin inflammation and neutralize harmful free radicals [source].

Tea also makes fantastic hair dyes and can play a soothing role in cleansers, toners, and face masks.

Try: DIY Green Tea Toner | DIY Natural Highlights | Green Tea SPF Lip Balm

14. Witch hazel

This gentle miracle ingredient fights inflammation and regulates oil production, so it's the perfect choice for anyone with oily or sensitive skin, or for treating acne, cuts, and scrapes. Commonly used as an astringent to tighten pores, witch hazel also has a cooling sensation that soothes irritated skin and calms conditions like eczema.

Look for pure witch hazel that isn't diluted with skin-drying alcohol.

Try: DIY Calamine Lotion | DIY Dry Shampoo Spray | Witch Hazel Toners

Ready to start making more of your own products? Here are 15 DIY beauty products to get you going.

15 DIY Beauty Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

Here are 15 easy recipes to stop buying and start making right away:

1. Dry Shampoo

You'll really regret ever spending money on dry shampoo when you realize how easy it is to make your own.

2. Hand sanitizer

Tea tree oil is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, so give this homemade hand sanitizer a try. It kills germs naturally and you'll save money making your own.

3. Conditioner

A coconut milk-based conditioner spray will keep hair moisturized, and remove that pesky chlorine green hue from the pool.

4. Body scrub

Homemade scrubs only require a few things to make, they can be used immediately and, most conveniently, they're usually made with ingredients from the pantry! So if you've got some sugar and olive oil in the house, you're closer to a DIY scrub than you would've thought.

5. Body wash

I get irrationally angry when I think about the cost of body wash—especially the really nice, moisturizing ones. If you agree, make your own with honey and coconut oil.

6. Hand Soap

Triclosan is the active ingredient in most commercial antibacterial products, and it's been linked with weakened immune systems, bacterial resistance, hormone disruptions and allergies (even the FDA isn't crazy about it).

But you can get the same benefits with this homemade foaming hand soap, which includes naturally antibacterial essential oils and moisturizing coconut oil.

7. Shaving cream

Avoid the pesky ingrown hairs and razor bumps that come with a quick, soapy shave and use this creamy, nourishing homemade shaving cream instead.

8. Toothpaste + Deodorant

Antiperspirants contain aluminum, while toothpastes are loaded with synthetic (and sometimes harmful) ingredients that upset your mouth's natural balance and can even cause breakouts around your mouth. Coconut oil to the rescue yet again—this time in the form of homemade deodorant and toothpaste.

Note: DIY deodorant won't stop you from sweating like an antiperspirant, but it will keep you from being smelly.

9. Lip Balm

It's super easy to make your own lip balm with just a few ingredients and these no-fail DIYs. For a bit of color, try this cranberry and beetroot powder gloss, which doubles as a cheek stain.

10. Moisturizer

Soothing green tea calms skin in this DIY coconut oil-based whipped moisturizer.

11. Face Wash

Lots of ingredients in face washes can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to overcompensate and thus, break out. A homemade honey face wash is great for any skin type: it fights acne while locking in much-needed moisture.

12. Acne Products

Turmeric is a proven acne-fighter, and a Greek yogurt mask can get your skin's natural bacteria in balance. Tomatoes, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar are all effective acne remedies, too. Try this easy spot treatment or an acne-fighting body spray.

13. Sea Spray

Get beautiful beachy waves without the hefty price tag—for glorified salt water!—with this make-at-home version.

14. Perfume

Essential oils smell just as great, if not better, than store-bought perfume. Here's how to make your own customized concoction.

15. Bath Salts

One of the cheapest and easiest things you can make at home. Customize them with different aromatherapy blends.

Tools + Equipment

The only 'investment' you need is in a few essential tools. Again, these don't have to be anything fancy - you probably already own a blender and measuring spoons, right?

And while buying matching mason jars to store your concoctions will look prettier, you can always reuse regular jars from your pantry for the same results.

Storing Homemade Beauty Products

When you're just starting out, reusing containers is the easiest, cheapest way to go. But once you start making everything at home, you'll probably want to upgrade.

This is probably the number one FAQ we get at Hello Glow: where did you get that bottle? We're sharing all our favorite ways to store homemade beauty products here.

Since homemade beauty products don't have added preservatives, mold and bacteria have been known to ravage them. It’s not always possible to use your potions within a matter of days, so it's a good idea to make smaller batches and keep them cold, away from sunlight (for e.g. in the fridge). We're sharing more tips for making your DIY recipes last longer here.

References

References

Sánchez M, et al. Pharmacological update properties of Aloe vera and its major active constituents. Molecules. 2020.

Yagnik D, et al. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Sci Rep. 2018.

Fratini F, et al. Beeswax: a minireview of its antimicrobial activity and its application in medicine. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2016.

Varma SR, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2019.

Mandal MD, et al. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011.

Sobhan M, et al. The efficacy of colloidal oatmeal cream 1% as add-on therapy in the management of chronic irritant hand eczema: a double-blind study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020.

Honfo FG, et al. Nutritional composition of shea products and chemical properties of shea butter: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014.

Khan N, et al. Tea polyphenols in promotion of human health. Nutrients. 2019.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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