There are many brands that claim they are infused with herbs, however, this often includes a lot of other chemicals that are in the fine print of the label. So how do we get herbal cosmetics that we can trust? Grow and create your own at home! Herbs help to cleanse, moisturize, tone, anti-age, and condition your skin and hair. Plants such as chamomile, green tea, calendula, and rose can be grown in your garden. The process is not as difficult and luxurious as cosmetic companies would like us to believe. It’s really quite easy to create your own cosmetic products using fresh botanical extracts.
5 DIY Beauty Products
Not only will creating your own botanical cosmetics ensure that your products are clean of any harmful chemicals, it is also fun and can become a great hobby! Find self-satisfaction in being able to substitute many store-bought synthetic beauty products with your own homemade versions. Not to mention, it will also save you tons of money. You can also cater your homemade cosmetics to fit the exact needs of your skin personally. With a wide range of combinations of natural ingredients, it will be ideal for your skin type.
Whether you already have access to fresh herbs or you are just getting started on your garden, here are some homemade herbal cosmetics that will help you make sure you are planting the correct herbs for the products you want!
1. Herbal Body Scrub
If you have a dry skin that needs moisturizing, then this homemade body scrub is the fantastic solution for you! This is also very helpful if you experience acne on your back as it will balance out the oils on the tough layer of skin that covers that area.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup dried herbs (such as lavender, peppermint, calendula, or a mixture of your favorite herbs)
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp Sugar, clay, or almonds (optional)
Directions:
- Blend all the ingredients together until you reach a smooth, fine powder. To use, put some of the blends in the palm of your hand.
- Add some water to make a paste.
- You can apply the scrub over your face or body, avoiding the lips and eyes.
- Massage it gently into the skin with circular motions.
- Wash thoroughly.
- Store your scrub in a jar in a cool and dry location where you can keep it for about 3 months.
The Ingredients Used:
Calendula
Calendula has the ability to protect oral health, speed healing, boost vision, and improve the appearance of the skin. This is will help tremendously for breakouts, scarring, and cuts on your skin.
Peppermint
Peppermint is arguably the most versatile herb along with lavender. It is suitable for oral and topical use and makes a great essential oil as well. This is due to its antimicrobial properties. This herb provides a cooling sensation that feels wonderful on the skin.
Oat
Oat has many anti-inflammatory properties and is wonderful for sensitive skin. Oats work to treat eczema and acne as they are very useful as an exfoliator.
Almonds
Almonds are packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that prevents cell damage. They are also rich in vitamins and proteins and help hydrate and soften your skin.
Clay
Clay is useful for its detoxifying properties. Several beauty products contain clay for its ability to absorb impurities and heal the skin.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal works to remove dead skin and cleanse your face.
2. Cucumber and Sage Facial Mask
If you feel that your skin is a bit lackluster or dull, then this mask is here to help! This mask tightens the skin and draws impurities to the surface while stimulating circulation. It nourishes and cleanses your skin and giving your face a fresh look.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup sage leaves
- ½ cucumber (peeled and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon of lemon (or lime) juice
- 2 egg whites
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in a blender, then pour into glass jar.
- By using your fingertips, apply the mask to your face (avoiding eyes and lips), leave on for about 10 minutes (maximum).
- In the end, rinse with warm water and apply a thin layer of moisturizer.
- (Makes about 4oz. mask mixture)
About the ingredients:
Sage
Sage is often used to slow down the signs of ageing. It is also helpful in fading blemish marks, pocks, and scars.
Cucumber
The flesh of the cucumber contains caffeic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which help calm skin irritations and reduce swelling.
Lemon
Lemon and Lime have high amounts of Vitamin C and flavonoids that help rejuvenate your skin, reduce body odour, and protect it from infection.
3. Antidandruff Lavender Rinse
Store-bought Psoriasis or medicated dandruff shampoos more often than not include coal tar derivatives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed these derivatives carcinogenic in several forms, and yet they still are found in many products. To avoid this, make your own!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rosemary (fresh or dried)
- ½ cup peppermint (fresh or dried)
- ¼ cup lavender (fresh or dried)
- 4 cups spring or distilled water
- 12 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1 teaspoon borax
Directions:
- Bring the water to a boil, then add the ingredients.
- Stir and cover. Turn off the heat. Steep for about 3 ½ hours. Next, strain and bottle the fluid. In the end, add the essential oil and borax.
- Label and use within 12 months if you have used dried herbs. Or 10 days in case you have used fresh ones.
About the ingredients:
Rosemary
There are several beneficial qualities that rosemary offers. It contains phytonutrients, calcium, and iron. It is also packed with nutrients that help protect skin cells from free radicals and sun damage. Also, due to its natural antiseptic properties, it works as a disinfectant for hair and skin.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is powerful in treating many skin infections, such as scabies, fungal infections of the nail, lice, acne, ringworm, and Athlete’s foot. This makes it a great agent for treating acne due to its antibacterial properties.
Lavender essential oil
Lavender Essential Oil has an array of beneficial properties within it. This includes things such as its ability to reduce stress, tension, disinfect the scalp of the skin, ease pain, treat, respiratory problems, and enhance blood circulation.
4. Rosemary Fruit Face Mask
Due to its gentle yet invigorating qualities, this face mask is ideal for all types of skin. With many vitamins and minerals present that will help eliminate many skin problems, it aids in improving your skin’s appearance.
Ingredients:
- 2 strawberries, sliced (you can use fresh or frozen)
- ¼ cup chopped apple
- 1 tablespoon plain yoghurt
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- ½ tablespoon oat flour
Directions:
- Place the strawberries, yoghurt, apple, and honey in a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Then, add the essential oils and the oat flour to create a spreadable mask.
- Cleanse your neck and face with lukewarm water, and then apply the mask on your neck and face.
- Relax for about 15-20 minutes. In the end, rinse the mask with warm water.
About the ingredients:
We mentioned rosemary and lavender above, so we will continue with strawberries, yogurt, and apples! They are rich in natural alpha-hydroxy acids. Green apples are a great choice because they have incredible health benefits, especially for the skin.
5. Skin Toner: Queen of Hungary’s Water
Queen of Hungary’s Water is a classic skin toner balances pH, tightens pores, and recovers skin tone. This herb-infused vinegar provides an array of cosmetic benefits and is remarkably easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- Dried comfrey
- Dried calendula
- Dried chamomile
- Dried elderflower
- Dried rosemary
- Dried rose petals
- Dried sage
- Dried lemon peel
- Dried lemon balm
Directions:
- Place the ingredients in a jar and cover them entirely with organic apple cider vinegar.
- Let them soak in it for at least two weeks.
- Then, strain and add a ½ cup of rose water (available from health food stores, natural grocers) to each cup of herb-infused vinegar.
- Store Queen of Hungary’s Water in the fridge for up to 10 days. Use every night before going to bed.
About the ingredients:
All of the herbs mentioned above for making Queen of Hungary’s Water have been traditionally used for thousands of years for skin cleansing and skin rejuvenation.
Herb-infused vinegar has been valued in cosmetics for centuries. It is extremely effective for balancing the pH of your skin. And, don’t worry, the strong smell of vinegar will not linger on your skin.
Precaution:
It is very important to note that some of these herbs, plants, or flowers may cause an allergic reaction for some people. To test this, place a small dad on your arm and see how your skin reacts to it. After that, wait at least an hour before deciding if you feel it is a negative reaction.