Taking the time to make your own beauty products is only worth it if they, you know, actually make your skin look better. These 8 wrinkle-reducing, skin-brightening, and damage-repairing concoctions from Neal's Yard Remedies' Beauty Book, a new guide to homemade natural products, are worth firing up your stove for:
Frankincense Toner
Frankincense essential oil encourages cell turnover and promotes the wound healing—making it a great oil for slow-to-recuperate mature skin. Apply a few drops of the toner to cotton wool and sweep across the forehead, down the nose, and across cheeks to remove dirt and make-up.
Makes 3½ fluid oz
Ingredients
2 ½ fluid oz mineral water
1 tsp glycerin
3 drops frankincense essential oil
1 drop myrrh essential oil
Instructions
1. Mix the mineral water and glycerin together in a bowl.
2. Add both the essential oils, and stir thoroughly. Pour into a sterilized bottle and place the lid on. Store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.
MORE: 10 Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes You're Making
Frankincense Day Cream
Apply daily to clean, dry skin in an upward-circular motion, avoiding the eye area.
Makes 3½ oz
Ingredients
1 Tbsp cocoa butter
1 tsp argan oil
1 tsp beeswax
4 Tbsp mineral water
1 Tbsp emulsifying wax
5 drops frankincense essential oil
3 drops myrrh essential oil
Instructions
1. Melt the butter, oil, and beeswax together in a double boiler (or place the ingredients in a small pot inside a larger pot of heated water, so they won’t burn like they might under direct heat). Remove from the heat once the wax has melted.
2. Heat the mineral water in a saucepan to 175ºF. Add the emulsifying wax and stir until the wax is fully dissolved.
3. Add the hot oil mixture to the hot water mixture. Using a hand-held whisk or a stick blender, whisk continuously until smooth.
4. Continue to stir occasionally as the mixture cools. Add the essential oils and mix well. Pour into a sterilized jar and leave to cool for 1 hour before placing the lid on. Store in the fridge. Keeps for up to 6 weeks.
Rosehip Body Oil
Clinical studies have proven that regular use of rosehip seed oil can reverse sun damage, and reduce wrinkles and age spots. Massage this body oil into your skin, paying particular attention to dry areas, scars, and stretch marks.
Makes 1½ fluid oz
Ingredients
2 Tbsp rosehip oil
1 Tbsp almond oil
6 drops frankincense essential oil
6 drops rose essential oil
4 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops myrrh essential oil
Instructions
1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Pour into a sterilized bottle and place a tight-fitting lid or dropper on. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.
Brightening Facial Oil
Apply a few drops to the fingertips and massage into the face and neck nightly, using upward-sweeping motions and avoiding the eye area.
Makes 2 fluid oz
Ingredients
2 Tbsp rosehip oil
1 Tbsp wheatgerm oil
2 drops cypress essential oil
2 drops clary sage essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops frankincense essential oil
Instructions
1. Pour the oils into a bowl. Add the essential oils and mix well.
2. Pour into a sterilized bottle and place a tight-fitting lid or dropper on. Shake well before use. Store in the fridge for up to 3 months.
MORE: 7 Ways To Get Younger-Looking Knees And Elbows
Avocado and Honey Scrub
Studies have found that avocado oil can increase collagen in connective tissue, helping to keep skin soft and more youthful looking. Gently massage the scrub into the skin, paying particular attention to areas of congestion. Leave on for 1 to 2 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
Makes enough for a single use
Ingredients
½ ripe avocado
1 tsp honey
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp ground rice
Instructions
1. Mash the avocado in a bowl using a fork.
2. Heat the honey in a double-boiler, or place the ingredients in a small pot inside a larger pot of heated water, so they won’t burn like they might under direct heat. Add the oil and warm honey to the avocado, and mix together.
3. Add the ground rice and mix until you have a paste and use immediately—the fresh ingredients can’t be stored.
Avocado-Banana Mask
Apply the mask to freshly cleansed skin with your fingertips, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for 10 minutes and remove with warm water.
Makes enough for a single use
Ingredients
½ ripe avocado
½ ripe banana
1 tsp honey
1 tsp rose floral water
Instructions
1. Place the avocado and banana in a bowl and mash them with a fork to make a paste.
2. Add the honey and rose water to the paste, and mix well (the paste should be thick enough for you to spread or brush evenly). Use immediately.
MORE: 10 Smoothies For Prettier Skin
Citrus Splash
Lemon essential oil has skin-lightening properties that can minimize the appearance of age spots. Splash, pat, or mist the lightly scented body fragrance onto pulse points or areas when your complexion is dull.
MAKES 2 fluid oz
Ingredients
2 Tbsp vodka
10 drops lime essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops bergamot essential oil
5 drops mandarin essential oil
4 drops palmarosa essential oil
1 Tbsp mineral water
1 Tbsp orange floral water
Instructions
1. Mix the vodka and essential oils together in a bowl. Add the mineral water and orange floral water, and stir thoroughly.
2. Pour into a sterilized misting bottle. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Lemon & Coriander Body Bar
Lather the body bar over your body in the shower or bath to cleanse skin.
Makes a 3 oz bar
Ingredients
1 Tbsp shea nut butter
3 Tbsp mineral water
1 Tbsp grated bar soap
1 tsp glycerin
1 tsp honey
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops coriander essential oil
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a double boiler.
2. Heat the mineral water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the grated bar soap and continue to heat until the soap has dissolved. Add the glycerin, honey, and essential oils, and mix well.
3. Add the melted butter to the hot water mixture. Pour into a greased mold (muffin tins work, too) and leave to cool for 1 to 2 hours. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
