Homemade Skin Treats

Simple, Effective and Natural Products Found In Your Kitchen

Catherine Solmes

Sept 18, 2007

Use everyday products found in your kitchen to smooth, soothe and soften your skin.

Think of how cashmere, silk and cotton feel against your skin compared with nylon, polyester and rayon. If you've never tried an all-natural or largely natural moisturizer, mask or exfoliator, you're in for the same experience. Natural products have been used for centuries by women attempting to smooth, soften and moisturize their skin, and while it's easy to get distracted by the rows of tempting bottles and tubes at the drugstore or department store, you've actually got plenty of skin treats in your own kitchen! So open that fridge and those cupboards and get gorgeous!

Brown Sugar-Olive Oil Scrub

Don't spend your money on pricey scrubs; make your own with brown sugar and olive oil. It exfoliates away all the dry skin, moisturizes what's underneath, increases your skin's circulation and can improve the appearance of cellulite.

For gorgeously smooth skin, combine roughly three parts brown sugar with one part olive oil (11/2 cups to 1/2 cup; 3 cups to 1 cup, and so on). Before you shower, stand in your bathtub and apply the scrub with your hands to your body and rub. Be gentle, as this is quite abrasive, but you can be a bit rougher where your skin is thicker and drier (i.e. your feet). Rinse off in the shower, and you'll find there's no need to moisturize afterwards.

Yogourt Mask

Used by women for centuries, yogourt works on all skin types to soften skin, soothe redness and tighten pores while gently deep cleaning. Use a natural, unflavoured, plain yogurt (Balkan style tends to be thicker and is easier to apply) and apply to your face as you would a mask, avoiding the eyes and mouth. You may want to let the yogourt warm up slightly before applying it! Leave on for ten minutes and rinse off with warm water. Follow with a honey mask, or apply moisturizer as you would normally.

Honey Mask

Honey is also an ancient beauty product used alongside yogourt to soften, deep clean and soothe your skin. Honey is a natural antibiotic and will help to kill any bacteria in your pores, which in turn helps to eliminate redness. It's also gently moisturizing and full of vitamins. Simply smooth it onto your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth and let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow with your regular toning and moisturizing routine.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is an all-purpose, rich, but non-irritating moisturizer. Try rubbing it onto dry bits like your elbows, knees and heels. Try it as a nighttime moisturizer for your face during the cold months. Smooth it on your body for an extra-nourishing treat and rinse off the excess in the shower – your skin will feel amazing. Or warm it carefully and very, very slightly and use it as a heated deep-moisturizing mask.

Olive oil can also be used as a deep moisturizing hair mask. Smooth it onto warm, damp hair from your ears down (the oldest, most damaged/dry part of your hair). Wrap some plastic wrap around it and then a towel to keep it warm. This is best done at bedtime so the oil has time to penetrate the hair shaft while you sleep, but you can let it sit for a minimum of half-an-hour if you prefer. Then wash your hair as usual and you'll be amazed at the difference.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an all-purpose, gentle exfoliator and skin softener. To use it as an exfoliator, simply pour a quarter-sized amount of baking soda into the palm of your hand. You can add a tiny bit of your regular cleanser or some warm water to turn it into a paste. You may need to add more to get the right consistency. Apply to your skin, avoiding your eyes, and rub gently with your fingertips in a circular motion. Adjust the pressure of your fingers as you wish for a harder or lighter scrub and then rinse off the paste with warm water. Follow with your regular toner and moisturizer.

You can also sprinkle some baking soda into a warm bath for an extra-softening skin treat.