Natural beauty ? Let’s talk cash. Tired of shelling out 50 euros for a cream whose ingredients you don’t even understand? What if I told you that with what’s lying around in your fridge, you can compete with the biggest brands?
My grandmother didn’t have Sephora on the corner, yet she had peachy skin at 70. Her secret? Three pieces of string and a lot of common sense. Today, we’re rediscovering what she already knew: true beauty comes from simplicity.
No more illegible labels and marketing promises. I’ve been testing these homemade cosmetic recipes I’m about to share with you for months. Spoiler alert: my skin has never looked better, and my wallet thanks me.
Ready to turn your kitchen into a beauty lab? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
Bye bye industrial cosmetics, hello natural beauty !
You know what annoys me most about commercial cosmetics? That list of ingredients reads like a chemistry lesson. Methylparaben, sodium lauryl sulfate, dimethicone… They sound like the names of alien planets!
Our great-grandmothers did very well with olive oil and honey. They had no wrinkles at 50, and their hair shone like a L’Oréal commercial. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Why I fell for natural alternatives to cosmetics
One day, I had a revelation when I read the label of my 80 euro night cream. 30 ingredients, of which I only knew the water! That’s when I decided to take back control.
Natural beauty products give you the assurance of knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin. No more unpleasant surprises, no more mysterious allergies. Just ingredients you can pronounce without hesitation.
And let’s be honest: when your natural facial treatment costs you 3 euros instead of 60, it’s good for your morale! With the money saved, you can treat yourself to some real little pleasures.
Recipe 1: The magic oatmeal-honey scrub (your skin will thank you!)
So, this first homemade natural scrub is my absolute favorite. I discovered this recipe by chance, one Sunday morning when I had nothing left in my bathroom.
The ingredients (spoiler: you already have them)
2 tablespoons of oat flakes (the ones you get from your breakfast, no need to buy special) 1 tablespoon of honey (the real thing, not the one from the supermarket that looks like syrup) 1 teaspoon of olive oil (the one from your kitchen works just fine)
Roughly blend the oats. It doesn’t need to be powdered; we want to keep some of the oats for the exfoliating effect. Mix with the honey and oil. If it’s too thick, add a drop of water. Too runny? A little more oats.
How to use it without messing up your skin
On damp skin, gently massage in small circles. Especially on the nose and chin where blackheads love to hide. The oats do the job gently, the honey disinfects, and the oil nourishes. A winning trio!
Let it sit for 5 minutes while you prepare your tea. Rinse with lukewarm water. Result? Baby-soft skin, I swear! Use this DIY scrub once or twice a week max. Any more is counterproductive.
Recipe 2: Avocado-coconut mask (for incredible hydration)
Avocado in a mask? At first, that was weird for me too. Then I tried it, and now it’s amazing! This natural face mask really transforms your skin.
The recipe that’s a hit
1/2 ripe avocado (the one that’s been sitting at the bottom of the fridge for 3 days, perfect!) 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (it melts on contact with the skin, it’s magic) A few drops of runny honey
Mash the avocado with a fork until smooth. Stir in the coconut oil and honey. Mix well, otherwise you’ll end up with lumps all over your face.
Instructions for using this homemade mask
Spread generously over a clean face. Avoid the eye area unless you like looking like a green panda. Relax for 15-20 minutes. Netflix and chill, beauty version!
When you rinse, your skin will feel incredibly soft. This natural facial treatment is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. For me, who has desert-dry skin, this is my savior!
Recipe 3: Rosehip Anti-Aging Serum (More Effective Than Botox?)
Okay, I won’t go so far as to say it’s better than Botox, but this homemade anti-wrinkle serum works wonders! Rosehip oil is the world’s best-kept beauty secret.
This little golden oil contains natural retinol. You know, that star ingredient in expensive creams? Well, nature invented it before the labs!
The ingredients of this natural anti-aging serum
10 ml rosehip oil (worthwhile investment, I promise) 5 ml jojoba oil 3 drops geranium essential oil (optional but smells good)
Mix in a small tinted glass bottle. Shake well. That’s it! Sometimes the best things are the simplest.
How to use this natural anti-aging treatment
Apply a few drops morning and evening to clean skin. Massage with your fingertips, from the center outward. Don’t pull on the skin, just caress it!
After two weeks, look in the mirror. Your skin looks firmer and more radiant. Fine lines are slowly fading. This DIY anti-aging treatment rivals those $150 serums, I promise!
Recipe 4: Makeup remover that removes everything (even stubborn waterproof makeup)
I struggled with store-bought makeup removers for a long time. They either irritated my eyes or left mascara residue. Until I discovered this recipe for a natural, homemade makeup remover .
The ingredients of this revolutionary DIY makeup remover
70 ml of cornflower floral water (soothing for tired eyes) 25 ml of sweet almond oil (sweet as its name suggests) 5 ml of vegetable glycerin 1 pinch of baking soda
Mix everything in a 100 ml bottle. Shake vigorously. The emulsion will form naturally, it’s beautiful to see!
How to use this natural facial cleanser
Shake before each use. Soak a washable cotton pad and place it over closed eyes for a few seconds. Gently wipe without rubbing like a madman.
Even the most stubborn waterproof mascara comes off effortlessly! Your eyes stay comfortable, with no stinging or greasy feeling. This natural alternative has made me feel better about removing makeup.
Recipe 5: Shea butter lip balm (no more chapped lips!)
Winter is approaching, and with it, the ordeal of chapped lips. This homemade shea butter lip balm will change your life! No more need to buy new lip balms every month.
Raw shea butter is gold for lips. Rich, nourishing, and restorative. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to commercial balms.
Making this natural lip balm
2 tablespoons of raw shea butter 1 teaspoon of beeswax 1 teaspoon of coconut oil 2 drops of essential oil (mint or vanilla depending on your mood)
Melt the shea butter, wax, and coconut oil in a bain-marie. Stir gently. Remove from heat and add the essential oil. Pour into small jars or tubes.
The benefits of this natural lip treatment
This homemade balm repairs damaged lips in record time. Its melting texture isn’t sticky or leaves a strange film. Your lips stay supple and soft, even in the coldest weather.
Unlike addictive commercial balms, this one respects the natural balance of your lips. They regain their ability to moisturize themselves.
My tips for making successful natural homemade cosmetics
After months of testing and a few failures (yes, it happens!), I have my little tips to make your beauty DIYs perfect every time.
Hygiene: the basis of everything
Sterilize your containers! 10 minutes in boiling water or 15 minutes in an oven at 100°C. It sounds tedious, but it’s crucial. One contamination, and your beautiful creation ends up in the trash.
Work cleanly, with washed hands and disinfected utensils. Use wood or glass rather than metal, which can oxidize your preparations.
Conservation: the golden rules
Label everything! Manufacturing date, composition, shelf life. Otherwise, in 3 weeks, you won’t know what it is.
Water-based preparations (lotions, gels): 1 month in the refrigerator maximum. Oil-based formulas (balms, serums): 3 months at room temperature, away from light.
Observe your creations. Change in appearance, smell, or texture? Toss in the trash, no regrets!
Adapt everything according to your skin
The superpower of homemade natural skincare ? Personalization! Your skin is unique, and so are your skincare products.
Oily skin? Replace olive oil with hazelnut oil, which is less comedogenic. Add green clay to your masks.
Dry skin? Double the dose of shea butter or avocado oil. Your skin will thank you.
Sensitive skin? Forget essential oils and opt for soothing floral waters like chamomile.
That’s what true natural beauty is all about: listening to your skin and giving it exactly what it needs. No one-size-fits-all formula, just tailor-made!
So, convinced? These 5 recipes are just the beginning of the adventure. Once you start making homemade cosmetics, it’s hard to stop! And you, which one will you start with?
