It seems the best DIY hacks for radiant skin and shiny hair abound on social media, but have you ever attempted any of these mystifying lifesavers at home? Some may seem like a good idea, but our Pond’s- and Garnier-loving hearts don’t want to stray from what we’ve come to know and love. Switching up your skin care routine can be scary, especially if you have sensitive skin, which was my fear when I began making my own scrubs and masks. Here you will find recipes with gentle ingredients that nourish your skin and don’t break the bank.

Smooth chapped lips
Are your lips peeling and dry? Are you looking for an easy and delicious way to exfoliate them without having to run to the store? Well, you are in luck, because all you need is 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, a small bowl to mix the ingredients and a small jar or old lip balm pot to store your scrub. Simply apply a small amount to lips, rub them together for 30 seconds, then lick your lips clean.

Quench thirsty lips
You’ve exfoliated, now it’s time to hydrate for the perfect pout. What better than a peppermint lip balm to keep you cool all summer? You will need 8 drops of peppermint oil, a tablespoon of beeswax pellets, glass jar, glass dropper and containers for storage (Walmart, Amazon or craft stores often have sample jars for lip balms). You can even add lipstick shavings for a hint of color. Bring water to a boil in a pan, then combine your solid ingredients in the glass jar. Place the glass jar in the boiling water and allow them to melt, then mix your ingredients together, pour into a container and allow them to cool for a minimum of two hours or until completely hardened.

Cleanse and exfoliate
Dead skin cells clog pores, often causing blackheads and whiteheads to form. In order to keep skin feeling fresh and renewed, make sure to try this coconut salt and sugar scrub. All you will need to make this scrumptious scrub is 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Mix everything in a small bowl, then rub onto your face. Rinse with warm water, pat your face dry, and you are good to go. The coconut oil moisturizes while you cleanse, leaving your face dewy and fresh.

Rejuvenate dull skin
Coffee… It’s that magical elixir that keeps you revved and ready to go, regardless of how sleep deprived you are. Did you know the caffeine found in coffee also can do the same thing for your skin, bringing it back after a hard week of abuse from air pollutants and stress? For this coffee scrub, combine ¼ cup sugar, ½ cup caffeinated coffee grounds, 2 tablespoons jojoba oil and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a small bowl. Once mixed, store your scrub in a glass jar and use it in the shower on damp skin for a head-to-toe glow.

Moisturize
Rose water is currently popular in mass-market beauty products due to its toning properties. Luckily, taking advantage of this natural elixir is easily done at home. To create a rose water moisturizer, you will need to combine rose water and glycerin, using two parts rose water to one part glycerin. Mix these together until they form a lotion and apply before bed for maximum results.

Victoriahope McAuliffe