DO you feel like having a spa day at home? Try these home-made natural skin-care recipes using products that you already have in your bathroom and pantry. After you’re done, you’ll be looking and feeling your best.

Make-up wipes

It’s pretty easy to make this do-it-yourself (DIY) face wipe. All you need is coconut oil, baby wipes and warm water.

The antibacterial properties of coconut oil protects the skin from potential pathogens. More importantly, it can reduce the risk of bacterial infections as well as moisturise the skin and provide essential vitamins to make the skin look healthy. It also helps to remove make-up and oily build-up. Just apply the coconut oil to the skin directly and remove with wipes. Wash your face with warm water and pat dry.

Toner

This DIY apple cider vinegar facial toner will literally cost you pennies, and it’s hydrating, pH balanced and excellent for blemish-prone and combination skin.

Although apple cider vinegar is acidic, it actually helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin. It’s an excellent toner and can be used for all skin types. It’s also antibacterial and has anti-inflammatory properties.

For oily and acne-prone skin, apple cider vinegar helps to treat acne and reduce redness. For dry and normal skin, apple cider vinegar helps to exfoliate skin and reduce wrinkles.

Face and

Exfoliate your skin with this luxurious DIY face and body scrub. It’s similar to scrubs you’d get in a spa (with the same results).

All you need is sugar, coconut oil and lime juice. The sugar is a great way to remove the dead skin while moisturising, as it allows for the easy absorption of the coconut oil which is an antiseptic skin moisturiser. Adding fresh lime juice to the mixture will give the skin the Vitamin C it needs to brighten while adding a fresh scent.

Quick tip: Rub lime directly to knees and elbows to remove dead skin and brighten prior to applying the scrub.

Anti-ageing

Pamper yourself with this DIY organic honey mask to rejuvenate the skin and give it a healthy glow.

Raw honey is full of antioxidants to help fight wrinkles and ageing skin. Honey is also a natural antibacterial, which helps to prevent and fight acne, gently unclogs pores, draws moisture into the skin, and leaves skin feeling soft.

Just apply one to two tablespoons of raw honey to face and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a warm washcloth to wipe it off. It’s incredibly moisturising and balances all skin types.

Charcoal acne

If you are suffering from acne and clogged pores, then this is the mask for you!

This DIY charcoal peel-off mask removes all those blackheads and impurities from the pores, leaving behind glowing, gorgeous and clear skin. The combined ingredients include activated charcoal, which absorbs toxins and build-up on the skin and helps to naturally detoxify.

Bentonite clay tightens and tones the skin and draws out impurities. Gelatin helps to nourish the skin and acts as a binder in this recipe to draw out impurities. It’s the key ingredient that makes this mask peel off.

Tea tree essential oil clarifies the skin and keeps it clear and smooth.

Ingredients

1 capsule activated charcoal (about 1/4 to 1/3 tsp)

1/4 tsp bentonite clay

1 tsp unflavoured gelatin

1-2 drops tea tree essential oil

2 tsp boiling hot water

Directions

Add all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add boiling water and tea tree oil, mix together and apply as mask.

Apply mask quickly as the mask will continue to thicken. If the mask in the bowl dries up sooner than you get to apply it, add a 1/2 to 1 tsp of boiling hot water to make the mask liquid again to apply. Once you have a thick layer of the mask on the skin, allow it to dry for about 20-30 minutes. You may need to wait longer depending on the thickness of the mask.

You will feel a slight tingling sensation from the bentonite clay and tea tree oil — both help to remove impurities from the skin. Once the mask is dry, start on an edge (chin or forehead) and slowly peel off the mask until it’s completely gone. You can use a warm washcloth to remove any remaining mask on the face.

Michelle Vernon is a phlebotomist medical aesthetician who operates the Body Studio Skincare, located at 20 Constant Spring Road, Mall Plaza, Kingston 10, and Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. She may be reached at telephone 908-0438 or 684-9800; IG @ bodystudioskincare; E-mail: bodystudioskincare@gmail.com; Website: www.bodystudioskincare.com