If you want to enter the world of DIY beauty products, lip balms are the perfect entry point. They are not extremely difficult to make, and you can customize their flavor using different essential oils. In the case of the recipe in this article, we chose an essential oil that evokes the holiday spirit. All you need is a double boiler and four ingredients to make this lip balm!

When people look at DIY recipes, they often see a double boiler on the list of required items or tools. You don’t need a double boiler, but you can get one if you plan on making a lot of homemade beauty products. You can make your own double boiler variation in two easy ways. Both ways involve a pot that contains an inch or so of water in it. Place that pot on the stove over medium heat. Once the water is warm, place the ingredients you need to melt inside a heat-safe glass jar or measuring cup. Don’t let the water boil and stir until fully melted. The other option is to place a heat-safe glass bowl over the top of the pot with water. The heat that builds up in the pot will help melt the ingredients in the bowl above. 

Shea Butter

Shea butter boasts a long list of moisturizing and nourishing compounds. One of the best benefits is that it is enriched with emollient properties and health fats, which the skin can easily absorb for optimal hydration. Even the driest of skin types are no match for shea butter’s moisturizing properties. Applying shea butter to your lips supplies them with extra nutrients without weighing them down. Shea butter doesn’t leave your lips feeling greasy or textured either. Plus, the humectant properties work to prevent moisture loss during the winter months. 

Beeswax

You are probably familiar with the many beeswax lip balms in existence, and for good reason. Beeswax is an excellent ingredient for lip balms because it helps to seal in moisture and protect against dryness. It works to create a barrier between your lips and the environment, making it ideal for cold, windy weather. Like shea butter, beeswax is a natural substance that is not likely to cause allergic reactions or irritation. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe chapped or irritated lips. 

Coconut Oil

Just like shea butter and beeswax, coconut oil offers impressive moisturizing properties, making it ideal for chapped lips. The reason that lips are susceptible to moisture loss is because the skin is so thin. They are more exposed to the elements than other parts of the skin, so they rely on you for protection. Coconut oil is considered to be an emollient, which is a non-cosmetic moisturizer that helps keep the skin moist. Emollients trap moisture into the skin, which is good news for your lips because they lose moisture easily.

A Quick Note

One thing to note is that if you cannot get the Christmas Spirit essential oil, you can make a similar blend. All you need is three drops of cinnamon bark essential oil, three drops of orange essential oil, and one drop of Idaho blue spruce essential oil. You only need seven drops because you don’t want the scent to be overpowering, although you can add more if you so desire. 

All-Natural Holiday Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
• 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 7 drops Christmas Spirit essential oil
• Lip balm containers

Instructions:

• Create a double boiler by adding two inches of water to a pot and place it on the stove over medium heat. 
• Combine the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a heat-safe glass jar and sit it inside the pot. Slowly bring the water to a boil and reduce the hit so that the water simmers. 
• Once the ingredients are fully melted, stir well and then carefully remove the pot from heat. Add the essential oil and stir to combine. 
• Carefully pour or spoon the melted mixture into the lip balm containers. Allow the balm to harden at room temperature, and then it is ready for immediate use.

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Sweating is a natural part of life, and it is a necessary bodily function. It is the body’s way of regulating core temperature. The unfortunate reality is that with sweating comes a certain type of stink. This is where deodorant enters the equation. Everybody needs deodorant, even if some people don’t want to admit it. Deodorant is an everyday hygiene product that keeps you smelling fresh.

Interestingly enough, though, sweat isn’t the main cause of body odor. When sweat combines with the bacteria that already exist on the skin, you smell an unpleasant aroma. The body has two primary sweat glands: eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands. Eccrine glands secrete fluid onto the skin’s surface, while apocrine glands, which develop in areas with hair follicles, secrete fluid that is odorless until it mixes with bacteria on the skin. How do you stop the stench, especially with natural deodorant? Continue reading to find out. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda works to absorb odors, which is why people leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge if there’s a bad smell. Due to the ability to absorb odors, baking soda has become a popular ingredient in homemade deodorants and other beauty products. The reported benefits of baking soda as a deodorant are merely anecdotal, though. One study, however, suggests that the antimicrobial benefits of baking soda may be the reason it fights off odors and bacteria in the armpits. The pros of using a homemade deodorant with baking soda is that it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that are in most deodorants. Some of these chemicals include parabens, aluminum, artificial colors, and triclosan. Not all of these are endocrine disruptors, but some of them are. 

Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

The beauty of this essential oil is that it smells like a milder version of citronella. Not only does it make you smell amazing, but it may also help you repel mosquitos! That last part may not be true, by the way. You get the sweet, enchanting aroma of eucalyptus and the refreshing natural citrus scent from the lemon. It helps to leave your skin cool and fresh, and the great part is that it is gender neutral. Should you want a different scent, though, you can change the essential oil to one that you prefer. 

Coconut Oil

It seems that coconut oil ends up in all sorts of DIY beauty products, and for good reason. The theory behind adding coconut oil to this DIY deodorant is that it has antibacterial properties, which may fight off odor-causing bacteria. Now, if you go to a spin class, coconut oil alone will not protect you from odor. Some experts argue that coconut oil may not be the best ingredient for homemade deodorant. The reason for this is because it is a thicker oil, which may not allow your sweat glands to breathe. Additionally, it may melt down your armpits because it has a low viscosity at body temperature. 

DIY Deodorant For Summer

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch 
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients, except the essential oil, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is melted and well-combined.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat source and allow it to cool off four about a minute. 
• Carefully pour the melted mixture into a glass jar and then add the essential oils. Stir with a wooden utensil to combine. 
• Allow it to cool completely until it forms a creamy consistency, and then you can screw the top of the jar on. Store in a cool, dark place and it will last for up to three months. 
• To use, scoop a pea-sized amount with your fingertip and apply under your armpit. Make sure your fingers are dry.

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Whether you follow TikTok beauty trends or get lured into buying commercial beauty products, skin care is an ever-evolving field. There are no breakthroughs, tips, and hacks about how to best care for the body’s largest organ. With so many options to choose from, how do you know which skin care products are right for you? That can be very difficult, considering that each product has a handful of ingredients, some of which may do more harm than good.

Because more people are aware of the negative effects of commercial beauty products, DIY skin care products are more popular than ever. Simple ingredients, many of which have been used for centuries, can help address common skin issues. In case you need more proof, the following five natural skin care ingredients have loads of research to back up their efficacy. Continue reading to learn more about them. 

Green Tea For Inflammation And Aging

Green tea is replete with polyphenols, offering a shocking 30% polyphenol antioxidant count by weight. Researchers state that the most notable antioxidant is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties. According to several studies, topical application of polyphenols can help repair sun-damaged skin. Some research even indicated that this topical application may reverse the signs of aging, such as reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Oat Extracts For Sensitive Skin

Some beauty experts consider oats, or oat extracts, to be the gold standard for sensitive skin. Both colloidal oatmeal and oat oil are beloved by estheticians for their ability to soothe sensitive skin. For example, colloidal oatmeal has a high lipid and antioxidant content, which helps protect the skin barrier. Colloidal oatmeal has many active nutrients, including vitamin E, ferric acid, and avenanthramides, which exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Many dermatologists recommend colloidal oatmeal for the treatment of eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. 

Coconut Oil For Dry Skin

Soothing dryness should not be your only reason for using coconut oil topically on the skin. Coconut oil contains natural fatty acids that help nourish and smooth out the skin. The reason coconut oil is particularly beneficial for dry skin is because it helps increase moisture levels in the skin, due to its occlusive properties. It also helps to improve skin barrier function, which is why people with eczema or psoriasis find coconut oil so soothing. 

Aloe Vera For Dullness

You are probably most familiar with aloe vera for its ability to soothe sunburns and accelerate the healing from burns or mild scrapes. It has been a staple in natural skin care for centuries because of its medicinal properties. Researchers found that aloe vera contains more than 75 (and potentially up to 200) different active compounds, such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and salicylic acids. Aloe vera is excellent for hydrating the skin because it is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to the skin. 

Researchers note that aloe vera has proven to increase the water content of the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer. But wait, there’s more! Aloe vera may help brighten the skin, due to its content of aloesin. One study found that it helped treat UV-induced and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Topical application of aloesin may directly inhibit hyper pigmented skin from producing more melanin, which can cause the formation of dark spots. 

Jojoba Oil For Oil Control

The chemical structure of jojoba oil is very similar to human cells, making it a popular ingredient in skin care products. Jojoba oil may help reduce oiliness by modulating the skin’s production of sebum. Because of the iodine content, jojoba oil also works to balance bacterial overgrowth, which can lead to breakouts. Finally, jojoba oil is rich in skin-soothing ingredients, such as vitamin E, copper, B-complex vitamins, and zinc, which give the oil anti-inflammatory properties.

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Have you noticed that more and more personal care and skin care products have “paraben-free” labels lately? It’s not just your imagination, and the reason for this evolution in beauty products is because more and more research highlights potential human health risks associated with these chemicals. As a jumping off point, a growing body of research linked parabens to abnormal hormone function and certain cancers. 

What Are Parabens?

Parabens are synthetic chemicals that are widely used as preservatives in personal care products and cosmetics. You can usually find them in shaving creams, shampoos, deodorants, cleansers, pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages. Manufacturers include parabens in these products and more because they extend their shelf life. Additionally, parabens exhibit antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria. There are several types of parabens and most products contain more than one. Common parabens in consumer goods include ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. 

According to research, some 90% of typical grocery items contain a measurable amount of parabens. Even those who steer clear of parabens in personal care or hygiene products can be exposed to these preservatives. What worries public health advocates is that cumulative exposure to parabens can contribute to a wide range of health problems. Some of the main concerns are the disruption of hormones, reproductive toxicity, and the increased risk of certain cancers. For example, parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells. The perceived influx of estrogen can trigger reactions such as an increase in breast cell division and the growth of tumors. 

Health Problems That May Be Linked To Parabens

As mentioned previously, parabens are hormone disruptors. This is because they can disrupt endocrine function, ultimately interfering with the hormones that are responsible for normal growth and development. Preliminary research from March 2021 linked hormone disruption from parabens to changes in several aspects of human health. Some of these changes included increased blood sugar and cholesterol levels, obesity risk, cognitive decline, and immune system dysfunction. 

A lot of the research surrounding parabens, though, has been conducted on animals or testing paraben levels in urine. The urine tests aimed to discover if people with higher exposure to parabens had an increased risk of developing certain health issues. Some studies found that parabens in urine led to an increased risk of breast cancer. A separate study from April 2023 found higher levels of parabens in breast cancer tissues than in healthy breast tissue. Finally, some observational studies linked urinary levels of parabens to elevated breast cancer risks. That said, it’s hard to control other factors, such as age, genetic risk factors, and other environmental exposures. 

In regards to parabens in cosmetics, the biggest source of human exposure, U.S. regulators haven’t found a clear enough risk of health harms to warn people against using them. As of 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates cosmetics, said that there wasn’t sufficient information to show that parabens in cosmetics had an effect on human health.

Risk Factors For Paraben Exposure

Paraben exposure is very common, especially in regards to methylparaben and propylparaben. One study examined urinary concentrations of different types of parabens in American adults. The results indicated that 99% of the participants had exposure to methylparaben, and nearly 93% of participants had exposure to propylparaben. Even though a lot of people have some exposure to parabens, some people are at higher risk of exposure than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), higher-risk individuals include Black people, women, and adults over the age of 20. Anyone who uses more personal care or hygiene products may be at more risk of exposure, depending on the products. 

How To Limit Paraben Exposure

If you want to limit your exposure, start by reading product labels, be they for beauty, personal care, or food. Some parabens are more likely to interfere with the body than others, so keep your eyes peeled for butylparaben and propylparaben, as they are more likely to cause health risks. Those are long-chain parabens, whereas methylparaben and ethylparaben are short-chain parabens. Short-chain parabens are much less likely to disrupt hormone function. As we mentioned in the beginning of the article, a lot of products are paraben- or sulfate-free, so aim to use those products. Lastly, don’t assume that something with a “clean” or “natural” label is paraben-free. Read the labels and you’ll find the truth, and potentially become healthier in the process.

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Have you noticed that healthier beauty products are more popular than ever before? The beauty industry, while it still contains a great many products with harmful ingredients, is starting to use a lot more natural ingredients. This is because people have adopted healthier lifestyles and are more selective with their skin and hair care choices. 

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are plant-based oils derived from nuts, seeds, or kernels. They have little to no scent and they are generally used to dilute essential oils. The reason that you have to dilute essential oils in carrier oils is to make them safe for topical application. Applying essential oils directly to the skin can result in negative reactions like rash or inflammation. Carrier oils, as their name suggests, carry essential oils and other ingredients into the skin. That said, you can use them on their own, and some of them have beneficial properties for your skin and hair. 

Whether you’re looking to nourish dry hair or boost hair growth, the following carrier oils can help you achieve those goals. You may already have some of these oils in your kitchen! Just keep in mind that it’s always best to use the highest quality oils when applying them to your hair, scalp, or body.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a thin carrier oil that’s slippery and easily absorbed by your hair or skin. It contains lots of omega chain fatty acids and vitamin E that help hydrate your hair by penetrating the cortex, which is the central main bulk of the hair. Because it is slick, it can cover the scalp in a thin blanket of sustenance, feeding your scalp to encourage cell production in hair follicles. Grapeseed oil is excellent if you suffer from regular flare ups of eczema or psoriasis on the scalp. Combine this oil with tea tree oil to help enhance the anti-inflammatory properties. 

Argan Oil

It’s almost impossible to peruse the hair care aisle at a store without seeing argan oil on the ingredient lists for at least 40 different products. Argan oil exhibits powerful moisturizing properties because of the rich fatty acid content. The hair easily absorbs argan oil, which nourishes the cortex and fills in dry cracks with moisture. In fact, using a light layer of argan oil before heat styling can prevent cuticle damage that can result in dry or brittle hair. Argan oil can also strengthen the skin barrier and promote cell turnover, increasing the scalp’s ability to produce healthier hair cells. 

Jojoba Oil

If you have a dry scalp, you may not be producing enough sebum. The best oil that mimics sebum is jojoba oil, but don’t apply a crazy amount or else your hair will be greasy. On a chemical level, jojoba oil is closer to wax than oil. This unique composition makes it one of the best carrier oils for the hair and scalp. Rich in vitamins B & E, zinc, copper, and healthy fats, jojoba oil nourishes your hair and promotes hydration. Jojoba oil acts similarly to conditioner, feeding your hair with beneficial nutrients and hydration, which may promote hair growth. 

Safflower Oil

Working to deeply penetrate the scalp, safflower oil delivers beneficial nutrients into the hair follicle, encouraging thickness and growth. Cold-pressed for safflower seeds, safflower oil is a lightweight, odorless oil with a rich nutritional profile. Safflower oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog your pores, and that’s why it is a common ingredient in beauty products. The linoleic content in safflower oil may help reduce dry or flaky skin, while the vitamin E works to prevent damage to delicate hair and scalps. 

Tamanu Oil

Tamanu oil is a solid at room temperature, so you have to warm it up before you use it. Cultivated from the tamanu tree, native to East Africa, tamanu oil is a carrier oil that supports the body’s natural immune responses to skin conditions. It is naturally rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help encourage scar tissue formation. The skin can easily absorb tamanu oil, which is great news for your scalp. In fact, if you are trying to regrow hair and need an extra boost, try adding tamanu oil to your hair care routine. 

Sweet Almond Oil

An excellent carrier oil for the hair and scalp, sweet almond oil is naturally rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E, all of which benefit hair growth. It also contains proteins and minerals like potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Magnesium actually promotes protein synthesis and regulates hair growth phases. Because it is lightweight and offers a soothing scent, sweet almond oil is an excellent choice for relaxing head massages. 

Castor Oil

Castor oil works to nourish and moisturize the skin, helping to encourage hair growth. If you warm up castor oil  and leave it on the scalp post application, it can penetrate different layers of the skin and hair. Warm castor oil can seep into the hair’s cortex and swell it with triglycerides to form a seal around the cuticle. That traps in nourishment and helps make your hair softer and shinier. Castor oil also contains ricinoleic acid, which feeds dormant hair follicles by enhancing blood flow and promoting hair cell production.

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With so many skin care products on the market today, choosing the right ones can be very difficult. It’s hard to know which ones are synthetic and which ones are natural. Even the “natural” and “chemical-free” products can contain harmful ingredients. Most products have the potential to benefit your skin, but natural, homemade skin care products are often the better choice. 

It is very difficult to trust products that have a long list of ingredients, especially if you can’t pronounce them. A product may claim to be “natural” or “organic,” but a lot of greenwashing occurs in the beauty industry. That means a company uses misleading labels and language, environmental imagery, or hidden tradeoffs that makes it seem sustainable and natural. In fact, a product can claim to be natural even if it only has a few natural ingredients. A drop of essential oil can make a product natural. These products may also contain ingredients that are not certified natural or organic. 

For those reasons and and more, we encourage people to make their own beauty products when possible. Consider the following reasons to make DIY skin care products. Let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments below. Have you made your own products before? We’d love to hear from you, especially if it was a recipe that we posted!

Better For The Environment

Natural skin care products are simply better for the environment than synthetic alternatives. Synthetic chemicals can harm animals and plants that they come in contact with. If those synthetic chemicals seep into the ground, they can wreak havoc on surrounding ecosystems. The manufacturing of traditional skin care products can also lead to environmental pollution. Companies need to extract certain ingredients, such as aluminum or lead, in order to make products. DIY skin care products don’t need mining or manufacturing because they use simple, natural ingredients. 

You Decide What Goes Into The Products

When you make your own skin care products, you know exactly what goes into them. If a body butter recipe contains shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil, and some essential oils, you know that there are no other fragrances, stabilizers, or chemical additives. Using natural ingredients on the skin helps reduce the risk of common skin reactions that can result from chemicals in skin care products. 

Learn What Works For Your Skin

As previously mentioned, store bought skin care products contain a long list of harmful ingredients. That can make it difficult to determine which ingredients are the best for your skin. The great thing about DIY skin care products is that you can customize them with ingredients that your skin needs. Cater to your skin type or skin condition/ailment to boost the overall health of your skin. You can also research which ingredients have the best compounds, vitamins, and other nutrients that benefit your skin type. 

Streamline Your Routine

Homemade skin care products contain simple ingredients, but they don’t just serve one purpose. What we mean by this is that a facial lotion can double as a deodorant. Homemade shaving cream may also serve as a post-shower moisturizer. Sometimes, you can even use raw ingredients, like shea butter, on their own to help improve skin barrier function and promote hydration and moisture. 

Manufacturing Doesn’t Harm Animals

A lot of big skin care manufacturers continue to test their products on animals. This is a detriment to the wellbeing of animals that receive testing. Fortunately, not all skin care product manufacturers use animal testing, so no harm is done to living beings. These are the more ethical companies that don’t contain a lot of synthetic materials. If you are against inhumane treatment of animals and testing, natural DIY skin care products are the way to go. 

They’re Easier On The Skin

Synthetic skin care products are very harmful to certain skin types. Ingredients in those products can cause swelling, redness, rash, itchiness, or a serious allergic reaction. Look out for paragons, sulfates, synthetic dyes, propylene, petrochemicals, triclosan, and more. You don’t have to worry about that when you use DIY skin care products. Natural ingredients don’t contain chemical irritants and instead of being detrimental to the skin, they actually nourish it.

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Making your own beauty products isn’t just a trend; rather, it’s a great way to enhance your skin and save money. Quality skin care products are hard to come by, and the ones that are great tend to cost an arm and a leg. Even then, those “natural” products can contain fragrances or other chemicals that harm the skin. With DIY skin care products, you know exactly what they contain, and the body has an easier time absorbing them.

Why Do Breakouts Happen?

Breakouts aren’t the worst thing in life, but they can ruin your day. Can you attempt to camouflage your breakouts? Surely, but that doesn’t address the real issue. Breakouts typically occur where the skin has the most oil glands, i.e. the face, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Hair follicles fill with dead skin cells, sebum (oil), and occasionally bacteria. This clogging can result in blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Although acne is most common in teenagers, it affects people of all ages. 

If the pore is clogged and you don’t see inflammation, that is called a comedone. If the comedone is closed, experts consider that a whitehead (the pimple or zit that looks whitish or yellowish). An open comedone has a black plug, that is a blackhead. The color comes from the bacteria and oil inside the pore, which turns black after exposure to the air. 

Causes Of Breakouts

Many things can cause breakouts, but the good news is that there are easy ways to prevent them from happening. Although stress is thought to be a cause of acne, this is not actually true. Stress can increase the severity of acne because corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), a hormone released during stress, triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines. That promotes more oil production, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. In addition to stress, skin care products, acne treatments, diet, dehydration, and smoking cigarettes can all increase the risk and frequency of breakouts. 

If you want to reduce the risk of breakouts, incorporate one, some, or all of the following DIY recipes to promote clearer skin. This goes without saying, but do not use one of these recipes if you are allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients. If you’re unsure of whether or not you have a sensitivity but you know you have sensitive skin, consider a patch test before applying the product all over your face. A small spot on the arm tends to be a great place to test products. If no reaction occurs within 24 hours, you should be good to use those ingredients. 

DIY Grapefruit Face Scrub

Trying to get rid of stubborn acne or excess oils on the skin? Scrub your way to healthier skin with these natural acne-fighting ingredients.

Click here to make the face scrub. 

DIY Detox Face Mask For Acne

Nourish your face, unclog your pores, reduce inflammation, and get rid of red blemishes when you use this face mask regularly.

Click here to make the mask. 

DIY Honey Face Mask For Dry Skin

Do you have dry or acne-prone skin? This DIY honey clay face mask works to hydrate the skin and remove impurities from your pores.

Click here to make the mask. 

DIY Facial Toner

You don’t have to be high-maintenance to enjoy this simple DIY Facial toner. It helps remove traces of dirt and impurities in the skin.

Click here to make the toner.

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Your feet hold a large amount of weight because you stand and walk on them daily. Do you take the time to pamper your hard-working feet, though? Neglecting your feet can lead to blisters, sores, or unattractive cracked heels, which tend to result from insufficient moisture. Not only are cracked heels unpleasant to look at, but they also can lead to bleeding, swelling, and foot infection. 

What Causes Cracked Heels?

Some people claim to have calloused feet that could withstand the apocalypse, but the reality is that the bottoms of the feet are highly sensitive. Should the sensitive areas around the heels dry out, they can crack and cause pain, especially when walking. The primary causes of cracked heels are most commonly insufficient moisture and prolonged hours on the feet. Other factors, including poor diet, cold weather, unhealthy foot hygiene, diabetes, or skin conditions can also cause heels to crack. 

The good news is that there are many natural ingredients that can help repair the skin on your heels. The following ingredients may help turn dry, cracked heels, into smooth, soft, and pain-free heels!

Beeswax

Beeswax works to seal moisture into the skin, no matter if you use it on chapped lips, dry elbows, or cracked heels. It also facilitates the healing of small abrasions. In fact, studies show that beeswax may help prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body through broken skin. Additionally, beeswax provides the skin with a protective layer, keeping external irritants at bay. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are highly beneficial for people who suffer from topical allergies or skin ailments. 

Shea Butter

Shea butter has the ability to moisturize, hydrate, and nourish the skin, making it a popular ingredient in beauty products. In addition to providing the skin with different nutrients, it may ward off symptoms of different skin problems. Shea butter contains vitamins A & E, both of which help your skin retain moisture throughout the day. Apply shea butter to your heels before bed, put on socks, and allow it to work its magic overnight. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that work to nourish, moisturize, and protect the skin. It can easily penetrate the skin, making it an excellent moisturizer. Because it can penetrate the skin, it works to strengthen the tissues below the epidermis. That helps new, healthy cells rise to the surface, which can help repair the skin. Coconut oil can also remove dead skin cells on the feet, making way for new healthy cells. 

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients for healthy skin. It functions as an antioxidant, which works to fight oxidative stress in the body by combating free radicals. Too much oxidative stress can lead to cracked or chapped skin, in addition to fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E oil works to moisturize cracked heels and help them from cracking again. Ideally, your feet should feel a lot softer and smoother after applying vitamin E oil. 

DIY Heel Repair Stick

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/3 cup beeswax pastilles
• 3 tablespoons shea butter
• 5 drops vitamin E oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• Deodorant tube

Instructions:

• Start by adding the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter to a heat-safe glass measuring cup. 
• Fill a medium saucepan with an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat. Then place the measuring cup with coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter in the saucepan. 
• Using a wooden utensil, stir the mixture as it melts. Once the ingredients are thoroughly melted, turn off the heat and carefully remove the measuring cup from the pan. 
• Add the vitamin E oil and essential oils to the jar and stir to combine before pouring the mixture into a clean, empty deodorant tube. 
• Allow the mixture to cool completely until it has hardened. You can place it in the fridge for a few minutes to accelerate the process. Use as needed to help prevent or repair cracked heels.

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Lathering a fluffy body butter on your body is such a treat, especially after a relaxing bath. The ingredients, especially from homemade recipes, are easily absorbed into the skin. And with a two-ingredient recipe, like the one in this article, you don’t have to worry about other preservatives, endocrine disruptors, or any of that nonsense. 

Now, we’ve published our fair share of body butter recipes, and most of them tend to have coconut oil. Although coconut oil is a moisturizing ingredient, it does not always agree with everyone’s skin. In fact, people with oily or sensitive skin can sometimes develop acne after applying coconut oil to the skin. The reason for this is because it has a high comedogenic rating, meaning that it can clog pores and cause skin irritation. That said, it is a miracle oil for the skin and many people love to use it. 

From start to finish, this recipe takes about one and a half hours to make, including one hour of freezing/waiting time. It yields approximately 12 ounces of homemade body butter, and you can learn about the two ingredients below. 

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is made from pressing sunflower seeds, typically through the use of chemical solvents or cold-pressed. When you purchase sunflower oil, do your best to look for organic cold-pressed sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is naturally rich in vitamin E, a protective antioxidant that can help protect the skin from environmental factors that age the skin prematurely. Additionally, sunflower oil contains protective antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, D, and K. These antioxidants can help the skin retain moisture, which can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike coconut oil, sunflower oil is non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores. In fact, sunflower oil may decongest pores by clearing them of dead skin cells. 

Shea Butter

Shea butter comes from the kernels of shea trees, which are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Parts of the tree are famous for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, and have been known to relieve nasal congestion and skin issues. Shea butter is a common ingredient in many beauty products, especially face moisturizers and body lotions. It acts as an emollient that softens and hydrates the skin. The fatty acids, including oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids, work to protect the skin from environmental pollutants. Research states that shea butter’s anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated skin. It may help to fight breakouts, especially for people with dry skin. Dry skin is acne-prone because it overproduces sebum, which can clog pores. Shea butter stops this cycle and helps prevent skin from drying out. 

Homemade Body Butter

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup raw unrefined shea butter
• 1/3 cup organic cold-pressed sunflower oil

Instructions:

• Pour a couple inches of water into the bottom of a double boiler and place that over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low. 
• Place the top on and add the shea butter and sunflower oil to the top. Stir gently until fully melted and then remove from heat. 
• Pour the melted oil mixture into a heat-safe glass measuring cup and place that in the freezer for one hour so that it can harden. 
• Remove from the freezer and use an electric hand mixer to whip the frozen mixture until it turns into a fluffy whipped body butter. It may take about 10 minutes to achieve this texture. 
• Spoon the body butter without coconut into clean containers and lather on your body when ready to use.

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When it comes to making your own lotion, balms, or creams, there is often some form of heating involved. If you want to steer clear of a double boiler, emulsifying wax, or makeshift double boiler when you make DIY beauty products, then you clicked on the right article. The easy homemade lotion recipe in this article is very low maintenance, but the ingredients are high-quality. Do you want to know the best part? This lotion is great for anyone with dry or very sensitive skin, making it the perfect product for the colder months. 

When you make your own skin care products, you can modify them to cater to your skin’s needs. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies or intolerances, controlling what you put on your skin is paramount. You can change essential oils if you need to or swap out ingredients that irritate the skin. The best part about making your own skin care products, though, is not worrying about parabens, sulfates, or other chemicals that your skin can easily absorb. The last thing you want is to disrupt your endocrine system while lathering some lotion on your body! 

What makes this lotion so special is that it isn’t thick or greasy. Most homemade lotions tend to be on the thicker side, primarily because they contain a lot of oils. The primary ingredients in this lotion are shea butter and aloe vera gel, which the skin can easily absorb. All you need is a stand mixer, or kitchen mixer, to whip the ingredients thoroughly!

Shea Butter

If you have dry skin, then you are probably familiar with shea butter, as it is at the top of the list of moisturizing ingredients to use. Reports suggest that shea butter may help reduce premature facial lines or improve skin conditions like eczema. Shea butter works to hydrate the skin and calm inflammation. The skin can easily absorb shea butter, making the skin feel more nourished, moisturized, and supple. The combination of components in free radicals may also repair cracked or dry skin. This is why experts say that it benefits contact dermatitis and psoriasis. 

Aloe Vera Gel

Although aloe vera is an excellent natural remedy for sunburns or burnt skin, it also works to moisturize the skin. When you apply aloe vera on the skin, it creates a protective layer that helps the skin retain moisture. This is one of the reasons it helps accelerate sunburn recovery. Aloe vera gel doesn’t leave a greasy film on the skin; rather, it works to unclog pores and soften the skin. For this reason, many people use it as a natural aftershave treatment. It keeps the skin hydrated and helps to heal razor burns in the process. Additionally, aloe vera is naturally rich in vitamins C & E, two nutrients that help reduce early signs of aging. 

Jojoba Oil

We can confidently say that not all oils are created equal. That’s for all the oil newbies out there because you want to choose the best oil for your skin. What sets jojoba oil apart from the rest of the crowd is that it has a different makeup than other oils. Technically, it is not an oil; rather, it is a wax ester, which makes it so unique. Jojoba oil mimics natural sebum, so it conditions the skin and seals in moisture without clogging your pores. 

DIY No-Heat Lotion

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 10-20 drops essential oils of choice (optional)

Instructions

• Fit your kitchen mixer with the whipping attachment and add the shea butter to the bowl. Whip until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl frequently with a silicone spatula. 
• Add the jojoba oil and whip on low for about one minute, or until well combined. Stop whipping and scrape down the sides of the bowl at least twice during this step.
• Add the aloe vera gel in intervals, whipping on high for a bit, scraping down the sides, and then adding more aloe gel. The lotion should reach a fluffy consistency by the time you whip in all of the aloe vera gel. 
• Scoop the lotion into a jar and keep any extra lotion that you won’t use within two weeks in the refrigerator. Enjoy your moisturized skin!

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