5 Favourite DIY Skin & Hair Tips

Recently I was asked what my 5 favourite DIY skin care tips were. I had to think for a moment as nature has such a plentiful supply of ingredients that are fabulous for our skin – and so many ways to use them.

But, I do have some favourites that have lasted the test of time.

They use wonderful natural ingredients which affect skin and hair cells to make them the most healthy and beautiful they can be, plus they are super easy and affordable, and you're likely to have many of the ingredients already. 

# 1 Yoghurt Cleanse

If you’ve been following me for a while you’ve probably already heard of the yoghurt cleanse.

 

And there’s a reason why – it’s hands down the very best facial cleanser. It’s better than anything I can make, and better than anything you can buy.

Seriously, if you haven't tried this yet - try it!

You can use either dairy or coconut yoghurt, as long as it contains acidophilis and is unsweetened. This type of yoghurt is a probiotic, and that really helps with the biome on your skin.

Dermamites with rosacea and many other skin issues such as acne and ageing are a result of the biome and acid mantle getting out of balance. Yoghurt helps to restore that balance naturally.

Yoghurt not only looks like a cleanser but it’s a really nice and soothing thing to use on your skin. It

• helps to remove make up
• helps to refine your skin
• cleanses grime, dirt, EMFs and pollutants
• acts as a gentle exfoliant if you do a double cleanse
• is perfect pH for your skin which means that you’re also left with the perfect balance of bacteria, fungus and yeast.

Simply put it on your skin, massage it in, and then rinse it off with tepid water. It’s best to do this once a day in the evening, so that your skin is cleansed and ready to receive your beautiful skin care products and let them work over night.

Some people don’t like the smell, ands that’s easily fixed. Simply add a few drops of lavender oil into the yoghurt.

I normally put some yoghurt into a squeezy bottle, leave it in the fridge and, and take it to the shower with me when I have one. I also have a good oil cleanser that I use from time to time if it’s more convenient such as when I’m travelling. 

#2 DIY Body Exfoliator

 

My second favourite DIY skin care is a body exfoliator. Now this mixture is really easy to make, and it’s one of the only times I’ll ever tell you to use sugar.

Brown sugar is best.

You just get a cup of brown sugar, pop it in a jar. Melt some coconut oil, pour it in, and mix it around. It’ll solidify and look a little like soap.

Keep it by the shower, and use it when you’re in the shower. Just start massaging your legs, stomach and back.

Your skin sort of melts the sugar which has all sorts of nutrients in it which are good for your skin, and the slight texture and softness of the brown sugar is exfoliating.

Rub it into your skin and then rinse it off with tepid water. You don’t need a shower gel or anything so your skin is left really moisturised, exfoliated, and feels really soft. 

#3 Manuka Honey Mask

 

I love Manuka Honey and it’s my pioneering work with Manuka Honey in skin care that earned me so much international recognition and most of my awards.

It’s very common for people with rosacea and acne to have HP bacteria which is creating an imbalance.

When honey hits the skin, (especially manuka honey as it’s the most anti-microbial), hydrogen peroxide is formed which balances and kills bacteria. It makes the most beautiful, juicy, perfect mask.

Just take a good heaped tablespoon of honey, pop it into a glass, and then slip the glass with the honey into a cup half filled with hot water out of the jug or kettle. The honey melts and gets warm.

Once it’s warm take a brush, (a mask brush, or a foundation brush – or you can just use your fingers) – and apply that warm honey to your skin. It’s fine to include a thin layer over your lips, as it’s great for the lines around your mouth.

Go right up to the edge of your eye with the honey. I tend not to put it on my eyelids, but that’s only because I don’t like that sticky feeling. You’re not going to do any harm.

Leave it on for a good 10 minutes. Then put a little bit of water on your hands and massage it into your skin for 5 or 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with tepid water.

It will leave your skin really hydrated and balanced; and the honey encourages cell nutrients to the surface of your skin. You may feel a tingling sensation, and your skin may sometimes flush for up to about 20 minutes, but that’s all really good. That will be your sign that blood is coming to the surface with fresh oxygen, and the white blood cells are taking away toxins.

Some people get worried about activity happening on their skin because most skin care products are passive and don’t actually do a lot for the cell structure of your skin.

Don’t worry about the flushing. It’s good – very good. Activity is very different to a reaction. 

#4 Oil Massage

 

Just 1,2 or 3 times a week, give your skin a massage with natural good quality oil such as a combination of Evening Primrose and Rosehip Oil. They make for an amazing massage on the skin. You can even use extra virgin olive oil, or a good coconut oil.

I don’t recommend using hydrogenated seed oils such as safflower or sunflower that you use for cooking. Actually, I don’t even recommend that you use any oils or fats for cooking that have gone through a chemical process.

You’ll be amazed how that massage changes the contour of your skin. It evens up the surface, and is a great emollient. So a fantastic anti-wrinkle agent.

A lot of ingredients that we use in skin care help promote collagen and elastin which makes skin good and firm, but massaging also makes a difference by doing things like encouraging blood flow, and can also encourage a lifetime of collagen production.  

#5 Hair Mask

Did you know that olive oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil can all be really good for your hair?

 

Simply mix a couple of egg yolks with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil. Massage that into the roots and ends of your hair, and massage your scalp for a good 5 minutes. It’s great to listen to a meditation or some relaxing music while you’re massaging.

When finished, comb the oil and egg mixture through and leave it on your hair, like a mask for a good half hour.

When you go to wash it, apply the shampoo straight onto the hair with oil – without adding water first. If you wet the hair and then add the shampoo it’s harder for the oil to come out of your hair.

The hair mask is amazing for stress relief. You’ll be amazed how much tension you hold in your scalp.

You’ll benefit from the nutrition from the protein and cholesterol of the egg, and that is really good for hair strength. You’ll end up with hair with beautiful shine and balance.

Treating the scalp and hair roots like this also helps to grow stronger, thicker, healthier hair.

From there, just do your normal cycle with shampoo and conditioner. 

So there you have it…

My 5 favourite DIY tips for beautiful skin and hair using only what you probably already have in your home.

The next thing is to create the time to pamper yourself with any or all of these DIY beauty options… and drop us a comment below to tell us about it.

 

Other articles you may enjoy -

Is Your Skin Craving Green Leafy Vegetables?

Anti-Aging Face Lifting Massage For Beautiful Skin

The Ultimate Skin Smoothie

What's The Best Exfoliator For Sensitive Skin?