Eco-Friendly DIY: Make your own natural face masks, scrubs

January 22, 2023

By Janelle Sorensen, Healthy Child Advisory Board Member 

What mom doesn’t love a good pampering session? But, navigating the personal care products needed for a good spa day has gotten as tricky as we learn more about the effects that chemicals like phthalates, parabens and artificial fragrances have on health. And, opting for eco-luxuries can cost an arm and a leg.

Don’t worry! You don’t need to break the bank or expose yourself to questionable chemicals. Here are some DIY recipes to get your gorgeous self glowing again.  (These make great gifts, too!)

Refreshing Orange Scrub

•  1/2 of an Orange
•  4 T Cornmeal
•  Directions: Squeeze orange juice and pulp into a bowl and add the cornmeal. Mix into a paste.  Apply onto freshly washed face and body. Scrub gently for 2-3 minutes. Rinse, tone, moisturize.

Chocolate Facial Mask

(courtesy of Practically Green)

• 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 T plain yogurt
• 1 T honey
• Directions: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to face and neck, avoiding eye area. Kick back and relax for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Lavender-Honey Milk Bath

(courtesy of The National Honey Board)

• 3 Tablespoons dried lavender flowers*
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk, cream or combination
• 1/3 cup honey
• Directions: Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Pour half of the mixture into the bath. 

Smoothing Skin Lotion

(courtesy of The National Honey Board)

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• Directions: Mix together honey, vegetable oil and lemon juice. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Avocado Foot Softener

• 2 T cornmeal
• 2 T mashed avocado or avocado oil
• Directions: Mix ingredients in a small bowl until they form a paste. Apply to feet, working the gritty paste into calluses and rough spots, and up and around the toes. Rinse with warm water and dry feet thoroughly. For maximum softening, repeat once or twice a week.

Lemon Facial Toner

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• grated zest of one lemon
• 1 cup distilled water (any water should do)
• 2/3 cup witch hazel (you can get this at any drugstore)
• Directions: Shake well before use, apply with cotton balls until face is clean. Keeps one month.

Banana Hair Mask

• 1 banana
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• Directions: Mash ingredients until creamy. Apply to hair, cover head with plastic wrap, let sit for 15-30 minutes - in the sun if possible. Rinse completely and shampoo as usual.