Most skincare products can be loosely divided into creams and lotions, oils and balms (including lip balm), soaps and shampoos, and other toiletries such as face masks and feeds, toners and deodorant. Each of these types has a typical method and typical ingredients, so it's important to know what oils, vegetable butters, herbal extracts, essential oils etc will best suit your skin. Don't forget that, if you have a pre-existing skin condition, a dermatologist should be your first port of call. All the natural recipes on this site are categorised using the skin types below, so read on for some suggestions.
It's also essential that you keep using the right skincare for your changing skin. The beauty of making your own skincare products is that they can be tailored perfectly for your own skin type. If you're not sure what skin type you have, click here to try my Know Your Skin test.
Skin can feel tight, itchy, dehydrated or flaky, especially in the winter months with the drying effects of cold weather and central heating. Try looking for recipes or products containing oils such as apricot kernel, hazelnut, calendula or avocado, rich ingredients like mango or shea butter, or extracts high in natural vitamin E, such as rosehip or carrot seed. These are all highly nutritious in skin creams and oils, while ingredients such as honey, natural yoghurt or papaya make great hydrating facial masks and feeds.
Combination (Dry) Skin
If you have dry patches on your forehead or cheeks, but find products for dry skin too heavy or greasy, you may want to look for recipes with just a little extra richness. Citrus ingredients like lemon will help balance the skin, while adding a few special ingredients to a light moisturiser can really make the difference. Try essential oils such as neroli, rose geranium, patchouli, sandalwood or ylang-ylang, vitamin E-rich extracts like rosehip or carrot seed, or whipped shea butter for a rich but non-greasy moisturiser.
Sensitive Skin
Skin can come in all degrees of sensitivity. Conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea should be dealt with primarily by a specialist, but making your own good quality calendula cream with just two or three simple ingredients is often a great solution to skin intolerant of commercial products. Essential oils including Roman chamomile, clary sage and lavender are often recommended, and you could also try a facial gel based on aloe vera, as this is excellent for some sensitive skins, though remember that even commonly used hypoallergenic ingredients can set off reactions in some skin. Your skin is unique, so its likes and dislikes will be, too!
Mature Skin
The skin starts to age at around the end of our teens, but it doesn't all need to be downhill from there. Essential oils such as neroli, jasmine, frankincense, fennel and patchouli are all excellent at helping repair broken capilliaries, uneven skin tone, the effects of fine lines and wrinkles and the dehydration common to more mature skin. Rich emollient ingredients such as vegetable butters (mango, cocoa or shea), goats milk or honey help soften and refresh skin, while vegetable and nut oils such as macadamia, evening primrose and jojoba are both luxurious and nourishing.
Combination (Oily) Skin
If you are prone to blackheads, spots or blemishes but without a lot of excess oil, you may benefit from pH-balancing ingredients such as lemon, orange or lime-blossom, or anti-bacterial, inflammation-reducing essential oils such as cypress or ylang-ylang. Oils like hazelnut and safflower are 'finer' than richer oils and, in a light formulation, will hydrate and nourish skin without blocking pores. Clay-based facial masks are also great, as making up a mineral-rich powder and mixing to a paste with the floral water of your choice (perhaps rosewater or orange blossom) is a great way to tailor your skincare to your own needs.
Oily Skin
Many commercial skincare products for oily skin lock you into a vicious circle, stripping too much natural oil from the skin and perpetuating the production of excess sebum that causes the trouble in the first place. Citrus-based cleansers and toners, or astringent herbal ingredients like peppermint, thyme or lavender are a great way to control oil and shine, while essential oils like lemongrass, Roman chamomile and bergamot (as alternatives to the more famous, but often very harsh tea tree) help control the redness and inflammation of spots or enlarged pores. Aloe vera is a great base for hydrating, non-greasy facial gels, while oils like safflower, jojoba and thistle are excellent bases for a moisturising cream that won't block pores.
