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Bet you didn’t know the supermarket could be such a treasure trove of affordable and effective ingredients for DIY face masks, body scrubs and more!
Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar — choose a coarser grain like brown or granulated sugar. Using a clean Q-tip, gently rub this onto your lips and leave for five minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
The benefits: Sugar is a powerful natural exfoliant, and honey has moisturising properties, so this duo will keep your lips soft and plump.
Beat one egg and juice one lemon. Mix these with one teaspoon of coconut oil and half a cup of plain yoghurt until you get a paste. Apply it from your scalp to your hair ends. Then, put on a shower cap to keep your scalp warm and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse off and shampoo.
The benefits: This recipe is perfect for dry hair as the ingredients are nourishing and hydrating.
Add one tablespoon each of plain yoghurt, honey and turmeric powder into a bowl, and mix. Spread a thin layer over your face and leave it on for five to 10 minutes before washing off.
The benefits: Yoghurt isn’t just good news for your gut health; it is full of lactic acid, which brightens dull skin. Turmeric, on the other hand, is believed to help prevent pigmentation.
All you need to do is mix two tablespoons of brown sugar with two tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your face or body, let it sit for five minutes, and rinse off with warm water.
The benefits: Brown sugar helps to exfoliate and soften skin, while coconut oil adds moisture. Plus, both smell delicious!
Chop two cucumbers and blend them with the juice of half a lemon and a few drops of olive oil. Slather the mixture onto your feet and keep it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.
The benefits: This natural mask hydrates and cools tired feet, while the astringent properties of lemon may help reduce roughness. But avoid applying it to cracked or sensitive skin due to the acidity of the lemon.
TIP: Even natural, fresh ingredients can trigger allergic reactions. Always perform a skin patch test by applying your DIY product to the inner arm, inner thigh or side of the neck for about 10 minutes. If your skin doesn’t become itchy or red, you’re good to continue.
Pair these great finds with your DIY recipes for the ultimate pampering session.
Bergamot oil is believed to reduce pain and stress, while lemongrass may ease nausea and insomnia. Reed diffusers are fuss-free and safer for homes with young children and pets, as they don’t need to be lit.
Home spa gurus swear by this disposable eye mask. Once you unseal it and place it over your eyes, it heats up to a comforting 40oC for 20 minutes. The warmth helps to relieve eye strain.
If you prefer not to make your own body scrub, try
this ready-made option. It exfoliates and softens the skin to give it a healthy glow, and it smells delicious, too.
Main photo: Photography by Kelvin Chia, Styling by Yong Woei Na | Other images: Shutterstock
