Fresh, Fruity, and Fabulous
By Audrey Ashe
With summer upon us, your skin will breathe a sigh of relief when given some pampering and TLC. Between the extra grime from perspiration, dryness from pool or ocean water, and buildup from sunscreen SPF, it’s perhaps one of the most important times to keep your skin clean and its moisture barrier intact.
Babying your skin doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, many ingredients that leave your skin refreshed and glowing can be found right in your own home or the local grocery store. Goodbye harsh chemicals, hello fresh, local ingredients! Here are some skin-saving DIYs for you to try out while beating the heat. As always, if you haven’t used a certain ingredient before, test it on a small patch of skin first.
Easy Breezy Body Butter
Jojoba oil, often recommended for those with oily type skin, is the perfect moisturizing alternative to heavy coconut oil. This non-greasy, soothing, lightweight body lotion is perfect for layering under sunscreen on hot summer days. Here’s what you’ll need.
- ¼ cup jojoba oil
- ½ cup aloe vera
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of rose, coconut, or mango oil for a wonderful fragrance
Blend together and pour into your favorite container
Berry Delicious Brightening Exfoliator
Blueberries, a superfruit, are known for their amazing antioxidant properties. Not only do they pack a punch when you eat them, but when you apply them topically, too. The vitamin C packed within these little berries provides protection from free radicals as well as the brightening properties.
In a food processor, blend these three ingredients until they reach a desired consistency. Store in a cool temperature.
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- 2 to 3 tablespoons raw local honey
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
Soothing Green Tea Lip Balm
Record high temperatures unfortunately also bring record chapped lips, so restore that perfect pout with this delectable recipe. You will need an empty tin and lip brush, as well as some ingredients you might have right in your cupboards.
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1 tablespoon shaved beeswax
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
- 1 teaspoon green tea or matcha powder
Melt the oil, wax, and shea butter together in a heat-resistant bowl over boiling water. Mix in green tea or matcha powder once melted, pour mixture into tins, and set aside until firm. Use an applicator brush for a flawlessly smooth and contactless application. The temptation of licking it up may be too much—it’s technically safe to eat, so go right ahead!
Sweet Strawberry Fairy Scrub
This scrub will leave you smelling sweet enough to eat, and with a subtle shimmer that will sparkle in the sun. Simply blend and bottle these ingredients. Store at a cool temperature.
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup of your favorite hydrating oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered mineral highlighter or eyeshadow (or more if you’re feeling adventurous!)
