3 Herbal Skincare Recipes for Stress and Back-to-School Breakouts

Back-to-school season isn’t just about new pencils and packed lunches—it’s also a time of change, stress, and, for many, skin freakouts. Whether it's the emotional toll of new routines or the physical stress from lack of sleep and more indoor time, your skin feels it. Thankfully, the natural world offers calming, balancing remedies that help restore skin and soothe your nervous system, all without stepping foot in a beauty aisle.

In this post, we’ll share 3 simple DIY recipes to support clearer skin and calmer moods this fall. These are fast, gentle, and filled with herbal ingredients that do double duty: caring for your skin while also supporting emotional balance.

Made for You If...

• You or your kids experience stress-related breakouts

• You're looking for gentle, natural skincare that's easy to make

• You want herbal remedies that support both mood and skin

• You’re easing into a new season and want to glow while you do it

What You’ll Come Away With:

• 3 herbal skincare recipes you can make at home

• Ingredients that calm both skin and spirit

• A printable recipe bundle to keep on hand

• Tips for how to personalize each remedy

1. Calming Chamomile & Aloe Gel (for red, irritated, or stressed skin)

Key Ingredients:

• Aloe vera gel (hydrating, cooling, soothing)

• Chamomile-infused witch hazel or hydrosol (anti-inflammatory, calming)

• Lavender essential oil (gentle antiseptic, calming scent)

• Optional: Calendula or rose glycerite (extra soothing, adds shelf life)

Great for applying before bed or after washing, this gel helps calm redness, ease irritation, and ease stress-related breakouts.

👉 [Grab the full printable recipe here.]

2. Herbal Steam + Mood Mist Duo (for clarity, congestion, and emotional reset)

Key Ingredients:

• Dried lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, chamomile (cleansing and calming herbs)

• Boiling water (for facial steam)

• Witch hazel or distilled water (for the mist base)

• Lavender, rosemary, and lemon essential oils (energizing yet calming)

Use the herbal blend as a facial steam to open pores and relax the senses. Use the mist anytime for a quick skin and spirit refresher.

👉 [Grab the full printable recipe here.]

3. Balancing Green Clay Mask (for breakouts, oiliness, and hormonal stress skin)

Key Ingredients:

• French green or bentonite clay (draws out impurities)

• Dried lavender or rosemary powder (antibacterial, calming)

• Apple cider vinegar or floral water (balances pH and oiliness)

• Optional: honey or yogurt (adds hydration and probiotic benefit)

Use weekly to help detox and balance skin during hormonal changes or increased stress.

👉 [Grab the full printable recipe here.]

Amazon Picks:

• Organic Aloe Vera Gel

• Green Clay

• Reusable Glass Spray Bottles

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Final Thought:

Your skincare can do more than sit pretty on a shelf. These recipes blend emotional and physical care, just like the best self-care rituals do. With just a few herbs and natural ingredients, you can create a routine that nourishes your skin—and your spirit—as you head into fall.