Glow Naturally: 3 Easy DIY Skincare Recipes for Radiant, Healthy Skin

Let’s Talk Skincare (The Simple, Natural Way)

Over the years, I’ve tried just about every skincare trend—from store-bought scrubs to $60 eye creams that promised the moon and delivered… well, not much. Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t need a 10-step routine—I needed something gentle, effective, and mine. That’s when I turned to my apothecary shelf and started crafting recipes that work with my skin, not against it.

These DIYs are some of my favorite natural swaps. They're simple enough for beginners, affordable enough to make again and again, and full of ingredients you can actually pronounce. Whether you're looking to hydrate, soothe, or tighten things up a bit, there's something here for every skin type—and every level of DIY confidence.

Who is this for?

This post is for anyone who’s ever stared at the back of a skincare product wondering, “What is all this stuff?” If you’ve been trying to ditch synthetic ingredients for cleaner, simpler alternatives—or if you’re just skincare-curious and want to know where to begin—this is for you.

What is this about?

We’re breaking down 3 easy skincare swaps you can make right now. These are beginner-friendly, low-cost, and can be made from ingredients you probably already have on hand—or easily grab from the pantry or apothecary. Each includes a printable recipe guide and suggestions for customizing the scent using essential oils.

Why it matters:

Your skin is your largest organ. What you put on it matters just as much as what you eat. Many commercial products are filled with preservatives, hormone disruptors, or irritants—especially problematic if you’re managing PCOS, eczema, or just sensitive skin. These recipes nourish without the junk.

1. Tallow Lip & Skin Balm

This rich, nourishing balm is your new favorite multitasker—perfect for dry lips, rough cuticles, winter skin patches, and everything in between. Made with grass-fed tallow, mango butter, and jojoba oil, it’s ultra-moisturizing without feeling greasy.

Prefer a plant-based option? A vegan version is included in the recipe using kokum or coconut oil instead of tallow—so everyone can enjoy soft, happy skin.

This recipe utilizes:

• Grass-fed tallow-(Beef Suet-grass-fed, grass finished has the highest concentrate of stearic acid-tallow rendering tips to come in the future!)

• Mango or shea butter-For lip balms I prefer Mango Butter

  I feel it has a smoother finished texture

• Jojoba oil-I've reorder this one at least a dozen times!

• Small balm tins or tubes-full disclaimer, I've only used the

  linked tins. Once gone, I plan on trying the tubes.

Printable recipe: Tallow Balm – Gumroad PDF

Scent options:

• Uplifting: Vanilla + Sweet Orange

• Healing: Lavender + Frankincense

• Earthy Calm: Myrrh + Cedarwood

2. Under-Eye Tightening Oil Roller

A well-rated under-eye serum—like the ones with caffeine and botanical extracts—can easily run you $25 to $60 for just 0.5–1 oz. And let’s be honest, that adds up fast if you’re using it daily. When you make your own, you're not just saving money—you’re customizing ingredients, skipping questionable additives, and creating enough to refill your roller bottle several times over.

With just a few pantry and apothecary staples like rosehip oil, vitamin E, and caffeine extract, you can whip up a targeted, effective eye serum for a fraction of the price—often under $5 per batch.

Bonus? You get to know exactly what’s in it. No mystery ingredients, no hidden preservatives. Just clean, nourishing care

This is a quick and FREE printable recipe-

• Organic rosehip oil or jojoba oil-Jojoba will show up in

  a lot of the skin care recipes because it's so versatile!

• Vitamin E oil-Same with Vit E and skincare-it's one of the

  most widely used ingredient for skincare.

• Caffeine extract

• 10ml glass roller bottles

Printable recipe: Eye Oil Roller – Gumroad PDF

Best Essential Oil pairings:

• De-Puffing: Chamomile + Helichrysum

• Soothing: Lavender + Rose

• Brightening: Green Tea CO2 + Frankincense

3. After-Sun Aloe Mist

One summer, after a full afternoon gardening in the sun (hat on, sunscreen applied—still burned), I came inside feeling like my skin had turned into a parchment scroll. Tight, warm, and just begging for something soothing.

I realized I probably had most items on hand to make my own after-sun spray and so that's what I did! It’s simple: real aloe, a splash of witch hazel, a little glycerin for moisture, and essential oils that cool instead of sting. I keep it in the fridge during the summer, and it’s become a staple—not just for sunburn, but for bug bites, windburn, or anytime my skin’s just grumpy.

Making it myself cost less than one bottle from the store—and I trust every drop of it.

Items that I use:

• Aloe vera juice or gel

• Lavender-infused witch hazel

• Glycerin

• Geogard or Optiphen (optional)-Preservatives? Yes, and here's why!

  • They are always optional, but frequently, I cannot use up the products I make before they become either less effective, or begin smelling off. So for those items that I know will expire before use, I use preservatives.

    • Here's a link to a blog article outlining and explaining the different preservatives. I began by using optiphen, since it was the easiest to obtain from Amazon, but have since changed to Geogard. I highly recommend Voyageur Soap & Candle. I was nervous ordering from them, but the product is superb and it was delivered quickly!

• Spray bottles (2–4 oz glass)

Printable recipe: After-Sun Mist – Gumroad PDF

Essential Oil blends for soothing & cooling:

• Soothing: Lavender + Chamomile + Peppermint

• Cooling: Spearmint + Tea Tree + Aloe CO2

• Citrus Bright: Geranium + Frankincense + Sweet Orange

Final Thoughts

These recipes are small, simple, and effective—just how I like my skincare. If you’re looking to ease into natural beauty without feeling overwhelmed, start with one of these and see how your skin responds.

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this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always test products on a small surface first and use caution when using essential oils around children or pets