Who doesn’t love some at-home pampering? While a spa day may be nice and something to look forward to on special occasions, being able to treat yourself to beauty treatments at home is more convenient, affordable, and customizable. Especially right now, while many people are still working from home, having ideas to pamper yourself in the comfort of your own space may be especially appealing as you can multitask with work and family obligations while treating yourself. 

There are many documented benefits to treating yourself to some pampering services. Lowered blood pressure, ease of tension in muscles, improved mood, detoxifying effects, and stress relief are just some of the health advantages seen with self-care. While there are many lifestyle habits that can influence these health metrics, like food choices, exercise, and weight management, simple treatments done in the comfort of your own home are an easy and convenient way to improve your well-being. Here are five items in your house you can use to make easy beauty products and treatments.

Turmeric Powder

You may be most familiar with turmeric spice in food, giving curry its yellow pigment, or maybe you have noticed a fresh turmeric root next to the ginger in the grocery store. While turmeric has been used medicinally and in food across the world for many, many decades, it has gained popularity in recent years with its health benefits and uses becoming more widely known. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which is responsible for many of the health attributes associated with this spice. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions are two of the main health properties associated with turmeric, which is why you will frequently see turmeric supplements available for purchase. While turmeric can add flavor, color, and health benefits to food, you can receive a much more concentrated form of this health-boosting spice in a supplemental form, like a capsule. 

When it comes to using turmeric to help make an at-home beauty product, it appears to help brighten the appearance of dark under-eye circles. There can be several causes of dark coloration under your eyes, like poor fluid intake, lack of sleep, and there may even be a hereditary component. While it is important to address lifestyle factors that may be contributing to the discoloration, like dehydration and inadequate sleep, a turmeric-based eye mask can help in the meantime. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric, the same stuff you would use in cooking, with 1 tablespoon of buttermilk and mix into a paste. Once you have your turmeric paste, gently apply it under your eyes and allow it to sit for up to 15 minutes. Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe away the paste. A cautionary word: turmeric does stain, so be careful of the surfaces the paste comes in contact with, and use a cloth you don’t mind getting stained. 

Coconut Oil

A hair mask is a great way to moisturize your strands, smooth hair, and reduce frizz, and it may even help soothe a dry scalp and dandruff. There are a variety of ingredients that may be beneficial to include in a hair mask; however, the common base is often oil. There are a number of oils that are thought to help in improving hair quality and texture, like olive and avocado, but one is thought to stand above the rest: coconut oil.

Coconut oil makes a wonderful base for a hair mask, and experts in the haircare field find that it can help lead to hair that is healthier, thicker, and longer. Additionally, professionals say coconut oil helps to soothe the cuticle of the hair, helping to nourish the scalp and smooth split ends. There are a couple of ways to use coconut oil to improve your hair health. You can simply apply liquid coconut oil to your hair and allow it to sit for 30 minutes up to overnight to increase its reparative abilities. Additionally, you can combine coconut oil (about two tablespoons) with honey and an egg to create a mask that will boost moisture. For either hair mask, make sure you gently massage the mask from root to tip. When you are ready to wash out the mask, note that it may take a couple of shampoos to completely get the oil out but rest assured the moisture will still be intact!

Essential Oils

Don’t you just love the smell of a spa? Often filled with lavender and eucalyptus, spas are known for their calming scents. As part of an at-home spa day, you can create the same relaxing experience with essential oils. One of the best ways I have found to do this is to apply essential oils to a damp washcloth or small towel that can be used in several different ways. Simply fill a bowl with ice-cold water, add your essential oil of choice, dunk your cloth in and squeeze out excess water. Roll tightly and store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. Once you are ready to enjoy your spa towels, simply pull them from the refrigerator as needed and gently lay over your face for a few minutes, or use them to wipe your hands. Feel free to also pop the towels in the microwave for a minute to warm them up if that sounds more appealing on a cold winter day.  

There are so many essential oils available to accommodate your preferences! You can use lavender to help you relax before bed as part of your nightly routine. If you are looking to invigorate your morning, you can use peppermint or spearmint and if you are just wanting to create a scent that mimics your favorite spa, try a combination of eucalyptus, lemon, and lavender on your towels.

Sugar 

Not only does homemade sugar scrub smell delicious, but it also serves as a great way to exfoliate your skin. The purpose of exfoliating your skin is to get rid of the top layer of dead skin cells, which will allow new cells to form on the surface. This can help eliminate dullness, allowing your skin to look brighter and more vibrant, and it can also aid in moisturizing your skin as removing dead skin cells allows lotions and products to better penetrate the new skin cells. 

To make an exfoliating scrub at home, you only need two ingredients: brown sugar and coconut oil (in solid form). Using a two to one ratio, whisk together your brown sugar and solid coconut oil until the mixture starts to look creamy. During this mixing process, you can also add in a scent of your choosing. Peppermint or lemon essential oils make a great addition to a body scrub or go with a warmer scent by adding vanilla extract to your mixture. The scrub works best when the coconut oil is firm, so if it starts to liquefy, just pop it in the fridge and allow it to firm up. To enjoy your scrub, simply apply it to your skin, massage until the grit from the sugar starts to dissipate, and rinse off. It’s that simple!

Honey 

Yes, honey is wonderfully delicious and adds a lovely sweetness to your oatmeal and tea, but it also possesses some unique properties that make it the perfect ingredient for an at-home face mask. Honey contains antimicrobial properties and serves as an antioxidant, which are the main reasons why it can be so beneficial when applied to the skin. Additionally, honey is a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and reveal the new skin cells underneath. 

For those needing an extra boost of exfoliation, combining honey with oatmeal may be just the thing you need. Simply mix one to two tablespoons of honey with one tablespoon of ground oatmeal and gently apply to your face. Let the mask sit for up to 15 minutes and use a warm washcloth to remove the mask, then wash your face with your normal cleanser. Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties and a compound called saponin that allows it to soak up excess oil. You can also take this mask a step further and add ground cinnamon. This spice contains antimicrobial properties and serves as an antioxidant, helping to further nourish your skin. 

There are so many simple ingredients that can be incorporated into your self-care routine at home, many of which you may already have on hand and will serve several purposes in your day-to-day life. While these ideas are simple and can be effective, it is important to consult your physician if you have any health concerns as these homemade beauty products are not meant to take the place of doctor-prescribed treatment protocols. Every day is a good day to treat yourself and take care of your physical and mental well-being. Use these easy and convenient ideas as a step toward taking care of yourself; it’s as simple as a 15-minute face mask!