Your Ultimate DIY Skincare Guide

DIY Skincare is more than just whipping up your own products—it’s about nourishing your skin with natural goodness and caring for your whole, beautiful self. It’s a self-care ritual, really!

As DIY skincare becomes more and more popular, the amount of advice and recipes out there can be overwhelming—especially if you’re only starting out. And the scary part? Not everyone out there understands how to do it safely or correctly!

That’s exactly why I created this information-packed, professional skincare guide for you.

Contents

• 1. Why DIY Skincare: The Benefits
• 2. The Essentials: Understanding Ingredients
• 3. Must-Have DIY Skincare Tools & Equipment
• 4. How to Start: Matching Recipes to Your Skin & Goals
• 5. DIY Recipes to Get Started (Beginner-Friendly!)
• 6. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
• 7. Beyond DIY: The Holistic Beauty Connection
• 8. Final Thoughts

I’m a certified aromatherapist with a speciality in natural skincare, and I’ve spent years formulating and making my own DIY products. My passion is helping others create safe, effective skincare routines using the power of plants and simple ingredients.

What you apply to your skin doesn’t just sit on the surface—it gets absorbed into your body. Our skin, in a way, “eats” too—so knowing exactly what you’re putting on it is essential. My golden rule? Only use ingredients you’d be willing to eat (yes, with a few exceptions!)—that’s true natural skincare.

🌿 Nature has given us everything we need for healthy, glowing skin.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to switch to a more natural way of caring for your skin, this guide will meet you where you are.

✨ Inside, you'll find:

• The essential ingredients & tools for creating your own DIY skincare products
• Common mistakes to avoid (and how to make safe products)
• Easy, beginner-friendly recipes to inspire you
• A holistic approach to skincare that goes deeper than the surface
• And so much more!

If you’re ready to ditch the hidden toxins and to glow naturally, you’re in the right place.

Oh—and if you’d like my go-to ingredient list, expert tips, and top recipes all in one place, make sure to grab my free DIY Skincare Mini Guide!

Disclaimer: While I am a certified aromatherapist, Ayurvedic health advisor, and trained in holistic health, I am not a dermatologist or medical professional. This guide is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice or treatment.

Now—with that being said—let’s begin!

1. Why DIY Skincare: The Benefits

When I first started my DIY skincare journey, my main motivation was to reduce my environmental impact. And to be honest? At first, I was a little sceptical—could homemade beauty products really be as effective as conventional skincare?

Well, guess what? DIY skincare isn’t just more sustainable—it also saves you money, gives you total control over what goes on your skin, and yes, it is just as effective (if not more so).

Most commercial moisturisers, cleansers, and exfoliators are packed with synthetic ingredients, fillers, and other chemicals that can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier—often leading to irritation or breakouts. And that’s when the cycle begins: more products to fix the problems those very products caused.

As someone with highly sensitive skin, switching to DIY beauty products has been a game-changer. I no longer experience random skin irritations, allergic reactions, or mystery blemishes from ingredients I can’t even pronounce.

🌿 DIY skincare is about working with your body, not against it. Our skin is our largest organ—and it deserves to be nourished with ingredients that are pure, simple, and natural.

In my recipes, I use only natural, unrefined ingredients—ideally, ones that haven’t been altered in a lab. Why? Because natural ingredients are bioavailable. Your skin recognises them, knows how to absorb them, and puts their nutrients to use right away. No decoding required.

And the best bit? You’re in control. You know exactly what’s in your skincare. You can customise each product for your skin type, your skin concerns, and your unique needs (I always include lots of options in my recipes!).

Let’s recap the benefits of DIY skincare:

• 🎯 Control – You know what goes into your products, and why.
• 💸 Affordability – You can make high-quality skincare without the luxury markup.
• ♻️ Sustainability – You’ll reduce packaging waste and use biodegradable, eco-friendly ingredients.

Sounds amazing, right? Intrigued? Excited to get started? Let’s take a look at the beautiful, simple ingredients you can begin working with.

2. The Essentials: Understanding Ingredients

To create an effective DIY skincare product, there are three things you always want to keep in mind: it should be safe, effective, and have a reasonable shelf life.

🛡 Safety First

One of the best things about natural skincare is that most ingredients used in DIY recipes are inherently gentle, easy to source (whether online or at your local shop), and packed with skin-loving benefits. This makes DIY beauty incredibly beginner-friendly—and fun!

That said, even natural ingredients can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people. That’s why it’s super important to always do a patch test before slathering your product on your face or body.

Whenever you try a recipe from my blog, you’ll notice I always include a “Warnings & Safety” section at the bottom of each post. There, I list ingredients known to trigger sensitivities, along with any precautions to take.

🧴 Shelf Life & Preservatives

Let me be honest right from the start: I don’t personally use preservatives in my DIY products—not even the more natural ones—because my skin reacts to almost all of them.

Instead, I’ve learned to be smart about it. That means:

• Making oil-based instead of water-based products (more on that soon)
• Making small batches that get used up before they have a chance to spoil

Now here’s the truth: Natural preservatives don’t work as well as chemical ones. That’s just a fact. They can help extend the shelf life a little, which is great—but you won’t get the long-lasting stability of commercial products. And that’s okay! Because we simply need to rethink how we approach skincare.

With a few smart tweaks and some mindfulness, your homemade skincare can be both safe and effective—without relying on synthetic preservatives.

🌸 Common Natural Ingredients & Their Benefits

The effectiveness of your product depends heavily on the ingredients you choose to use. That’s why it’s important to be clear on your goal: Are you creating something to fight acne? Calm sensitive skin? Support graceful ageing?

👉 Once you know what you’re aiming for, picking the right ingredients becomes simple. Here’s an overview of the most common ingredients used for DIY skincare:

Carrier Oils

Our skin naturally produces its own oils, called sebum, to stay hydrated and protected. Adding oil to your formulation is essential if you want to moisturise and nourish your skin deeply.

And when you’re working with essential oils (more on those in a sec), you’ll always need to dilute them in a carrier oil.

Here are a few of my go-to favourites:

• Jojoba Oil: Lightweight, non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores), and mimics the skin’s own sebum. Perfect for all skin types.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Hydrating, rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Coconut Oil: Deeply moisturising, antibacterial, and great for healing dry or cracked skin.

Butters & Waxes

Butters and waxes give your skincare creations texture and stability, while also offering intense moisturisation and protection.

• Shea Butter: Deep hydration, anti-inflammatory (wonderful for sensitive skin), creates a nourishing barrier, and may promote cell regeneration.
• Cacao Butter: Adds firmness, rich and deeply moisturising—ideal for dry or flaky skin. May also improve elasticity.
• Beeswax (or candelilla or soy wax as vegan alternatives): Stabilises and thickens texture, helps retain moisture, creates a breathable barrier, and is antibacterial (especially beeswax). → May slightly extend shelf life.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are powerful plant extracts with a wide range of skin benefits. Depending on your choice, they can soothe, brighten, purify, or regenerate.

But remember: natural doesn’t mean risk-free. Essential oils are highly concentrated and must always be diluted with a carrier oil (see Chapter 6 for essential oil safety and dilution recommendations).

Also, be sure to check for contraindications—especially if you're pregnant, have epilepsy, or high blood pressure. And just like with other ingredients, always patch test!

Here are some of the best essential oils for skincare:

• Lavender: Soothing, calming, and great for all skin types—including sensitive or acne-prone skin.
• Tea Tree: A powerful antimicrobial and anti-fungal oil—great for acne treatments.
• Frankincense: Regenerative and toning—ideal for mature or damaged skin.
• Geranium: Balances oil production and supports healthy, glowing skin.

💜 Pro Tip: Always choose high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Cheap oils can be adulterated and won’t deliver the same benefits. I personally use doTERRA and Primavera, and I also trust Young Living.

Clays & Powders

Clays and powders are perfect when your recipe needs a thickener, detoxifier, or absorbent. They’re commonly used in masks, powder cleansers, deodorants, and even baby powder formulations.

• Bentonite Clay: A multitasking detox clay: exfoliating, cleansing, and great at binding toxins (especially useful in masks and deodorants). Alternatives are kaolin clay or French green clay
• Arrowroot Powder: Adds a silky feel, enhances spreadability, and acts as a gentle absorbent. It’s a natural thickener and also mattifies, making it ideal for moisturisers for oily or combination skin.

Hydrosols & Herbal Infusions

Hydrosols and herbal infusions are beautiful, gentle base ingredients for water-based moisturisers and toners. They’re often used on their own as refreshing toners—think calming green tea or soothing rose water sprays! That’s actually my favourite way to use them.

Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, are created during the distillation process of essential oils. They’re the condensation water left over after distilling plant material—a “by-product,” technically, but don’t be fooled. Hydrosols offer many of the same (gentler) benefits as the essential oils they come from.

Some of the most commonly used ones include:

• Floral Waters – Lavender, Rose, and Orange Blossom: Soothing, calming, and supportive of overall skin health.
• Herbal Hydrosols – Tea Tree and Witch Hazel: Antibacterial, toning, and gently astringent—ideal for acne-prone or oily skin.

Natural Preservatives

While natural preservatives aren’t as powerful as their synthetic counterparts, they still help prevent the growth of bacteria and extend your product’s shelf life—especially in water-based formulations.

The good news is that many natural ingredients we already use in DIY skincare have antimicrobial or antibacterial properties and can act as mild preservatives—like honey, coconut oil, or essential oils.

However, if you’re making water-based products (like creams, lotions, or toners), you may need to consider a stronger preservative. In some cases, that might mean using a naturally derived synthetic one to ensure safety.

Natural preservatives to consider:

• Essential Oils: Tea Tree and Lavender are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Coconut Oil: Naturally antimicrobial and helps extend the shelf life of oil-based products.
• Honey: Antibacterial, healing, and a natural humectant with an impressive shelf life.
• Vitamin E Oil: A powerful antioxidant that helps extend the shelf life of oil-based products by slowing down the oxidation process.
• Glycerine: Offers mild preservative benefits by reducing water activity in formulations.
• Pentylene Glycol: A naturally derived sugar alcohol that acts as both a gentle preservative and humectant. Do NOT confuse it with Propylene Glycol—this is a harmful chemical!

3. Must-Have DIY Skincare Tools & Equipment

Making your own DIY beauty products doesn’t mean you need to invest in any fancy equipment—at least not the way I do it.

My recipes are designed to be as simple and natural as possible, using tools you likely already have in your kitchen. No need for precision scales or lab coats here!

Sure, there are people out there who love their micro-scales and lab-like setups, but that’s usually only necessary when working with more complex, lab-derived ingredients like stabilisers or preservatives (think cetyl alcohol).

But here on Lavender Gypsy, we keep it pure and practical. Unless you're looking to replicate commercial products or intend to sell your creations, there's no need for anything complicated.

How to Sanitise & Store DIY Skincare Properly

Hygiene and proper storage are crucial to avoid your beautiful creations going bad. Sanitising your containers beforehand helps prevent bacteria from getting in—and it’s super easy to do.

I personally prefer small glass jars for storage. They’re easy to clean (dishwasher-safe, yay!), reusable, and safer than plastic. Plastics can leach chemicals into your product—especially if you’re pouring in a hot mixture, like one containing melted wax.

Storage Tips

To keep your products fresh and effective for as long as possible:

• Avoid direct sunlight – Essential oils are light-sensitive and can degrade or even become toxic (like tea tree oil).
• Use amber or tinted glass containers – These help block UV light and keep ingredients potent.
• Store in a cool, dry place – A bathroom cupboard works great, or the fridge for water-based recipes.
• Label your products – Not just cute, but practical! It helps track freshness and avoid confusion.

4. How to Start: Matching Recipes to Your Skin & Goals

I know—skincare can be overwhelming. There are so many products, from moisturisers to toners, to cleansers, to lotions, and so on.

And on top of that, we’re also supposed to know our skin type?! Sounds like too much? It doesn’t have to be—it’s actually easier than you think.

With these easy-to-follow guidelines, I’ll help you make sense of it all:

1. Know Your Skin

As a holistic health practitioner, I approach the idea of skin types from a different angle—unlike the conventional way a dermatologist might define them.

Your skin deserves to be acknowledged, not boxed in. In Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, we understand that imbalances, hormones, lifestyle, emotions, and seasonal changes can all influence the health of your skin.

So rather than fixating on rigid categories, I encourage you to tune into your skin’s current state and make decisions based on what you observe and feel.

Since we focus on small batches, you can easily swap ingredients depending on your skin’s current condition. For example, in winter your skin may feel drier—so you might choose a richer base oil than you would in summer.

💜 A Heartfelt Note:
While natural beauty products can support your skin beautifully, it’s also important to understand that deeper, underlying issues—like hormone imbalances, diet, or lifestyle—need to be addressed too. Skincare isn’t a remedy, but it’s a powerful tool to support healing from the outside.

2. Choose Your Base: Oil-Based vs. Water-Based

This is where things might seem a little more complicated—unless you choose the simple path, like I do. To say this upfront: I’m an oils-girl, and I moved away from water-based formulations a while ago.

But let’s take a closer look at the difference between the two in terms of usability, shelf life, and skin compatibility—without getting too science-heavy.

Oil-Based Formulations

💫 Myth Buster: Oil is bad for oily skin. Not true. Using the wrong oil is what causes issues. Lightweight, non-comedogenic oils are perfectly suited for oily or acne-prone skin.

Oil-based creations are perfect when you’re just starting out—they’re basically fail-proof! Whether you’re short on time or prefer hassle-free routines, a facial moisturiser or serum can be whipped up in minutes.

Choosing the right oil for your skin type—or according to your skin’s needs—can feel overwhelming at first. It often takes some trial and error until you find the oil(s) that work best for you.

💜 Pro Tip: Jojoba oil is a fantastic, beginner-friendly option that suits all skin types and is incredibly versatile. Once you’re comfortable making your own serums or moisturisers, you can explore other oils more freely.

Water-Based Formulations

💫 Myth Buster: When your skin needs moisture, it needs water. Not necessarily! Your skin hydrates itself by secreting sebum—its own natural oil. Oil can moisturise just as well. Rethink skincare here: if your skin feels dry, focus on internal hydration—drink more water!

Water-based moisturisers can often be hit-or-miss. Even if you master emulsification and create a velvety cream, oils and water may still separate over time.

Because of this—and their relatively short shelf life—I’ve stopped using them. The only exception: toners. I still love using pure hydrosols, which are gentle and have a longer shelf life.

💜 Pro Tip: Instead of adding water-based ingredients (like aloe vera gel) to your moisturiser, rethink your routine. I use an oil-based face serum as a moisturiser and apply a hydrating mask (like oats and honey) 2–3 times a week for that extra moisture boost.

3. Picking the Right Recipe

Here are some helpful questions to guide you:

• What’s my skin craving right now? (Moisture? Calming? Clarity?)
• How much time do I have today? (Quick serum vs. a more involved blend)
• What ingredients do I already have in my cupboard?
• What season am I in—and how is it affecting my skin?

And if you need inspiration, you know where to browse 😉. Or simply keep reading—there’s plenty ahead for our next DIY adventures!

5. DIY Recipes to Get Started (Beginner-Friendly!)

Here are some of my favourite, easy-to-make recipes to get you started on your path to a natural glow ✨:

• Cleanser: Oil cleansing blend
• Moisturiser: Facial oil for glowing skin, moisturiser with SPF
• Face Mask: Hydrating banana honey mask
• Lip & Body Care: 2-ingredient lip balm, revitalising lip scrub, exfoliating sugar scrub
• Serums & Treatments: Glow-boosting vitamin E serum, moisturiser for acne-prone skin

These recipes are simple, beginner-friendly, and use only natural ingredients—no fancy tools or complex steps required. I’ll keep adding to this collection, so feel free to come back and explore more as you go!

6. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

There’s not much that can go wrong when making your own skincare—especially not if you’re following one of my recipes, as I always include everything you need to know. That said, there are still a few things you’ll want to avoid in general.

1. Using Essential Oils Incorrectly

This is a common mistake that makes me cringe—especially when I see other DIY beauty bloggers throwing essential oils into their recipes without a clue, putting others (meaning you) at risk. (Excuse the rant, but I’ve got good reason!)

I take this to heart because I’ve been there myself. I once followed a DIY recipe for a simple face serum that included essential oils. After using it for a couple of weeks, my skin started to feel raw and sensitive.

Lucky for me, I was already researching essential oils and learning about dilution ratios (this was before I earned my aromatherapy diploma) and realised I was using way too much. The dilution? 10%! Ten!!

For the face, we want to use no more than a 1% dilution. I immediately added more carrier oil to the serum, and my skin recovered within days.

Here’s the thing: essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts—and very potent. Less is more. Just because they’re natural doesn’t mean we can go wild with them.

2. Not Storing DIY Skincare Properly

As discussed earlier, sanitising your containers before use and storing your products in a cool, dry place is essential to reduce the risk of mould and bacteria. Water-based formulations should be kept in the fridge for a longer shelf life.

3. Mixing Incompatible Ingredients

Water and oil don’t mix—unless you use an emulsifier. If you want to make a moisturiser or lotion that includes both, you’ll need something (like alcohol or an emulsifying agent) to bind them together properly.

4. Making Too Much Product At Once

Keep your batches small. This ensures you’ll use them up before bacteria can spoil anything. It also gives you more flexibility to adjust your formulations depending on your skin’s needs or the season.

This is especially helpful if you live in a climate with four distinct seasons, where your skin might need something richer in winter and lighter in summer.

7. Beyond DIY: The Holistic Beauty Connection

Creating your own skincare and nourishing your body with natural goodness is powerful, but it’s only a tiny part of the bigger picture. True beauty and radiance always comes from within. And I’m not just talking about self love or mindset here!

Our skin is a reflection of our soul. Everything that happens within—stress, hormones, diet, sleep, even how you feel about yourself—eventually shows up on your face. The mind-skin connection is real.

The Mind-Skin Connection

Stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalance can trigger breakouts, dullness, premature ageing, and inflammation. Have you ever noticed how your skin changes when you're stressed or not sleeping well?

Our nervous system and skin are closely linked. Chronic stress can trigger inflammation, acne, sensitivity, and early signs of ageing. When we slow down and care for ourselves holistically, it reflects outwardly, too.

Glow From the Inside Out

As a holistic health practitioner, I believe beauty begins within. Holistic beauty is about more than clean ingredients. It’s a lifestyle—one that honours your body, mind, and skin equally.

✨ Want to dive deeper into a more holistic beauty routine that works with your body, not against it? Keep an eye out for my upcoming Holistic Skincare guide—coming soon!

8. Final Thoughts

Wow, look at you! You made it to the end—what a journey. I hope this guide has sparked something in you: a sense of curiosity, a desire to connect more deeply with yourself, a reminder that beauty doesn’t come in a jar—it begins with intention, care, and love.

And when you’re ready for more, I have plenty of beginner-friendly recipes waiting for you on my blog. You’ll find everything from glow-boosting face oils to comforting balms and nourishing masks—always simple, always natural, and always made with love.

If you’d like to stay in the loop, receive new recipes, holistic skincare tips, and soulful inspiration straight to your inbox, I’d love to invite you to join my email list. As a thank you, you’ll also receive my Glow Naturally Skincare Guide with DIY recipes, ingredient know-how and pro tips.

You can also find me on Instagram @radiatingyou or on TikTok @radiating.you, where I share holistic beauty rituals, gut-healthy & feel-good food recipes, and lifestyle tips for a radiating YOU.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for choosing a gentler, more mindful way to care for your skin—and yourself.

From my heart to yours. So much love,
💜 Julia | Lavender Gypsy