For years, I thought taking care of my skin meant buying more products. More bottles. More steps. More money spent. But the deeper I went into simple living and natural health, the more I realized something surprising:

Healthy skin thrives on simplicity.

Once I started making my own skincare products, my routine became easier, my skin became calmer, and my budget finally breathed a sigh of relief. Homemade skincare isn’t about perfection or luxury—it’s about using real ingredients, reducing toxins, and caring for your body in a way that supports overall health.

This post brings together my best homemade skincare recipes – the ones I’ve relied on again and again. These recipes are simple, affordable, effective, and perfect for anyone who wants a natural beauty routine without the overwhelm.

Don’t fall for fads and ads that slowly convince you that you have to spend a ton of money to get good results with your skin. I’ve been there! The ads are simply doing their job, but you can do the same thing with simple, organic ingredients.

Why Homemade Skincare Recipes are Better for Your Skin (and Your Life)

Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about why homemade skincare fits so well into a simple, natural lifestyle.

Homemade skincare helps you:

• Avoid unnecessary toxic chemicals and fragrances
• Reduce clutter in your bathroom
• Save significant money over time
• Support your skin’s natural balance
• Simplify your daily routine

Your skin is an organ. What you put on it matters. When you nourish it with real ingredients and a natural homemade skincare routine without harsh chemicals, it responds with better tone, texture, and resilience. That natural glow that you want? Yes, it’s possible with even easier to get with homemade skincare products.

A Simple Natural Skincare Routine at Home

You don’t need 25 steps. Most skin does best with just:

1. Step 1 – Gentle Homemade Facial Cleanser (and Toner if desired)
2. Step 2 – Nourishing Homemade Face Moisturizer
3. Step 3 – Weekly Exfoliation with a Homemade Sugar Scrub
4. Step 4 – Any extras as needed like Deodorant and Lip Balm.

Everything below fits into that simple framework. These recipes create easy homemade skincare for beginners, but simple doesn’t mean ineffective.

Like I said above, our skin THRIVES on nourishing simplicity.

1) Gentle Homemade Facial Cleanser for Balanced Skin

Recipe: 5 Organic Homemade Facial Cleansers

Cleansing should clean—not strip. These gentle homemade cleansers remove dirt and makeup while respecting your skin’s natural oils. Win-Win!

Why it’s amazing for your skin:

• Helps prevent dryness and irritation
• Supports acne-prone or sensitive skin
• Simple ingredients you can trust, because you made it!

Many people struggle with breakouts because of an overproduction of oils (hormonal issue), a bacterial buildup from touching the face or having a dirty pillowcase, or an allergic reaction to products such as detergents and makeup.

These recipes simplify everything by working with your skin instead of against it. They cleanse gently and organically.

Instructional tip: Massage gently for 30–60 seconds, then rinse with warm (not hot) water.

You can also try my acne liquid cleanser or my anti-aging liquid cleansers from my shop.

2) Simple Homemade Facial Toner for Balanced Skin

Recipe: Homemade Facial Toner for Acne Prone Skin

A simple homemade facial toner can gently refresh the skin, balance pH, and prepare it for moisture without adding unnecessary steps or products.

Benefits of a homemade facial toner include:

• Helps remove leftover residue after cleansing
• Supports skin’s natural pH
• Calms irritation and redness
• Closes pores and prepares skin to better absorb moisturizer

Unlike store-bought toners, homemade versions skip alcohol, synthetic fragrance, and harsh preservatives.

I like to use witch hazel, rose water, and aloe. They are wonderful at closing pores and soothing irritated skin. You can use the link above or buy some from my shop.

3) Homemade Face Moisturizer That Actually Works

Recipe: Homemade Face Cream with Rose and Sandalwood

I have perpetually dry skin. I’ve tried every product imaginable before making my own. It’s obviously an internal issue that I’ve been working on, but in the meantime, my shea lotion moisturizers are simply amazing. Not only do they keep my face (and body) moisturized throughout the winter, but it doesn’t clog my pores like so many face creams.

So that being said, this is one of my most foundational recipes — for good reason. Most lotions are full of alcohol and preservatives. This recipe uses beeswax and cocoa butter, which are both a humectant, trapping moisture near the skin.

Why this moisturizer is so effective:

• Locks in moisture naturally with beeswax (a humectant)
• Supports skin elasticity (thank you!)
• No water, no preservatives, no chemicals

Because it’s oil-based, you only need a tiny amount. One batch lasts months, making it incredibly frugal. This is the moisturizer I reach for daily—and it’s replaced every store-bought cream I once relied on.

I have an Anti-Aging Face cream and body lotions in my shop that are so incredibly luxurious!

4) Homemade Sugar Scrub for Glowing Skin

Recipe: 5 Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes

Sugar is one of the most underrated skincare ingredients. It exfoliates gently while drawing moisture into the skin. There’s a reason your skin feel’s silky smooth after using one.

Why this scrub works so well:

• Removes dead skin without damage
• Improves circulation
• Leaves skin smooth, not tight

This recipe is perfect for face, lips, or body, and it takes just minutes to make. No fancy exfoliants required.

Instructional tip: Use once a week—more is not better when it comes to exfoliation. Also, be careful using in the shower or bathtub! The oils make for a SLIPPERY surface.

Try one with organic sugar and essential oils from my shop.

5) Natural Homemade Deodorant

Recipe: The Best, Easy Homemade Deodorant

This is a really big one! Deodorants can be extremely toxic, and even if you try to buy healthy, most “natural” deodorants still sneak in some toxic ingredients. Switching to a natural homemade deodorant is one of the simplest ways to reduce daily toxin exposure (and I have a number of recipes if you have an aversion to certain ingredients). These recipes really work!

This particular recipe uses coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder to control odor naturally. Add the essential oil of choice for scent, but you can leave it unscented and it will still work wonderfully.

Why it’s so beneficial:

• No aluminum or artificial fragrance
• Gentle and customizable
• Supports the natural detox process but allowing you to sweat lightly
• Does not clog lymph nodes

This recipe fits perfectly into a healthy, natural lifestyle without unnecessary toxins like aluminum.

Need a non baking soda recipe? Try this one.

If you’d like to buy a baking soda or non-baking soda version, you can get them in my shop.

6) Simple Homemade Lip Balm

Recipe: Easy Lip Balm Recipe with Herbs and Essential Oils

Most store-bought lip balms actually make lips drier over time. This simple homemade version heals instead of masking the problem.

Why this lip balm works:

• Nourishes deeply with natural oils
• No petroleum or synthetic ingredients
• Safe for kids and adults

This is a great beginner recipe and a reminder that skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. If you need to leave out the herbs, because it just seems overwhelming, that’s ok! It still makes a wonderful lip balm.

The cocoa butter and beeswax are a humectant that traps moisture close to the skin. They naturally heal lips heal and hydrate while protecting from wind and cold dry air.

I have clear and red tinted lip balm for that small color boost that I sell in my shop.

How Homemade Skincare Recipes Simplify Daily Life

One of the biggest benefits of making your own skincare is how much mental space it frees up. Fewer products. Fewer decisions. Less stress.

Instead of chasing trends, you build a routine that:

• Supports long-term skin health
• Fits naturally into your day
• Aligns with frugal, intentional living

Your beauty routine should align with your values.

Simple living isn’t about doing without—it’s about choosing what truly matters.

Every recipe above costs just a fraction of commercial products. Many use ingredients you already have at home. Over time, the savings add up!

Final Thoughts: Start Small and Keep It Simple

If you’re new to homemade skincare, don’t try everything at once. Start with:

• One cleanser
• One moisturizer

Give your skin time to adjust. Simplicity allows your body to do what it was designed to do.

Homemade skincare isn’t about perfection—it’s about stewardship, health, and intentional living (including what you eat and drink). And that’s what simple life is all about.