treat yourself (Frugally)
Bath Soak
Salt is a soothing addition to a bath. It can speed healing of scratches so is great after a day of gardening. Dead sea salt is particularly lovely but budget salt also works. The larger flakes of sea salt are better for toiletries.
You can also add salt to face masks to make them last longer (though still refrigerate them for maximum life span).
in the fabric to release as much oat milk as possible. Use as cleanser. Add the contents of one vitamin E capsule and a few drops of a skin friendly aromatherapy oil to make it more luxurious. Shake well before use. A pinch or spoonful of mustard will help the cleanser emulsify and make your skin glow.
Body Scrub
Combine equal amounts of sea salt and oats (around a mug full of each works for me). Add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a few drops of your favourite aromatherapy oils.
Bath Soak
Mix with dried herbs, sea salt, coconut oil and aromatherapy oil, put a spoonful or two in muslin and tie with ribbon or fabric scraps. Add to your bath a few minutes before bathing to give it time to steep.
Coconut Oil
Many people rave about coconut oil. It’s become a high-end product with a ridiculous price tag attached.While some obsess about the different types, from virgin to cold-pressed, and insist its a miracle cure, a lot of this is hype. You can often get inexpensive coconut oil from you local cornershop and it works brilliantly in both toiletries and curries.
Coconut oil is a great way to make oat masks more moisturising. It can also be used for:
Moisturiser
Apply directly to skin as moisturiser after cleansing. oil between your palms and rub together.
Conditioner
Put a pea sized lump of oil between your palms and rub together. Rub over washed hair. Use it on dry hair to ensure you don’t use too much. A little goes a long way.
Shaving
Use coconut oil or oat milk to help the razor glide over my skin.
Salt
Another versatile substance, salt is a soothing addition to toiletries. Use it as follows:
Face/Body Scrub
Used alone, salt provides an exfoliating scrub. Added to honey, it’s easier to use. It can also be combined with oats and herbs.
There are many more ingredients you can use to make toiletries, including lemons, fresh herbs, honey and sunflower oil. Come to Upcycle Your Life to find out more – and maybe try making some for yourself. You can reduce waste by making your own toiletries, and use home made toiletries as Christmas gifts, and save a fortune. Package in recycled, decorated jars for zero-waste, low-budget gifts. You can spa sustainably – and it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon too.