Your skin is your largest organ and one of your main protectors, so it’s important to take care of it. But, as we all know, it can be finicky, picky, and downright sensitive, which is frustrating, to say the least. Especially when skincare products aren’t exactly cheap, and we’re all just trying to nail that Insta selfie.

If you struggle with your skin and finding the right products for it, a DIY skincare routine might be your best option. Even if you have clear skin, going DIY has its advantages. Following a DIY skincare routine gives you the power to personalize your products, tailor their ingredients, produce less waste, and most importantly, save money. Plus, you can often get started with ingredients you already have in your kitchen or garden.

Read on for the benefits of a DIY skincare routine, and say so long to factory-made formulas that were simultaneously designed for everyone and no one in particular.

1. DIY Skincare Lets You Control the Ingredients

This is the strongest motivator to get behind a DIY skincare routine. Store-bought skincare products have a lot going on.

Ingredients in Store-Bought Products

For starters, products labeled “natural” have the potential to be anything but. The term “natural” is not regulated in the skincare industry, which means each company gets to determine what it means for them. So, you should really consider it more of a marketing buzzword than an indicator of the ingredients inside.

Even if you can confirm that the ingredients are derived naturally, you still need to confirm how they’re processed. If they’re processed physically, like through cold-pressing or filtration, their molecular structure will stay the same. But if they’re processed chemically, like through hydrogenation, then their molecular structure will change from how nature intended. [1] 

Choosing Your Own Ingredients

With a DIY skincare routine, you can avoid all of that worry. You have the power to choose certified organic ingredients and to avoid preservatives and irritating fragrances. Leave the heavy lifting to Mother Nature instead of lab-made chemicals by reaching for botanical ingredients like lavender, chamomile, rose, or really any plants or herbs. Botanicals are rich sources of vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, and terpenoids—all of which benefit the skin and the body in general.

Another benefit of choosing your own ingredients is that you can easily customize your products. Big brands are creating for the masses, but not everyone has the same skin type. By choosing your own ingredients, you can create a product specifically designed for you.

2. DIY Skincare Produces Less Waste

Another major benefit of a DIY skincare routine—little to no packaging.

Store-bought products have manufacturing requirements to follow, and they also have to catch your eye over all the other products on the shelf. That requires a lot of materials. Think about it—you have the box or plastic casing surrounding the product, then the actual product container may be shrink-wrapped in plastic, then there’s another piece of foil over the top of the product that you have to peel back. Not to mention the paper instructions and any boxes or packaging included if it was shipped to you. (And the shipping emissions that resulted from that online order.)

With DIY skincare, you can use reusable containers and ditch all the extra packaging. Plus, if you’re using homegrown ingredients, there’s little to no waste in the creation too.    

3. DIY Skincare Is Easy To Make

Building your own DIY skincare routine is not as complicated as it seems. With easy-to-use countertop machines like the LEVO II, you can literally make your skincare products with the push of a button.

The LEVO II only requires two things—herbs and oil. And we’re talking any herbs or oils, including ingredients the store-bought products have like moisturizing glycerin or shea butter, so you can experiment and pick and choose what’s right for you.

DIY Skincare with LEVO:

• Herb-Infused Glycerin
• Sunny Day Shield Lotion Bars
• Aloe Vera & Green Tea After Sun Gel
• Moisturizing Sandalwood & Lemongrass Beard Oil
• Rosemary & Mint Shaving Cream
• Soothing Aftershave Balm
• Vanilla Sugar Lip Scrub
• Makrut Lime & Lemongrass Shower Steamers
• Lavender Shower Steamers
• Mint Lip Balm
• Lemon-Eucalyptus Handwashing Soap
• Stressless Scented Rollerball

Getting Started With Your DIY Skincare Routine

Before going any further, know that the American Academy of Dermatology Association doesn’t recommend certain all-natural ingredients or products if you’re undergoing cancer treatment as they can interact with chemo and radiation. Always talk to your doctor first.

When developing your DIY skincare routine, take into account your skin type and your age. As you get older, your hormone levels will decrease, as well as your collagen and elastin production. Fortunately, nature has you covered!

Herbs to Help Tighten Skin [2]

• Turmeric
• Cassia
• Pomegranate
• Cinnamon
• Aloe
• Dill

The oil you choose to use with your LEVO II can also make a difference in your DIY skincare routine.

Skin Benefits of Oils

• Olive oil is an antioxidant, and when applied to the skin it may prevent premature aging. Some research also suggests it may fight off cancer-causing cells after sun exposure.[3]
• Coconut oil has preliminary research behind it that suggests it may moisturize skin, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing.[4]
• Avocado oil moisturizes skin and, when left on for short periods of time, does so without leaving an oily residue, which may help with acne prevention. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce the redness of acne.[5]

Remember—starting a DIY skincare routine will take some trial and error to discover what works best with your skin. But once you’ve got your ingredients narrowed down, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to go DIY in the first place. (And why it took you so long to invest in a LEVO.) 

SOURCES:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/natural-skin-care-routine#terms-to-know
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3569896/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321246#benefits-of-olive-oil
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coconut-oil-good-for-skin#benefits
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321543#eight-benefits-for-the-skin