With summer looming just around the corner, in all its UV glory, we want to keep your skin looking clean and fresh and baby smooth.

Of course, the coveted summer glow—often, among Instagram baddies, humourously achieved via the Facetune “whiten” feature—doesn’t come naturally to all of us. It also doesn’t always come cheap. So, the first thing on the agenda is keeping the budget low and using ingredients that will not harm your skin (the best things in life are cheap and healthy).

Not only are homemade scrubs inexpensive and easy to prepare, they also give you the boost your face and body need for ultimate radiance — such results require ultimate discipline and constantly restocked fresh items in your fridge or pantry.

Face

The importance of skincare is absolutely inarguable (obviously). Whether it comes from us, YouTube dermatologists, or your general circle of friends and acquaintances, you’re certainly aware of the benefits to washing your face and keeping up a consistent skincare routine.

Let’s remind you again that in the morning and right before you go to bed are the most important times to unclog the dirt and excess of oils in your pores (these things, naturally, can only lead to stubborn pimples).

Like your cleansing routine, exfoliating your skin is equally important. To avoid any additive elements that aren’t doing your face any justice, you should begin using natural ingredients to wash away dead skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2-3 vitamin E gel capsules

Directions:

• Melt coconut oil in a pan on the stove.
• While coconut oil is melting, pour sugar into a bowl.
• Pour melted coconut oil and honey over sugar.
• Puncture vitamin E capsules with a knife and squeeze out the gel.
• Stir well until the oil/honey/vitamin E mix is absorbed by the sugar.

Lips

Dry and chapped lips are easily one of the most irritating feelings we’ve all dealt with – not only does it feel awful but it’s also not particularly pleasing to look at.

Although it might have already become second nature to reach for your lip balm to apply layers of moisture when your lips are in a dry spell, most products do not live up to their promise of providing instant relief.

Once you have implemented lip scrubs in your routine you can say goodbye to all the lip balms that provided temporary results.

Natural lip scrubs help get rid of dry lips and saves you from buying extravagant products (win, win).

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 squirt of honey
• 1 drop vanilla

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and store up to a month in a jar.
• Rub scrub into lips and exfoliate gently. After a minute or two rinse off with warm water.

Body

Facial exfoliating is becoming increasingly popular, but most of us forget our bodies should not be neglected in the skincare department. What you might expect to happen to your face when you do not exfoliate can happen to your body as well – that’s right, clogged pores that lock out moisture and build up excess grime isn’t native to the facial zone.

Unlike face scrubs, body scrubs allow you to explore a range of ingredients without having to worry about sensitivity.

If you tend to break out easily, be wary of ingredients that are prone to irritate and inflame skin such as nuts and salt.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Ground Coffee
• ¼ cup Sugar
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 Vitamin E Capsules

Directions:

• Combine all the ingredients until you get a thick paste.
• Cleanse your skin and apply paste.
• Using your fingers, gently massage the mixture in circular motions on your skin.
• Take five to 10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body.

Tell us your experience using these natural body scrubs and follow us for more beauty updates on Twitter and Instagram @HOLRMagazine.