The World's Best DIY Beauty Recipes

With both weekdays and weekends spent at home, there’s bound to be multiple trips to the kitchen. Here’s a challenge: instead of a meal, whip up something good for your hair or skin with a tried-and-tested diy beauty recipe from elle’s beauty editors worldwide

- Chelsea Tang

FACE

Softer, smoother and clearer skin

FOR BABY-SMOOTH SKIN

“Baking soda is my secret to beautiful skin — something I was told by my mother. All I do is wet a cotton wool pad, place some cleanser on top as well as baking soda. After that, I exfoliate my skin with gentle, circular motions and wash it off. The result: baby-smooth skin.” — Vélina Vasileva, ELLE Bulgaria

A CLEAN FACE

“Honey works wonders. Apply it all over your face, leave it on for one hour, and do this for three consecutive days. My skin feels soft and fresh after each application. I also realize that spots and bruises heal more quickly too.” — Petra Windschurer, ELLE Slovenia

A NOURISHING FACE MASK FOR DRY SKIN

“Oatmeal is rich in zinc and is lightly exfoliating. Honey hydrates the skin and is anti-bacterial. Milk soothes tension and reduces skin redness. Together, this mask refines skin texture while moisturizing it. You need three tablespoons each of powdered oatmeal and milk, one teaspoon of honey, and water as necessary to create a pasty mixture. Mix everything except the water, till the oatmeal is soaked through. If the mush feels too sticky, you can add water to loosen it out a little. Leave the mask on your face for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove it with a damp cloth.” — Barbara Huber, ELLE Germany

A NATURAL FACE PEEL

“A mask made of five layers of yogurt (or sour cream) is the best alternative to acid peels for women in Russia. Apply one layer to the skin, and when that dries, apply the second. Repeat till the fifth layer, and then wash it all off.” — Maria Taranenko, ELLE Russia