What’s Really in Your Products?
In a world where beauty shelves are bursting with brightly coloured bottles and endless product options, it can be hard to know what’s best for our skin and wallets. We’re constantly bombarded with promises of miracle creams, serums, and scrubs, but do we really know what’s lurking in the ingredients lists? On the flip side, DIY beauty recipes are gaining popularity, with claims of simplicity, purity, and all-natural benefits. But are they truly effective, or just a messy trend?
This post dives into the great beauty debate: Homemade vs. Shop-Bought. We’ll break down the ingredients, costs, and the effects of five everyday beauty products, to help you make informed choices. Whether you’re a fan of whipping up beauty remedies in your kitchen or prefer the convenience of store-bought products, this comparison will reveal the pros, cons, and surprising truths about what we’re putting on our skin.
Why I’m Writing This Blog:
I decided to write this comparison because, like many of you, I’ve often wondered whether making my own beauty products is really worth the effort, or if the convenience of shop-bought items outweighs the potential risks. Many commercial products contain hidden ingredients that can have adverse effects on our skin and overall health, but they also provide convenience and longer shelf life. On the other hand, homemade beauty products give us control over what goes on our skin but can sometimes feel less effective or difficult to store.
Through this blog, I want to explore both sides—examining the ingredients and real effects of these products—and empower you to make choices that work for your skin, lifestyle, and budget. My goal is to shed light on the hidden details that often go unnoticed and give you the tools to decide what’s best for you.
1. Facial Scrub
Homemade: Oatmeal & Honey Scrub
Ingredients: Oatmeal, honey, water
Effects: Oatmeal exfoliates gently, honey hydrates and soothes the skin.
Cost: £2 for multiple uses
Pros: Natural, gentle, no preservatives.
Cons: Short shelf life, needs to be freshly made.
Shop-Bought: St. Ives Apricot Scrub
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Caramel.
Effects: Exfoliates deeply with walnut shell powder, but can be harsh for sensitive skin.
Cost: ~£6.87 for 170g
Not-so-good Effects:
Walnut shell powder can cause micro-tears in the skin, leading to irritation.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , SLS can destroy the lipid layers, who's job it is to keep the skin smooth and supple. The toxic chemicals can dry out hair, and skin giving a dull complexion.
Fragrance and parabens The skin allergies and sensitivity occur by repeated use of parabens . and will cause the skin to dry and be more inclined to infection.
2. Lip Balm
Homemade: Coconut Oil & Beeswax Balm
Ingredients: Coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, essential oils
Effects: Deeply moisturising, with natural ingredients that nourish the lips.
Cost: £2.50 for a small batch
Pros: Customisation with essential oils, all-natural.
Cons: Can melt in heat, shorter shelf life.
Shop-Bought: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Ingredients: Beeswax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Lanolin, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Canola Oil, Limonene, Linalool.
Effects: Moisturises and refreshes lips, long-lasting.
Cost: ~£7.98 for 2 0.15 ounce tubes
Not-so-good Effects:
Lanolin (a waxy substance from sheep) can cause allergic reactions or sensitivity in some people.
Limonene and linalool are fragrance ingredients that can cause irritation, particularly in sensitive skin.
3. Body Lotion
Homemade: Shea Butter & Aloe Lotion
Ingredients: Shea butter, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, essential oils
Effects: Deeply moisturizes and soothes dry or irritated skin.
Cost: ~£4 for a small batch
Pros: All-natural, no artificial ingredients or chemicals.
Cons: Can feel greasy, shorter shelf life.
Shop-Bought: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride.
Effects: Hydrates skin, locks in moisture with glycerin and dimethicone.
Cost: ~£9.50 300ml
Not-so-good Effects:
Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) can clog pores and cause breakouts for some people.
Dimethicone is a silicone that creates a barrier on the skin, which can lead to skin congestion or prevent the skin from breathing properly.
Benzyl alcohol can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
4. Hair Mask
Homemade: Avocado & Olive Oil Hair Mask
Ingredients: Avocado, olive oil, egg yolk
Effects: Nourishes and strengthens hair, adds shine and moisture.
Cost: ~£2.50 for a single-use mask
Pros: Natural, deeply conditioning.
Cons: Can be messy, requires fresh ingredients.
Shop-Bought: Garnier Fructis Nourishing Hair Mask
Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Parfum/Fragrance, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 15985/Yellow 6.
Effects: Provides hydration and softness with coconut oil and fruit extracts.
Cost: ~£12.38 390ml
Not-so-good Effects:
Dimethicone (silicone) coats hair but can cause build-up and prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft.
Fragrance, limonene, and linalool can irritate sensitive scalps or cause allergic reactions.
Synthetic colorants (CI 19140 and CI 15985) may cause irritation and serve no functional purpose beyond appearance.
5. Facial Toner
Homemade: Apple Cider Vinegar & Rose Water Toner
Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, rose water, distilled water
Effects: Balances skin pH, helps with acne, rose water soothes.
Cost: ~£1.50 for a batch
Pros: Can be customised, natural, and soothing.
Cons: Strong smell, needs to be refrigerated.
Shop-Bought: Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Fragrance.
Effects: Tones, tightens pores, and balances skin’s natural oils with witch hazel.
Cost: ~£9-98 for 355ml
Not-so-good Effects:
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that can irritate the skin and has been linked to allergic reactions.
Fragrance can cause sensitivity, especially on acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin can be an irritant for some people, especially with prolonged use.
Key Takeaways:
Cost: Homemade products tend to be cheaper per use, but may have a shorter shelf life. Shop-bought products are more convenient but may contain fillers or preservatives, increasing costs.
Ingredients: Homemade versions allow full control over the ingredients, avoiding harmful additives like silicones, parabens, or artificial fragrances.
Effects: While shop-bought products can be convenient and sometimes more potent (due to chemical additives), they often come with risks of irritation or long-term effects like clogged pores, skin reactions, or even hormone disruption due to synthetic chemicals.
My opinion: After examining just these five products, it becomes clear that we’ve only scratched the surface of the wider beauty industry. The sheer number of additives and chemicals in most store-bought products is staggering. From synthetic fragrances and preservatives to silicones and parabens, many of these ingredients serve more to improve shelf life or texture than to benefit your skin. While they offer convenience, they also come with potential downsides, from irritation to long-term health concerns.
For me, the choice is easy. Not only do homemade products work out cheaper in the long run, but making them takes only a few minutes. I can mix up a fresh batch whenever I need it, avoiding unnecessary preservatives and harmful chemicals. And if you're like me, you can make small amounts that are used quickly, so spoilage is rarely an issue.
The beauty of DIY is that it can be customised to your needs. You’re in control of every ingredient that goes onto your skin, and you can tailor your recipes to suit your preferences and skin type. Plus, there’s something satisfying about knowing exactly what you’re using—no hidden surprises, just pure, simple ingredients that nourish your skin without the harsh side effects.
Ultimately, it comes down to what matters most to you. If you value control over your ingredients, the simplicity of natural beauty, and want to avoid unnecessary chemicals, homemade products offer a compelling alternative. They’re not just cost-effective, but also empowering, allowing you to take charge of your skincare in a way that’s truly personalised.
Take care x
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