I've seen so many different ways to take care of your skin without having to buy things that are individually meant for that purpose. These are some suggestions that can get you started when you want to pamper your skin without spending a lot of money, as these things can usually be found in your house. I'm not a dermatologist or anything of that sort, so this is just something I thought might be useful to other people like me: broke college kids with stressed skin.

*Important: Don't use anything you are allergic to or may be allergic to! Example: If you're allergic to coconuts- DON'T use coconut oil!*

1. Olive Oil

This is one of the best makeup removers ever. I picked up the habit of using this when I was in middle school and have been using it ever since. You can pour a quarter size amount in your hand and rub it on your face, or put it on a cotton pad, or use it in a scrub to exfoliate after you've removed the makeup. Just be careful about getting it in your eyes. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it definitely feels weird.

2. Oatmeal

This one can be messy. You can either take a small palm-ful of the oats as they are or grind them up with a mortar and pestle or food processor. Grinding it up before can help with not clogging up your sink as much and you'll need to wipe away as much of the oats as you can when you're done. With your oats in your hand, you just lightly close your hand to make sure the oats don't wash away and then allow them to get wet. Then you can rub it between your hands to "lather" it and "wash" your face with it. This is really good if your skin is having a freak-out session and needs some soothing.

3. Coconut Oil

Another oil! I love using this one as a moisturizer after I've washed my face. It's also great at priming the skin before you apply makeup (as long as you give it enough time to be absorbed into your skin). You should only need about a dime size amount for your entire face, although I personally go back and add more to some rougher, drier areas on my skin afterward. I start from the center, working from my nose, to cheeks, to eyes, to chin, and finally my forehead. It's also nifty for moisturizing your lips!

4. Sugar

I don't mean eating it- I mean using it as a scrub (sorry to disappoint). You can mix it with olive oil if you've worn a heavy face of makeup that day and want to make sure you got everything (as previously mentioned), or with coconut oil for a heavy-duty, moisturizing scrub. Usually, a 1-to-1 ratio of oil to sugar is good, but you can mess with the ratio depending on what you want more of (more oil if moisturization is the goal- more sugar is exfoliating is the goal). Just be sure to avoid the eye area, as that can be a little too harsh on the skin there.

5. Baking Soda

I love baking soda. I really do. If you have a problem with blackheads on your nose (like me), making a thin paste out of baking soda and water will work wonders. It's similar to the sugar in the sense that you can use it as a scrub. It's great for using before you plan on using face paint or applying heavier makeup because it can buff away any bumps you might have that could be easily seen when the makeup is layered on. I also like to take a damp paper towel, put a little bit of olive oil on it, and then sprinkle some baking soda on top of that. Then I gently rub the paper towel in circles on my face to buff away any stubborn blackheads and impurities. Honestly, it's the most interesting and gross thing to look at the paper towel afterword. It's like a magnet for nasty things in your skin or something.

I know that everything might not work the same for everybody, so just be careful about how you treat your skin! Any of the exfoliants, like the sugar and the baking soda, can be pretty rough on the skin and should be used in moderation (1-2 times a week)! Also, when I say the oatmeal can be a mess, I mean it. Be sure to clean it up or it could clog your sink!

Be free and fresh with your kitchen items!