Modern women are doing more than ever. In addition to old-fashioned tasks like caring for our families and homes, we have careers and a variety of commitments outside the home. Many modern men are also taking up the gauntlet of being both provider and caregiver. The year 2020 brings its own challenges including homeschooling, caring for at-risk neighbors, and generally doing more without the support systems we once relied on.

While other people are learning new Covid hobbies, I am instead collecting new Covid neuroses. And there is no end in sight.

Every hardworking adult in this challenging age deserves to relax into a sweet-smelling bath and use products such as exfoliating scrubs and moisturizers that help them to feel their best. However, this puts those of us trying to lead an earth-friendly lifestyle in a difficult position. I must spend a great deal more to choose eco-conscious shops such as Lush for my self-spoiling needs. At $7 or more for a bath bomb, treating myself becomes a rare occasion if I take the low-waste route. On the other hand, Target and Walmart are full of plastic packages of mystery ingredients that I can afford to enjoy every day.

For me, the middle ground is to make my own self-spoiling supplies. This week, I experimented with a few different recipes and came up with some winners.

Zero waste bath salt recipe

I only rarely take baths, but I want them to be special when I do! My favorite indulgence is a colorful bath bomb, but this recipe fulfils the same purpose at a much cheaper cost.

– ¼ cup your choice of herbs
– ½ cup Epsom salts
– several drops of essential oils

Instructions: Mix all ingredients and store in the container of your choice.

This homemade bath salt recipe has several benefits. First, Epsom salts are full of magnesium that soothes tired muscles and softens skin. Second, you can choose herbs and essential oils that give you the experience and health effects you desire. I choose chamomile for its calming qualities, yarrow for its anti-anxiety and skin-healing benefits, and eucalyptus oil to help clear my perpetually clogged sinuses. I might try lavender essential oil in the future for its sleep-inducing qualities, but this allergy season has been a rough one.

Sweet and strong coffee scrub recipe

I wish I had time to exfoliate several times a week. As it is now, I am lucky to get a chance several times a month! I have perfected a healthy, zero waste scrub that you can whip up in a few minutes with ingredients left around your home. This is enough for just one use.

– 1/2 cup fine- or medium-ground coffee grounds – I use the ones leftover from morning coffee, but you can also use dampened fresh ones
– 2 Tbsp brown sugar
– Splash of olive oil (or your other favorite skin-friendly oil)

Instructions: Mix ingredients together and use as a full body scrub, being careful not to get in the eyes. This recipe does not keep well, so I make it right before I plan to use it.

I throw these together on a weekend day when I really deserve a treat. Caffeine is amazing for tightening skin while honey and oil help to condition and moisturize. The texture is not abrasive but is rough enough to take off dead skin cells and cleanse your pores.

DIY oatmeal mask

There is no real recipe for this skin-softening mask; simply mix your damp or dry fine oatmeal with an equal amount of honey. Apply to your face and leave on for ten minutes before washing off. I find this mask is hard to clean off my face, so I use it right before a shower. It leaves my skin so smooth and soft!

This oatmeal mask works best with more finely ground oatmeal than the stuff we typically eat, so it is a fine way to use up the leftover oatmeal from making oat milk. If you have already disposed of your spent oats, you can instead overcook regular oatmeal until it is a sticky, spreadable mush.

Refresh and revive

There are endless ways to indulge yourself just in your kitchen. Although these may not have the same charm as your favorite luxury products, they are fine enough for everyday self-care.

Because we buy the ingredients for these DIY self-care recipes in bulk without plastic, they are low waste and have a minimal overall effect on the planet. Best of all, they cost pennies per use and are as natural as you can find. Being eco-friendly does not have to mean doing without the occasional indulgence.

Do you have a favorite way to treat yourself that doesn’t come in a plastic package? Let me know in the comments!