Perhaps, like Jessica Biel, you mix sugar into your cleanser for a ready-made scrub. (Unfortunately, unlike Jessica, the boy doesn’t quite move like Justin Timberlake). Perhaps you make your face masks using ingredients from your fridge. And perhaps you could have yourself a new career path. Naturopath turned skincare expert Jo Packer, of the newly launched Skinsaviour range, talks tips for starting out – plus shares her top DIY skincare recipes.

What’s your background? I studied clinical nutrition and practised as a naturopath for years, but I’ve had a lifelong interest in skincare. I’ve always made my own skin and body products using ingredients from the fridge or pantry. But I was becoming more interested in anti-ageing. So I started researching more into  skincare. The more I learned about ingredients, the more I wanted to make my own product. I had a huge list of ingredients that I didn’t want included in a product, such as mineral oil, petrochemicals, sulfates and animal by-products. What I wanted to include were active ingredients backed up by independent research - for example, vitamins A, C and E, and hyaluronic acid.

How did you go about formulating it? Originally I wanted to just make a skin cream for my personal use. I did my research and found a compounding pharmacy in Melbourne who agreed to make me a cream to my specifications. I wanted my ultimate face cream, one that could be used on the eyes and neck too – I don’t believe in separate products for these areas.

Why did you decide to branch out? I gave friends samples. The feedback made me realise I had a potential market. Everything else, the name, packaging etc, all fell into place from there.

What does your range consist of? A cleanser and cream for women, and a cleanser and cream for men. It’s capsule but I’m currently in the research and development phase for a number of other products including a serum, hand cream and sunscreen.

Jo’s Top DIY Skincare Recipes:

All the ingredient measurements are a guideline only, make sure to slowly add the liquid portions to get the consistency that works best for you.

Magic Mask

This quick fix mask is great for when your skin looks and feels as tired as you are but you have to be somewhere. Helps to tighten and firm the skin and soften as well.

•    I egg white
•    1 tsp of sweet almond oil
•    1 tsp of honey

Whisk the three ingredients together (if the egg is too cold the honey won’t mix as easily.) Apply to the face and leave for 10 mins. You can use less oil for more of a tightening effect.

Face Scrub

The lactic acid in the yoghurt helps to gently exfoliate and the honey is soothing and softening on the skin.  Finely ground oatmeal helps to slough off dead skin cells as a gentle exfoliant and calms and soothes the skin.

•    1/2 cup of yoghurt
•    1tsp honey
•    I tbsp of fine oatmeal

This simple (and good enough to eat) mask is effective if a little messy and best applied above the basin. Leave on for 5-10 mins to let the lactic acid do its work and gently massage into the skin before rinsing away with warm water.

Eye De-Puffer

Use cucumber slices or cold, used teabags that have been kept in the fridge (tea has tannins that help reduce puffiness and constrict blood flow, forcing excess fluids out). Chamomile teabags are particularly soothing and anti-inflammatory.

Body Scrub

Sugar has been used as a traditional scrub for centuries and we now know that the incredible softening effect comes from glycolic acid, which is a natural AHA that is used in a range of skin products today.

•    1 cup of soft brown sugar
•    3 tsps of sweet almond oil
•    Couple of drops of favourite essential oil

Mix these ingredients and slowly add water teaspoon by teaspoon, until the scrub has reached the consistency you like. It’s easiest to use in the shower on damp skin. Massage gently into the skin all over - the scrub can be easily rinsed off under the shower for beautifully soft, smooth skin.

Body Oil

Choose your carrier oil. Olive oil is usually one you have on hand at home; jojoba, grape seed and sweet almond oils are also all good to massage in. Choose your favourite essential oils, using only two or three drops per 30mls of carrier oil.  Try different mixtures and come up with your own unique fragrance. If you can wait, whole vanilla pods gently crushed and left in an airtight bottle of oil for a few weeks will give you lovely infused vanilla oil. Once you have mixed your oils, shake well and place the cap on tightly. The body oil will need to be shaken each time you use it.

NB: If you are using essential oils it is advisable to make sure they are safe to use on the skin. Patch-test products on the inside of the wrist if you are unsure.