Who says beauty has to be expensive? Sure, we love the spa — but on a regular basis, it can be a costly indulgence. If you’ve got a little time and a few key ingredients in your cupboards, you can enjoy some spa-worthy pampering at home.

Aside from saving you money, home made spa treatments are good for your body and the environment. You control the ingredients, so you can avoid unnecessary perfumes, dyes and preservatives. You don’t have to worry about questionable chemicals being absorbed into your body or ending up in the environment. Best of all, you can also customize recipes to use your favourite ingredients and scents.

Sound complicated? It’s actually easier than you think. Here’s how to get started:

Check your shelves

You don’t need to run to the store to get started. Chances are you’ve already got the most common ingredients in your cupboard or your fridge:

Honey: Not only does it moisturize, it also acts as an astringent and antiseptic.

Milk: Commonly used in baths and masks because it helps to sooth dry skin. Use whipping cream for dry and irritated skin, or skim milk for oily skin.

Yoghurt: It’s creamy and blendable, and the lactic acid will help exfoliate the skin. Plus it contains good bacteria.

Oats: They’re a staple for a reason: they help calm dry and irritated skin and serve as a non-irritating cleanser.

Sugar or salt: Their rough textures make them idea for body scrubs because they exfoliate and promote good circulation (though you’ll want to avoid using them on your face). You can also mix sugar with coffee grounds for a good scrub.

Avocado: It’s packed with nourishing oils, protein and vitamins A and E. You’ll often see it used in hair or face masks.

Cucumber: Cleanses and cools the face, and reduces puffiness around the eyes.

Lemons: The juice is a natural astringent and helps oily skin get back its ideal pH balance. It will help strengthen nails and can be used as a toner on the skin when diluted well with water.

Apple cider vinegar also helps restore the skin’s pH balance when used as a toner, and works well in a hair rinse.

Olive oil: It moisturizes and cleanses, making ideal it for use on the skin and hair. Extra-virgin is best.

While they aren’t food items, you’ll also see Epsom salts, aloe juice and borax used in many recipes. You can also raid your garden for refreshing favourites like peppermint, lavender and rose petals.

Many recipes also call for essential oils — but don’t confuse these with those perfume or fragrance oils you find in home decorating stores. Essential oils are derived from natural sources (plants and fruits), and are safe for use in skin care products. When in doubt, start with your local natural food store and be sure to read the labels.

(For a full list of ingredients, see the David Suzuki Foundation’s Homemade Cosmetics Ingredients and MakeYourOwnCosmetics.com’s Ingredient Encyclopedia).