Don't let beauty companies fool you – skincare and makeup needn't be expensive.

All that's required is a little research – you're better off avoiding beauty products with a laundry list of ingredients that are unnecessary and harmful. Instead, here are some at-home hacks that require no more than a few ingredients. 

Removing makeup: Sweet Almond Oil

Stop using cleansing wipes and expensive face washes – it's an unnecessary cost, not to mention the amount of waste amassed by using beauty wipes.

The best trick for removing makeup is a loonie sized amount of sweet almond oil, gently massaged (also great for lymphatic drainage and bringing blood to the skin for a youthful appearance) into the skin and removed with a damp cloth.

You will be shocked at how great your skin looks.

Use and do less and your face will thank you!

Exfoliating: Honey and coarse sea salt

Mix together natural, unpasteurized honey (preferably local) with coarse sea salt for an amazing full body scrub.

Beauty companies will attempt to convince you to purchase their concoctions full of chemicals meant to withstand lengthy time spent on retail shelves.

Just make it yourself – no hidden, unhealthy ingredients to worry about!

Face Masks: Apple cider vinegar and bentonite clay

This is the most impactful technique for ridding your skin of impurities and acne, while also exfoliating.

Simply mix a tablespoon of the clay with a splash of the vinegar until it resembles a smooth paste.

Leave it on for 10 or so minutes or until the mask is dry and cracking.

Your face will be red, and may flake in the coming days – be sure to follow it up with your favourite moisturizer – or better yet, just use the sweet almond oil you also use as a makeup remover!

De-greasing dirty hair: Baking soda

Dry shampoo is expensive, not to mention how horrible aerosol cans are for the environment.

Instead, sprinkle a little baking soda on your scalp, massaging it in gently, then brushing it through your hair. You'll achieve the same result and save yourself money in the process. 

Lipgloss: castor oil 

Full of tons of goodness from proteins to Omega 6 and 9's, this will likely seem familiar to you, as it is used as a base for many commercial lip glosses.

Make your own, without all the unnecessary fillers and binders.

Do you have any at-home beauty hacks?