Is your face feeling dry, rough, or a little flaky? Many of us over 60 find that our skin simply asks for more tenderness than it used to. Before you buy another expensive jar, take a peek in your bathroom cabinet – you might already have the three gentle ingredients needed for a truly softening homemade cream: Vaseline (petroleum jelly), coconut oil, and baking soda (bicarbonate of soda). Together they make a frugal, comforting moisturiser that feels like a little spa treat.
Why this trio?
- Vaseline acts like a protective blanket. It seals moisture into your skin, which is exactly what mature skin often craves.
- Coconut oil melts at body temperature, delivering deep hydration and a delicate natural scent.
- Baking soda – just a tiny pinch – works as the world’s mildest exfoliant. It can gently smooth away the flaky bits so the moisturising oils can sink in better.
Important: This is not a daily face cream. Because baking soda can affect your skin’s natural balance, use this mixture only once or twice a week, in the evening.
How to make it (2 minutes)
- In a small, clean bowl, place 1 tablespoon of soft, creamy Vaseline.
- Add ½ tablespoon of softened coconut oil (if solid, stand the container in warm water for a minute).
- Now the key – add just a small pinch of baking soda, no more than what stays on the tip of a teaspoon. Too much can be scratchy.
- Mix with a clean spoon until you have a smooth, even cream.
How to use it – with love
- Wash your face with warm water and pat it just slightly damp.
- Take a pea‑sized amount of the cream and warm it between your fingertips.
- Massage very, very gently onto your cheeks, forehead, and chin using upward circles. Avoid the delicate eye area.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with warm water. Finish by patting your skin dry and applying a light layer of plain coconut oil or your usual gentle moisturiser.
A few gentle reminders
- Always test a small patch on your neck or inner arm first.
- Never use baking soda on sunburned, broken, or very sensitive skin.
- The baking soda is purely for occasional polishing – for everyday softness, simply mix Vaseline and coconut oil without it.
That’s it – a truly simple, back‑to‑basics beauty secret. Give it a try one quiet evening, and let your skin feel the kindness of a homemade touch. Your grandma would probably smile and say, “I told you so!”
For more great tips like these, check out this grandma’s simple trick for soft, happy feet using lemon and toothpaste, or discover why putting salt in honey is a sweet-salty secret from grandma’s kitchen! And for another lovely little kitchen trick, find out why you should put beetroot peels in boiling water.
