There’s something rather wonderful about looking back at how women once cared for their skin. Long before serums promised miracles and moisturisers came with laboratory claims, beauty was made in the kitchen. Quite literally.
During the war years, there was no such thing as a “skincare haul.” Lipstick was rationed, soap was scarce, and if you wanted to exfoliate, you didn’t scroll through a website, you opened the pantry. Women became experts in ingenuity. They used what they had, and they made it work. Truth be told, much of it still works beautifully today and some of it I still use myself.
So, in a time when we are all counting our pennies and thinking twice before spending, let’s go back to basics. Here are a few tried and trusted recipes and rituals from the women who turned make-do into magic.
A Cup of Tea and a Pair of Stockings
When nylon was scarce, women still found a way to keep up appearances. They brewed strong tea, painted it onto their legs and, for extra glamour, drew a seam down the back with an eyebrow pencil. Just like that, stockings were reborn.
That same tea was often used as a toner or a bronzer. It gave the skin a warm, healthy tone without a drop of fake tan in sight. Strong black tea tightens pores and adds a soft glow, while green tea soothes redness and irritation.
It’s simple, it’s natural, and it leaves you smelling faintly of afternoon tea, which is hardly a bad thing.
The Beetroot Flush
Before blush came in a compact, it came in a casserole dish. Women rubbed beetroot slices directly onto their cheeks and lips to create a natural rosy tint. Some even mixed the juice with a bit of petroleum jelly or a smudge of lard to make their own tinted balm.
If the idea of lard feels a little too authentic, you can make a modern version by mixing beetroot juice with aloe vera gel. It gives a soft, dewy tint that looks like you’ve just been for a brisk walk, even if you’ve only been to the fridge.
Oats for Skin and Soul
Soap was rationed, but oats were plentiful. Women tied a handful in muslin, dropped it into warm water and let the creamy liquid soften their skin. It was the original bath milk. The oats released natural lipids that calmed irritation and left the skin smooth enough to rival any expensive body lotion. They were especially brilliant for soothing chickenpox and calming eczema-prone skin.
Oat baths are still one of my favourite things to do on cold evenings. But sometimes, when I’m feeling decadent and fancy a full oat blowout, I use any leftover porridge from the morning as a simple face mask. It soothes, nourishes and feeds the skin just as it does the gut.
And yes, there is something comical about smearing your breakfast on your face. It can feel mildly ridiculous, but the glow afterwards makes it worth every odd look from the family. As my grandmothers, Olive and Joyce, would say, “waste not, want not.”
Beer and Vinegar for Hair That Behaves
With shampoo in short supply, women turned to beer and vinegar. Beer added shine and body, vinegar smoothed the cuticle and left hair soft and manageable. The scent might not have won hearts, but the results did.
If you want to try it, use flat beer or a splash of apple cider vinegar mixed with water. Pour it over your hair after shampooing, leave for a minute, then rinse. It’s surprisingly effective, and your hair will gleam as though it’s been on holiday.
Potatoes, Sugar and Lemon
When under-eye cream wasn’t an option, thin slices of potato came to the rescue. The starch reduced puffiness and soothed tired eyes. It’s still one of the cheapest and most effective tricks in the book.
And for rough patches or dull skin, a quick mix of sugar and lemon juice became the go-to exfoliator. It smoothed elbows, knees and heels long before body polish was a phrase. If you prefer a gentler version, swap the lemon for olive oil. It’s less zingy but every bit as softening.
Sweet Softness: The Honey and Yoghurt Mask
This one has stood the test of time because it works. Mix a tablespoon of natural yoghurt with a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of olive oil if your skin is feeling especially dry. Smooth it on, make a cup of tea, and let it sit for ten minutes.
The yoghurt gently exfoliates and balances, the honey hydrates, and the olive oil seals it all in. Rinse with warm water and admire your handiwork. It’s as comforting as a Sunday pudding, and your skin will glow for hours afterwards.
Vegan version: Mash a ripe banana with a spoonful of oats and a drizzle of maple syrup. It smells like breakfast and leaves your skin calm and velvety. The oats soothe, the banana nourishes, and the syrup adds just enough moisture to keep things supple.
Homemade Cold Creams and Simple Balms
Without access to fancy moisturisers, women made their own cold creams using beeswax, rosewater and a little oil. Some even added a few drops of perfume to make it feel luxurious.
If you’d like to try a modern take, melt together a teaspoon of shea butter and a teaspoon of olive oil. Once it cools, stir in a little rosewater. Keep it in a jar and use it as a multipurpose balm for dry hands, lips or anywhere that needs a bit of care. It’s the sort of product that feels handmade because it is.
Beauty Then, Beauty Now
There’s something rather grounding about these old recipes. They remind us that beauty isn’t about having more, it’s about doing more with less. These women didn’t chase perfection. They worked with what they had and made it lovely.
In truth, not much has changed at Olive & Joyce. Our products are still made with the same idea in mind, that the best skincare is simple, honest and kind. We use natural ingredients your skin already understands, crafted in small batches that would have made our grandmothers proud.
So next time you’re staring at your cupboards wondering what’s for dinner, perhaps you’re also looking at tomorrow’s skincare. Just don’t mix up your mask and your pudding.