After a long day, there’s nothing quite like taking off your makeup, washing your face, and applying your favorite skin-care products before slipping into bed for a peaceful rest. Thankfully, there are many ways to infuse natural recipes into this portion of your skin-care regimen. Below, you will find three of our go-to nighttime recipes to help prep your skin and mind for bed.

Soothing Milk Bath

by Kristy Doubet Haare from Willow and Sage Autumn 2017

You Will Need

• • Bowl: medium
• • 2 cups powdered milk
• • ½ cup baking soda
• • ½ cup cornstarch
• • Whisk
• • Chamomile tea bags: (4)
• • 1 tsp. lavender buds
• • 16 drops lavender essential oil
• • 8 drops chamomile essential oil
• • Airtight containers

To Make

In a medium bowl, add the powdered milk, baking soda, and cornstarch, and whisk to combine. Open the chamomile tea bags and pour them into the mixture. Add the lavender buds, and whisk to combine. While stirring, add the lavender and chamomile essential oils. Store the milk bath in airtight containers.

A goodnight Lotion Bar for Better Sleep

by ⁣Paula Saalfeld and Alicia Dalle from Willow and Sage Summer 2022

You Will Need⁣

• • Double boiler
• • ¼ cup shea butter ⁣
• • ¼ cup beeswax ⁣
• • 2 TB. coconut oil ⁣
• • ¼ cup olive oil
• • Spoon
• • 10 drops lavender essential oil ⁣
• • Mold/Muffin tin: small
• • Parchment paper

To Make

In a double boiler, heat the shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil over low heat until everything is melted. ⁣Add the olive oil, and stir to combine. ⁣Remove the mixture from the heat, and add the lavender essential oil. Stir again to combine. ⁣Pour the mixture into the mold of your choice or small muffin tins lined with parchment paper.⁣ Let it cool for at least one hour before removing from the mold or tin. Store the lotion bars in a cool, dark place for up to one year. ⁣

Overnight Restorative Lip Balm

by Jacki Campbell from Willow and Sage Summer 2023

You Will Need

• • Double boiler
• • 1 TB. coconut oil
• • 1 TB. jojoba oil
• • 1 TB. almond oil
• • 2 TB. cocoa butter
• • 1 TB. mango butter
• • 1 TB. lanolin
• • Spoon
• • Thermometer
• • Knife
• • Vanilla beans: (2)
• • 1 TB. cardamom pods, crushed
• • Mortar & pestle
• • 2 TB. dried calendula
• • Strainer
• • Cheesecloth/Nut milk bag
• • 1 TB. beeswax
• • Immersion blender (optional)
• • Jars/Tins
• • ¼ tsp. rosehip oil
• • ⅛ tsp. vitamin E oil
• • 1 TB. raw honey

To Make

In a double boiler, add the coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, and lanolin, and heat slowly to melting temperature, stirring to combine. Use a cooking thermometer to make sure the temperature stays below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the vanilla beans in quarters lengthwise, and dice into ¼-inch pieces. Crush the cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle. Add the vanilla bean pieces, crushed cardamom, and dried calendula to the melted oils, and stir to combine. Leave the double boiler on the lowest heat possible while maintaining the liquid form of the oils for two to four hours; the longer you let the mixture infuse, the stronger it will be. Do not let the heat exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping it between 100–110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a strainer with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag, and strain the plant material from the oils. Squeeze the oil from the plant material, and return the oil to the double boiler. Add the beeswax, and melt completely. Incorporate the beeswax thoroughly by stirring or using an immersion blender.

Prepare the jars or tins for filling. Once you remove the oils from the heat, it will begin to cool and harden, so you will have to move quickly. Remove the oil from the heat, and add the rosehip oil, vitamin E oil, and honey. Stir to blend or use an immersion blender. Fill the jars or tins, and let cool completely before moving. For tired eyes, apply a layer underneath your eyes before you go to sleep, and wash off in the morning. You can use this balm throughout the day as well.

Discover more nighttime skin-care recipes in our new Willow and Sage Spring 2026.

Danielle Williams is the managing editor for Willow and Sage, The Natural Home Issue, Mingle, and Art Quilting Studio. She lives with her growing family in Orange County, California.