Even-Tone Gel

Weekly DIY

Even-Tone Gel

Dive into making a fast-absorbing even-tone body gel designed to deliver targeted skincare actives while leaving almost nothing behind on the skin. Perfect for dark-looking underarms, knees, elbows and lingering marks.

Preservative: 15 drops Geogard 221

2-5 minutes (+setting time)
Beginner
Concerns
Dark Marks • Uneven Skin Tone • Dull-Looking Skin
Benefits
Skin Brightening • Even-Tone Support • Fast-Absorbing • Lightweight
Format
Gel
Shelf life
Around 3-6 Months When Properly Preserved & Stored

What You'll Need

Niacinamide
1 flat teaspoon
A favourite in the cosmetic industry, helps visibly brighten dull, uneven-looking skin, soften the look of dark marks and support a smoother, healthier-looking skin barrier.

Melavoid
½ teaspoon
Brightening active often positioned as a natural alternative to Alpha Arbutin, helping target the appearance of dark spots and uneven pigmentation for a clearer, more even-looking tone over time.

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
¼ teaspoon
One of our best ingredients for crystal clear gels with great body and none of that stringy, “snotty” texture.

Vegetable Glycerine
½ teaspoon
One of our best ingredients for crystal clear gels with great body and none of that stringy, “snotty” texture.

Geogard 221
15 drops
Required to extend shelf life, keep it safe during storage and protect the product from microbial growth.

You'll Also Need:
6 Tablespoons Distilled Water, Cups or Beakers For Mixing, Spoons, 75–100ml Pump Bottle or Jar

How to Make

  1. Add the Vegetable Glycerine and Hydroxyethyl Cellulose to a clean cup or jug. Mix thoroughly until all of the powder is evenly coated and you have a smooth, lump-free slurry.
  2. Pour in the distilled water gradually while stirring well. Keep mixing until the slurry is evenly dispersed throughout the water.
  3. Add the Niacinamide and stir thoroughly until dissolved, then mix in the Melavoid.
  4. Add the Geogard 221 and mix again until everything is evenly combined.
  5. Leave the formula to stand for several hours, giving it a good stir every now and then. Hydroxyethyl Cellulose takes time to fully hydrate, so the gel will gradually thicken and should reach its final texture after around 12 hours.
    If you notice a little settling during this time, simply stir it thoroughly back into the mixture. Once fully hydrated, the finished gel should look smooth and uniform.
  6. Transfer to a clean pump bottle or jar and store in a cool, dark place. Discard if you notice an unusual change in smell, colour or texture.

How to Use

Guidance

Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin and smooth over underarms, knees, elbows, dark marks or other areas of uneven-looking tone. Allow it to absorb fully.

Follow with your usual body lotion if extra moisture is needed. For areas exposed to the sun, finish with sunscreen during the day to help prevent dark marks from becoming more noticeable.

Make It Yours

  • For An Extra Brightening Boost:
    Add ¼ teaspoon Vitamin C to further target dullness and uneven-looking tone. Vitamin C can be quite unstable in water-based formulas, so make this version in small batches, store it somewhere cool and dark, and discard it if it noticeably darkens or develops an unusual smell. Try to get your pH to between 4 - 5.
  • For More Targeted Dark-Mark Action:
    Add a sprinkle Kojic Acid for a more intensive approach to stubborn-looking dark marks and uneven pigmentation. It'll take a minute or two to dissolve.
  • For Gentler Brightening And A Botanical Boost:
    Add 1 teaspoon Liquorice Root Glycerite for another botanical traditionally loved in brightening and even-tone skincare.
  • For Shaving & Friction-Prone Skin:
    Add ¼ teaspoon Panthenol to help soothe, soften and support skin that regularly deals with shaving, rubbing or irritation.

Pro Tips & Storage

  • Can I Use This Brightening Gel On My Face?
    Yes. The base formula is suitable for facial use too, especially on areas of uneven-looking tone or post-blemish marks. Patch test first and avoid the eye area.

  • Can This Help With Dark Underarms?
    It is designed to help improve the appearance of uneven-looking pigmentation over time, including on the underarms. Niacinamide and Melavoid are both commonly used in brightening and even-tone skincare. Avoid applying directly after shaving or onto irritated skin.

  • Can I Use It On Dark Knees And Elbows?
    Yes. Apply a thin layer to clean skin on the knees, elbows or other areas where the skin looks darker or uneven. Follow with a moisturiser if these areas are particularly dry.

  • How Often Should I Use A Brightening Body Gel?
    Start once daily and increase to twice daily if your skin is comfortable with it. Consistent use is more important than applying a large amount at once.

  • How Long Does It Take To Brighten Dark Marks?
    Brightening actives work gradually rather than overnight. How quickly you notice a difference depends on the cause and depth of the pigmentation, so use the gel consistently and protect exposed areas with sunscreen during the day.
Essentially Natural Melavoid Botanical Active (Boerhavia diffusa Extract)

Essentially Natural Melavoid Botanical Active (Boerhavia diffusa Extract)

R 67.15
Essentially Natural Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Powder - BP Grade

Essentially Natural Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Powder - BP Grade

R 59.00
Essentially Natural Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Essentially Natural Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

R 89.00

Aiden van Wyk

Aiden is an eccentric explorer of ideas, endlessly curious and always eager to share his discoveries. His mind is a maze of rabbit holes, each leading to new insights (and occasionally pure chaos). In all honesty - he's a little impulsive, he's easily distracted, delightfully scatterbrained, and unapologetically himself. But through every deep dive and misstep, his mission remains the same:

To make the world a teeny tiny little better, one lesson at a time :)