If you've heard of stevia, you probably know that this leafy plant from South America is the source of an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener called stevia extract. There are countless health benefits to using stevia extract instead of regular sugar in your beverages, baking, and other cuisines thanks to stevia's rich nutrient profile and positive effect on metabolism. But what you might not know is that stevia extract can also nourish you from the outside in, and promote healthy skin and teeth.

Store-bought facial cleansing products contain chemicals and compounds that are not only hard to pronounce, but hard on your skin. While companies that manufacture face washes, moisturizer creams, and facial scrubs mean well, their product lines expose your delicate skin to harsh alcohols, allergens in the form of fragrances, and other manufactured dyes and emulsifiers that can be abrasive and cause more harm than good. Some companies even include heavy metals in their list of ingredients that get absorbed into the bloodstream and can tax your organs. Not long ago, the major cosmetic company, Ponds, was sued because its inclusion of elemental mercury in one of its skin cream lines ended up poisoning a woman in California. Think we're kidding? Methylmercury toxicity put the 47-year-old Californian in a semi-comatose state for weeks, according to NBC News.

While store-bought skin care products might not be a health hazard for every single consumer that uses them, they certainly aren't all-natural, and unfortunately, dental care products are guilty of the same pitfalls. Granted, there are some toothpaste brands out there that use all-natural ingredients, but when it comes to your teeth, does it really matter that sugar is technically "all-natural"? Yes, you read that correctly. Many dental care corporations use sugar in their toothpastes. In this sense, the cure is not only worse than the disease, but might actually be what causes it… Even if a toothpaste company doesn't include straight-up sugar in its ingredients, the artificial alternatives it might be including aren't great either, and additives like fluoride, saccharin, aspartame, parabens, and other toxic compounds that are often found in store-bought toothpastes can wreak havoc on your overall health if you're sensitive to any of them.

Luckily, you don't have to rely on store-bought products if you don't want to. If you're truly adventurous and want to make your own homemade personal care products that are comprised of simple ingredients you can both pronounce and pick up at the grocery store, then you've come to the right place! Here are our favorite three DIY personal care products for glowing skin and a healthy smile:

NOURISHING STEVIA SCRUB

This facial scrub made with granulated stevia will leave your skin looking and feeling nourished, and best of all, you can make it for only a fraction of the cost of a store-bought facial scrub. Say goodbye to dry skin and the wrinkles that follow and get excited, because you can also use this scrub to exfoliate your hands, feet, and entire body to remove dead skin and enhance a glowing complexion from head to toe!

What you'll need:

Sweetly Stevia, 1 cup

Coconut oil, 1 cup

Peppermint extract, 2-4 drops

Simply mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl until the mixture becomes a grainy paste then store in a glass container, never a plastic one or else the peppermint oil will corrode the plastic container and you'll end up scrubbing harmful plastic particles into your precious skin! To use, rub a generous dollop all over your face, hands, feet, or wherever you would like to exfoliate for about 1 minute, then let the scrub "sit" for 3-4 minutes. Rinse off, pat dry with a towel, and share your glow with the world!

MOISTURIZING STEVIA FACE MASK

This face mask made with stevia extract will pull dirt and toxins from the skin, tighten pores, and leave your skin feeling moisturized and refreshed. Because this face mask must "sit" and harden on your face, your skin will naturally absorb all of the rejuvenating properties of the stevia. When used topically in this fashion, stevia has been shown to prevent wrinkles, halt the signs of ageing, and even reduce the appearance of acne thanks to its antioxidants that help protect cells from free radicals. Using stevia topically can also help to fight dermatitis and eczema!

What you'll need:

Warm, filtered water, ¼ cup

Sweetly Stevia, 6 tsps

Olive oil, 2 tsps

Simply pour the warm, filtered water into a medium sized bowl, add Sweetly Stevia, and mix into a paste. The paste should be thick, but not dry and clumpy. Then mix in the olive oil by stirring vigorously until the mixture has a glistening, gooey consistency. Apply gently to the face, spreading the face mask evenly and generously. Wear for 20 minutes and enjoy the firming and tightening sensations, then rinse thoroughly using a warm, wet cloth. If you have leftovers in your bowl, you can store it in a glass container in your refrigerator for up to one week!

INVIGORATING STEVIA TOOTHPASTE

One of the greatest aspects of stevia sweetener is that it's tooth friendly. Since stevia is not a sugar derivative, but rather extracted from a leafy plant within the daisy family, it will not produce acids when it comes into contact with those pearly whites. Better yet, stevia is known to discourage the growth of oral bacteria--those harmful bacteria colonies that can cause tooth enamel erosion and cavities--which makes stevia an ideal ingredient in toothpaste like our invigorating stevia toothpaste!

What you'll need:

Coconut oil, 3 tbsp

Baking soda, 3 tbsp

Essential oil of your choosing, such as peppermint, spearmint, or wintergreen, 25 drops

Sweetly Stevia, 1 tsp

Simply mix the coconut oil and baking soda in a bowl until blended, add in the essential oil and Sweetly Stevia next, and continue blending until all the ingredients are smoothly combined. To brush your teeth, use a dime-sized portion. You can keep your stevia toothpaste in a glass container for next time!

Do you make your own homemade personal care products? If your recipes call for sugar, try replacing that ingredient with Sweetly Stevia, and leave a review in the comments below telling us what you think! Sweetly Stevia can be used topically, like in the personal care product recipes we covered in this article, or as a food additive sweetener in your coffee, tea, baking, and cooking! To learn more about our all-natural company, visit SweetlySteviaUSA.com