We’re always on the quest for natural living, especially these days. We want to get rid of harmful ingredients in our skincare regimen and all the time spent at home has really helped reduce the dependence on store-bought products. The internet is flooded with great homemade recipes, be it for food or for our body essentials. So if you’re someone who would like to try making body washes and soaps at home, you have come to the right place.
We have made a list of different kinds of homemade body washes that you can easily make in the comfort of your home.
Homemade Body Wash Without Castile Soap
A step-by-step guide to make body wash at home without using castile soap.
DIY Coconut Milk & Honey
Ingredients: Coconut milk, honey, glycerin, lavender oil mix
Process: Pour half cup coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, half tablespoon of glycerin and 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil mix and stir it well. Let the mixture stay for half an hour and use it on a loofah to cleanse your body. This mixture will not only give you a spa-like experience but will also moisturise your body naturally. You can take up the quantities based on your requirement.
Shelf Life: 2-3 months.
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DIY Green Tea & Shea Butter
Ingredients: Green tea leaves, shea butter, coconut oil and honey
Process: Boil a cup of green tea leaves and add it in an equal amount of coconut oil and let it sit for a while. After 15-20 minutes of letting it sit, add 1 tablespoon shea butter and 1 tablespoon of honey. Green tea is full of antioxidants that nullify the effects of damage to your skin.
Shelf Life: 2-3 months.
DIY Citrus Oil Body Wash
Ingredients: Coconut oil, orange peels, glycerin, jojoba oil and vitamin E capsule
Process: Grate the orange peels of two oranges and add them in the mixture of half a cup of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon glycerin. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes and then add 3-4 drops of jojoba oil and a capsule of Vitamin E. This body wash will not only be an alternative to your chemical infused scrubs but will also leave you smelling great all day long.
Shelf Life: 3-4 Months.
DIY Rosewater and Jojoba Oil Body Wash
Ingredients: Rose petals, rose water, jojoba oil
Process: Take a handful of rose petals and soak them overnight in rose water. Simply add a few drops of jojoba oil to the mixture and use it immediately. This body wash is specially curated for people who sweat a lot. It will not only curb odour but will keep you smelling fresh all day long. Your homemade body wash without castle soap is ready to use.
Shelf Life: Use immediately.
DIY Coconut and Lavender Oil Body Wash
Ingredients: Coconut oil, coconut milk, lavender oil
Process: Mix equal parts oil and milk and add few drops of lavender oil to it. Let the mixture sit for some time before applying. Your homemade body wash recipe is ready for use. The calming benefits of lavender and moisturising properties of coconut make it a great treat for your body!
Shelf Life: 2-3 Months.
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DIY Sandalwood & Tea Tree Body Wash
Ingredients: Sandalwood, coconut milk, tea tree oil
Process: Based on the quantity you require, mix coconut milk and tea tree oil and add a teaspoon of sandalwood to it. Coconut oil is rich in Vitamin C and tea tree oil helps get rid of acne scars. Sandalwood removes suntan and exfoliates the skin. So there you have it. Your homemade body wash recipe is ready for use.
Shelf Life: 1-2 Months.
DIY Body Wash With Soap Bar
Body washes can sometimes be a little over the budget. But since they’re a necessity, we thought of listing down ways in which you can DIY body wash with a bar of soap and a few ingredients lying around your house. Here’s how you can make a body wash at home with a soap bar.
Ingredients:
- A bar of soap (any kind)
- A grater or a knife
- Water
- Pot
- A spoon
- Fragrance
- Container for your body wash
Process:
Step 1: The first thing that you need to do is grate your soap. If you have a soap that can be easily cut with the help of a knife, even better! Get the mixture and keep it aside.
Step 2: Put all the soap in a glass bowl and heat it over boiling water. You can either dilute the soap and mix it with water or dilute the soap in the water itself. The quantity of the water you take totally depends on how much body wash you want to make.
Step 3: Use the extra ingredients lying around to make this body wash even better. For moisture, you can add a few drops of coconut oil. For a calming effect, you can use lavender oil. For acne reduction, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil.
Step 4: Let the mixture cool down and check the consistency by stirring the mix with a spoon. If it’s too thick, you can add a little bit of water or coconut oil to this solution. If the consistency is too runny then you can add a few more chunks of soap and heat it on the gas again.
Step 5: Once the mixture reaches your desired consistency, transfer it into a bottle and your homemade body wash is ready to be used.
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FAQs
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about making body washes at home.
How to thicken homemade body wash?
To thicken, all you need to do is create a saltwater solution, and add the saltwater to the base in small amounts. To make the solution, first mix plain table salt to warm, distilled water. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved. Voila, you have your thickened body wash.
How to make a creamy body wash at home?
To make your body wash creamy, simply add a diluted bar of soap into the solution. You can grate a bar of soap and heat it on a gas stove and mix it in the already existing body wash that you have made. This will help in making the consistency creamier than before.
How to add fragrance in a homemade body wash?
The most common way is to add either a fragrance oil or a pure essential oil to your mix. Another way to add scent to your soap is to use various aromatic liquids like tea or coffee.
Why is handmade soap better than store bought?
Store-bought soaps contain detergents. Originally, soaps are an emulsification of oils and salt. The soaps that we get in the market are not that. They can cause a lot of irritation to the skin. This is because glycerin naturally occurring in soap is a profitable by-product. Instead of keeping the natural moisturizing qualities in the soap, some companies choose to sell its glycerin and leave the bar of soap with very little moisturizing properties.
What if I have allergies?
If you have any allergies, please choose products that you are not allergic to. If you are uncertain, do a patch test before you use any of these recipes. If you experience irritation, discontinue use right away!
What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
Essential oils are purely extracted from their source and have therapeutic effects. Fragrance oils are created for the purpose of scent but are safe for use on skin. If your skin feels itchy after use, then essential oil might be a great alternative for you!
Why is lye used in handmade soap?
Lye is a binding agent used in skincare products and food items. The good news? It has completely evaporated by the time soap has settled and is ready to be sold! While caustic in its active state, it’s necessary to produce the chemical reaction that turns oils into soap.
Handmade body washes and soaps are super easy to make and can be customized as per your wishes. They even make for an adorable gifting option to your friends. So, which one out these are you planning to make today?
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