As the cost of living continues to rise and concerns about what we are putting into and onto our bodies increase, we kill two birds with one stone* and bring you 55 homemade toiletries you can make yourself!
Go online and you may find yourself inundated with tips on the best body soaps for kids, beauty tidbits, and info about skincare products. Did you know however, that you can fashion many toiletries on your own? All of these toiletry recipes are quick, easy and cheap to do, saving you money and keeping you and your family naturally clean and healthy without the use of chemicals.
Dry Shampoo
– Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of cornflour together and sprinkle lightly onto dry hair. Brush out thoroughly.
– Mix 1 teaspoon of baby powder and 1 tablespoon of cornflour together. Sprinkle lightly onto dry hair and brush out.
Shampoo
– Melt an ordinary castile soap bar into liquid to use as shampoo (castile soap is made entirely naturally from 100% olive oil, water and lye)
– Half a cup of baking soda mixed with 2 cups of warm water. Massage into hair and scalp. Rinse with half a cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 cups warm water.
– 8oz distilled water (or you can use tap water), Allow 2 teaspoons dried rose petals to steep in a jar of boiling water for 30 minutes, then drain the liquid into a bottle. Add 3oz liquid castile soap, 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and shake together well. Shake bottle before use.
– Pour 4 cups of water into a bottle and add 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda. Shake bottle and use in place of shampoo as normal, ensuring you shake the bottle well before each use.
– Mix together one cup of liquid castle soap with 1 cup of green tea which has sat for half an hour and cooled. Add one tablespoon of olive oil plus one teaspoon of honey. Pour ingredients into a bottle and shake vigorously.
– Add one handful of dried chamomile flowers to 8oz boiling water and allow to steep. Drain liquid and add to it 3oz liquid castile soap and one tablespoon of glycerine.
Hair Conditioner
– Coating your hair with mayonnaise makes it soft and shiny. Rinse it out well!
– Not so much a conditioner as a hair rinse, but a cupful of lemon juice poured over washed hair will add a natural shine.
– Beer used as above works the same way!
– Pour 3 cups of hot water with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into a bottle. Add a sprig of rosemary and shake well. Use as a conditioner.
Facial Cleanser
– Mix 3 tablespoons coconut oil with one tablespoon olive oil and one tablespoon glycerine. Add two tablespoons water, pour into a bottle and shake well. Use with cotton wool as a facial cleanser.
– Whisk together 2 tablespoons almond oil with 4 tablespoons goats milk and 2 tablespoons honey. Store in an airtight container and use as your daily cleanser.
Soap
– Melt 1lb glycerine soap base in a bain-marie. Add 2 tablespoons of goats milk and 2 tablespoons of honey. Pour into moulds greased with vegetable oil and allow to set. Makes approximately 5 bars.
– Melt 1lb glycerine soap base in a bain-marie and add 2 tablespoons of dried lavender flowers. Pour into moulds greased with vegetable oil and allow to set.
– Melt 1lb glycerine soap base in a bain-marie. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons shea butter and a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil. Pour into moulds and allow to set.
– Melt 1lb glycerine soap base in a bain-marie. Add 4 tablespoons coconut oil and 2 tablespoons goats milk. Stir well, pour into greased moulds and allow to set.
– Melt 1lb glycerine soap base in a bain-marie. Add 2 cups oatmeal, 1 cup goats milk and 1 cup shea butter. Pour into greased moulds and allow to cool for an exfoliating, luxurious soap.
Liquid Soap
– Grate one bar of Dove and melt over a low heat. Add three cups of warm water and continue to stir. When completely melted and mixed together, allow to cool slightly. As it cools it will thicken slightly. Pour into a liquid soap dispenser.
Deodorant
– Chop up 4oz solid coconut oil into small pieces and add 2oz bicarbonate of soda and 2oz arrowroot. Blend together and add 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice for scent (optional). Store at room temperature or in fridge in warmer weather to prevent coconut oil melting. Rub a small amount of the mixture into armpits daily in place of your usual deodorant.
– Mix together 3 tablespoons each of shea butter, bicarbonate of soda and cornflour. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter and 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil. Heat through in a heatproof dish in the microwave. It should only take 20-30 seconds. Stir well. You can now also stir in 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice for scent if you wish.
– Melt 1oz beeswax in a bain-marie. Once melted add 6oz coconut oil and stir in well. Remove from heat and add 4oz bicarbonate of soda and 3oz arrowroot and mix together. Transfer mixture into a sealable container and allow to cool. Rub on to use.
Lip Balm
– Melt 1 tablespoon beeswax in a bain-marie over a low heat. Remove from heat and add 4 tablespoons sweet almond oil, 1 teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of vitamin E oil, whisking well as you do so. Transfer mixture into a pot and allow to set for at least 3 to 4 hours. Apply to lips as and when needed.
– Microwave 2 tablespoons cocoa butter with 1 teaspoon coconut oil and half a teaspoon of vitamin E oil together – it should only take a matter of seconds. Transfer to a small container and allow to set.
Face Masks
– Mash one soft avocado. Add one tablespoon of honey and mix well. Apply as a face mask. Rinse off with water.
– Mix three tablespoons of oatmeal with two generous tablespoons of honey and apply to face. Rinse with water after 15 minutes. The oatmeal acts as a fabulous exfoliator, removing any dead skin and leaving your face fresh, clean and soft.
– Mash one soft avocado and mix with two tablespoons of sweet almond oil. Apply as a face mask and remove with water after 15-20 minutes.
– Mash one banana and mix well 2 with tablespoons of oatmeal, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of milk. Apply as facemask. Rinse with water.
– Chop up one cucumber and blend along with two teaspoons of lemon juice and two egg whites.
For spots and blemishes
– Take one tablespoon of natural yoghurt and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix well and apply to skin to cure those blackheads.
– To treat acne, mix 6 fluid ounces of witch hazel with 4 fluid ounces of apple cider vinegar and add 10 drops of tea tree oil.
– Mix one tablespoon of grated nutmeg to one tablespoon of milk. Apply a small amount directly to spots allowing it to work overnight. The nutmeg acts as an antiseptic while the milk soothes the skin and reduces redness.
– Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and apply small amounts to spots and blemishes. Rinse off after 30 minutes.
Cure Puffy Eyes
– A ten minute lie-down with used teabags resting on your eyes will help reduce puffiness.
– A slice of cucumber over each eye works too!
Skin Toner
– Mix together 1oz aloe vera gel together with 4oz witch hazel. Add a drop of chamomile essential oils and mix in thoroughly. Pour into an airtight container or glass bottle.
– Blend together one cucumber with two tablespoons of honey. Pour into an airtight container and use as a daily skin toner. Store in the fridge and use within one week.
Skin Creams and Moisturisers
– Melt 4oz beeswax in a bain-marie over a medium-low heat. Once melted add 2oz aloe vera gel and 2oz olive oil and whisk together well. Pour into a heatproof container and allow to cool. Use as you would normally.
– Melt 1oz beeswax in a bain-marie over a medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 fluid oz sweet almond oil. Add a drop of lavender or rose essential oils and mix in well. Pour into a container and allow to set.
– Melt 4oz cocoa butter in a bain-marie over a low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons vitamin E oil and mix thoroughly. Pour into an airtight container and apply to dry skin daily.
– Soak together one teaspoon calendula leaves and one teaspoon mint leaves together in water for an hour. Melt 4oz cocoa butter in a bain-marie. Drain leaves, squeezing out any excess, then add to melted cocoa butter and whisk slowly. Store in an airtight container.
– Beat together one egg yolk with half a cup of milk for a quick moisturiser.
– Melt 4 tablespoons of cocoa butter together with 2 tablespoons of beeswax in a microwave for 20-30 seconds. Add one tablespoon of almond oil. Pour into a container and allow to cool.
– Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and whip together with 6 tablespoons shea butter. Store in a lidded container.
– Mix 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt with 1 tablespoon honey and apply to your skin as an effective, natural moisturiser.
Toothpaste
– Mix together 6 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda with half a teaspoon of salt. Add 4 teaspoons of glycerine and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. Add a drop or two of peppermint oil for that minty-fresh taste.
– Finely chop one tablespoon of sage leaves and add two teaspoons of sea salt. Grind together with a pestle and mortar. Wet toothbrush and dip into mixture, then brush teeth.
– Mix two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with two tablespoons of sea salt. Store in an airtight container. Coat your toothbrush with the mixture and brush teeth as normal.
– Or you could just use plain bicarbonate of soda on your toothbrush! Dip it in the powder and away you go!
Facial/Body/Foot Scrubs
– Mix two tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons oatmeal and a teaspoon of rock salt. Rub into feet and leave for ten minutes before rinsing off with water.
– Juice three limes. Mix with 2 tablespoons sea salt, a handful of chopped mint leaves and 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil.
– Mix half a cup of sea salt with half a cup of sweet almond oil, adding 5 drops of peppermint oil to the mixture.
– Mix juice of a lemon with a tablespoon of chopped mint leaves, one tablespoon sea salt and two tablespoons olive oil.
– Mix one tablespoon of sugar to three tablespoons of goats milk. Apply as a scrub then rinse off.
*No birds were harmed in the making of this post.
If you like this post please share it!
Keep up-to-date and receive our latest news directly to your inbox or RSS reader. You can also follow us on Twitter with the handle @LargerFamily, or become our friend on Facebook too.
I love to use natural ingredients to taking best care of my family. I can’t wait to try these easy and useful recipes. Thanks for sharing.