How to make a natural homemade body wash that is moisturising for the skin, using just four simple ingredients.
Many of the personal care products that we use on a regularly basis to keep our bodies clean can actually be causing us more harm than good. Most of the body washes available at the supermarket contain chemicals such as parabens, BPA, triclosan, benzophenone-3, artificial dyes, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and Cocamidopropyl betaine (which are very common foaming agents), propylene glycol, DMDM hydantoin (an antimicrobial), and more.
The skin will absorb anything that is placed on it, taking as little as 26 seconds to enter the bloodstream.
Artificial colours and dyes have been found to cause allergic reactions, have been linked to fertility problems such as sperm damage, can disrupt the normal function of hormones, and may be carcinogenic. Some dyes, like red40, are banned in several countries such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, and Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns.
While fragrances can contain over 14 chemicals, several of which are not considered safe and can cause allergies, skin irritation, and have been linked to hormone imbalances.
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as artificial preservatives in many cosmetic and personal care products. These chemicals have been found to mimic the hormone, oestrogen, in the body, disrupting hormones in the body and interfering with fertility and harming reproductive organs. They can also increase the risk of cancer and irritate the skin, causing dermatitis and rashes.
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent found in most cleaning and personal care products. It is a known endocrine (hormone) disruptor, and cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs with use overtime.
This moisturising body wash recipe on the other hand contains only four natural ingredients and is gentle enough to use on the face and body, making a rich lather to wash the skin with.
DIY Body Wash Ingredients
This body wash contains several natural ingredients chosen for their skin care properties.
Raw Honey
Honey has so many benefits for the skin and your overall health (it’s fantastic for wound healing). By adding a little raw honey or Manuka honey to your diet, it can help with allergies or respiratory infections, and may help boost the immune system and promote clear breathing.
Honey has antiviral and antibacterial properties, and helps the skin retain moisture and elasticity without drying out. Always use local, raw honey (and ensure the honey was harvested by beekeepers who do not sacrifice the health of their bees for the honey produced). You can opt for an organic raw honey (like this one) if you can’t source any locally. If you’re vegan, you can exclude this ingredient from the recipe (and sub in melted shea butter instead), however the consistency will be slightly different.
Liquid Castile Soap
Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that can be found in liquid or bar form, and provides the cleansing properties of soap without the harsh chemical foaming agents. This one is palm oil-free and unscented, so you can customise the scent with essential oils.
Carrier Oil
Incorporating a carrier oil in this body wash recipe will add moisturising properties to this soap as well as more benefits to the skin, depending on which oil you use. Jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, castor, or olive oil work well in this recipe. My favourite carrier oil to use is fractionated coconut oil as it has so many benefits for the skin, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. I use the fractionated variety as it doesn’t solidify, which is much safer for household drain pipes.
Essential Oils
Adding essential oils to this body wash recipe gives the soap a natural fragrance while also different beneficial properties to the wash depending on which oil you use. A few of my favourite oils to add are lavender, chamomile, frankincense, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, sweet orange, neroli, and geranium.
Before we get started in learning how to make this homemade natural body wash – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!!
Homemade Natural Body Wash
Making your own body wash is really simple to do, and this soap lathers up so well and smells amazing! It only requires four simple ingredients which can be incorporated together in your soap dispenser bottle.
I like to use glass pump bottles to store my homemade body wash in, as plastic can leach chemicals in the soap inside, particularly if stored for long periods of time, or if the contents are fatty or hot.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 1/3 cup carrier oil (I use fractionated coconut oil)
- 30 drops essential oil (optional)
- Foaming soap dispenser
To make:
- Pour all the ingredients into the (preferably glass) bottle of the soap dispenser you’ll be using.
- Stir the ingredients together slowly to avoid them bubbling up too much. Once the ingredients have incorporated together, top off the bottle with some water, then cap the lid on tightly and gently shake to combine.
- Use as you would a normal body wash. This wash will keep for up to three months at room temperature. Shake well before each use as the ingredients can separate. I use this homemade body wash with a natural sea sponge or loofah for easy use.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Have you made a natural body wash before? How was it? Share below in the comments.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa