Homemade bath and body products are not only inexpensive to make, they can be good for the health, too. The following recipes employ all-natural ingredients to treat skin and hair without using the chemicals found in most commercial products. The resulting treatments are healthy, effective and perfect for personal use or as gifts for friends and family.
Peppermint Soap
Homemade peppermint soap offers a number of health and beauty benefits. Its high glycerin content nourishes, protects and seals in moisture, while the peppermint oil soothes irritated skin and refreshes the senses.
Soap Making Ingredients
- 1 pound melt and pour glycerin soap base
- 1 tbsp. peppermint essential oil
- Food coloring
Even beginners can make professional-looking soaps with this simple melt and pour soap recipe.
Start by cutting the soap base into match-box sized blocks. Place them in a large, microwave-safe container and cover with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss. Microwave on high until the base is completely melted. This should take about two to three minutes, but check the soap at one minute intervals to avoid overheating.
Mix the melted soap base with a few drops of food coloring until the desired color is achieved. Stir in the peppermint oil. Spray the soap mold with rubbing alcohol. Pour the mixture into the mold and spritz with rubbing alcohol to prevent air bubbles. Let sit for a few hours or until hardened.
Once the soap has set, cut it into smaller bars or use cookie cutters to create cute holiday-themed shapes. Wrap all soaps in plastic to prevent drying.
Sugar Body Scrub
This sweet-smelling body scrub adds a bit of luxury to a boring shower routine. The sugar provides a gentle scrubbing action while the oil and honey work to soothe and moisturize skin. Use just two times a week to reveal fresh, glowing skin.
Basic Body Scrub Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. honey
Pour the sugar into a large bowl and gradually stir in the oil until the mixture reaches a paste-like consistency. Stir in the honey and add the vanilla extract for scent. This recipe is fairly basic. Get creative by experimenting with different oils, sugars and scents to create a customized body scrub.
Moisturizing Lip Balm
Homemade lip balm is a terrific year round gift. Whether at the beach or on the slopes, good lip balm protects against the elements and keeps lips moisturized and soft.
Lip Balm Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. calendula ointment
- Colored mineral powder
- 2-3 capsules vitamin e
- Mineral shimmer powder (optional)
- 1 drop essential oil (optional)
Calendula ointment is an herbal remedy with intensive skin soothing properties. It can be found at most health food stores.
Place the calendula ointment in a small bowl and microwave on high until melted. Poke a hole in the vitamin e capsules and add the contents to the bowl. Mix thoroughly. Gradually stir in the mineral powder until the desired color is achieved. For a sparkly effect, add a small amount of shimmer powder. Scent the lip balm with a drop of essential oil. Pour the mixture into a small tin and let cool.
Hair Shine Treatment
Harness all the benefits of an expensive store-bought treatment with this all-natural leave-in spray. Simply dissolve a tablespoon of honey in three cups of warm water. Using a spray bottle, apply the mixture to freshly shampooed hair. Comb through and style hair as normal. The honey will make hair shiny and soft.
Packaging Homemade Beauty Products
Recycle old containers or create unique packaging to add a personalized flair. Cosmetic jars, bottles and tins are available at craft and beauty supply stores and in the beauty aisle of some supermarkets. When gifting these homemade treatments, complete the package by including a colorful loofah or shower cap and a small card listing the ingredients.
From peppermint soaps to sugar body scrubs, these simple but effective homemade treatments are sure to complement any beauty regimen.
Julia Estrela - Julia Estrela loves writing and traveling and is always searching for opportunities to do both. She claims the Boston area as home base, ...
