Homemade Body Products!

Ok- So I want to post a more thorough update on me and my family...but right now I have a ton of people asking me for the recipes of the all natural homemade body products that I have been whipping up this weekend...so here goes!
I started with homemade laundry detergent & fabric softener (if you want the recipe, let me know!)  I am tired of not being able to pronounce or recognize a single word on the ingredients list of the home products I purchase. I think that the way things work these days are to keep society "sick" because it is more profitable to do so.  But decades ago there were not all this crap in our products. I want to keep my daughter as healthy as I can and I feel it is my responsibility to protect her from as much of today's garbage as I possibly can.  It is really very easy to make your own products and I can't imagine why anyone would think that they don't work as well as the chemicals and carcinogens that we use now.  Anyways, I'm sure I'll have more to say on these things soon enough...but for now, here are the recipes! Enjoy, and let me know if you try them!


Homemade Deodorant

Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch ----(I used cornstarch)

Directions:

1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.
4. I stuck the deodorant dispensers in the fridge for like 10 minutes to help them harden.  
5. You can also add your favorite essential oil.  I like tea tree oil because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Diaper Rash Cream

(I havent made this yet--but I made a cream that is similar in ingredients and will probably use it for diaper rash as well)

1/8 cup coconut oil (extra virgin is preferred)
1/4 cup raw shea butter
3-4 Tablespoons talc-free cornstarch or arrowroot power 

Combine coconut oil and shea butter in a small bowl with a hand mixer or stick blender. You may have to soften the shea butter just slightly over very low heat in order to incorporate them well together, but it should combine well with a mixer. Add cornstarch or arrowroot a tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired thickness. It will look similar to a whipped icing. Transfer to a small covered container and place at your changing station. Keep a small portion in the diaper bag as well. Apply liberally with each diaper change as a preventative and rash salve. Makes about 1 cup.

Homemade Baby Wash

1/4 cup Dr. Bonner's Liquid Baby Soft Soap

3/4 Cup Water

8-10 drops of your favorite essential oils (optional) ---I did lavendar and tea tree oil

Blend together and put into a Foaming Hand pump dispenser.  (I bought a store brand hand soap for $1.89 and just emptied it out and refilled the foam pump)  The reason to use a foam pump is because the soap itself is really watery in consistency, but with a foamer it works awesome! (You can use this as well!)

Homemade Eczema Cream or Hand Salve---triple batch

3 tbsp Avocado Oil (you could also use Olive Oil if you cant get Avocado)

3/4  cup Shea Butter (raw organic)

1/4 cup Coconut Oil (solid state)

8-10 Vitamin E capsules (pierced and drained---dont put shell in mixture)

I put the Avocado & coconut oil & Shea Butter into a pyrex measuring cup and then placed that into a pot of simmering water and let them melt together. When they were completely melted and mixed, I took them off the heat and added the Vitamin E, then I let it all cool to room temperature.

The next step is to whip it up into a meringue like consistency. I poured everything into a bowl and set that bowl into a bowl filled with ice water and blending it with a mixer. It must be cool to be able to whip up correctly.

I poured the mixture into a small canning jar and put it in the fridge for like 10 mins to stiffen up some.  Just apply to dry places...doesnt have to be eczema even.  And if its really warm in your house, or you want the consistency to be really stiff, just keep in the fridge.  I just keep it on our changing table. :)

Here are the shampoo recipes that I found. I'm going to try a couple of these.  I also plan to use Apple Cider Vinegar as conditioner.

Basic Shampoo

Ingredients:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 teaspoon sunflower or other light vegetable oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients, store in a bottle and use as shampoo.

Shampoos for Dandruff and Dry, Itchy Scalp

Ingredients:

6 oz Liquid castile Soap
5 drops tea tree essential oil
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil

Directions:

Same as above.

Shampoo for Oily Scalp

Ingredients:

6 ounces liquid Castile soap
5 drops lavender essential oil

Directions:

Same as above.

Shampoo for Dry, Color Treated Hair

Ingredients:

6 ounces liquid Castile soap
1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions:

Same as above.

Shampoo for Enhancing Blonde Hair

Ingredients:

3 ounces liquid Castile soap
4 chamomile tea bags
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:

Steep the tea and water in a covered pan for 30 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Mix with remaining ingredients and then store in a bottle.

Shampoos to Enhance Dark Hair

Ingredients:

3 oz liquid Castile soap
1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon rosemary
2 black tea bags
1/2 teaspoon Olive oil

Directions:

Same as above.