Intolerances, harmful ingredients, and animal experiments: Behind cosmetics is more (negative) than we think. So why not make shampoo, deodorant, and other beauty products at home? We show you 13 easy and cheap recipes with natural ingredients for beginners.
Many cosmetic products contain more negative things than expected: conventional care and beauty products from the drugstore can trigger allergies and intolerances. Certain ingredients, such as parabens, are also suspected of being carcinogenic. But natural cosmetics that are pollutant-, microplastic- and cruelty-free are often very expensive – and also contain ingredients, which you would prefer to avoid. The solution: make your own shampoo, exfoliation, and other daily beauty products. We show you seven recipes that even beginners can easily manage with few ingredients at home.
Benefits of DIY beauty products
Whether skin problems, intolerances or allergies: With the production of homemade cosmetics for the face and body you can decide for yourself which effect the products should have and consciously avoid harmful ingredients. In this way, you get cheap, tailored to your needs natural cosmetics, which has the same effect as expensive branded products from the pharmacy or store.
What you need for making DIY beauty products
To make cosmetic products safe and hygienic at home, you need a small basic set of equipment: a kitchen scale, heat-resistant glass bowls, glass stirrers and containers for the finished products. Don’t use metal utensils.
Containers for homemade beauty products
Anyone who begins to make cosmetics for themselves and for friends should collect empty cream jars, screw jars, and empty shampoo and shower gel bottles.
These should be rinsed thoroughly with a hot detergent and cleaned under running water. There must be no residue left from the previous filling, as this would otherwise contaminate the newly filled, homemade cosmetics. There are some wholesalers on the Internet who have empty cream jars and lotion bottles of different sizes in their assortment. Small jars and empty glass bottles are also suitable for the preparation and storage of homemade beauty products. Keep in mind that essential oils are sensitive to light. Therefore, you should opt for tinted glass bottles. Natural cosmetics should be kept dark and cool. If you want to make lip gloss or lipsticks, you can buy molds and empty tubes.
Very important in the production of cosmetics at home is the labeling of the different glasses and jars. The purchase of small and medium-sized adhesive labels is therefore very practical.
How to make your DIY beauty products last longer
Hygiene is very important. Before you start, sterilize all utensils and containers best with boiling water to prevent bacteria or germs from forming. You can also use small spatulas or plastic spoons to fill the finished cosmetics in the containers. If water is needed for a recipe, you should use distilled or alternatively boiled water to minimize germ formation in the final product. The rule of thumb is that you do not need to add preservatives unless there is water content (such as rose water, aloe vera gel). Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint are all naturally antibacterial.
Make sure you follow these tips to ensure your homemade cosmetics don’t spoil:
– Make small batches and use them up within a short period of time
– Sanitize all utensils and containers
– Use gloves
– Avoid direct sunlight or heat exposure
– When there is water content use natural preservatives. The shelf life of butter and oils is usually 6 to 18 months.
Homemade shampoo with coconut milk
Make a soothing and nourishing shampoo by using liquid natural soap as a base.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of honey
1/2 cup of liquid castile soap
How to:
- Mix soap and coconut milk, then add the honey.
- Pour the mixture into a bottle and shake well before each use.
Tip: For best results, allow the shampoo to sit for three to five minutes to fully penetrate the hair follicle, then rinse.
Store it in the refrigerator and use it in 2-3 weeks. Because of the fresh coconut milk, it probably will not last much longer. You can extend its shelf life by adding a preservative such as a vitamin E. Before use, bring to room temperature.
Nail care oil for strong nails
Oils that are absorbed quickly are particularly suitable for use on fingernails and toenails. They restore the strength and elasticity of the nails.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. of shea butter or mango butter – soak in deeply
1 tbsp. babassu or coconut oil – restore the moisture
1 tsp. organic soy wax (or alternatively more coconut oil) – smooths the nails
1 tsp. almond or castor oil – nourishes the keratin layer
1 tbsp. avocado or olive oil – regenerates the nail
1 tsp. macadamia nut oil – regulates the cornification process
1 tsp. argan oil – moisturizes and provides elasticity
optionally 5 to 10 drops of essential oil (for example, lemon, lime)
How to:
- Melt the oils (except argan and macadamia nut oil), butter, and wax in a water bath.
- Mix the argan and macadamia nut oil with the essential oils.
- Allow the oil mixture to cool from the first preparation step and then stir in the mixture from the second step.
- Allow cooling for two to three hours and place in a dark glass jar that ideally has a pipette.
Application: Apply the homemade nail oil daily before bedtime on the nails. One drop of oil is enough for all ten fingernails.
Chocolate Body butter
The rich body butter is whipped up like cream and smells really tasty.
Ingredients:
1.75 ounces of cocoa butter (50 g)
2 tablespoons liquid base oil (for example almond oil)
A pinch of Cocoa extract
1 tablespoon liquid active substance oil (for example argan oil)
How to:
- Melt the cocoa butter in 1 tablespoon of the base oil in a water bath.
- When everything has melted, stir in the cocoa extract and remove it from the water bath.
- Pour the mixture into a high sided bowl, add the rest of the base oil and allow it to cool for ten minutes.
- Add the active ingredient oil and allow it to cool overnight at room temperature.
- Beat using a hand mixer until smooth. If the body butter is still sticky after five minutes, add another ten grams of the base oil.
Homemade Bath salts
Make nourishing bath salts with salt, essential oil and a little olive oil. Lavender oil is ideal for a relaxing full bath.
Ingredients:
7 ounces Himalayan or Epsom salt (200 g)
1 tbsp olive oil
5-6 drops of lavender oil
How to:
Mix all ingredients in a clean glass container with lid and optionally sprinkle a few dried rose petals or lavender seeds.
Body peeling with coffee grounds
Use coffee grounds to make an effective anti-cellulite peeling. In addition to a healthy and vitamin-rich diet, enough water and regular sports, cosmetic products can also reduce the orange skin on the thighs or buttocks. Applied as an exfoliant, the ingredient caffeine stimulates blood circulation and has a positive effect on the connective tissue. For an optimal effect, you should massage the body scrub with coffee grounds in the shower on the body parts with cellulite and leave for a couple of minutes and rinse off.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of coffee grounds (for example from already brewed coffee)
1.5 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp almond or coconut oil
5 to 10 drops of essential orange oil
How to:
- Mix all ingredients together. To store, just fill the peeling in a glass.
Tip: The mixture can also be used as a refreshing facial peeling. Use almond oil in the recipe for an additional anti-aging effect.
DIY Deodorant with baking soda
Many conventional deodorants contain aluminum salts, which are suspected of being deposited in the body and, among other things, favoring breast cancer. Although many cosmetic manufacturers now do without aluminum salts, you can even produce an aluminum-free deodorant with a few natural ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate prevents the formation of bacteria and is ideal for producing a deodorant.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 fl. oz of distilled or boiled water (90 ml)
5 drops of essential oil of your choice (lavender, lemongrass)
How to:
- Boil tap water.
- Stir the soda into the water until completely dissolved. If you sweat more, you can use a little more soda – but not too much, as the salt minerals can cause skin irritation.
- Add the essential oil dropwise and mix well.
- Put the finished deodorant in a bottle with atomizer and shake well before each use.
Toothpaste without fluoride (2 versions)
Conventional toothpaste usually contains fluoride. This ingredient prevents tooth decay and hardens the enamel, but is repeatedly discussed as harmful or even carcinogenic. A fluoride-free toothpaste can be made with just three ingredients. It is up to you whether you prefer a fresh or sweet-tasting toothpaste.
Ingredients for a fresh toothpaste:
4 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 tablespoons of baking soda
a few drops of peppermint oil
How to:
- Melt solid coconut oil.
- Add the soda and peppermint oil.
- Place in a cool place to set and stir again and again.
- Brush the teeth as usual with the paste.
Ingredients for a sweet toothpaste:
1/2 ounce of xylitol (10 g)
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tbsp coconut oil
How to:
Thoroughly mix xylitol and bicarbonate of soda, where necessary, grind the crystals with a mortar.
Mix the powder with the (soft) coconut oil.
Tip: Be sure to leave the toothpaste in the mouth for at least three minutes while brushing. Only then can coconut oil and xylitol unfold their effect.
Lip balm
This recipe nourishes your lips naturally. By adding 2-3 drops of essential oil of your choice you also give the balm an individual touch. You can, of course, experiment with the ingredients and, for example, use cocoa butter instead of the shea butter, which leaves a slightly chocolaty taste on the lips.
Ingredients:
1 tsp beeswax
1/2 ounce of shea butter (10 g)
1/2 ounce of coconut oil (10 g)
1/4 of a vanilla bean
small jars or pots
How to:
- Slowly heat the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a water bath at a low temperature until the wax has completely melted.
- Slice one-quarter of vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the caviar with a knife. Add this to the remaining ingredients.
- Stir to a homogenous mass and pour it into the containers.
- After cooling, it is ready for use.
DIY Lip scrub
Try giving your dry lips a deep treatment by using this Epsom salt lip scrub. This helps remove dead skin and will give lips instant plump.
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons of Epsom Salt
1 Tablespoon of Petroleum Jelly (such as Vaseline)
- Mix together to form a lip scrub!
- Then, apply a small amount to lips and rub lightly.
- Remove the scrub with a damp paper towel. Make sure not to get any in your mouth!
Face mask with aloe vera
This fresh, soothing aloe vera facial mask is particularly suitable for sensitive and impure skin.
Ingredients:
the gel from an aloe vera leaf
1 teaspoon honey
1 tbsp. curd cheese, quark or yogurt
- Mix the three ingredients well together and apply the homemade mask on your cleansed face.
- Let it sit for ten minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
For a clear complexion: mix one teaspoon of lemon juice, two teaspoons of yogurt and one egg white. Apply to the face with a brush, avoiding eyes and lips. Wash off after 30 minutes.
Face mask with green tea
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons of warm green tea
2 teaspoons of honey
4 teaspoons of wheat bran
1 a scoop of pureed avocado
For a refreshing face mask, mix four teaspoons of warm green tea with two teaspoons of honey, four teaspoons of wheat bran, and a scoop of pureed avocado. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
Tip: Green tea can be used as a toner without any additional ingredients. Simply soak a cosmetic pad in lukewarm green tea, and gently dab the face with it. Very refreshing and invigorating. You can also make ice cubes from green tea and rub your skin with it.
Facial toner with witch hazel
This homemade toner leaves the skin radiant.
Ingredients:
a handful of rose petals (fresh or dried)
1 1/2 cups of tap water
2 fl. oz of witch hazel extract (60 ml)
1 fl. oz of apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
5 drops of lavender oil
10 fl. oz spray bottle
sausepan with lid
nut milk bag or several thicknesses of cheesecloth
To make rose water measure 1/4 cup of dried rose petals into your saucepan. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup if you are using fresh petals. Pour 1 1/2 cups water into your saucepan, cover and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes on low temperature (until the color of the rose petals has faded). Allow cooling completely. Strain the petals and pour 3 fl. oz (90 ml) into a spray bottle using a funnel. Add 2 fl. oz of witch hazel extract (astringent) and 1 fl. oz of apple cider vinegar (regulates pH). Finally, add 5 drops of lavender oil (reduces redness and makes the skin glow).
Spray on a cotton pad and wipe your face gently as any toner.
DIY eye cream for puffiness and wrinkles
Smoothes and nourishes the sensitive area of the skin and lasts for about 6 months.
Heat beeswax gently with cocoa butter in a water bath (not hotter than 45 degrees). Add pure coconut oil and shea butter (1 teaspoon of each). Once the vegetable fats have dissolved, add 0.5 fl oz (14 ml) jojoba and 1 teaspoon wild rose oil. Let it cool with constant stirring – so everything stays creamy. In the end, add a drop of Vitamin E.