Best DIY Beauty & Personal Care Products: from bubble bath to facial wash to organic shampoo & more
It has been almost three decades and I am still unable to find a perfect shampoo that doesn’t dry out my hair. I have spent hundreds of dollars on fancy bottles of shampoos and conditioners that merely end up on my bathroom shelf gathering dust.
Most of the hair cleaners I have come across make my hair frizzy and unmanageable.
I have a constant ‘having a bad hair day’ look and when I walk out of the shower, I try to untangle and tame my crinkled mane but to no avail. Giving up, I gather up some courage and get out of the house anyway – the wind that feels welcoming and fresh on my face further crucifies my hair. At the end of the day, I have a messy, ragged look thanks to all the loose strands.
Many people have told me to switch to organic products. Indeed, organic products are a life-saver. Free of toxins and chemicals, they are environmental friendly and better for our health. Unfortunately, green products are not exactly easy on the pocket.
Best DIY Organic Beauty and Personal Care Solutions
I realized that it’s high time I took matters into my own hands. So, I put on my awesome glasses and began to research how to create that magical, DIY organic shampoo. It turns out there are plenty of everyday personal care and toiletries you can make right at your home organically. Check these out!
1. Green Homemade Shampoo
Wellness Mama has a great green shampoo recipe that worked perfectly for her and many of her readers. It is rather simple and won’t give you hard time formulating it.
Ingredients and Method
To concoct the miraculous liquid, you need:
- Liquid Castille Soap ¼ cup
- Essential Oil (Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint etc.) 20 drops
- Coconut Milk ¼ cup
- Olive Oil (optional) ½ tsp
- Apple Cider Vinegar (optional) 1 tbsp
Combine ¼ cup coconut milk, ¼ cup Liquid Castille Soap and about 20 drops of essential oil of your choice in an old shampoo bottle. If your hair is dry like mine, add half teaspoon of olive oil to provide extra nourishment. Whenever you shampoo, give the bottle a good shake and pour out one teaspoon. It can be used for up to one month. After shampooing, I like to rinse my hair with Apple Cider Vinegar as it gives a shiny look. This simple recipe has worked wonders for me. Use it for a month and notice the change yourself!
2. The Most Amazing Bubble Bath You Will Ever Have
Whenever I am in a mood to splurge and indulge in luxury, I make a beeline for Lush. I am a bath bomb devotee and I don’t think twice before spending a quarter of my salary on them. Infused with aromatic essential oils and radiating with fascinating colors, the bath bombs and bubble bars take you on a fizzy, rejuvenating adventure. The bath wonderland is superb – all the items are natural and homemade. Yes, homemade. How about I make one for myself then? I accepted the challenge and embarked on the journey. I found a perfect bubble bath recipe at Apartment Therapy.
Ingredients and Method
- Water 4 cups
- Liquid Castille Soap ¼ cup
- Glycerin or Coconut Oil ¼ cup
- Essential Oil (Lavender or Eucalyptus) 3 drops
- Container
- Bath Tub (for obvious reasons)
Combine about four cups of water with liquid castille soap and glycerin or coconut oil. I personally prefer coconut oil for its scent and lather. Add few drops of essential oil. I opted for lavender and eucalyptus because they have a visibly soothing effect. Mix all the ingredients and keep the container near the bath tub. Prepare the bathtub with warm water and pour some of the bubble bath mixture. Light up scented candles and put on music. Plunge into the bath and let go of your worries.
3. The Glowing Sugar Scrub
Exfoliating is one of the best ways to remove dead skin, clean clogged pores and prevent ingrown hair. It makes your skin smooth and youthful. Finding a good body scrub can be a little heavy on your pocket. Moreover, if you don’t use the right one, it can be harsh on your skin. I like to give myself a good scrub at least once a week, and I whip it up myself every month.
Here is a recipe that I use:
Ingredients and Methods
- Fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp
- Raw Honey ¼ cup
- Lavender Essential Oil 2-3 drops
- Olive Oil 1 tbsp
- Sugar, granulated, one cup
- Dried Rosemary 1tsp
Combine all the ingredients together and voila! It’s ready. I always put it together just before I want to use the scrub. If you want to store, you can keep it refrigerated for up to one month. The scents of lemon, honey, rosemary, and lavender has a calming effect, and the scrub leaves you feeling pampered and sparkly clean. Don’t forget to moisture after the bath!
4. The Glossy Hair Conditioner
I never gave much importance to conditioning my hair until a hairstylist pointed out my split ends and dried roots. She insisted that I condition my hair regularly to prevent further damage. As if my bad luck with shampoos wasn’t enough, I had to look high and low for a perfect conditioner. Defeated, I turned to home remedies and guess what? I found a secret to glossy locks.
Ingredients and Methods
- Onion Juice 1 tbsp
- ACV 3 tbsp
- Egg, one
- Lukewarm Water (half cup)
Beat the egg and mix it with other ingredients in a container. Before applying, make sure your hair is completely dry. Dip your fingers in the mixture and gently run them through your hair. Give your scalp a nice massage too. Once all the area is covered, wear a shower cap, and leave the mask for 20 minutes. Take a nice bath and wash your hair thoroughly. I use this conditioner once a month and it leaves my hair soft and silky.
5. Calming and Detoxing Bath Salts
A long, luxurious bath can battle stress and allows you to unravel your soul. This weekend, unwind in your bathtub with organic bath salts and your favorite songs. Here is how you can make a batch of bath salts that will last you a month.
Ingredients and Method
- 2 cups Epsom Salt
- 1 cups Sea Salt
- Half cup Baking Soda
- 10 drops of a scented essential oil (lavender or eucalyptus)
- Organic food coloring, optional
Add the salts and baking soda in a plastic bowl and toss until they are well-mixed without any clumps. Add 10 drops of essential oil and move the batch into an air tight glass jar. If you want a splash of color in the water, add two drops of food coloring in the end and mix. Whenever you feel plunging into a fizzy bath, fill up the tub with water and add two tablespoons.
6. A Soothing Facial Wash
The day I turned a teenager, my hormones decided to attack me with pimples and blisters. Every morning I would wake up with a new pimple ready to be popped. Of course, it left an unpleasant mark, or worse, a scar. How helpless I felt! One day my aunt casually mentioned how tea tree oil can help with acne and inflammation. I didn’t pay heed to it and went on living a pimply life. It was around my 20th birthday when someone gave me TBS Tea Tree Oil. I began to use it and my acne began to clear up. I found an easy recipe online and created my own facial wash with it.
Ingredients and Method
- 1/4 cup castor oil
- 1/2 cup grape seed oil
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil
- 15 drops tea tree oil
The oils have anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties that help to attain a healthier skin. Simply combine all the ingredients in a glass jar and mix it up. Gently massage your face with about 1 tbsp of cleanser and wipe it off with a damp towel. Wash your face with lukewarm water. Trust me, your skin will glow like never before!
7. A Shooting Bath Bomb
Most of us adore bath bombs but can’t afford a luxury every day. Here is how you can make one yourself at home! It’s all organic!
Ingredients and Methods
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup Epsom salts
- 1 tsp. water
- 2 tsp. lavender essential oil
- 3 tsp. coconut oil (olive oil)
- Organic food coloring (any color you want)
- Circular bath bomb mold
Whisk all the dry ingredients in a large plastic bowl. In a separate jar, stir the liquid ingredients. Slowly pour the liquid mix into the dry mix and give it a good whisk. Now, add this mixture into a bath bomb mold and pack tightly. Once it’s dry, remove the mold and your bath bomb is ready to spin!
8. A Refreshing Facial Scrub
It is important to scrub your face twice a week to remove all the dead cells and dried build ups. Whenever I want to give myself a good scrub, I whip a quick one at home. It is best to create a fresh batch every time.
Ingredients and Methods
- 3 tsp organic granulated sugar
- 5 drops of water
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and take it out in a big scoop. With the tips of your fingers, scrub your face gently. Rinse your face with cool water. The scrub is mild and can even be used on lips.
9. A Non-Comedogenic Face Moisturizer
Are you struggling with clogged pores, blackheads, and oily T-zone? Chances are you are using a wrong type of face moisturizer. But hey, it doesn’t mean that you give up on moisturizers all together. Astonishingly, dry skin tends to produce even more oil. Here is a great homemade face cream that takes no time at all to make!
Ingredients and Methods
- Any non-comedogenic oil (Almond oil, Shea butter) 1/2 cup
- Fresh aloe vera gel 3 tsp.
- Liquid Vitamin E oil capsule 1
Add the fresh aloe vera gel in a clean glass container and gradually pour the oil. Mix it well. Once the ingredients are ready, add the Vitamin E capsule. It can be stored up to one month.
10. A Nourishing Cocoa Butter Body Lotion
In summers, light, airy and scented body lotions work best. Customize your own body lotion right at home!
Ingredients and Method
- 1/2 cup Jojoba oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1 Vitamin E oil capsule
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa Butter
- 2 drops of Vanilla Extract (optional)
In a clean bowl, mix jojoba oil and coconut oil. Break a vitamin E oil capsule into it. Add beeswax and cocoa butter in a separate glass container. Heat up water in a pot and when it comes to boil, put the glass container into it until both the ingredients completely melt. Mix the melted ingredients into the oil and add two drops of vanilla essence. Store your brand-new lotion in n air tight glass jar.
11. A DIY Sunblock
The scorching summer heat is not exactly friendly to our faces. There is a fine line between being tanned and getting sun burnt. We all want to avoid looking like a tomato when we return home on a sunny day. Here is how you make your own sunblock with environmental-friendly ingredients.
Ingredients and Methods
- Coconut oil 2 tbsp
- Shea butter 1 tbsp
- Eucalyptus essential oil 10 drops
- Zinc Oxide for bulk
- Vitamin E oil capsule 1
Melt Shea butter and mix it with coconut oil. Add eucalyptus oil and vitamin E oil capsule into the mixture. In the end, add zinc oxide until you feel the mixture is thick enough. Wash your face with a cleanser and apply not more than two drops of sunblock on your face. You are ready to face the sun!
Final Thoughts
Going green and switching to healthier, organic options don’t have to be expensive and tedious. Take out sometimes, carry out some experiments and make your lifestyle better by using homemade products. After using the shampoo for a whole month, I have noticed a few subtle changes. Overall, they have made a noticeable difference. The rate of hair fall has decreased, spilt ends have lessened and lately, it doesn’t look like I have had a bad haircut. Try out some of the above-mentioned recipes and let us know how it worked out for you!
Article by Sidrah Qayyum
