Easy recipes for making your own personal care products

(Creative Commons photo by amanky)

Whether we’re talking toxic perfumes or the mystery ingredients in our toothpaste, store-bought personal care products are full of questionable ingredients.

We can shell out the big bucks for more natural products, but if you want to really have control over what you’re putting on your body the best option is to whip up your very own.

Here are some recipes to get you going.

 

1. Toothpaste
Over at Instructables, you can find a simple recipe for homemade toothpaste that actually tastes good. Not only is this recipe simple, you’ll save a bundle. According to the author, “Your family could be brushing their teeth for a YEAR for how much you’re currently spending on one tube!”

 

2. Perfume
Recent research suggests that conventional perfumes are full of untested chemicals. Instead of hitting up the big box store for toxic fragrances, why not make your own perfume or cologne scented with essential oils?

 

3. Deodorant
From concerns about aluminum and its link to Alzheimer’s and the ubiquitous “fragrance,” conventional deodorants are tough on your body. Unfortunately, safer store-bought alternatives can cost close to $6 per tube.

Amy Karol at Angry Chicken has you covered with a simple, effective deodorant recipe. She recommends “splitting ingredients with a friend and having an ‘I’m Not A Dirty Hippie’ party, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of ingredients that could spoil in a year or so.” Great idea!

 

4. Facial scrub
Different skin types tend to require different facial scrub recipes. For example, my skin does not like being scrubbed with baking soda and water alone. It makes me break out every time, but other folks swear by it. Luckily, Sassy Bella has rounded up 10 different facial scrub options that you can try out.

 

5. Shampoo and conditioner
Prices for natural shampoos and conditioners can really add up, but they’re definitely a better option than the conventional sort. If you’re wanting to make your own, Pioneer Thinking’s herbal shampoo recipe looks amazing. They also have a ton of suggestions for whipping up your own conditioner.

 

What about you guys? Do you have any favorite recipes for homemade beauty products? Share away in the comments!

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