crochetmania.myfastforum.org :: Home-made cosmetics: added salve, and toothpaste....

Serena · MANIA MOD

I like bath powder, and don't care for some of the smells or ingredients in so many of them.

After reading something on a DIY site, I felt inspired to try my hand at mixing up my own.

Using a glass peanut butter jar, I mixed:

Equal parts of cornstarch and baking soda.
Added a few drops of organic essential oils. I used pure rose (I know, I know, $$$$, but I needed something very comforting, and I had been saving the oil for a special use), and lavender.

I've been using it for several days now and it absorbs moisture nicely, doesn't irritate my skin, and I like the smell.

I also use it as deodorant, and find it works very well.

Anyone else have a DIY cosmetic you like?

anoramaxsis

Serena you are quite talented.I have asthma I could do this and not wheeze. Thank you for the inspiration.

Serena · MANIA MOD

Anoramaxsis, thanks for the kind words! I don't sneeze or have strange symptoms at all from this home-made mixture. I did use Rumford corn starch, the non-GMO kind. Don't know if that made a difference. I had bought it for cooking and wasn't using it.

I'm so sorry you've got asthma. That's rough. I hope you can do the things you enjoy.

Summerysmile

Thanks for sharing! I might try this. I have made my own bath sprays with essential oils and water. I make one with lemon and some other oils and every time I spray that stuff people love it. I need to research on deoderant alternatives...I will try your recipe for that. I have been using "Crystal" deoderant from the health food store that doesn't have aluminum it it but it is only a deoderant and not a anti-persperant. I'm not positive I'm sold on the stuff but I've been doing a lot of detoxing and it seems I am more sensitive to the chemicals, etc. now. I hate the soap aisle in the stores, it's all so strong it makes me sick. The essential oils are strong smelling too but they don't make me sick.

Summerysmile

Serena · MANIA MOD

Someone gave me several bottles of Young Living brand. I like them very much. Apparently there are huge differences in how the oils are extracted. This brand is one of those that does not use petrochemicals to extract the oils from the plants.

I sometimes just pat a bit of baking soda under my arms. It does fine for a deodorant. It's too abrasive to rub in, but patting a bit on damp skin works well.

The cornstarch/baking powder/oil mixture is a special treat.

I've heard of folks using arrowroot powder as well, but, I haven't tried it yet.

Serena · MANIA MOD

For shampoo and rinse:

1/4 c. or 6 T. liquid castile soap (main brands are Vermont or Dr. Bronners)

1/4 c. or 6 T. water (distilled or purified is better, as it doesn't get icky things in it)

1 t. vegetable glycerine (will be near the vanilla and spices, or can get from the health food store)

1 t. olive oil (I use the extra-light, so it doesn't smell like olives.)

Can add a few drops of essential oil, if you'd like.

I wash, rinse, and then wash and rinse again.

Final rinse:

I use apple cider vinegar, 2 T. in a cup of water after that, to make sure the soap residue doesn't stick to my hair. Have been thinking of using strong black tea instead of water, to try to cover some of those grey hairs! (I remember those with blonde hair using strained lemon juice for a rinse when I was young.)

Another one of my save-money, fewer-chemicals steps.

Hope it's of help to someone.

LadySnow · MANIA MOD

Thanks for this!

anoramaxsis

Serena you continue to amaze me. I don't know why...you are a smart cookie. Go girl!!!!

Serena · MANIA MOD

Anoramaxsis, thank you for the kind thoughts and words. I think we all "tune in" to whatever we're interested in, and then try out things.

I'd really like to be able to make all my own cosmetics/grooming supplies.

I'll post my successes.

I have found that the cornstarch/baking soda powder mixture lasts longer and is more effective than the store-bought. So, am very pleased with that.

Serena · MANIA MOD

Wanted to report that I'm still very happy with my homemade shampoo and also the powder.

Have started using pure lanolin on my hair, about every other night. Just a smidgen, helps dry ends and such.

Am still working on a leave-in hair conditioner.

Cuticle salve/lip balm:

Melt beeswax and shea butter. Use less beeswax for a less firm concoction and more if you want it quite firm. Otherwise, for a pimiento jar (the middle size), use perhaps a chunk of beeswax equal to 1 tablespoon and twice that much shea butter. I tend to make my batches too large. I use a double boiler on the stove top, but a Pyrex cup and the microwave would work, too.

When those are melted, pour into jars and add olive oil, or sweet almond oil, a few drops of Vitamin E oil, and essential oils if you like.

Good for heals and elbows, too.

Serena · MANIA MOD

Here's a fancy one for brushing teeth, for those who want something more than baking soda:

Loretta's Toothpaste

1 Tsp baking soda,
1/4 Tsp hydrogen peroxide
1 drop oil of peppermint
Mix to make a paste, dip toothbrush into mixture, brush as usual.

I would add to her recipe, that if you want to make it more like regular tooth paste, you can add a spot of vegetable glycerin. (I don't care for glycerin as it is the stuff that makes one need to spit a lot when brushing one's teeth.)

anoramaxsis

Serena you just amaze me. I think you are smart making your own stuff.

Serena · MANIA MOD

Anoramaxsis, thanks! It saves lots of money and is so much healthier.