DIY Body Care

Courtesy of Natural Living Family with Dr. Z and Mama Z

No matter how careful you may be reading labels, and how educated you are about toxic ingredients like parabens and synthetic fragrances in skin care products, the one way to be sure that what you’re putting on your skin is 100% clean is to make it yourself.

Below are our favorite DIY body care tips courtesy of Natural Living Family.


10 Non-Toxic Body Care Alternatives
Teh top basic non-toxic skin care ingredients and their uses.These will keep you and your family safe and make your skin glow. Try experimenting with them and create your own signature products.
1. Castille soap. You can replace almost any soap or cleanser with this. It’s gentle, safe, and effective.
2. Apple cider vinegar. Try as a clarifying rinse but has many uses.
3. Baking soda. Soak in the tub or dilute it for a scrub.
4. Borax. Prior to commercial shampoo, it was often used to wash hair.
5. Aloe gel. Soothes and moisturizes skin.
6. Witch hazel. A natural astringent, not as harmful as alcohol.
7. Avocado. Perfect for a mask.
8. Food grade oils. To remove makeup or moisturize.
9. Diluted essential oils. Experiment with different combinations to create your own unique scent.
10. Honey. Can heal skin, reduce acne, and improve probiotic activity.

You can get started making your own personal care products with the easy DIY recipes below.


Kid Safe Body Wash
The skin is the largest organ in the body. Keep it clean, healthy and toxin-free with this simple recipe.
Add all the ingredients to a jar and shake before each use.
- 1/2 cup liquid castille soap
- 1/2 distilled or filtered water
- 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
- 2 tablespoons fractionated coconut, jojoba, coconut, or grapeseed oil
- 10 - 15 drops your favorite essential oil
- 1 tsp aloe vera (optional)

Toothpaste
The mouth is the gateway to the body and to good health. This toothpaste will keep your mouth pristine.
Mix and keep in small jar or squeeze bottle. Use a spoon to avoid contamination.
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1-2 teaspoons sea salt
- 5-7 drops essential oil

Shampoo
Shampoos contain some of the most toxic fragrances. Be confident it’s safe when you make it yourself.
Mix well (blender recommended) and keep refrigerated up to a week:
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups liquid castille soap
- 40 drops lavender essential oil

Hand Cream
This simple hand cream does wonders for your skin.
Melt carefully add 2-30 drops of your favorite essential oil and store in sterilized jars.
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/8 cup sweet almond oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax

Lipstick
We’ve all heard about lead in lipstick. Never worry again.
Melt the ingredients below together:
    - 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil or coconut oil
    - 1 teaspoon beeswax
`    - 1 teaspoon cocoa or shea butter
Stir in optional coloring such as
    - cinnamon
    - beet powder
    - turmeric
Allow to cool.

Deodorant
Toxic ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants have been linked to breast cancer. Try this safe alternative.
Combine the dry ingredients:
    - 1/4 cup baking soda
    - 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
    - 4 tablespoons cornstarch
Then stir in
    - 1/3  cup coconut oil
    - 10 -15 drops of your favorite essential oils
Add more wet or dry ingredients as needed for consistency. Store in glass jar.
 
Homemade Sunscreen
Who knew you could do it yourself? Prevent skin cancer and know you're going toxin free.
Bring water to boiling in a double boiler, then turn down to medium-high and add the follwing ingredients. (This is a thick base so use a pot that you don't care about or wide mouth mason jar inside your double boiler.):
   - 1/2 cup yellow beeswax
    - 1/4 cup organic virgin unrefined shea  butter
    - 1/8 cup kikum butter
   - 1/8 cup mango butter
    - 1/2 cup avocado oil (if allergic, you may use frationated coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, sweet almond)
    - 1 tablespoon carrot seed oil (a natural SPF)
   - 2 ounces Vitamin E
Remove from heat immediately as soon as everythign is completely melted. After 5 - 10 minutes as when it starts to solidify, add:
    - 2 tablespoons zinc oxide
    - 20 drops of essential oils
Pour immediately into a glass jar. Apply when cool.


If making your own products seems overwhelming, you can always check for safer skin care products at our partner EWG’s consumer guides at cancerschmancer.org/check.