Ingredients Needed to Make a Natural Cleanser With Honey

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
• 3 tablespoons distilled water (this is the safest type of water to use, found at any grocery store)
• 2 tablespoons nourishing oil (I use jojoba, other options include: sweet almond, avocado, and olive oil)

These powerhouse ingredients come together to create the best DIY face wash.

Ingredient Spotlight

Raw Honey: Due to the lack of pasteurization (heating), raw honey is naturally rich in antibacterial and probiotic properties. Honey is gentle for sensitive skin, but tough enough to remove dirt and other impurities. Learn more about the benefits of washing your face with honey. If you can’t find raw honey, use what you can find; just make sure it’s pure honey. Some folks swear by using raw manuka honey for skincare uses, which you’re welcome to use.

Castile Soap: A concentrated vegetable-based soap. I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to body wash and foaming hand soap. Use either Baby Mild Castile Soap or Tea Tree Castile Soap for facial cleansing. A 32-ounce bottle of liquid castile soap costs about $17, and one bottle will make about 10 homemade face washes. Explore other natural ways to use castile soap.

Distilled Water: Added to dilute the concentrated soap. Distilled water has all impurities removed, so it’s the safest water to use when making body and cleaning products.

Nourishing Skin Oil: Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to DIY face wash recipes. Jojoba or sweet almond oil work best for all skin types. Avocado oil and olive oil are also options, but can be heavier on the skin.

Print

DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

Four simple ingredients make this the best homemade honey face wash. The soothing ingredients will leave your skin clean and glowing, without the harsh chemicals.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Honey Face Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• soap dispenser 8-ounces or larger

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap unscented preferably
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons distilled water
• 2 tablespoons skin-nourishing oil I use jojoba, Other options include: sweet almond, avocado, olive.

Instructions

• In a soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap, honey, and oil.
• Shake the ingredients together until the honey is fully dissolved.

To Use:

• Wet your hands with water.
• Add a squirt of face wash to the palm of your hand.
• Rub your hands together to create suds with the soap.
• Use your palms to massage the soap over your entire face and down your neck. I usually spend about 30-60 seconds massaging my face with the cleanser. As you massage the skin, you'll loosen dead skin cells, dirt, oils, and makeup.
• Wet a clean washcloth with warm water. Use the washcloth to rinse the face wash from the skin, rinsing the washcloth and repeating as needed.
• After cleansing, use a spritz of facial toner (I love rosewater), any serums you may use (I use this A+ serum for hormonal breakouts), and a moisturizer (the best 8 natural face moisturizers).

Video

Notes

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly. Using distilled water is always the safest option.

Reader Feedback: A few readers have shared that this face wash has an interesting smell when the honey and castile soap are mixed together. A smell they don’t particularly enjoy. If this is the case with your face wash,  but you still want the skin benefits of honey, I recommend trying a simple honey and aloe cleanser. If you don’t want to use the honey, try a simple blend of castile soap and water. The scent some readers experience may be coming from the tea tree castile soap, so stick with an unscented version if this is a concern.

FAQs

Can I use honey everyday on my face?

Yes, you can. Honey is soothing and gentle, and safe for everyday use. If you find the cleanser irritates or drys out your skin, it’s most likely due to the soap. In this case, use straight-up honey or this aloe and honey cleanser. Or, check out all my favorite natural cleansers.

Is honey face wash safe to use on acne-prone skin?

Yes, I’ve found it to be very beneficial and safe to use on my acne-prone skin. Honey will not strip the skin of natural oils and is very soothing.

Will honey clog my pores?

No, honey does not clog pores. Rinse the honey from the skin after cleansing.

What can I use to clean my face naturally?

This recipe is just one option for a natural facial cleanser. Back when I originally shared this recipe (in 2015), there weren’t store-bought options made with nourishing, non-toxic ingredients. Today, there are great companies that have stepped up to make incredible non-toxic, natural, botanical skincare products. Check out my article, Best Natural Face Cleaners and Face Wash, for a round-up of the best homemade and store-bought face washes.

Which face wash is 100% natural?

The recipe is about as 100% natural as you’ll find. Other DIY face wash options that are 100% natural: honey and aloe face wash (just honey and aloe), cleanse your face with honey alone, and basic face wash made with castile soap. A few of my favorite natural store-bought face washes: OSEA Ocean Cleanser (use code livesimply for $10 off any $90 order), True Botanicals, Evan Healy Milk Cleanser or Tea Tree Cleanser, One Love Organics, and Blissoma Rejuvenating Gel Cleanser. That said, I challenge you to focus on using safe and nourishing skincare products rather than focusing on 100% natural. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s the solution you’re looking for. Poison Ivy is 100% natural and none of us are spreading that stuff on our faces. Just food for thought. Synthetic ingredients aren’t bad, as long as they are proven to be safe.

What are the best natural face washes for acne?

I’m not an esthetician (listen to my podcast with an esthetician about natural skincare), but I personally struggled with acne for a number of years as an adult. Today, my skin has cleared along with much of the scarring. From my research, honey and aloe are some of the best DIY natural face wash ingredients for acne-prone skin. Honey is antibacterial and hydrating (learn more about using honey to cleanse the face), and both are gentle on the skin and soothing. Aloe and honey don’t strip the skin of natural and beneficial oils, which could cause breakouts and inflammation. I also love this Ocean Cleanser from OSEA for a store-bought option that exfoliates and cleanses the skin without stripping the skin of its natural and beneficial oils (use code livesimply for $10 off any $90 order).

Simplify Natural Skincare

SEE ALL

8 Best Natural Face Moisturizers For All Skin Types and Budgets

Best Non-Toxic Face Cleansers and Face Wash

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

Podcast 056: How to Nourish Your Skin with Jess Arnaudin

Podcast 036: Navigating Non-Toxic Skincare, Anti-Aging Skincare, and Natural Hair Care with Lisa from This Organic Girl

Where and How to Find Non-Toxic and Natural Skincare (and Body) Products

The post DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash appeared first on Live Simply.

24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses

Nearly all the castile soap uses on this list call for using concentrated liquid soap (like this).

Castile soap comes in a variety of scents, from peppermint to citrus, or unscented. Different brands make different scents (read about the best brands). I recommend using unscented soap for most the recipes on this list.

Some folks even say that you can brush your teeth with castile soap, but I think that’s going a bit too far. Have you tried this?

For now, there are 24 brilliant castile soap uses for your home! Which ones do you use?

FAQs

Can castile soap be used for laundry?

Yes! Diluted castile soap is a great option for washing clothes because it doesn’t have a ton of suds. Add 1/4 cup of undiluted liquid castile soap per load (cut in half for an HE washer) or make homemade liquid laundry soap or powder laundry soap.

Can castile soap be used as shampoo?

You can certainly try! I’ve heard from readers it works best on kids, and that’s been my experience as well. I’m guessing it has to do with the amount of oil on an individual’s scalp. I personally don’t use castile soap for my shampoo. Instead, I prefer a natural brand from this list. If you want to use castile soap for shampoo, check out this guide from Dr. Bronner’s.

Can castile soap be used on the face?

Yes! It’s a gentle cleanser but can be drying for some skin types. Combat that by adding oils that the skin loves like almond or jojoba and dilute the castile soap with water. Try this homemade face wash with castile soap.

Where do you find castile soap?

You can usually find castile soap in your regular grocery store, in the body section. Even Target has it on the shelf. If you like to shop online you can check out Vitacost or Amazon. Brands I love: Dr. Bronner’s, Cove, Grove, and Quinn’s.

Which castile soap is the best?

Dr. Bronner’s is the most popular and easiest to find in stores. Other great brands, include: Cove, Grove, and Quinn’s. Read about the best brands in this post. Most brands make a variety of scents and also an unscented option. If you are sensitive to fragrances, even essential oils, then look for unscented versions.

Does castile soap leave residue?

This happens most often when cleaning if you have hard water as the soap reacts with the minerals. If you are seeing residue from your DIY cleaners, go over the spots with fresh water or an acid (like vinegar). You can also try increasing the dilution ratio and see if that helps. Learn more about this issue and other castile soap warnings in this post.

More Castile Soap Cleaners

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips)

More Castile Soap Body Products

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for the Home & Body

What is Castile Soap? And 7 Amazing Benefits

The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes + DIY Recipe

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

The post 24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for the Home & Body appeared first on Live Simply.

More Castile Soap Recipes

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for the Home & Body

What is Castile Soap? And 7 Amazing Benefits

The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes + DIY Recipe

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

The post What is Castile Soap? And 7 Amazing Benefits appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

Most of us wouldn’t think of going to bed without first washing off all the dirt, oils, grime, and makeup from the day. (PS: Here are the best natural face cleansers, in my opinion.)

This same idea should be applied to makeup brushes. Makeup brushes come into direct contact with not only skin but also makeup.

• Makeup brushes can collect dirt, grime, oils, and excess makeup. This may cause the brushes to not perform as well over time.
• Another issue with dirty makeup brushes is the spreading of dirt and oils (that lurk on the brushes) to the skin which can cause breakouts.

Just like with the face, it’s important to give those makeup brushes a good cleanse. This is essential for keeping your skin and brushes healthy.

How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes

How often you clean your makeup brushes depends on how often you use them and also if your skin is actively breaking out.

• If you wear makeup on a daily basis (or regularly), then washing once a week or twice a month is a good idea. Personally, washing my makeup brushes once a week feels like way too much, so I go with twice a month (and sometimes once a month because #life).
• If you only wear makeup on an occasional basis, you may only need to wash your makeup brushes every so often.
• If your skin is actively breaking out, washing your makeup brushes once a week isn’t a bad idea. In the past, I struggled with hormonal acne after having my babies (well into my 30’s, like many women). During this time, I washed my makeup brushes once a week since the brushes were touching the breakouts on my face and I didn’t want the bacteria lingering on the brushes and potentially spreading and causing new breakouts on my face.

What About Makeup Sponges or Beauty Blenders?

Makeup sponges and beauty blenders are typically used wet, so it can be a breeding ground for bacterial growth. I recommend cleaning sponges and blenders daily, after every use. Using a squirt of castile soap and hot water should be good enough for a daily cleaning.

How to Make a DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

I originally shared this DIY makeup brush cleaner 6 years ago on Live Simply. I can’t believe it’s been that long! Since that time, this makeup brush cleaner has become one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Turns out we all really need to clean our makeup brushes. This recipe is super easy to make, budget-friendly, and uses easy-to-find ingredients to create an effective makeup brush cleaner that’s gentle and tough at the same time.

Print

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

How to make an easy homemade makeup brush cleaner. Non-toxic and natural, this makeup brush cleaner works to remove dirt, grease, and other pore-clogging debris from makeup brushes. Use this makeup brush cleaner once a week or as often as needed.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword DIY makeup brush cleaner, How to clean makeup brushes, Makeup Brush Cleaner, natural makeup brush cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 time use cleaner for one or multiple makeup brushes

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 2 TB witch hazel
• generous squirt castile soap

Instructions

• Mix the ingredients together in a drinking glass or small bowl.
• Add the makeup brushes to the mixture. Swish the brushes back and forth in the mixture and then let them soak for a few minutes.
• The mixture will go from clear to dirty very quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under fresh, clean water.
• Let the brushes rest on a towel to completely dry.

Notes

This makeup brush cleaner is designed to be made once and used for a one-time cleaning. If you want to make the recipe in advance and store it in a jar for multiple uses, see the original recipe.

The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner Ingredients

Witch hazel is an astringent that comes from a plant. It’s a naturally-derived ingredient that has been used for centuries for skin health and to fight off infections. This astringent will help remove foundation and other makeup residue from the brushes. If you don’t have any witch hazel, just use extra water and castile soap instead (I’ve done this many times).

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. It’s very effective at removing dirt and germs and will help loosen the dirt and oils from the makeup brushes. There are many ways to use castile soap.

Both products are easy to find online (via Amazon) or in stores (typically the body or pharmacy department).

Watch How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Break out your makeup brushes this weekend, make this DIY makeup brush cleaner, and enjoy the amazing feel and benefit of using freshly-clean makeup brushes. I think you’ll notice a difference in not only the application of your makeup but also the health of your skin.

The post The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes + DIY Recipe appeared first on Live Simply.

Back in 2014, I shared a DIY liquid hand soap recipe. Today, that post has over 290 comments and is internet famous. One of the most asked questions is “How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?” Today, I’ll show you just how easy it is to turn a liquid soap into your very own DIY foaming hand soap! 

Why make your own foaming hand soap?

If you want to ditch toxins and use natural products, the first place to start is with the products you use every single day. Make changes to the products touching your skin and circulating in your home the most often. (11 natural cleaning swaps anyone can make…)

One of the top ingredients to avoid in cleaning and skincare products is “fragrance.” This sneaky word isn’t a single ingredient; rather, “fragrance” can be made up of thousands of different chemicals, some of which are of known concern, like phthalates. What makes fragrance so tricky is that companies are not required to disclose the ingredients that make their “fragrance” due to trade secret laws. This is why you’ll only find the word “parfum” or “fragrance” listed on the ingredient list. Fragrance can be found in most store-bought hand soaps.

Another concern, particularly with hand soap is the use of triclosan. According to a release by the FDA, Antibacterial Soap, You Can Skip It, Use Plain Water, “Many liquid soaps labeled antibacterial contain triclosan, an ingredient of concern to many environmental, academic and regulatory groups. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work in the body and raises potential concerns for the effects of use in humans. We don’t yet know how triclosan affects humans and more research is needed.”

I’m going to use caution and avoid the use of commercial soaps for hand washing in our home. 

An easy way to ditch toxins, like fragrance and triclosan, is to pick up a bottle of castile soap. What is castile soap? 

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England. 

Castile soap is…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make both cleaning and body products with castile soap. Explore 7 money-saving ways to use castile soap.
• Inexpensive: You can purchase a 32-ounce bottle of castile soap for about $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of foaming hand soap, but it will last you for months and make multiple refills of foaming hand soap! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way and it’s designed to be diluted. 
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and home surfaces.

There are many different brands of liquid castile soap available. I personally use Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap for making foaming hand soap and liquid hand soap.

How do you make homemade foaming hand soap?

It’s incredibly easy to make your own foaming hand soap. If you’re new to natural cleaners and skincare products, this DIY recipe is a great place to start because it’s so easy to make and only requires 2 simple ingredients. 

Foaming Hand Soap Ingredients

• Foaming hand soap pump container: Reuse a foaming hand soap container or purchase a new reusable foaming hand soap bottle from Amazon or your favorite home store, like this. Look for an 8 ounce, 12 ounce, or 16 ounce bottle. 
• 1 cup liquid castile soap: Any scent variety. I personally use unscented. 
• 1 Tablespoon nourishing carrier oil: Any kind of nourishing skincare oil: olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. This is optional. Castile soap can dry out hands on its own so I like to add a nourishing carrier oil for the moisturizing benefits. Stay away from virgin coconut oil (the stuff used for cooking) since it will clog a soap dispenser. Alternatively, you can use vitamin E oil or vegetable glycerin.
• Few drops of essential oil (optional): Choose your favorite essential oil, like Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, citrus, etc. if you’d like to add a natural scent that also adds beneficial cleaning properties. (Benefits of using essential oils for cleaning.) 
• 1 cup water: Distilled water is best for longevity and safety. Distilled water (or water that’s been boiled for 15 minutes and cooled) removes bacteria, impurities, and contaminants. If you choose to use tap water, you’ll need to use the soap very quickly, within a week or two. For this reason, I recommend going with distilled water as the soap will safely keep for about a month.

Instructions

• Add water to a foaming hand soap pump, followed by the liquid castile soap, carrier oil of choice, and essential oil. 
• Place the lid on the foaming hand soap bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. 
• Pump the soap on your hands and lather. (Yes, this hand soap will lather thanks to the foaming hand soap dispenser!)

How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?

If you have a natural hand soap that you just love, but would like to convert that liquid soap to a foaming hand soap, you’ll simply need to purchase a foaming hand soap container. Add the liquid soap to the foaming hand soap dispenser and you now have your own foaming hand wash! If the soap is super thick, you may need to dilute it with water.

What makes foaming soap foam?

If you’ve read my post on how to make hand soap, you’ll notice the ingredients are the same. The only difference between liquid hand soap and foaming hand soap is the bottled used to dispense the soap.

The soap container is what takes a liquid soap to foaming and even increases the lather for a natural hand soap like castile soap. You can also make DIY foaming body wash using liquid castile soap and a foaming soap dispenser container. 

Favorite refillable foaming hand soap bottles:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you’re looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap in the bathroom or kitchen, a plastic container may work best. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser. I’ve seen people drop a couple of Lego pieces at the bottom of the container for a fun “kid touch.” 
• Mason Jar Foaming Dispenser Tops: If you have extra mason jars sitting in your pantry, turn one of those mason jars into a soap dispenser by adding a foaming top like this.

Print

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Can you make your own DIY foaming hand soap? Yes and you only need a couple of ingredients to do so! Easy, non-toxic, and super effective!

Keyword DIY hand soap, foaming hand soap, homemade hand soap

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup water distilled water is the best
• 1 cup liquid castile soap any variety of castile soap, scented or unscented
• 1 TB olive oil almond oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable glycerin, or jojoba oil (optional)
• essential oil (optional for scent), just a few drops of your favorite essential oil: lavender, citrus, peppermint, etc.

Special Equipment

• 1 foaming soap dispenser

Instructions

• To a foaming soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap followed by the oil. Shake the ingredients together.
• Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.
• If you use distilled water, the soap will last at least a month. If you use tap water, use quickly within a week or two.

Notes

The idea is equal parts water and castile soap. Adjust the amounts according to the size soap dispenser you're using, reducing the oil as needed. 

What type of soap dispenser should you use? 

A foaming soap dispenser must be used. You can refill an old foaming hand soap dispenser, like a Mrs. Meyers bottle, or buy a new bottle off Amazon or a home store. Either option works, just be sure it's a foaming soap dispenser. My favorite foaming hand soap dispensers:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you're looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap, a plastic container may work best for you. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser.

4 More Ways to Use Liquid Castile Soap

• DIY Foaming Body Wash
• Homemade Honey Face Wash 
• How to Make Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray
• Homemade Dusting Spray

The post How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps appeared first on Live Simply.

If you peeked under my sink a few years ago, you would have counted at least 12 “different” products. I never sat down to calculate how much money I spent on all those products (most of which I didn’t use), but I’m sure the annual cost was quite significant.

After making changes to the way we eat (going from a diet of highly processed food to one of healthy, real food), I started to question the cleaning products used in home. I was curious (just as I was about food): what ingredients were used to create my favorite cleaning products? Why did my favorite beauty products smell a certain way? What ingredients were used to make the products sprayed in my home and layered on my body and were they safe? I also started to question whether so many different cleaning products were essential.

I was shocked to learn that cleaning and body products are not required go through rigorous testing or approval. In fact, cleaning companies are not required to disclose their ingredients (beauty product are required).

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body. For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list (if disclosed) of products. This ingredient (which can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which disrupt hormones) is top secret and incredibly concerning in terms of toxic ingredients. This is just one example of the concerning ingredients that can be used to make a product.

Sure, maybe a small amount of these ingredients aren’t harmful (as companies say), but when you consider how many products we use in a day (or week or month), we aren’t using a trace amount of these chemicals in our homes and on our bodies. We’re burdening our systems with all these ingredients and the cumulative effect of using so many potentially-toxic chemicals.

You’ll find a lot of natural and green marketing words used to describe cleaning and body products today. These terms have no regulation, so full transparency of ingredients is all we have to help us navigate products and make informed choices.

A company should be completely transparent about their sourcing and ingredients, particularly a company that claims (on a website or packaging) to be “natural” or “non-toxic.” There should be nothing to hide. Instead, such a company should be proud to disclose their ingredients. This includes companies making both body and cleaning products.

At the time (remember, this was 9 years ago), there weren’t many transparent brands on the market making ready-to-use, multi-purpose cleaning products, so I decided to research the idea of making my own products. My research led to the discovery of a natural product that cleans anything and everything: castile soap.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients:Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Want to learn more?  In this guide, learn everything you need to know about this traditional soap, how to use it, 7 amazing benefits, the best brands, and warnings.

History of Castile Soap

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England.

3 Reasons to Use This Soap

Besides being an ancient and traditional soap, there are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
• Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.

How to Use Castile Soap

When using castile soap to make household cleaners, there are a few things to keep in mind…

• Dilute: Castile soap isn’t meant to be used as-is, unless you’re buying the bar soap for your body. It’s intended to be diluted before use. This chart is a great cheat sheet.
• Don’t Mix Castile Soap with Vinegar: I see this all the time on Pinterest. Please do not mix your castile soap with vinegar. You will not make an amazing cleaner. You’ll end up with a mess. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils. If you try mixing the two ingredients you’ll immediately notice the castile soap curdles and feels very oily.
• Castile Soap is Safe for Most Surfaces: Unlike vinegar (which shouldn’t be used on marble or granite or unsealed wood), castile soap is safe to use on most surfaces in your home. The only one caution I would advise is to avoid using castile soap on waxed floors to avoid build-up.
• Castile Soap is Skin Safe: It’s not only safe for most surfaces, but also safe to use on the skin. Just be sure to dilute.

Where to Buy Castile Soap

You’ll find castile soap in most stores, from Target to Walmart to Whole Foods and the down-the-street grocery store. Many times, castile soap won’t be found in the cleaning section, so be sure to check the body care section. You can also buy castile soap on Amazon.

I recommend Dr. Bronner’s brand. I’ve tried other brands in the past, but haven’t been pleased with most options. Dr. Bronner’s makes several options for scents. I prefer the baby mild since I can add my own essential oils (for scent or additional antibacterial properties) or just go free of any scent. If you want to try a scented castile soap (the scents are completely natural and not made with the hormone disrupting ingredients found in “fragrance”), here’s what I recommend…

For cleaning products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Citrus

For beauty products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Baby Mild

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

I don’t make all of these products today (9 years after I learned about castile soap and started making products at home). There are quite a few store-bought options now on the market, so most of my skincare is from brands I love and trust. I still make the most of my own cleaning products with laundry soap being the one exception. I find that making my own cleaning products to be the most affordable option for natural cleaning.

This list is to give you an idea of all the different products you can make with one bottle of castile soap. Using this one ingredient to make multiple products saves money and allows you to know exactly what’s going into your products.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner Spray

My favorite cleaning product that will clean nearly every surface in your home. Use this cleaner in your bathroom and kitchen, your sinks, stovetops, even your toilets.

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap
• 15 drops essential of choice, such as: lavender, tea tree, orange, or peppermint
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Pour the water into the spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gentle shake the cleaner. This cleaner may be stored at room temperature.

2. Hand Soap

With two active kiddos we go through a lot of hand soap in our house. A bottle of natural hand soap costs $3.99-$6 a bottle, depending on the brand. One 32-ounce bottle of castile soap makes approximately 8 homemade bottles of hand soap. If you don’t like the liquid feel of this hand soap, use a foaming hand soap dispenser instead of a regular soap dispenser.

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 TB sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado, or olive oil (optional, for moisturizing)
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• soap dispenser or foaming soap dispenser bottle

More Recipe Ideas

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips)

The post 7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap appeared first on Live Simply.

It was at that moment that I had a clear vision for the resource I wanted to create; a resource that simplified natural body care. A resource that was not only about making products, but also how to make the switch to less-toxic body care products, and how to purchase quality products. I wanted to create a resource that helped my reader friends feel confident when purchasing natural body care products (and reading ingredient lists), or making products at home with good-for-you ingredients. I wanted to create the resource I wish I had when I first started this journey.

After months and months of endlessly working on this vision, and spending weeks going through the editing process, my body care guide/digital book was finally ready to share. The digital book launched at the end of December.

One of my favorite recipes in the book is the Basic Foaming Face Wash. It’s the perfect example of the kind of recipes found in the book–simple, practical, and easy to make. (By the way, along with sharing my favorite recipes, I also share product suggestions for everything from shampoo to makeup and everything in between. Because living a more natural lifestyle isn’t about “doing it all” or “making it all.” Natural living is just as much about simplifying as it is about using more natural products.)

This recipe is made by simply combining three ingredients: liquid castile soap, a nourishing oil, and water. The recipe makes only a small amount of the final product because it’s best to make small batches when working with a water-based product that doesn’t contain a preservative.

Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made from ingredients that you can actually pronounce. The soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt and unwanted germs. Dr. Bronner’s is a very a popular brand of castile soap, and there are quite a few other brands now available. Castile soap can be used to clean just about anything and everything: your face, your laundry, and even your stinky dog. Liquid castile soap can be drying on its own, so it’s best to dilute it with water. I also like to add a nourishing oil, for the the moisturizing benefits, when it’s used on the face.

I personally like to use sweet almond oil, since it’s a light oil and it works well with a variety of skin types. If sweet almond oil is used, the face wash may be used as a spritz (using a spray bottle). This is my favorite way to apply a soapy face wash (a method that I learned from using Luminance Skincare’s Delicate Cleanser).

Another nourishing oil may be used in place of the sweet almond oil, too. Other good options are: olive oil or jojoba oil. Since the recipe makes such a small batch, it’s easy to tweak the recipe each time you make it (for example: using a different oil).

Finally, one last note. If you find this face wash to be too drying for your skin, then you’ll want to dilute, dilute, dilute. Try diluting the soap with more water, or adding just a small amount of extra oil. You can also customize this very basic recipe with aloe, honey, or a hydrosol (in place of the water). Let’s talk about four simple ways to customize this basic recipe.

Hydrosol: A hydrosol adds beneficial herbal properties and a pleasant scent to this face wash. Replace the water with 2 tablespoons of hydrosol. My favorite option is rose hydrosol (rose water). Other options, include: lavender, calendula, and chamomile.

Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe is used to soothe and calm inflammation. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel to the face wash, or more if desired. Fresh aloe will spoil within a day or two, so I recommend looking for a store-bought option with a minimal amount of (natural) preservatives.

Honey: Honey is rich in antioxidants and it contains antibacterial properties. Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to the final soap, and gently shake to combine the ingredients. If you add honey you won’t be able to use the face wash in a spray bottle.

Essential Oils: Add 6-12 drops of your favorite skin-friendly essential oil (or a mixture of essential oils, for a total of 6 drops) to the nourishing oil. Combine the oil and soap (along with any other custom ingredients mentioned above). My favorite options: lavender (sensitive skin and acne-prone skin), tea tree (acne-prone skin), frankincense (aging skin), geranium (aging skin), or sandalwood (aging skin).

Print

Basic Natural Face Wash

This simple recipe is made with castile soap (a natural, concentrated vegetable-based soap). Nourishing oil is added to help moisturize the skin. Castile soap, on its own, can leave the skin feeling dry. Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try customizing the face wash for additional skin benefits.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Natural Face Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 3 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 2 TB distilled water
• 1 TB nourishing oil such as: sweet almond, olive, or jojoba

Special Equipment:

• soap dispenser

Instructions

• Pour the soap, water, and oil into a soap dispenser. Seal the bottle. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.

To Use:

• Gently shake the bottle before each use. Squirt a small amount in your hand. Massage the cleanser on your face using circular motions, then rinse the cleanser off with warm water and a washcloth.

Notes

This face wash may also be used as a spray. Combine the ingredients in a small spray bottle, shake the bottle before use, and spray on the hands before applying to the face. 

Recommended Storage: Up to 1 month 

Want more non-toxic and natural face cleanser/ face wash options? This post is dedicated to exactly that. I share my favorite store-bought and homemade face cleanser / face wash options, what to look for in a face wash, and more. 

The post Basic Natural Face Wash + Four Ways to Customize Homemade Face Wash appeared first on Live Simply.

The first natural makeup remover I used was plain ol’ coconut oil. At the time, I was new to the idea of using natural products on my skin, and coconut oil seemed to be–according to the internet– the answer to my every skincare need. Heck, coconut oil seemed to be the answer to every problem in life. Unfortunately, my skin wasn’t a huge fan of coconut oil.

After the coconut oil experiment, I moved on to a witch hazel blend, which worked very well.

In the spirit of experimentation, I eventually switched over to a new makeup remover option. This time, a balm.

The balm was honestly a mistake. A good mistake.

The balm was initially a boo-boo cream product that was created for a client’s website. With extra jars of perfectly good boo-boo cream (just beeswax, oil, and a bit of essential oil) sitting in my medicine cabinet, I tried using the cream as a makeup remover. Why not? The cream removed my makeup, including eye makeup. Soon, the cream (renamed to a balm) became my favorite makeup remover.

A few months ago, I got the itch to experiment again. This time, I began experimenting with a disposable wipe/facial pad option. The inspiration for this particular makeup remover came from my past experiences and the simple ingredients in my “medicine” cabinet.

I’ve now been using the wipes on a regular basis. After all the craziness of September (Hurricane Irma, evacuation, Alaska), I’ve been enjoying the convenience of simply opening a jar and pulling out a moist, ready-to-use makeup remover wipe.

Now, the question must be asked…

Which makeup remover option is the best?

Well, the answer simply depends on your own preferences, current season of life, and the ingredients you have on hand.

If you’re new to do-it-yourself beauty, and don’t want to purchase multiple ingredients or actually make anything, use 100% oil.

If you love using the oil, but want something that doesn’t drip, try the makeup remover balm.

If you’re looking for something that’s not super oily (although using 100% oil as a makeup remover doesn’t make your skin “oily”), try a witch hazel and oil makeup remover.

And finally, if you’re looking for an easy, ready-to use makeup remover (one that isn’t 100% oil-based), try today’s makeup remover option: Gentle Makeup Remover Wipes.

Print

Gentle Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes

A gentle witch hazel and aloe vera based makeup remover. Add facial pads/wipes to the solution to create a ready-to-use makeup remover option. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Makeup Remover Wipes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 14 cotton pads

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB witch hazel I’ve been using Thayer’s Original
• 1 TB aloe vera gel *
• 1 tsp sweet almond oil **
• 1/4 tsp castile soap I’ve been using baby mild

Special Equipment:

• 14 cotton facial pads
• 1 4-ounce jar with a lid***

Instructions

• Add the ingredients to a 4-ounce jar. Gently shake the jar to combine the ingredients.  
• Add the cotton facial pads to the jar, pressing the pads down in the liquid. The pads will absorb most (or all) of the liquid. Place the lid on the jar. Store the jar at room temperature. 

To Use:

• Remove a moistened facial pad from the jar and wipe the face with the pad to remove makeup. I use both sides of the pad. This recipe makes 14 wipes, so the wipes will need to be replaced, and a new solution made, every two weeks. Wash your face with a facial cleanser after using the wipes. 

Notes

*Look for aloe vera gel with minimal ingredients (just aloe and natural preservatives). Fresh aloe would be lovely, but it would greatly reduce the shelf-life of this product. I like Real Aloe (linked above) and Majestic Pure Aloe Vera. 

**Use your favorite nourishing/carrier oil, such as: grapeseed, jojoba, olive oil, etc. I like sweet almond oil. 

***The jar pictured is a 4-ounce Weck Jar. Small mason jars also work well.

The post Gentle Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes (Disposable, Travel-Friendly) appeared first on Live Simply.

I understand that summer is supposed to be a hot weather season, but living in Florida takes this reality to an extreme. Just walking outside your front door to retrieve the mail brings on a workout-style sweat session. This means a Florida gal needs a hard-working (natural) deodorant and a really good way to wash off all that sweat at the end of the day.

Friend, let me introduce you to my Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash.

This body wash only contains 4 natural ingredients, all of which come together to gently and effectively wash away the summer sweat and dirt. The ingredients are all liquid, which means they are pretty watery (and hard to work with as a body wash) without the secret “ingredient” that takes this body wash from a runny liquid mixture to the ultimate foaming soap: a foaming soap dispenser. Let’s take a look at each ingredient…

Rosewater: Rosewater is simply a flavored water that’s created by distilling the petals of the rose with steam, or steeping the petals in water. The result is a fragrant liquid that boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Thanks to these anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, rosewater has been hailed as an amazing skin spray, toner, and a wonderful addition to lotions and creams. Rosewater is a refreshing addition to this summer body wash (which, by the way, may be used all year long, not just during the summer).

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a natural astringent, and is used to fight acne due to its anti-bacterial properties. Witch hazel is added to this recipe to help remove excess oils on the skin. I purchase alcohol-free witch hazel so it doesn’t try out my skin. While witch hazel is a gentle pH neutral product, you may leave this ingredient out and add more rosewater in its place if you have very sensitive skin.

Castile Soap: Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made of ingredients you can actually pronounce. This soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt and unwanted germs. When it comes to using castile soap on my body (it may also be used in cleaning products), I prefer Baby Mild Unscented Castile Soap. Lavender and citrus castile soap are two great options if you’d like a scented body wash. Since this body wash also includes witch hazel, I only use two tablespoons of castile soap in this recipe. You’re welcome to increase this amount, if desired, but adding more castile soap with the witch hazel may cause your skin to feel dry.

Nourishing Oil: Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a cleansing body wash. The nourishing oil also helps keep the soap and witch hazel from drying out my skin. I prefer to use 2 tablespoons of almond, jojoba, or olive oil (depending on what I have available). I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon, testing the body wash on your hands, and increasing the nourishing oil until you feel comfortable with how your hands feel once they’re dry.

Each ingredient in this simple body wash, including the special foaming soap dispenser, may be used to make multiple other DIYs.

Rose Water may be used as a replacement to water in any DIY beauty recipe, or used as a facial toner (my favorite way to use rosewater). Witch hazel may be used as a gentle facial toner or refreshing summer spray (this spray is perfect to use after a workout). The castile soap–probably the most versatile ingredient–may be used to make multiple homemade products, from an all-purpose cleaner and dusting spray to facial wipes. Finally, the nourishing oil may be used for cooking purposes (if you use olive oil), or added to any body-care recipe, such as: facial cleanser or facial wipes.

Even the body wash itself may be used in multiple ways. I use this foaming soap during the summer as a refreshing, natural body wash, but it may also be used as hand soap or a face wash. As always, I recommend testing a small amount on your skin first before liberally using it all over your body, just to make sure it agrees with your skin, particularly if you’re going to try it out as a face wash.

Florida, let’s do this summer thing! I’m ready for you.

Print

Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose)

A homemade body wash recipe made with castile soap and natural ingredients. This DIY gentle body wash is easy to make in under 5 minutes!

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Body Wash

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 8 ounce soap dispenser

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rosewater
• 1/3 cup alcohol-free witch hazel
• 2 TB baby mild castile soap
• 1-2 TB jojoba oil or almond or olive oil (optional)
• foaming soap dispenser Without this product the body wash is very watery.

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a foaming soap dispenser, adding the castile soap as the last ingredient.
• Gently shake the bottle, with the top on, to combine the ingredients. Store the body wash for up to 3 weeks.

To Use:

• Press the pump down to dispense the body wash. Use your hand, a washcloth, or a puff to massage the body wash over the skin. This body wash may also be used as hand soap or a face wash.

Video

Notes

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

The foaming soap dispensers I purchased from Amazon last year aren’t available anymore. You can find a foaming soap dispenser at most home stores (like Target, HomeGoods, or Walmart), or via Amazon.

Rosewater can be a pricey product, so feel free to use distilled water instead to reduce the overall cost of this body wash, or use 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup rosewater.

If you’d like to add a scent to this body wash, and you’re using unscented castile soap, add a few drops of a skin-friendly essential oil.

From my home testing, this body wash has a pH of 7.

More Body Wash Recipes

SEE ALL RECIPES

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

The Best Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray (Kid-Friendly)

Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose)

Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel

The post Easy DIY Foaming Body Wash (Multi-Purpose) appeared first on Live Simply.

I’ve been working on creating a homemade shaving cream recipe for quite some time. Before I share the details about the recipe, let’s chat about the whole idea behind using shaving cream. It’s Friday, we have some time to kill, right?!

I remember very clearly the day my mom bought a bright pink can of shaving cream just for me! I was thirteen years-old, and I couldn’t wait to try out my “shaving foam” and new razor. I wish someone would have told me, “Honey, you’re going to be doing this thing called shaving the rest of your life, just enjoy being thirteen and don’t worry about that shaving cream and razor.”

After that first experience with foaming shaving cream and a razor, I was hooked on using colorful shaving cream and, of course, the very adult job known as shaving.

Fast forward a few years to my early twenties. It was at that time that I finally gave up on the brightly-colored shaving cream, and it wasn’t because I started to question the ingredients inside the can. I was a newly married woman with nothing to my name (monetarily). Shaving cream was an expense that seemed too lavish and expensive, so it was quickly cut from our meager budget.

For years, warm water became my go-to shaving “product.”

I’ve had a few requests over the past year from readers asking for a shaving cream recipe. It was after those requests that I finally started thinking about returning to a shaving cream product, and that meant developing my own recipe to share with you! The journey to create a good homemade shaving cream recipe has been long and full of failures: months and months of testing, razor burn, clogged razors, whisking, dumping, and way too many dirty containers and bowls.

From the beginning, I wanted to keep my shaving cream recipe simple, and remain true to the purpose of shaving cream. It’s easy to buy or make products and forget the purpose behind why I use the products. When I begin to question the reason for the products I purchase or make, I oftentimes find that something isn’t even necessary, or that I really don’t need to use a product so frequently. So before making a homemade shaving cream, I questioned the very reason why people even use shaving cream.

From my research, I believe the reason why shaving cream is so valuable is because it helps moisturize the skin, provides a barrier between a razor blade and the skin, and helps lift the hair resulting in a closer shave.

To achieve these results, shaving cream is typically made using oils, soaps, and water. With this in mind, I realized that something that’s colorful with super-duper foaming powers is appealing as a consumer, but isn’t required to create an effective shaving cream that serves its purpose. And so, the experimentation began…

My first homemade shaving cream attempt combined shea butter and aloe vera gel. The two ingredients played nicely together at first, but after multiple tests, the product always turned out really grainy, even with a emulsifier. Yuck! Failure number one.

After the first experiment, I decided to take to the Internet and research what other folks are using for shaving cream. Shea butter and coconut oil are very popular choices (which makes sense for the oil part), so I decided to try the combo. The two ingredients proved to be a major disaster for my razors, and the end result for my legs was severe razor burn multiple times. Ouch! Failure number two.

With both failures behind me, I decided the coconut and shea butter mixture had potential, but needed some major ingredient enhancements. Since the thick butter and oil were causing my razor to clog, I added castile soap (a plant-based soap used for cleaning and beauty) to help dispel the hair and oil mixture from the razor. This addition was a major improvement. I also added glycerin and raw honey (my favorite natural beauty ingredient) to amplify the moisturizing benefits. Perfection!

While I was happy with the new formula, one issue continued to come up: painful razor burn! After reading multiple shave forums (yes, there really are forums on the internet where shaving enthusiasts share their knowledge about shaving–oh the Internet!), I decided to add baking soda to the mixture.

I know, baking soda sounds like a funky ingredient for shaving cream. I had major hesitations about adding this ingredient, too, but the practice is quite common among men who experience razor burn (or at least it appears this way from the forums). The purpose of baking soda is to help remove the oils from the skin, which allows the razor to cut better, and also results in less irritation. The idea sounds crazy, but it really does help.

Finally, I created a shaving cream worth using and sharing!

I’ve been using this shaving cream for several months now, and I’m really enjoying the moisturizing benefits versus my good ol’ (free) warm water method. So, for now, I’m a shaving cream covert once again!

Print

Homemade Moisturizing Shaving Cream

I’ve been using this shaving cream for several months now, and I’m really enjoying the moisturizing benefits versus my good ol’ (free) warm water method. So, for now, I’m a shaving cream covert once again!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Body

Keyword Shaving Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Resting Time 1 day day

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4 oz. jar

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shea butter slightly melted to soften the butter--see photo #2 in this post
• 3 TB coconut oil soft
• 2 TB baby mild castile soap
• 1 TB vegetable glycerin
• 1 TB honey
• 2 tsp baking soda

Instructions

• Soften the shea butter. You can do this in a double boiler on the stove-top, or in the microwave (my preferred method--about 40 seconds). If you're not a fan of the microwave, use the stove-top. The heat is used just to soften the butter, so half the butter will be liquid and half will be a soft solid. Set the softened shea butter to the side.
• In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the soft coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, and castile soap. Slowly pour in the shea butter, whisking as you pour. Whisk the mixture for about 40 seconds. Add the honey and baking soda, and continue to whisk until well combined. This shaving cream is not a fluffy or whipped product. The goal is a creamy, mayo-like product. The shaving cream may be used immediately, but if it's allowed to rest for about 24 hours at room temperature, it will firm up (which I prefer). Store the shaving cream at room temperature in a sealed jar. I've kept my shaving cream for two months without issue.

Notes

To Use: This is my preferred method...I place the jar of shaving cream on the ledge in the shower, and turn on the shower so the water is hot. Then, I wash my hair, body, etc. and wait until the end of my shower to shave. By this point, the shaving cream has softened with the steam of the shower, and my legs have been prepped for shaving thanks to the hot water. I apply a small amount of shaving cream to my legs, and then shave with my razor. This shaving cream doesn't foam and isn't meant to be a thick product. It's a moisturizing barrier between my legs and the razor. To keep bacteria from entering the shaving cream (introducing water to the cream may do this), I use a spoon to scoop the shaving cream, or dry my hands with a towel first and then scoop.

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love.

Dustin doesn’t shave, so this recipe hasn’t been tested on a man. Sorry guys! Also, I recommend testing this shaving cream first on a small patch of your legs or underarms before using it all over your legs (or body).

Post Shaving Routine:

I only shave my legs once a week, if that. Hey, I’m a busy mom ;). After shaving, I use a coconut oil and aloe vera gel combo to moisturize and soothe my skin. I’ll be sharing the recipe in a separate post on the blog, and I’ll also include it here…Simply whisk together equal parts aloe vera gel (I love Real Aloe brand) and soft virgin coconut oil. I usually combine 1/8 cup each, which makes a very small amount. After I dry my smooth legs, I apply the “lotion.”

Coconut Oil and Plumbing:

I know from my homemade toothpaste recipe that some folks have an issue with coconut oil and clogged pipes. I personally haven’t experienced this issue with shaving cream (or toothpaste) since a small amount goes a long way, but if it’s a concern for you, I have a few alternative suggestions:

1. Use Honey: I’ve experimented in the past with using honey, and I really like the results. If you’re looking for an oil-free option, honey may be your best shaving friend. I’ve used my homemade facial cleanser recipe in the past, skipping the oil and replacing it with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. This mixture takes some getting used to since it’s a bit runny for shaving, so you may want to reduce the aloe.
2. Use Castile Soap: 100% castile soap causes my skin to feel too dry when it’s used as a shaving product, but everyone is different. Castile soap will create the foaming action many people crave in a shaving product, and there’s no prep required.
3. Find a “Cleaner” Store-Bought Product: I’ve only experimented with one store-bought alternative: Dr. Bronner’s Shaving Gel. The gel requires some getting used to, just like using a homemade shaving cream requires a bit of adjustment if you’re switching from a “normal” shaving product to a cleaner option.

Alternative Ingredients:

I know some folks have coconut allergies and can’t use coconut oil on their skin. I’ve tried this recipe without the coconut oil, and I much prefer the coconut oil in the mix. You could try adding olive oil instead of the coconut oil, but the consistency probably won’t be the same. Some folks also have issues with shea butter. In this case, I recommend trying mango or cocoa butter. I haven’t personally tried making this substitution, so I can’t guarantee the texture of the final product will be smooth.

The post Homemade Moisturizing Shaving Cream appeared first on Live Simply.

Although I love a good homemade product, there have been many products I just can’t seem to successfully create at home. A few of these products include: dishwasher soap, mascara, eye shadow, adult shampoo and conditioner, and liquid foundation. I’ve tried countless times to make these products, but time and time again my efforts result in nothing but failure, at least when you compare them to the store-bought versions.

Through my failures, I’ve come to the realization that it’s okay to not make everything from scratch! In fact, sometimes it’s better for both my sanity and the strangers I must stand next to in public to actually buy certain products. Store-bought shampoo is a prime example–it’s good for my sanity and the stranger standing next to me in the Target line. You’re welcome, Mrs. Stranger.

Just a note here…For the products I still purchase, I try to choose the best options available, meaning the products with a minimum amount of bad stuff.

Two years ago, I was overjoyed to discover homemade body wash.

Homemade body wash is super easy to make, and in my opinion, it works just as good if not better than the store-bought alternative. It’s a home run win! I’ve received many comments asking various questions about how to create a thicker consistency.

For a number of months now I’ve been working quietly behind the scenes of Live Simply trying to figure out how to create a thick and creamy body wash, almost more of a shower gel. I’ve tried numerous methods to thicken my current recipe, but every effort resulted in DIY failure. Finally, a few weeks ago, I decided to start from scratch and create a brand new recipe in hopes of achieving a thick, moisturizing shower gel. And guess what?

SWEET SUCCESS!

To create my successful homemade version of shower gel, I used: shea butter, glycerin, a nourishing oil, water, castile soap, and the secret ingredient…xanthan gum! Of course, the point of today’s post is to share my homemade shower gel with you–it’s dreamy, my friend! Trust me, you’ll never go back to store-bought shower gel.

Before I share, let’s take a look at each ingredient:

Shea Butter: This ingredient is one of my absolute favorite DIY products. Shea butter is an amazing moisturizer and contains healing properties (thanks to the Vitamin A). Shea butter is also super versatile. It can be used to make everything from homemade lotion to lip balm to shower gel.

Nourishing Oil: Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a cleansing shower gel. The nourishing oil also adds moisturizing properties to this gel. I’ve used jojoba, grapeseed, and good ol’ olive oil with great success.

Castile Soap:  One of my favorite multi-purpose DIY ingredients. Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients.  I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to body wash and hand soap. I recommend using either the Baby Mild Castile Soap or Tea Tree Castile Soap for body-care products.

Glycerin: Glycerin adds nourishing moisture without weighing down the shower gel. This ingredient also helps dissolve the xanthum gum, which makes it absolutely necessary–sorry, no substitutes this time. Glycerin sounds like a fancy ingredient, but most drug stores sell it in the beauty or medicine departments for a fairly low price.

Xanthan Gum: This is the secret ingredient that’s absolutely necessary for creating a creamy shower gel! Xanthan gum is sold in the baking aisle (I like Bob’s Red Mill brand) and is often used to help thicken and stabilize foods, particularly gluten-free foods. This next part may gross you out, but I think it’s important to know the details about the products we use on our skin (and in our body)….

“Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound made by mixing aged (fermented) sugars with a certain kind of bacteria.” (source) Yes, I’m asking you to put a bacteria on your skin, but rest assured, this is a perfectly safe ingredient. Hey, I also asked you to drink a colony of fermented bacteria, so…

Xanthan gum is expensive (around $15 per bag) and you only need a very small amount of it to make this shower gel. This means one $15 bag will last quite a long time.

And without further ado, I present to you a creamy and moisturizing homemade shower gel. Lather up!

Print

Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel

I present to you a creamy and moisturizing homemade shower gel. Lather up!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Body

Keyword Shower Gel

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB shea butter melted
• 2 TB jojoba oil or grapeseed, and extra virgin olive oil with good success.
• 1 TB vegetable glycerin
• 1 tsp xanthan gum or guar gum -If you're using guar gum try 1/4 tsp for starters since some readers have reported the gel is too thick with 1 tsp guar gum
• 1/3 cup castile soap I like to use Baby Mild.
• 1/3 cup warm water Distilled water for long-term use. The water doesn't need to be hot
• 10 drops lavender essential oil optional

Special Equipment:

• immersion blender

Instructions

• Add the melted shea butter, jojoba oil, and glycerin to a medium-size bowl. Sprinkle the xanthan gum over the top. Allow the gum to rest for 1 minute. During this time the powder should sink into the liquid. After 1 minute, use the immersion blender to dissolve the gum into the oil mixture--pulse the immersion blender for 1 minute. Add the castile soap and warm water to the bowl. Place the immersion blender at the bottom of the bowl. Blend the mixture with the immersion blender for 1-2 more minutes, pulsing up and down. The mixture should turn into a creamy lotion-like consistency during this time.
• Pour the shower gel into a soap dispenser. I found my container (pictured) at Target.
• While the mixture won't separate, I recommend giving the container a gentle shake before each use. When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

Notes

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

More DIYs You May Like:

 Homemade Foundation Powder

 Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (without coconut oil)

DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

The post Homemade Moisturizing Shower Gel appeared first on Live Simply.

Confession: I’ve been making a big beauty mistake and didn’t even know it.

Last month, while visiting one of my favorite natural shops (essential oils, herbs, organic makeup–it’s a “crunchy mama” utopia) I overheard the herbalist on duty talking to a fellow customer about breakouts–the little unwanted guests that randomly pop-up on the face. The conversation instantly caught my attention. I quickly and very politely jumped in, “I’m not sure why my skin still breaks out at the most random moments. My diet is super clean, I drink a ton of water and make my own homemade products. Any tips?” The herbalist looked at me and asked a simple, yet skin-changing question, “Do you clean your makeup brushes?”

Lightbulb moment!

I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never thought about cleaning my makeup brushes. Big mistake.  As it turns out, cleaning makeup brushes is a pretty important task that can prevent bacteria from spreading on the skin.

Bacteria = breakouts.

Breakouts = makeup brush contamination.

Makeup brush contamination = more breakouts.

It’s a nasty cycle.

My search for the ultimate brush cleaner began.

There are a number of store-bought brush cleaner options, and there are also a number of DIY tutorials on Pinterest. Most of the ingredients used in both the store-bought and “homemade” versions are far from natural, in my opinion. I decided to create my own homemade brush cleaner. Take that Pinterest– PS: I still love you! With a few basic ingredients, which I already had on hand for DIY beauty products, I was able to easily whip up a natural solution.

The moment of truth came as I dipped my foundation powder brush into the solution. You guys, the resulting liquid was disgusting–oil, dirt, months worth of makeup! To say that I’m now a brush cleaning advocate is an understatement.  Trust me, just try it once–dip your makeup brush in a few simple ingredients–your beauty routine will forever be changed.

From what I’ve read, most makeup professionals recommend cleaning brushes daily, particularly the ones used for foundation and blush. Daily feels a bit overwhelming and far from “simple,” so I’m practicing a twice a week system. Baby steps! Some cleaning at this point is much better than no cleaning at all. I’m now going on four weeks of this routine. My makeup brushes are incredibly soft and my skin feels clean. Bottom line: Do it! Clean your brushes. ASAP.

My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.

Happy Cleaning!

I recently added to this post with a tutorial on how to clean makeup brushes with this DIY recipe. Check out the updated post here. 

Print

Homemade Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner

My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Makeup Brush Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 1/2 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 2 tsp baby mild castile soap
• 1 tsp skin-nourishing oil like almond or olive oil, optional
• 1 cup distilled water

Instructions

• In a bottle or mason jar, combine all the ingredients in the order listed (the recipe). Shake the bottle. This solution may be used multiple times to clean brushes. Store the mixture in the fridge.
• Combine as much of the mixture needed in a bowl. Add your makeup brushes to the mixture. I like to swish the brushes back in forth in the mixture and then let them soak for a few minutes. The mixture will go from clear to a dirty makeup mixture quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under the water.
• Let the brushes rest on a towel to dry. Repeat weekly or twice a month to keep your brushes clean.

Video

Notes

If you'd prefer to make just enough for a one-time solution, here's what I recommend:

1/8 cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp baby mild castile soap
1/4 cup distilled water
(optional) 1/4 tsp carrier oil, like grapeseed or olive oil 

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

The post Homemade Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.