Dry shampoo will simplify your life and save you time because who has time to wash their hair daily? Here’s how to make all-natural DIY dry shampoo for light or dark hair in under 2 minutes! 

I’ve been using this dry shampoo for over 11 years with incredible results, allowing me to go 3-4 days between washes. I’ll guide you through the exact recipe and steps in this post. 

What Is Natural Dry Shampoo?

• Hair naturally produces oil called sebum. The sebum provides a barrier to the hair and skin and also moisture. Daily shampooing strips the hair of natural oils, resulting in dehydrated hair and the overproduction of sebum. 
• Even my hair stylist has commented that she doesn’t wash her hair daily and instead uses a dry shampoo between washes. She uses dry shampoo for in-between days to keep the grease from building up. I started doing the same many years ago per her recommendation.
• Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil, allowing you to go multiple days between washes.

Key Takeaways: Why Make Your Own Dry Shampoo? 

• Natural Ingredients – Many commercial dry shampoos use alcohol to absorb excess oils, but that can leave behind an itchy scalp. Another concern with commercial dry shampoos is using questionable ingredients: propane, isobutane, butane, and fragrance. Fragrance, for example, can be made with up to 3,000 toxic ingredients. You can reduce your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients used in these products and, instead, make homemade dry shampoo using safe and effective ingredients. 
• Easy to Customize for All Hair Types – The best thing about making a dry shampoo recipe is you can make it work for any hair color: brown hair, blonde hair, gray hair, red hair, and black hair. 
• Use Between Washes – The ingredients in this recipe absorb grease and excess oil, allowing you to go multiple days between hair washes without using regular shampoo and worrying about greasy hair.
• Shelf Life – Store this dry shampoo formula in an air-tight container for up to 12 months! 

Before You Get Started

Ingredients Needed 

Here are the simple ingredients needed for the base recipe. Then, if required, add cocoa powder, or activated charcoal for brunette, red, or black hair. 

• 2 Tablespoons Arrowroot Powder – Like cornstarch, this natural starch is a lightweight, white, powdery substance generally used for cooking and baking. Arrowroot absorbs excess oil, giving oily hair a dirty look. 
• 1 Tablespoon Bentonite Clay: A naturally occurring, organic powder commonly used to make a soothing face mask and foundation powder. In this recipe, bentonite absorbs excess oil. 
• 7-10 Drops of Essential Oil: If you’d like to add a natural fragrance, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. I love lavender essential oil as it has a calming scent, and some say that it has hair growth properties. Other options include rosemary essential oil or tea tree essential oil (essential oils also work as a lice repellent, which is an added benefit if you have young kids at home and don’t want to partake in the yearly classroom lice “party”).

​Equipment

• Small bowl and spoon- for mixing the ingredients 
• 4-ounce storage container – I love to use an old spice bottle as the top has little holes that make application easy and mess-free.

How to Customize This DIY Recipe For All Hair Types

Play around with the ingredients and create a custom shade based on your hair color and shade. I provide exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• For blonde and gray hair – Combine arrowroot powder and bentonite clay. Depending on your blonde shade and light hair, you can use arrowroot powder on its own if the clay has too much silver tint for you.
• Brunette and red hair – Combine arrowroot powder, bentonite clay, and a touch of cocoa powder to darken the tint for brunettes and red hair. Some blogs recommend cinnamon powder for a darker brunette shade, but I would avoid cinnamon as it may burn your scalp since it’s a “hot spice.” 
• Black hair – Combine arrowroot powder, bentonite clay, cocoa powder, and, if you’d like, a small of activated charcoal to darken the mixture.

How to Make Dry Shampoo: Step By Step Guide 

• Step 1 Combine the dry shampoo ingredients – In a small bowl, whisk together the arrowroot starch, bentonite clay, cocoa powder, activated charcoal (if using for a darker tint), and essential oil (if using for a scent). 
• Step 2 Add to a Storage Jar – Pour the ingredients into a storage container of choice. Alternatively, you can add the ingredients directly to a spice bottle, salt shaker, or Mason jar, place the lid on the bottle, and give the ingredients a good shake to combine. 

​How Long Will It Last? 

Store for up to 6 months – Store homemade dry shampoo at room temperature for up to 12 months. 

How Do I Use Dry Shampoo? 

• Step 1 – Lift sections of your hair. Sprinkle the DIY dry shampoo powder near the scalp, hair follicles, and crown of your head. There’s no need to get the ends of your hair, just the roots. I recommend using a spice bottle to sprinkle the powder in your hair quickly. If you don’t use an old spice bottle or salt shaker, either sprinkle some of the powder into the palm of your hands and apply near the crown and scalp of your head, or use a large makeup brush by dipping the brush into the powder and then applying the powder.
• Step 2 – Wait a few minutes for the dry shampoo powder to set in and absorb the oils.
• Step 3 – Massage the dry shampoo into your scalp and the hair follicles.
• Step 4 – Brush your hair to distribute the dry shampoo powder evenly. You should not be left with any visible powder after this step.

How to Prevent Product Buildup

• Natural dry shampoo is fantastic for extending how many days you can go between regular washing, but it doesn’t replace cleaning and washing your hair with regular shampoo.
• To prevent buildup and encourage hair health, clean your hair using traditional shampoo and water every few days to remove any product buildup. 
• Read More: My favorite non-toxic shampoo and conditioner brands.  

4 More Recipes For Natural Hair & Skin

• DIY Face Mask – A great way to use bentonite clay beyond this dry shampoo recipe.
• Activated Charcoal Face Mask – If you use activated charcoal for darker hair, try this face mask to exfoliate the skin.
• Foundation Powder – Use bentonite clay to make a simple foundation powder.
• Lip Balm – Make your own lip balm with 3 natural ingredients.
• Body Butter – Make a simple, luxurious lotion for your whole body.

Print

DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (All Hair Colors)

A magical and natural dry shampoo powder that absorbs oils and smells delicious? It must be magic, but it isn't. Just a few simple ingredients. Here's how to make your own DIY dry shampoo.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword DIY dry shampoo, Dry Shampoo, dry shampoo recipe, homemade dry shampoo, natural dry shampoo, nontoxic dry shampoo

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $3 per bottle

Equipment

• 1 small bowl for mixing the formula of choice
• 1 storage container I love to use an old spice bottle as the top has little holes that make application easy and mess-free.

Ingredients

For Light Blonde Hair

• 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour starch or cornstarch
• 1 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 7-10 drops lavender essential oil or rosemary essential oil, tea tree oil, or your favorite essential oil (OPTIONAL for scent)

For Brunette or Red Hair

• 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour starch or cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder the amount will vary based on your hair color and shade, see notes below.
• 7-10 drops lavender essential oil or rosemary essential oil, tea tree oil, or your favorite essential oil (OPTIONAL for scent)

For Dark Hair

• 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch flour or cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1-2 teaspoons activated charcoal (OPTIONAL for black hair)
• 7-10 drops lavender essential oil or rosemary essential oil, tea tree oil, or your favorite essential oil (OPTIONAL for scent)

Instructions

• Step 1 Combine the dry shampoo ingredients – In a small bowl, whisk together the arrowroot starch, bentonite clay, cocoa powder, activated charcoal (if using for a darker tint), and essential oil (if using for a scent).
• Step 2 Add to a Storage Jar – Pour the ingredients into a storage container of choice. Alternatively, you can add the ingredients directly to a spice bottle, salt shaker, or Mason jar, place the lid on the bottle, and give the ingredients a good shake to combine. 
• Shelf Life – Store for up to 12 months at room temperature.

How to Use

• Lift sections of your hair. Sprinkle the dry shampoo on your scalp, hair follicles, and the crown of your head with either a large foundation brush (that's been dipped in the powder) or use an old spice container or salt shaker.
• Wait a couple of minutes for the powder to begin absorbing the oils, then use your hands to massage the powder into your roots and scalp. Finally, brush out your hair (and blow dry for extra volume) and viola, you're ready to face the day!

Notes

An old (clean) spice bottle works best for storing this recipe and applying to hair. 

This recipe may be doubled or tripled. The current recipe makes about 4 ounces. 

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The post DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (For Everyone) appeared first on Live Simply.

Back in 2014, when Live Simply was just a few months old, I shared a recipe for homemade toothpaste.

Three years later, I’m ready to revisit that recipe and give it some new life with new photos and a few ingredient adjustments. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to call this refresher toothpaste recipe. Here were my options…

1. Delete the original post, and use the same name for the new post. <–That would be similar to riping a page out of a personal journal.

2. Come up with a new recipe name. <–And possibly confuse future readers.

I decided to take a little inspiration from Apple (i.e. iPhone 3,4,5,6,7…), and named today’s recipe, Minty Homemade Toothpaste 2.0.

The biggest difference between my original recipe and today’s recipe is the amount of toothpaste that’s made.

When I first started making body products, I felt the need to go big. Meaning, I felt like recipes should make a lot of product. Over the years, I’ve changed my thinking. Now, I tend to focus on making smaller batches of homemade products to keep the ingredients fresh and the products safe. Balms and butters (recipes that rely solely on butters, oils, beeswax, and sometimes essential oils) are the exception to this rule.

Smaller batch products are used quickly (they don’t sit around for a year in a medicine cabinet), so they’re made often (reducing any risk of spoilage). I know, this sounds time consuming, but it isn’t.

At this point, I only make a few body products at home since there are quite a few quality products on the market, and the products I still make are incredibly easy to whisk together. Currently, I make today’s toothpaste recipe, a clay facial mask, a facial exfoliator, and a face moisturizer. That’s pretty much it at the moment (other than the occasional vapor rub and boo-boo cream). For the rest of our needs, I purchase trusted products from the store or market. <–That’s what simple, natural living looks like for me at the moment.

Okay, back to toothpaste…

My original toothpaste recipe was inspired by Earthpaste, which a few years ago was one of the only non-toxic toothpaste options on the market. Since 2014, natural toothpaste options have increased. Today’s new and improved recipe is based on trying these newer products, along with testing out some of the homemade samplings from the vendors at the local market.

In this improved recipe, clay (a cleansing, detoxifying ingredient) and coconut oil (antibacterial) are used to clean the teeth. Distilled water is added to thin the toothpaste and keep it from tasting like a skillet smothered in coconut oil. Salt is added for the minerals and cleansing benefits, and the peppermint and tea tree essential oils are added for antibacterial properties. 

Unlike my original recipe, this toothpaste isn’t super salty–which was a big turn off for a lot of folks (including my hubby). I get it, no one wants to feel like they’re brushing their teeth with a salt shaker. I personally love the taste of this new and improved version. The fresh, minty taste is refreshing and my teeth always feel so clean after brushing.

Before I share the recipe, let me just say that I realize that not everyone wants to use homemade toothpaste (that includes my hubby and kids). Maybe you have your doubts about how effective it is, or you don’t like the idea of brushing your teeth with oil or clay, or you’re just not ready to go that hippie (yet). Or, maybe you just love squeezing your paste from a bottle featuring printed words. Friend, I completely understand!

The do-it-yourself recipes shared on Live Simply are, for the most part, the recipes I’m using (or have used) on my own body. I share the recipes to chronicle what I’m making and loving, and also to show others just how easy it is to make some products at home. You don’t have to make toothpaste in your kitchen in order to live a natural lifestyle. There are quite a few non-toxic toothpaste options on the market today, ranging from clay-based pastes (like Uncle Harry’s and Earthpaste) to more Crest-like toothpastes (some of the Tom’s products rank well on the EWG website and Dr. Bronner’s). In a few weeks, I’m going to share a round-up of my favorite natural toothpaste options.

Print

Minty Homemade Toothpaste 2.0

In this recipe, clay is used to clean teeth, along with coconut oil (antibacterial), distilled water (to thin the toothpaste), peppermint and tea tree essential oils (antibacterial), and a bit of salt. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Minty Homemade Toothpaste 2.0

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 ounce

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay
• 1 TB distilled water
• 1 TB coconut oil melted, or at least softened
• 1/2 tsp salt fine, mineral-rich salt
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil

Special Equipment:

• non-metallic mixing bowl
• non-metallic mixing spoon
• storage jar

Instructions

• Add the clay, distilled water, melted coconut oil, salt, and essential oils to a small, non-metallic mixing bowl. Stir to combine the ingredients. 
• Spoon the toothpaste into a small storage jar. Seal the jar. Store the toothpaste in the fridge between uses*. 

To Use:

• Scoop a small amount from the jar onto your toothbrush. You can use your toothbrush to do this, or a small utensil. Brush as normal, spit, and rinse. 
  

Notes

*This is a very small batch recipe--making enough to last just a couple of weeks. Keeping the toothpaste in the fridge does cause it to clump (due to the coconut oil). I personally don't have an issue with this. Do what you're most comfortable with--keeping the toothpaste on your counter, or in the fridge. 

Feel free to decrease the salt amount to 1/4 teaspoon if you feel it's too salty. 

The toothpaste will be runny, but it will firm up in the fridge or a cooler home. If you want a thicker paste, you're welcome to add more clay, adding just a few pinches until you reach the desired consistency. If it's too thick, which can happen in a cold environment, add a splash (or two) of warm/hot water to the paste and stir.  

As with any toothpaste, this isn't meant to be swallowed. 

Want to make the transition to non-toxic toothpaste, but don't want to go the homemade route? No problem! Here are my favorite (store-bought) toothpaste options. 

The post Minty Homemade Toothpaste appeared first on Live Simply.

I’ve discovered that a few basic ingredients may be used to create multiple skin and body-care products. Let me share just one example…

Once I gathered the supplies to make foundation powder and honey facial cleanser, I was able to make a soothing face mask and blemish spot treatment, dry shampoo (because #momlife), and a sugar scrub to exfoliate my skin. Not only have I been able to care for my sensitive skin with more natural ingredients, I’ve also been able save money along the way. Win-win!

One of the ingredients in my natural skincare “toolkit” is, clay.

Clay comes from the ground, so it’s incredibly rich in minerals. The minerals found in clay, along with its ability to absorb (toxins) and exfoliate the skin, makes clay an excellent skincare ingredient. There are a variety of clay options available. For simplicity sake, I tend to stick with just two clay varieties: kaolin clay and bentonite clay.

Kaolin clay is a very gentle variety of clay, so it may be used by all skin types.

Bentonite clay is my go-to clay for most skincare recipes. This clay has an electrical charge, which allows it to absorb toxins. Metal tools shouldn’t be used when working with bentonite clay. I like Redmond or Aztec brands. French green clay may be used in place of bentonite clay in most recipes.

I love to use clay, particularly bentonite clay, to make a weekly facial mask.  The beauty of making my own mask–versus buying a pre-made tube– is that I can tailor each week’s mask ingredients to what my skin needs, using bentonite clay as the base ingredient.

There are times when my skin really needs hydration, and that’s when I reach for honey and aloe. There are other times when my skin is breaking out (due to hormones or just the environment), and I need the astringent properties of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. There times when I want to soothe and calm my skin, so I may add ground oats or yogurt.

My goal today is to provide you with a few ideas for making your own unique mask creations. The base ingredient in each mask is bentonite clay, although you could also try kaolin clay or French green clay (you would just need to decrease the liquid amount for kaolin clay since bentonite and French green clay swell). Feel free to adjust the amounts, below, to create your ideal mask.

Let’s get started!

Clay + Witch Hazel (or Apple Cider Vinegar) = Take that, Acne!   

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay with 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (or half water and half apple cider vinegar to equal 1/2 tablespoon of liquid). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

I love to use this mask when my skin is congested and I’m breaking out. I’ve also used this mask as a blemish spot treatment.

Clay + Honey + Aloe = Soothing and Hydrating

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1/2-1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This is my go-to mask. It helps to soothe and cleanse my sensitive, acne-prone skin. This mask is also gentle enough to use daily as an acne spot treatment, if needed. <–Maybe during that special time of the month ;).

Clay + Charcoal + Liquid = Detoxifying  

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1 capsule of activated charcoal (about 1/4 teaspoon of powder), and 1 tablespoon of liquid (such as: aloe vera gel, water, or yogurt). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask is detoxifying, so I find it’s best to only use it occasionally (once a month). Too much of a detoxifying mask is too much of a good thing, in my skin’s humble opinion.

Clay + Oats + Liquid = Soothing and Calming 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1/2 tablespoon of ground oats in a small bowl. I grind old-fashioned rolled oats in a spice grinder. Another option is to purchase oat flour. Add enough water to make a spreadable paste (about 1-2 tablespoons). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask is another great option to cleanse and soothe the skin. I like to change this one up by adding 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil (helps with pesky pimples), or replacing some of the water with honey.

Clay + Probiotic Yogurt = Probiotic Boost 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

This mask offers a wonderful probiotic boost to the skin (thanks to the good bacteria found in yogurt), and helps soothe the skin. I love to make this mask when I have just a tiny amount of yogurt left in the yogurt container.

Clay + Chamomile Tea = Calming 

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay and 1 tablespoon of room temperature chamomile tea. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

I love to brew myself a cup of tea and then add some of the tea to the clay. It’s a fun way to occasionally add variety to my weekly mask routine, and enjoy the relaxing benefits of warm tea (#self-care). If you’re not a chamomile tea person, try green tea instead.

Clay + Matcha + Liquid = Antioxidant Boost

Combine 1/2 tablespoon of clay, 1/4 teaspoon of matcha powder, and 1 tablespoon of liquid (such as: aloe vera gel, water, or yogurt). Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with your favorite moisturizer.

Remember that matcha latte we made a few months ago? If you have any matcha left in your pantry or fridge, try adding it to the clay for a little extra skincare boost.

Finally, I use a natural facial moisturizer after applying and rinsing a facial mask.

The post 7 Unique Ways to Make a Clay Facial Mask appeared first on Live Simply.

Today, I’m excited to chat about one more natural and simple bodycare product: cleansing grains.

A while back, one of my favorite green beauty Instagrammers, Gurl Gone Green, shared a picture on Instagram of cleansing grains. The idea of a cleansing grain intrigued me, which then led me on an exciting journey of learning about another option for natural skin cleansing.

What are face cleansing grains?

Cleansing grains are a powdered face cleanser/wash and gentle exfoliator. The grains are typically made from a few simple ingredients, such as: herbs, oats, nuts, and clay. The ingredients of choice are blended together to create a grainy powder. This powder may be combined with milk, water, aloe, or even a liquid face wash to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin.

Sounds a lot like a facial scrub, right?!

Well, the beauty of this scrub-like product is that it’s gentle enough to use daily, and it may even be used as a daily facial cleanser/wash after removing makeup.

As a young woman, I was taught, via commercials and beauty magazines, that I needed a soapy face wash to properly clean my face. Over the past few years, as I look for “more natural” cleaning and bodycare options, I’ve learned that a soapy face wash isn’t the only option for facial cleansing.

Yes, you can make a simple face wash with gentle and natural ingredients, but there are also other options which aren’t talked about very much in the modern-age of industrial beauty products, like: honey and aloe vera, and cleansing grains.

PS: While cleansing grains may not be talked about as much as a bottle of face wash, there are a number of expensive beauty brands that sell cleansing grains (try $44 for a .99oz bottle–yikes!). See, cleansing grains are 100% real ;).

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Homemade Lavender Cleansing Grains: Facial Cleanser, Mask, or Scrub

Cleansing grains are made with two main ingredients: clay and oats. The grains are used to both cleanse and exfoliate the face. To cleanse the face, a portion of the grains are mixed with a liquid to form a paste. If you’d like to customize the grains, add a drop of essential oil the paste before cleansing. Storage: Up to 6 months Makes: 4 ounces 

Course How To

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Lavender Cleansing Grains

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 12 -16 applications

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Lavender Cleansing Grains:

• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats Don’t use steel cut oats.
• 1 TB dried lavender
• 1 TB kaolin clay

To make a mask, cleanser, or scrub:

• 1-2 tsp full-fat unsweetened coconut milk or another gentle liquid (see “Ingredient Notes”)
• 1 drop lavender essential oil or geranium, frankincense, or tea tree essential oil, optional

Instructions

• Combine the oats, lavender, and clay in a spice/coffee grinder and blend for 45 seconds, in 15 second intervals. When you’re done, leave the lid on your spice/coffee grinder for a minute to allow the dust to settle. Empty the grains into a clean jar for long-term storage.

To use the grains as a face mask:

• Combine 1-2 teaspoons of the grains with 1-2 teaspoons of canned coconut milk, and (optional) essential oil. Apply the mask to the face, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

To use the grains as a daily cleanser or a scrub:

• Combine 1 teaspoon of the grains with 1 teaspoon of canned coconut milk. Add (optional) the essential oil. Massage the face with upward, circular motions, then rinse the grains off with warm water and a washcloth. Follow-up with a toner and/or moisturizer. 

Notes

Kaolin clay is a very common clay used in cleansing grains. It’s considered a versatile cosmetic clay that is suitable for all skin types. If you don’t want to use Kaolin clay, you may also try: bentonite clay (very detoxifying–so it may be too much as a daily cleanser), French green clay, or rhassoul clay.

I keep a small mason jar of coconut milk in my fridge for culinary use–using it within a couple of weeks, although the can says about a week. I’ve been using a small amount of the coconut milk to mix with the grains. If you don’t have any coconut milk available, try water, aloe vera gel or juice, or even mix it with a gentle cleaner (like my honey and aloe cleanser). The goal is to create a soft paste that’s easy to spread on the skin.

You can definitely double or triple the amounts called for to make the cleansing grains. The grains are a shelf-stable product.

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The post Homemade Lavender Cleansing Grains: Facial Cleanser, Mask, or Scrub appeared first on Live Simply.

As someone with sensitive skin, that can and will react to just about anything, I’ve had to learn how to tackle breakouts, naturally.

It wasn’t always that way, the natural part.

In fact, there was a time, just a few years ago, when my medicine cabinet was filled with every topical breakout treatment available, and my wallet was empty due to the huge expense of such treatments. Now, I cringe when I think about the ingredients many of those treatments were made with, yet, at the time, I trusted them because they were sold in the store. I trusted that they were safe.

With each new breakout, I would turn to a new product, because the last product just must have been all wrong for my skin (since nothing ever helped my breakouts). The more I experimented with products, the worse my skin would get, and the cycle of breaking out and purchasing new products would continue.

I never once stopped to think that my skin problems may be due to deeper issues, like hormones, stress or gut issues. I also never thought about the damage I might be inflicting on my skin by constantly changing my toxic-at-the-time skincare products and routines.

It’s taken me years to find a natural skincare routine that I love, and finally ditch all of my former products. Today, I keep my skincare routine consistent and simple: makeup remover balm, aloe and honey facial cleanser, homemade astringent, and oil moisturizer. That’s it! Occasionally, I’ll use a homemade scrub on my skin.

Even with a natural skincare routine, I still face that dreaded b word, especially around that certain time of the month, or during stressful times. I’ve learned that when I face breakouts, it’s time for me to stop and evaluate what’s going on with my body…

Do I need to get more sleep? What about water? Am I drinking enough water? Have I introduced any different foods into my “diet”? Am I under more stress right now? Am I taking care of myself? Am I consuming a fair amount of probiotics?

Many times, the breakout answer I’m seeking can be found in one of these questions.

And while I now acknowledge that breakouts may be caused just as much by the internal as the external factors, I also rely on a few external factors to help fight against a stubborn breakout. My favorite defense is a simple clay mask that’s made with simple ingredients, already found in my DIY skincare “tool-kit:” aloe, honey, clay, and essential oils. Let’s take a look at each ingredient…

Aloe: Aloe vera is a common ingredient used to treat sunburns due to its soothing and antioxidant properties. Since we know aloe is great for the skin, why not add it to a face mask for breakouts? Aloe may also help to reduce scarring, which, of course, can be an issue with breakouts. If you’re interested in some of the benefits of aloe vera for acne, this article is really insightful.

Raw Honey: Raw honey is simply honey that hasn’t been pasteurized. Due to the lack of pasteurization (heating), raw honey is naturally rich in antibacterial and probiotic properties. Honey is also gentle on sensitive skin, but tough enough to remove dirt and other impurities. If you can’t find raw honey in your area (although many stores/markets now sell raw honey, so take a look before dismissing this ingredient), pasteurized honey may be used. This article talks more about using honey for acne.

Clay: Bentonite clay is made from volcanic ash. The resulting clay is rich in minerals. When used externally, the clay may help to clarify the skin, unclog the pores, and reduce inflammation associated with breakouts.

Essential Oils: Two essential oils are added to this mask, lavender and tea tree essential oil, for their soothing and antibacterial properties.

Each ingredient comes together to soothe my irritated skin and fight against a stubborn breakout. I’ve used this mask as a weekly preventive facial mask (it’s gentle enough on my skin that I can use it two times a week, if needed), as well as a breakout spot treatment for just one area of my face or neck.

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Soothing Clay Mask For Stubborn Breakouts

This mask can be used on a weekly basis, or as an occasional mask for pesky breakouts. Clay is the base ingredient in this mask. I’ve left the clay choice up to you: French green, rhassoul, or bentonite. The mask may be used as a weekly mask, or used as a frequent spot treatment.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Clay Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 facial mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 TB bentonite clay
• 1/2 TB aloe vera gel or fresh aloe vera gel from an aloe vera plant
• 1 tsp honey
• 1-2 drops lavender essential oil optional
• 1 drop tea tree essential oil optional

Instructions

• In a medium-size bowl (you'll want lots of room to stir the ingredients), stir or whisk together the ingredients. It's important to avoid using metal when working with bentonite clay, so opt for a wooden or plastic spoon or fork.
• The mask should be wet and a bit lumpy. If the mask is too dry or hard to stir, add a bit more aloe vera gel until you reach the desired consistency.

Ingredient Notes

Once a month I like to use a charcoal face mask. The charcoal mask provides a nice skin detox every so often. The charcoal mask is a bit too much to use on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis, at least for me. This clay mask is gentle enough to use weekly.

When used a spot treatment, for an individual breakout, I like to use this mask once a day.

The post Soothing Clay Mask For Stubborn Breakouts (and Scars) appeared first on Live Simply.

Today’s DIY recipe, Soothing and Cleansing Charcoal Face Mask, has definitely made its way to the top of my What I’m Loving Right Now (mental) list.

This mask currently outranks my new found obsession with homemade cashew milk, weekend breakfast tacos, oatmeal and coconut chocolate chip cookies, and my spring moisturizer. And just in case you’re wondering, I’ve got you covered over the next few weeks with those recipe. Today, let’s talk about the face mask and its secret ingredient: activated charcoal.

A couple of months ago, I decided to take a peek inside my DIY cabinet in hopes of finding something “new” to add to my occasional clay face masks. As I skimmed the cabinet shelf, the little black and white bottle labeled activated charcoal stood out to me, so I decided to grab it along with aloe vera (you know I have quite a love for aloe vera!).

Now, a little disclaimer. I wouldn’t categorize myself as a hippie, despite my love for making some beauty and cleaning products at home and drinking kombucha. In fact, if we were to randomly meet on the street this afternoon, and you didn’t know anything about this blog, I’d like to think that you’d find my DIY ways very surprising. I just don’t have that hippie look. I know, that probably sounds very stereotypical, so hopefully you understand what I mean.

With that said, if I were to choose the one product in my DIY cabinet that is the most “hippie thing” I’ve ever purchased and used, activated charcoal definitely wins! I don’t think the average American family has a small bottle of activated charcoal just sitting around in their medicine cabinet.

Activated charcoal was first introduced to our family during a vicious food poisoning saga last year. After six hours of regular trips to the toilet (I know, TMI, sorry), I finally sent Dustin to the local drug store to find a product that a few of my natural friends highly recommended: activated charcoal.

When Dustin brought the bottle home I was scared to take the little black capsules inside. They weren’t exactly the friendliest looking little pills. After the seventh hour of food poisoning torture, I opened a capsule, sprinkled the scary powder in a glass of water, and then took a sip.

I know, this story probably sounds out of place for a beauty discussion, but I think all of this will start piecing together right about now…

After taking the activated charcoal, my vomiting sessions stopped.  I was shocked that such a scary-looking pill had so much “power” over my food poisoning. Once I was back to feeling normal again, I placed the bottle in my DIY cabinet and vowed to never go without activated charcoal in my home. #callmeahippie

For months and months, that bottle of activated charcoal sat in my DIY cabinet, just waiting to prove its usefulness beyond a bad a case of food poisoning.

So, what is activated charcoal? Why did it help end my vomiting? And why are we talking about charcoal and food poisoning in a face mask post?

According to Dr. Axe (which many other sources confirm), “Activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them. It’s made from a variety of sources, but when used for natural healing, it’s important to select activated charcoal made from coconut shells or other natural sources.” As described in my story, activated charcoal is sometimes used to help treat (food) poisoning. Dr. Axe goes onto to share that activated charcoal works through a process called adsorption, which he describes as “the chemical reaction where elements bind to a surface.”

Little did I know, when Dustin purchased the bottle of charcoal, that activated charcoal would eventually make its way into a homemade face mask recipe for my skin. But now, months and months later, it all makes perfect sense.

Just like the activated charcoal drew out the “bad guys” inside my body during my food poisoning saga, the same powder may attract (unwanted) dirt and oils on my face. And with the hot spring and summer months now here, something that provides a bit of extra cleansing/dirt-attracting power is definitely my friend.

So there it is, my friend, the story of how a scary-looking, hippie product became my favorite skincare ingredient of the season.

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Soothing and Cleansing Charcoal Face Mask

Activated charcoal has become a popular skincare ingredient due to its ability to draw out dirt and bacteria from the skin. To keep this mask gentle and detoxfying at the same time, I’ve used kaolin clay. The charcoal draws out impurities and the clay naturally exfoliates. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Charcoal Face Mask

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 mask

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay or French green clay
• 1/2 tsp activated charcoal 2 capsules
• 1 TB aloe vera gel

Instructions

• In a medium-size bowl (you'll want lots of room to stir the ingredients), stir or whisk together the clay and activated charcoal powder (from inside the capsules). Discard the exterior capsules. It's important to avoid using metal when working with bentonite clay, so opt for a wooden or plastic spoon or fork.
• Add the aloe vera gel to the powder ingredients, and stir to combine. The mask should be wet and a bit lumpy (as pictured). If the mask is too dry or hard to stir, add a bit more aloe vera gel until you reach the desired consistency.

Ingredient Notes:

I use bentonite clay since I keep it on hand for face masks, foundation powder, and even bug bite relief. If you don’t want to use bentonite clay, try French green clay. You can learn more about both ingredients, here.

Aloe vera is a common ingredient in natural skincare products due to its soothing and antioxidant properties. If you’re interested in some of the benefits of aloe vera, this article from Mind Body Green is very insightful. It’s important to purchase a quality aloe vera gel that doesn’t contain a bunch of yucky ingredients. My favorite brand is Real Aloe (sold in health food stores and online). Since this recipe only makes enough for a one-time application, you may also use fresh aloe from an aloe plant in this recipe.

If you’d like to enjoy a relaxing aromatherapy experience with this mask, add 2-3 drops of your favorite skin-friendly essential oil with the aloe vera gel. I like to use carrot seed essential oil or lavender essential oil.

From my experience, the black charcoal powder easily washes off cloth surfaces once they are washed in the washing machine with laundry soap. After rinsing your face, your washcloth will probably look like it visited your garden and played in the mud. That said, I don’t recommend using your favorite white Anthropologie washcloth to rinse off this mask :).

The post Soothing and Cleansing Charcoal Face Mask appeared first on Live Simply.

“This is perfect! Yes!”

That was my reaction last weekend after discovering an army of aggressive ants attacking my right leg while exiting the soccer field. Dustin and the kids turned around, everyone was ready to go home after a hot morning at soccer practice, but my reaction couldn’t be ignored. I quickly brushed off the remaining ants coming in for a full-skin invasion, and immediately looked up at Dustin, “I can’t believe it! This is perfect timing.”

“You really have to watch where you’re walking. Are you okay?” Dustin replied.

I could tell by his reaction that he thought I was upset, “Yes, I’m good. Actually, I’m semi-allergic to ants, red ones I believe. These are black ants. The good news is I can finally work on developing a homemade anti-itch cream. You know, a calamine-like lotion without a million nasty ingredients.”

Dustin looked at me with a “you’re crazy” glare in his eyes, but responded with the least likely to end up on the couch response, “Great, so you’re okay?”

PS: I don’t make him sleep on the couch. Totally joking about that one. We have a chicken coop…

Immediately upon arriving home, the work of creating an effective homemade anti-itch cream began. I tried several formulas, all while fervently itching my battle wounds (it’s a good things I keep DIY recipes simple). I began mixing bentonite clay (to draw out any nasties from the bites and heal my skin), baking soda (to neutralize acid and soothe itching), witch hazel (to reduce pain and itching), and coconut oil (hey, I was making some raw brownies, so…).

My first two creations were anything but desirable. The coconut melted on my warm skin, and soon bentonite clay was being tracked throughout our house. Good thing we’re in the middle of a giant construction zone/kitchen remodel.  The second creation wasn’t much better. Reducing the coconut oil created an unpleasant dry powder.

The third attempt resulted in sweet success. The addition of shea butter, one of my favorite DIY ingredients, helped the anti-itch solution stick to my warm skin and, working with the other key ingredients, reduced my painful itching.  Not only did the third cream-based solution reduce my itching, it also appeared to help clear my bites and reduce their size. My discovery was so exciting, I made multiple batches to share with family and friends–“Oh, okay. Thank you for another mason jar.” They’ll get me someday.

Homemade anti-itch cream takes just a few minutes to make and only requires simple, natural ingredients you can actually pronounce. Because each ingredient is shelf-stable, the cream can be made in advance, so it’s ready to be used the moment a bug or plant attacks.

Before we part ways today, I think it’s only appropriate to give credit where credit and inspiration are due. Thank you flesh-eating ant colony, I owe this DIY to you!

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Homemade Anti-Itch Cream

Homemade anti-itch cream takes just a few minutes to make and only requires simple, natural ingredients you can actually pronounce. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Anti-Itch Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 1 -4 ounce jar

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB shea butter
• 1 TB coconut oil A different nourishing skin oil (olive oil, jojoba, etc.) may be used, if needed.
• 1 TB dried calendula Calendula is often sold in the bulk spice section at many health food stores.
• 1 TB beeswax pellets
• 2 TB baking soda
• 2 TB bentonite clay
• 2 tsp witch hazel
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• In a double broiler (or a pot filled a quarter of the way full with water and a heat-safe bowl over the top), melt the coconut oil. Add the dried calendula. Place a lid over the top of the double broiler. Over medium heat, infuse the herbs in the oil for 30 minutes.
• Separate the herbs from the oil by straining the oil through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the calendula (or compost in a garden). Wipe the double broiler to remove any leftover herbs. Return the infused oil to the double broiler. Bring the heat back to medium-high (enough to get the water underneath boiling). Add the shea butter and beeswax to the infused oil, and stir until melted.
• Remove the pan bowl from the heat. Add the baking soda and benonite clay to the liquid, and stir until the mixture resemble mud (really, mud!). Add the witch hazel and essential oils, stirring to combine.
• Pour the cream into a jar (this recipe will make enough to fill a 4-ounce jar). Within minutes the cream will solidify into a spreadable lotion.

*Dried calendula is optional in this recipe. Calendula is infused into the oil for a healing addition; however, a perfectly good anti-itch cream may be created without this herb.

PS: If you’re wondering what’s up with the yellow dye on my left hand, I juiced turmeric the morning of this photoshoot.

The post Homemade Anti-Itch Cream appeared first on Live Simply.

Before kids, I was the perfect parent! My list of perfection parenting (remember, I’m a list kind of gal), included everything my children and I would never do. I don’t know why I thought parenting was all about the “will nots” in life.

On my list, under “I will never share my bed” (yep, we broke that rule on day one of the job), I wrote, “My children will never play with food”.

Slowly, after Piper’s birth, my perfect list started looking more like the list of a highly confused mom. Scribbles here and there, black lines through sentences. Finally, at six months of age, “my children will never play with food” received the black scribble of death. Feeding a six month-old baby is all about hands, messes, and food! What was I thinking?

I’m far from that “perfect” parent I once envisioned. Was the parent on my list really “perfect”? (Answer: No)  My kids often run around in nothing more than undies until noon, we are past the baby phase yet they still “play” with food (have you ever baked with a two and four year-old?), and they even watch movies from Disney (gasp!).

So, today, in celebration of my once “perfect” list and the new life and freedom found in the black scribbles, we’re going to play with food, again.

Last time we hung out we played with lemons, oats, and honey.  Not only did we play with our food, we also smothered the ingredients all over our faces.  List-breaking to the max. Today, we’re going a step further with three mud-slinging, food-playing masks that deep-clean, moisturize, and stop those blemishes from ever coming back.

Each mask uses bentonite clay as the main ingredient. You may remember this clay from my favorite make-up bag essential, homemade foundation powder. I also use this clay to make my family’s homemade toothpaste. That’s some versatile clay!

Bentonite clay pulls toxins, chemicals, and even heavy metals. The clay also helps provide oxygen to cells and has an alkalizing effect. Bentonite clay is rich in beneficial minerals such as: magnesium, silica, and calcium. When mixed together with healing and antibacterial ingredients, the clay creates a mask that can safely and effectively be used for maintaining healthy skin.

Before we play, let’s take a look at a few other ingredients:

Yogurt: helps exfoliate skin and tighten pores with naturally-occurring lactic acid. Yogurt also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to help keep blemishes far away.

Honey: with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, honey is perfect for achieving that “glow” while fighting acne and nourishing aging skin. Honey also naturally opens pores.

Oats: contains anti-inflammatory properties and saponins, a cleansing agent, making oats perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil has been used for everything from treating acne to dandruff.

Ready to play? Me too!

Acne-Fighting Tea Tree Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1-2 TB water (Clean tap water is fine for short-term use. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water for long-term use.)
• 1 TB ground oats (where to buy)*
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil (where to buy)

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and oats in a small bowl. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.)  Add in enough water to make a spreadable paste. Add 4 drops of tea tree oil and stir. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

*Note: To grind oats, place desired amount of oats in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Pulse oats until coarse and flour-like.

Soothing Yogurt Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 TB plain yogurt (homemade)

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and yogurt. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

Acne-Fighting Honey Mask

 Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 TB water
• 1 TB raw honey

 Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay, honey, and water. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

 More Recipes You May Like: 

 Homemade Honey Oatmeal Acne Mask 

 Homemade Foundation Powder

Simple Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste

The post 3 Simple & Quick Homemade Clay Mask Recipes appeared first on Live Simply.

My journey to simplicity started with food. Little did I know ditching the processed food and learning to use my oven would ignite a fire within my soul for getting back to simple living.

Now, I’m not talking about throwing out the washing machine and bathing in the creek (all power to you if you want to go that route), rather slowly making changes to take back the food we eat and products used with clean, real ingredients.   Companies daily fill our heads with the idea that we need to buy lotion, granola bars, and make-up. Trust me friends, I used to buy into this mentality too, until my “aha” simplicity moment. The moment I realized I don’t need a company feeding my body toxins disguised as food or body products loaded with ingredients my skin (and body) can’t recognize.

One of my first DIYs was a simple foundation powder. With a bit of cocoa powder, healing clay, arrowroot starch, and a handful of spices, I whipped up a homemade foundation powder that quickly replaced my favorite store-bought powder. Over time as I switched out more products for homemade versions like: toothpaste, laundry soap, body wash, and lotion, I realized making my own products saves money.

Since publishing my first DIY (homemade foundation powder), I’ve received many questions: Does this actually work? How do you mix it? How does this look on your skin? I try my very best to answer each question, but without a visual, words can only explain so much.

I finally braved-up and faced the camera without any make-up to bring you a video tutorial on how to make this wonderful homemade version of foundation powder. This video is designed to demonstrate making foundation powder start to finish, including what the powder looks like when applied to the skin. You can find the original recipe (and lots of comments, questions, and answers) here. I’ve also provided the recipe (unaltered from the original) below.

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Homemade Foundation Powder

An easy homemade foundation powder made with simple kitchen ingredients. Customize this face powder based on your skin. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Foundation Powder

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup arrowroot flour starch similar to corn starch (a thickening agent), but without the GMOs.
• 2 TB unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp bentonite clay or kaolin (very gentle), or French green

Instructions

• Gather your ingredients and a non-metallic bowl (Bentonite Clay should not come in contact with metal). The amount you use of each ingredient will greatly depend on your skin complexion.
• Mix all your ingredients in the bowl, starting with the arrowroot as your base. Add each ingredient, adding the cocoa powder slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired shade. Whisk together.
  
• Test the color by placing a small amount on your face (or arm) with your finger or a brush. It may take a little tweaking the first time to make the perfect shade for your complexion.

Video

Notes

My original recipe called for adding a few drops of vitamin E oil and lavender oil. Since this post was originally published, I’ve decided to remove these ingredients to keep this DIY budget-friendly. If you’d like to add a scent, feel free to add a few drops of your favorite skin-friendly essential oil. If you want to add a few drops of vitamin E oil as well, you’re welcome to do so. 

Bentonite clay is very detoxifying and absorbs excess oils on the skin. If you have sensitive or mature skin, kaolin clay is the best option. 

 

The post Homemade Foundation Powder (Video Tutorial) appeared first on Live Simply.

A couple of months ago, the normal twenty minutes of play was extended. Not by my doing, but the kids seemed to be really enjoying their time together. Check-in or sit and savor the last few drops of coffee?  As any practical mom would do, I raised my voice enough to be heard from the bottom of the stairs, “Are you two okay up there?” Silence. I put down the coffee (it was hard) and walked upstairs. I quietly peeked down the hall and saw her, covered, mouth full of pink paste.

Londyn had successfully broken away from playtime with Piper, wondered into the bathroom, and grabbed the bottle of kid-friendly “natural” toothpaste. The bright pink color and strawberry-flavor was just too appealing for a two year-old. And when anything is that appealing, much like chocolate, the only logical thing is to attempt to eat and cover yourself with the entire tube. I caught her just in time, most of the paste covered her body and the sticky hand-printed walls.  I’m sure she ingested a small amount too. The idea of a child loving toothpaste so much that she viewed it as an edible treat, candy, terrified me.

I’ve been making and using homemade toothpaste for over a year. I’ve noticed an incredible difference in my dental health. Ditching the commercial paste has proven to be a wise decision. My kids are less than fond of my homemade concoction.  The taste is “too hot” for their liking. (“Too hot” is Piper’s way of saying a food is too salty.) With the desire to make brushing teeth an enjoyable experience, I’ve been buying a popular “natural” brand of toothpaste: pink, strawberry-flavored, and super kid-friendly. Never giving thought to homemade “kid” toothpaste until Londyn’s scary toothpaste adventure.

Today, my kids use homemade toothpaste. A recipe very similar to my peppermint paste, but made kid-friendlier. So, what’s different? In the kid-friendlier recipe, I omit the salt and use less baking soda, reducing the salty taste. My kids aren’t a fan of peppermint, so I turn to a kid-friendly and safe essential oil, sweet orange. The addition of stevia adds a bit of sweetness, just enough to make teeth-time enjoyable.  A recipe I can feel good about my kids using without the temptation of viewing toothpaste as edible candy.

Do I guarantee your kids will love this paste? No, I don’t. In fact, if your kids are used to processed, overly- sweetened paste adorned with lovable cartoon characters, it will take effort and time to get used to a homemade version. In the beginning my kids were skeptical. How did I transition them from pink slime to homemade paste? Here are a few tips:

1. Transition Slowly. My kids weren’t keen on the whole cold-turkey thing. I started putting a small amount of homemade paste on their toothbrush, followed by the commercial paste on top. Slowly, every couple of days, I decreased the amount of commercial toothpaste, adding more homemade paste. Eventually, the commercial paste was no longer needed. They also stopped trying to eat or “drink” the toothpaste once the transition took place. Toothpaste is now viewed a something we use to brush our teeth, not a treat.

2. Squeeze Bottles. I recently learned about these GoToob squeeze bottles. They’re amazing! I was hesitant to spend the money, but I’m glad I did. They’re soft and squeezable, very similar to a toothpaste tube. I bought the three pack, one for the kids’ toothpaste, one for mine, and the extra for homemade lotion. The squeezeableness (shhh, let’s pretend that’s a word) of the tube makes homemade toothpaste much more desirable for my kids. I think they feel “normal.”

3. Make it Together. Just like real food, getting your kids involved in the process of creating is always a win. This recipe is simple enough kids can assist in the making.

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Homemade Kid Toothpaste

A homemade toothpaste even the kids will like. Made with simple, natural ingredients.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Kid Toothpaste

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup coconut oil soft but not melted
• 1 TB baking soda
• 1 TB bentonite clay
• 1/4 tsp liquid stevia
• 4-10 drops sweet orange essential oil Lemon or Peppermint are also an option if that's more appealing to your kids.

Instructions

• In a medium-size bowl, combine the coconut oil, baking soda, and clay. Mix thoroughly.
• Add in the remaining ingredients and mix.
• Store in a jar or for squeezable toothpaste, use these.
• Note: When mixing bentonite clay, please use a wood or plastic spoon. Bentonite clay should not come in contact with metal because it deactivates the clay.
• The consistency of this recipe can vary depending on the temperature where the toothpaste is stored, due to the nature of coconut oil. This toothpaste isn't meant to be stored long-term, so I recommend making small batches frequently.

I’m sure someone will ask about baking soda being abrasive. I personally, after much reading, feel safer using baking soda than commercial toothpaste. It’s much less abrasive than commercial toothpaste, even the organic options. You can read more information and view a chart here.  Also, if you’d like to skip homemade toothpaste and purchase a “cleaner” store-bought option, I love Nature’s Gate or Earthpaste (both are available at health food stores, or online).

The post Homemade Kid Toothpaste appeared first on Live Simply.

This recipe was originally shared in 2014. Since that time, I’ve experimented with ways to improve this recipe, based on my own experience and reader feedback. In 2017, I shared a new and update recipe. Check out the new recipe, here. 

Remember those chocolate chip cookies I posted this week? Yes, those ooey-gooey little bites of pure joy. It’s time to draw it back a little, finish up that last little crumb smudged with chocolaty goodness and talk about teeth and toothpaste. I know, a bit of a downer topic after talking chocolate, but I promise, you’ll want to stick around.

Growing up, I regularly visited the dentist, received protective sealants, braces, and cleanings. You could say the dentist and I were quite the BFF’s, maybe more like BDF’s (Best Dental Friends). My teeth were well-cared for, thanks to my parents.

With as many dental treatments as I received over the years, you’d think my teeth would be cavity-free and gorgeous. Cavitiy-free? I have many. Gorgeous teeth? Well, they are nice looking. Not once did I ever stop to think about what I was putting on my teeth and how it effects those pearly whites.  For nearly twenty-eight years, I never once thought there was a different way to care for teeth. After all, commercials, the dentist, and pamphlets, tell us we need commercial toothpaste, two times a day, followed by a thorough washing of bright-blue mouth wash. And if that commercial toothpaste irritates your teeth, then the industry will sell you “special” commercial toothpaste.

After delving into Dr. Weston A Price’s book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration and changing our diet to include lots of good fat, quite the shocker for a former margarine-loving vegetarian, I realized food has the power to heal and restore health. The difference real food made for our tired bodies, our son’s Apraxia, and even our dental health was amazing. Even with the real food change I continued to use commercial, processed products for our personal hygiene.

Here’s the thing about real food, natural living, getting back to simple, whatever you want to call it, eventually you start questioning all products. One day you pick up that bottle of lotion, after enjoying a nice glass of kombucha, and wonder, “Why can’t I pronounce anything on this bottle?” Soon, that bottle gets tossed and you’re experimenting with the same coconut oil used to make brownies, rubbing it all over your dry legs.

It doesn’t stop there, soon you’re tossing the foundation powder and whipping up a cocoa mixture to apply to your face. That foundation powder leads to body wash, homemade neosporin, vapor rub, and laundry soap. Your medicine cabinet resembles a hodge podge of natural ingredients and little mason jars with the only labels being hand-written. Your husband lovingly calls you “the witch-doctor” and your friends call you “crazy”.

Don’t think it will happen, friends? Give it a bit of time. Soon, you’ll be there too.

Today, I’m sharing a new recipe. One you can easily whip up with that hodge podge of natural ingredients. A recipe to replace yet another chemical found in our homes, toothpaste. A homemade toothpaste that’s revolutionized my teeth and dental health. This recipe is made with benonite clay. The same clay used to make foundation powder, rich is potassium and calcium and effective at removing toxins. Baking soda and coconut oil help to whiten and clean teeth. Mineral-rich salt is also added.  Stevia and peppermint essential oil add a delicate, sweet peppermint flavor to the salty mixture. Each ingredient comes together to create a homemade toothpaste that cleans and nourishes teeth, in a simple, chemical-free fashion.

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Simple Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste

Homemade toothpaste made with simple ingredients. 

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Peppermint Toothpaste

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3/8 cup coconut oil soft, but not liquid
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp bentonite clay
• 1/2 tsp liquid stevia optional
• 5-7 drops peppermint essential oil the amount will depend on taste preference

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the coconut oil and baking soda. Mix thoroughly.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix.
• Store in a jar and scoop with a small spoon (to prevent bacteria from entering the container). For a squeezable toothpaste, use a squeeze bottle.
• Note: When mixing bentonite clay, please use a wood or plastic spoon. Bentonite clay should not come in contact with metal because it deactivates the clay.
• The consistency of this recipe can vary depending on the temperature where the toothpaste is stored due to the nature of coconut oil.

Notes

This recipe was originally shared in 2014. Since that time, I've experimented with ways to improve this recipe, based on my own experience and reader feedback. In 2017, I shared a new and update recipe. Check out the new recipe, here. 

The post Simple Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste appeared first on Live Simply.

I love makeup!

In fact, I find makeup to be pretty magical!

I can wake up in the morning, gulp  graciously sip down my lemon water, coffee, green juice, eat breakfast, and dab a little makeup on and suddenly I go from “Who is that woman?” to “Wow! Who is that woman?”

Okay, maybe I’m not stopping traffic, but for a mom of two little kids, makeup somehow possesses the magical powers to make me feel “put together.” I can go from frumpy to polished, ready to hit the playground and looking half-way decent while doing so.

Who pays attention to the multiple stains from morning breakfast splattered on my shirt, the 5 dirty wipes stuffed in my pocket about to fall out, and the hair that hasn’t been washed in two days, when I have makeup on?

At least that’s what I am telling myself…please don’t burst my mommy bubble!

I love makeup, but I have a problem.

Makeup does NOT love me.

I have seriously sensitive skin.

The moment any foreign substance comes in contact with my skin, it attacks! Leaving behind some serious battle scars.  In my late teen years I began to battle break outs here and there. I believe this was largely due to my poor diet and the amount of chemical-ridden “beauty” products I used. My face would always react poorly and I would turn to more chemicals which promised to help “beautify” my skin.

Real food has certainly helped my skin!  The past few years I have seen huge improvements in the condition of my face in particular.

About 6 months ago (update as of September 2014: I’ve been making homemade products for two years), I decided food wasn’t enough and so I ventured down the world of “natural” beauty products: soaps, deodorant, and toothpaste.

I’m talking real, natural products.

I scoured the aisles in stores and was greatly disappointed to find all the “natural” products (Aveeno, Burt’s Bees, even Arbonne) were far from real ingredients. Since the skin absorbs anything that is placed on it within a mere 26 seconds, I wanted my products to contain ingredients I would feel safe floating around in my bloodstream. I wanted products made from ingredients I could eat.

I finally found what I was looking for. I use a local line of products which contain food-grade organic ingredients for soap, lip balm, and toothpaste. I purchase Primal Pit Paste for deodorant.  Even after searching and searching I couldn’t find makeup products which suited my new requirements. Why not make my own?

My first concoction was homemade foundation powder makeup.  I have fallen in love with this homemade mineral-like foundation powder. I have tweaked it a bit over the past few months, adding a few ingredients. I love the coverage this makeup gives me without drying my skin or leaving me looking like a pan of bacon grease at the end of the day. Homemade foundation powder is made with ingredients that are be safe to eat. In fact, many of these ingredients you may already be using in your real food kitchen.

Want more good news?  This makeup is super inexpensive to make.

To think I used to pay $30 for a container of toxic makeup! The initial cost of purchasing ingredients may be pricey, but these products will last through dozens of batches of homemade foundation powder makeup and can be used in the kitchen, too. The true cost is significantly less expensive than many toxic makeup options.

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Homemade Foundation Powder

An easy homemade foundation powder made with simple kitchen ingredients. Customize this face powder based on your skin. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Foundation Powder

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 6 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup arrowroot flour starch similar to corn starch (a thickening agent), but without the GMOs.
• 2 TB unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp bentonite clay or kaolin clay (very gentle), or French green clay

Instructions

• Gather your ingredients and a non-metallic bowl (Bentonite clay should not come in contact with metal). The amount you use of each ingredient will greatly depend on your skin complexion.
• Mix all your ingredients in the bowl, starting with the arrowroot as your base. Add each ingredient, adding the cocoa powder slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired shade. Whisk together.
• Test the color by placing a small amount on your face (or arm) with your finger or a brush. It may take a little tweaking the first time to make the perfect shade for your complexion.

To Use:

• Store your foundation powder in a small container and use a dry sponge or brush to apply. I use a liquid foundation (2017 Update: Here's a list of my favorite store-bought natural makeup products.) under this foundation powder. You can also use this foundation powder without a liquid foundation for light coverage. 
  

Video

Notes

My original recipe called for adding a few drops of vitamin E oil and lavender oil. Since this post was originally published, I've decided to remove these ingredients to keep this DIY budget-friendly. If you'd like to add a scent, feel free to add a few drops of your favorite skin-friendly essential oil. If you want to add a few drops of vitamin E oil as well, you're welcome to do so. 

Bentonite clay is very detoxifying and absorbs excess oils on the skin. If you have sensitive or mature skin, kaolin clay is the best option. 

Store your foundation powder in a small container and use a dry sponge or brush to apply. I use a liquid foundation under this foundation powder on days when I want more coverage. You can also use this foundation powder without a liquid foundation for a lighter coverage.

Now you’re ready to face the day, Mom.

And I think making your own homemade foundation powder makeup might even give you a bit of bragging rights at the playground today.

Q: What kind of coverage does this provide?

A: This foundation powder will provide a light to moderate coverage. If you’re looking for heavy coverage, this powder isn’t for you, at least not as a solo makeup product.  If you’re looking for heavier coverage (without the makeup looking heavy), I recommend using a liquid foundation underneath this powder foundation. My current favorite brand is Ilia. I use their True Skin Serum Foundation under my powder. I recently shared everything you’ll find in my (natural) makeup bag, here. You can also use this foundation powder without a liquid foundation for a lighter coverage.

Q: This doesn’t stick to my face. Help!

A: I guarantee I’ve made countless jars of the powder (around one jar a month), and I haven’t ever had this issue. Truthfully, I’m not sure why a few people have sticking issues. Listed above in the ingredients are the actual brands I use to make this powder. I’d recommend buying ingredients that are high quality and very fine. Since I’m not in your kitchen (or bathroom) making this with you, I simply don’t know why the powder didn’t stick. I’d recommend wiping your face with a damp cloth to see if any powder stuck to your face. It may be that you are experiencing the difference between heavy, cake-like, store-bought powder and homemade, light powder. A few other questions to ask: did you wash your face and then apply this powder? Did you moisturize before applying this powder (this is my recommendation)? What kind of application tool did you use-powder brush, finger, washcloth? (I recommend a powder brush.)  It shouldn’t roll-off your face, there should be stick. You can find my video tutorial for making homemade foundation powder, here.

Q: Does the cinnamon irritate your skin?

A: No, it doesn’t. This recipe calls for very little cinnamon compared to the main ingredients. The ratio is very low. Cinnamon can cause skin irritation, if you are worried, leave it out, or test a small amount. I would not suggest applying cinnamon directly to your face without a mixture like this foundation. Cinnamon is actually beneficial for your skin and helps heal, particularly with blackheads. I feel more comfortable applying a small amount of cinnamon found in this powder than the chemicals in store-bought powder.

Q: If I don’t like it, did I waste my money?

A: No, you didn’t. I personally love this foundation powder. I literally use it daily and know many other readers and friends who do as well. I’ve bought countless foundation powders over the years and thrown many away. Talk about a waste of money! Everyone has different tastes. If you don’t like this powder, I’m not hurt, it’s just a difference in taste. Here’s the great news–when you buy powder and don’t like it at the store, you’ve lost $10-30. Ouch! When you buy the ingredients for this powder, you’ve gained kitchen and bathroom ingredients. The cocoa and arrowroot can be used in the kitchen. Arrowroot is basically corn starch without the GMOs. The clay makes a fantastic mask! Add a little with water and apply to the face. Your skin will thank you. The spices are common cooking spices.

Q: Can I skip the clay?

A: I don’t recommend skipping the clay. You can still make a great foundation without it, but if you are looking for corrective issues, like redness or mild acne to be resolved, the clay is needed. French clay or kaolin clay are also good choices.

Q: I want to turn this powder into a liquid foundation, can I just add coconut oil?

A: I’ve experimented with liquifying this recipe with zero success! Adding a liquid like coconut oil just darkens the cocoa and you end up with a nice edible chocolate. Freeze it and you’ll have a chocolate bar. I recommend purchasing a liquid foundation from a natural brand. My favorite brand is Ilia. I use their True Skin Serum Foundation under my powder.

Q: I love your recipe so much I want to feature it on my blog. Can I do that?

A. So glad you like the powder and I’m honored you’d like to feature Live Simply’s recipe on your blog. The content here at Live Simply is copyrighted so we don’t allow duplication. If you’d like to use a picture with a link back (recipe needs to stay here at Live Simply), please contact me here and we can talk. I love a good blogger shout-out and am happy to work with you so the recipe is properly featured with credit. Of course, feel free to share across social media or mention the recipe in a blog post with a link back.

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