Our family spends a lot of time outdoors during the summer. The late summer sun and hot weather is an invitation to stay up later and enjoy meals on the grill, summer snack boards, homemade popsicles, and evenings in the backyard. And with summer comes one thing none of us love: bugs and mosquitoes.

Ingredients

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DIY Homemade Bug Spray Mosquito Repellent (Essential Oils)

Say hello to a homemade bug spray that repels mosquitoes and other annoying insects. The easy recipe is budget-friendly, simple to make, and includes only 3 ingredients: witch hazel, oil or glycerin, & a done-for-you blend of essential oils (no need to buy multiple essential oils).

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Bug Spray Repellent, Homemade Bug Spray

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $5

Equipment

• 1 4-ounce spray bottle or larger

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup witch hazel or high-proof vodka
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, OR aloe vera gel may be used instead
• 72 drops Plant Therapy's Shield Me Essential Oil Blend (suitable for ages 2-10+) OR Nature Shield (suitable for adults)
• 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract Optional

Instructions

• Pour the witch hazel (or vodka) and essential oil blend of choice (either Sheild Me OR Nature Shield) into a 4-ounce or larger spray bottle. Add vanilla extract if using.
• Add the glycerin (or oil or aloe vera gel). Secure the lid on the bottle and shake to incorporate the ingredients.

To Use:

• Shake the bottle before each application. Spray the bug repellent on the skin, rubbing on the skin if needed. As with any homemade remedy, I highly recommend testing this spray first on a small area of the skin. Make sure your skin doesn't react to the essential oils before applying liberally.
• Store away from sunlight and use within 3 weeks.

Video

Notes

This is NOT a sponsored post with Plant Therapy. I’m a happy customer and love their oils. If you know of a similar essential oil blend by a different brand, feel free to use that. The key is to use a blend specifically created to deter mosquitoes and other bugs. 

Optional Vanilla Extract: There is some evidence to suggest that vanilla extract may deter bugs since mosquitoes, gnats, and other bugs hate its scent. If you want to add vanilla extract to this recipe, make sure it’s pure with no added sugars or flavorings. The only ingredients of pure vanilla extra are: vanilla beans and alcohol. I suggest adding about 1/2 tablespoon. 

Pregnancy: Citronella and eucalyptus are NOT recommended while pregnant. Always check with a professional before using any essential oils during pregnancy.

Easy Roll-On Recipe Variation

 If you’re short on time or ingredients the essential oil blend can easily be diluted with fractionated coconut oil (or another oil) and then applied directly to the skin. Use the recommendation on the Plant Therapy bottle for dilution and this dilution chart to figure out how many drops of essential oil per tablespoon of oil should be used. OR, you can buy a pre-diluted roll-on bottle of Shield Me or Nature Shield.

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The post Homemade Bug Spray Mosquito Repellent (Essential Oils) 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.

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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.

If you’ve followed Live Simply for a while, you probably know that in the beginning days of the blog I shared a lot of homemade skincare recipes.

When we began our real food journey, which naturally brought about changes to our body and home products, there weren’t many companies making clean skincare products.

By “clean,” I’m referring to products made with non-toxic or natural ingredients, which are made by companies that are transparent about these ingredients. Because of this, I had to learn how to make my own products. I wasn’t going to let a lack of choices in the store stand in my way of making changes.

It’s encouraging to see the shift in the products available today. With the expansion of the internet and online bloggers and shops, it’s easier than ever to find clean skincare products. Now you can find makeup, nail polish, skincare products, and even cleaning products made with full transparency and safer ingredients.

Today, we have the choice between making a product or purchasing a product. That’s amazing! I welcome this choice.

Because of this, I’ve shifted my focus here on Live Simply from 100% homemade products (when it comes to skincare, body care, and cleaning) to also talking about store-bought options.

Today, most of the products I personally use come from companies, like True Botanicals, OSEA, and Marie Veronique. I recently shared my personal skincare routine here on the blog.

That said, there are some things that I still love to make: bath salts (for my weekly mama time ritual) and clay masks. And, recently, I’ve added eye masks to this list.

There are a ton of store-bought options out there, and a few that use more natural or non-toxic ingredients. My favorites include: 100% Pure and Acure. Store-bought masks can be pricey, particularly if you enjoy them on a regular basis like I do. That’s where homemade eye masks come into play.

Homemade eye masks only cost a couple of dollars to make, and that’s for over 12+ eye masks. The average store-bought mask set costs between $4-7, for a one-time use, so that price difference can’t be ignored. And that’s why I’m sharing today’s recipe with you. Plus, it’s super cool to think that you can make your own eye masks, right?!

You’ll also need cotton facial pads. You know, the cotton pads used to remove makeup or apply a facial toner.

To start, use a food processor or blender to blend the cucumber and liquid down to a mushy liquid substance. Since the mixture is super thick, the pulp needs to be strained into a sieve, leaving behind a cucumber juice.

Once you have the cucumber juice, cut the facial pads in half and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Dip a facial pad in the cucumber liquid, one at a time, and transfer to the parchment paper. I usually get around 15-20 mask sets from this liquid. That’s a lot of future masks for only a couple of dollars.

Place the sheet pan in the freezer and freeze the eye mass for about 30 minutes, or until firm. Transfer the masks to a freezer-friendly container or bag and store in the freezer for future puffy eye relief.

Once your eye masks are stashed away in the freezer, they’re ready to use. Anytime you need some extra help in the eye area–something cool for de-puffing or extra hydration–just pull a set of eye masks from the freezer and apply under your eyes.

Now, here’s the thing. The eye masks are coming directly from the freezer, which is FREEZING cold. This means the masks are going to be FREEZING cold. Plus, they won’t be very pliable.

If you prefer, set the eye masks on the counter for a few minutes, until they lose that extra chilly factor and are easier to work with. I personally don’t mind the initial cold experience.

Also, at first the eye masks may not stick well to your skin. Just keep adjusting as needed until they stick well enough to not need any assistance. This may take some fussing at first, but I promise they will stick so you don’t have to hold them against your skin for 15 minutes. Nobody has time for that.

The goal is apply the masks when they’re cold and leave them on the skin as long as desired. I find the masks to be so soothing, once they stick, that I don’t want to remove them.

I find the masks to be very soothing and an instant wake-me-up in the morning, along with being super hydrating and incredible at de-puffing. There’s no limit to how often the eye masks may be used. I’ve used them as often as I feel the need for some pampering or de-puffing.

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Homemade Eye Masks

Create your own homemade, de-puffing eye masks with simple ingredients: cucumber and a liquid of choice (water, rose water, aloe).

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword eye masks

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Chill 30 minutes minutes

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cucumber no need to peel or remove seeds
• 2 TB liquid of choice such as: aloe vera gel or juice, rose water (or rose water), filtered water
• 6 mint leaves optional, or as many leaves as desired
• 8-10 round cotton facial pads I've purchased mine from Whole Foods. Most stores sell cotton facial pads.

Special Equipment:

• food processor or blender
• sieve
• medium bowl
• sheet pan
• parchment paper

Instructions

• Cut 8-10 cotton facial pads in half. And line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or wax paper--just something the frozen eye masks won't stick to). Set aside.
• Cut the cucumber into slices or chunks. The size doesn't matter, just make sure your blender or food processor can easily puree the cucumbers.
• Add the cucumber slices, liquid of choice (such as: rose water, filtered water, or aloe vera gel or juice), and (if using) the mint leaves to the food processor or blender. Keep in mind, my blender doesn't handle such a small amount of food well, so I go with a food processor. This will depend your blender.
• Blend the mixture until smooth (about 30-60 seconds).
• Place a sieve over a bowl. Pour the mixture through the sieve to separate the pulp from the juice. Discard the pulp. Alternatively, you could add a small amount of the pulp to honey or yogurt and make a facial mask. Just a thought for stretching this pulp even further.
• Place a halved cotton pad in the juice for just a couple of seconds. Remove the pad from the liquid and gently squeeze out any excess liquid. Then place the pad on the sheet pan. Repeat until you've used up all the liquid.
• Freeze the eye masks until solid, about 30 minutes. Then pull the frozen eye masks away from the sheet pan and place in a storage container or bag and freeze until needed.
• The eye masks will keep in the freezer for a few months (I'm guessing about 3 months, although I've used mine much faster).

To Use:

• Remove 2 eye masks (a set) from the freezer. Apply to the skin, under the eyes.
• The eye masks are coming directly from the freezer, which is FREEZING cold. This means the masks are going to be FREEZING cold. Plus, they won't be very pliable. If you prefer, set the eye masks on the counter for a few minutes, until they lose that extra chill factor and are easier to work with. I personally don't mind the initial cold experience. Also, at first the eye masks may not stick well to your skin, just keep adjusting as needed until they stick. This may take some fussing at first, but I promise they will stick so you don't have to hold them against your skin. Nobody has time for that!
• I find the masks to be very soothing and an instant wake-me-up in the morning, along with being hydrating and incredible at de-puffing. There's no limit to how often the eye masks may be used. I've used them as often as I feel the need for some pampering or de-puffing.

The post Homemade Cooling Eye Masks (For Puffy Eyes) appeared first on Live Simply.

1. Drink plenty of water each day. I carry a reusable water bottle all day, and drink from it often.

2. Enjoy natural fat, as part of a real food lifestyle, on a daily basis: avocado, grass-fed butter, coconut butter, olive oil, etc.

3. Sleep at least 7 hours each night.

4. Exercise on a regular basis. Sometimes my exercise for the day is as simple as taking a walk around my neighborhood or stretching. Other times, I enjoy a barre or kick boxing class. The goal is movement each day.

5. Dry brush. Dry brushing supports the lymphatic system (a huge part of the immune system) and naturally detoxes the body. A few times a week, before or after a morning shower, I brush my skin (yes, my whole body) with a body brush (I found my brush on Amazon). I start by brushing the top of my feet and legs, then work upward towards my stomach, and then focus on my arms. The entire process only takes a couple of minutes.

6. Enjoy a face mask. I like to use a face mask once or twice a week. A mask helps to improve the overall appearance and condition of the skin, and it’s a cue for my body to rest for a few minutes.  The mask you choose to use depends on the ingredients you have on hand and your skin, and if you want to make your own or purchase a mask from the store. Personally, I use the Clay Acne Mask on a weekly basis, and occasionally a seasonal food-based mask.

7. Exfoliate. I like to exfoliate my face once a week, in the morning. An exfoliator is used to slough off dead skin cells and get the blood flowing to the skin.

These practices require intention on my part. Because without intention, my days become too full and busy for self-care.

Besides movement, my favorite self-care practice is definitely using a mask or an exfoliator on my face. Applying such a treatment to my face makes me feel like I’ve visited a spa, which ranks high on my list of relaxing activities.

I’ve shared a few natural masks and exfoliators here on the blog and in my body care book. Today, I want to add one more exfoliator recipe to the blog (this recipe comes from my book) in hopes that you’ll have quite a few options for your own self-care time.

This recipe is so easy and you probably already own the ingredients needed: baking soda and a liquid. My favorite liquid is milk. Other options, include: a hydrosol (try rose water) or plain water. The liquid used is up to you, based on what your skin responds to the best.

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Gentle Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator

A gentle, two-ingredient facial exfoliator made with kitchen ingredients. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 1 application

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 TB baking soda
• 1 tsp milk, water, or hydrosol

Instructions

•  In a small bowl, stir together the baking soda and liquid.

To Use:

• Wet your hands. Gently massage the exfoliator on the face using circular motions, for about 30 seconds. Rinse the face clean with water and a washcloth. Follow-up with a moisturizer. 

The post Gentle Baking Soda Facial Exfoliator 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.

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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.

Back in 2013, when I started blogging, I shared natural living recipes that were entirely based on our personal needs: foundation powder, body wash, hand soap, and laundry soap. At the time, my closet friends, my mom, and grandmother were the only people reading my recipes.

As time went on and the recipe collection grew, people that I didn’t know in real life began to visit Live Simply and try out the recipes. (I don’t know why I was surprised by the latter. After all, I was writing an online/public blog, and I wanted to share my passion with the world.)

As more people began to read the blog and become part of the Live Simply Family, I began receiving email requests from readers asking for various recipes/tips. Over the past year, while I still view the blog as a public diary where I share my natural living journey, it’s also become a much larger diary. A diary that’s about more than just my little family. A diary that chronicles our journey together–from recipes to tips–as an online family looking to live a “more natural lifestyle.”

“More natural lifestyle” = progress, never (stressed-out) perfection.

So, that’s why I started out with my irony statement. The irony of today’s post is that Dustin hasn’t shaved in over six years. He sports his rustic beard proudly, and he doesn’t have any future plans to shave it off. And, if you’re curious, I really do love his beard.

So why share a post on Live Simply about how to make homemade aftershave?

Remember when we talked about this online space being a public diary about our journey? That includes sharing diverse recipes and DIY projects to meet my needs and yours. Today’s tutorial is one that many readers have requested over the past year, so get those razors ready…

Homemade aftershave is so incredibly easy to make that it only requires two base ingredients: vegetable glycerin and witch hazel. Since neither glycerin or witch hazel offer much in terms of natural fragrance, essential oils are used to create a classic aftershave scent. The end result is a soothing and cleansing aftershave with a natural, manly fragrance.

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Homemade Aftershave

Two simple homemade aftershave recipes. Spray this product liberally on the skin after shaving to soothe and tone, while giving a pleasant scent. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Homemade Aftershave

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 8-ounce bottle

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Aftershave Base:

• 1 TB vegetable glycerin
• 3/4 cup witch hazel* + 2 teaspoons (to fill the 8-ounce bottle)

Spiced Bay Scent:

• 24 drops bay essential oil
• 15 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil (not cinnamon bark)
• 15 drops clove essential oil

Forest Scent:

• 25 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 10 drops vetiver essential oil
• 8 drops bergamot essential oil

Instructions

• In an 8-ounce glass spray bottle combine the glycerin and essential oils (either for the Spiced Bay Scent or Forest Scent). Swirl to combine, then add the witch hazel until the bottle is almost full. You’ll need about ¾ cup and 2 teaspoons of witch hazel, but it isn’t necessary to measure--just fill the bottle. 
• Place the spray top on the bottle, and shake well to combine the ingredients.

To Use:

• Shake well before use, and spray liberally on the skin after shaving to soothe and tone. The scent won’t last as long as store-bought aftershave products. 

Notes

* I used the alcohol-free formula witch hazel from Thayers. 

It's not essential to use the essential oils to create an aftershave product; however, most men are used to a scented aftershave (which, in this recipe, comes from blending essential oils). My favorite scent is the Spiced Bay Scent, which reminds me of Christmas. The Forest Blend is very woodsy (Dustin said it reminds him of hamster wood-chips, lol). 

I purchased most of the essential oils from a local apothecary store in our area. If you don't have this option in your area, I recommend checking out Plant Therapy (website or Amazon), Aura Cacia (natural food stores or Amazon), or Mountain Rose Herbs (website)--these sources are usually well-priced and offer small quantities.

As always, do your own research with essential oils, particularly when using essential oils on the skin. The essential oil amounts are under dilution recommendations for the skin. It's always best to perform a small spot test on the skin, whether you're using a homemade or store-bought product, before applying a product all over the face or body. 

While Dustin didn't personally test this recipe, it was tested and approved by other men before publishing. 

The post How to Make Homemade Aftershave 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.

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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.

“What beautiful roses!” The clerk mentioned, as she rang up my groceries.

“Thank you.” I thoughtfully replied.

“Where are you going to put such beauties?”

“Well, I’m actually going to boil/cook them, and then use the resulting water on my face.”

Oh the look of dismay and confusion that followed. Dustin claims that my response required an explanation, but I left it there. Right there. Hey, I had kids and groceries, and kids.

I promise there’s a perfectly good explanation for my answer. And since this time of year is the season for love and flowers, why not discuss a new purpose for the prized rose?

So, why would I subject such beautiful and costly flowers to a lovely heat bath on my stove-top? And why would I use the resulting water on my skin?  Friend, the answer is found in one word: rosewater. Let’s talk about this dainty and powerful little word…

What is 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. Who wouldn’t want to walk around smelling like a rose field all day?

I’ve been hearing about rosewater for quite some time, and I’ve even used it in a hydrating spray during the summer, but it wasn’t until my spa visit a couple of months ago that I truly began to understand the benefits of using rosewater on the skin. It was that exact spa visit where I also learned about vitamin C serum. See, Honey, good things come from gifting your wife with a spa day (hint hint).

During my facial (yep, remember that facial?) the esthetician used a fragrant product on my face. The aroma of the product was so uplifting and refreshing that I had to ask about it before leaving the room.

As it turns out, the uplifting and soothing product was nothing fancy or complicated, it was simply pure rosewater. Upon further research into the product, I learned that rosewater can be used to make a facial toner, which then got me thinking, Hmmm..I can go to bed each night and go throughout my days smelling like a freshly-picked flower? Of course, I also factored in the important points about rosewater being soothing and hydrating for the skin. My thoughts weren’t all about smelling good in the carline ;).

I’ve been using a homemade toner/astringent for several years now, which consists of just two simple ingredients: apple cider vinegar and water (and sometimes an essential oil). I absolutely love that toner, but the smell, well, not so much. In fact, Dustin knows to stay far away from the bathroom when the toner bottle and cotton ball come out of hiding each night. Oh to be the husband of a do-it-yourself woman. With a new toner option, I decided to abandon my beloved apple cider vinegar toner just for a couple of weeks and try rosewater, which brings me to the end of my story and the recipe for today…

Before I share my simple rosewater toner, I’m sure you’re curious about my skincare results…

I’ve been using my rosewater toner for about two months now (experimenting between homemade rosewater and a store-bought option), and I hate it. Just kidding. Totally kidding. I wouldn’t share a recipe around here that I hate.

Okay, here’s the truth: I haven’t noticed much of a difference between using the apple cider vinegar or rosewater toner.  I’ve truly enjoyed both products, and have experienced good results with both toners. From a scent standpoint, I’m enjoying the uplifting scent of rosewater vs. the pungent scent of the apple cider vinegar (which dissipates after a few minutes).

For now, I’m sticking with a rosewater toner, but I may return to apple cider vinegar in the future. The apple cider vinegar toner is much cheaper to make than the rosewater toner, but I’m happy to share that I’ve discovered there’s a pretty simple way to make a do-it-yourself version of rosewater at home. And that, my friend, is what we’re going to do today…boil/cook roses to make rosewater, and then make a facial toner. Who’s excited?!

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How to Make Rosewater and Rosewater Facial Toner

I’ve been using my rosewater toner for about two months now (experimenting between homemade rosewater and a store-bought option), and I hate it. Just kidding. Totally kidding. I wouldn’t share a recipe around here that I hate.

Course How To

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Facial Toner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Rosewater Facial Toner:

• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 1/4 cup rosewater homemade or store-bought
• 5 drops rose otto essential oil * or a skin-loving essential oil such as: lavender, bergamot, frankincense, or carrot seed essential oil

Homemade Rosewater:

• 2 cups rose petals * lightly packed
• 3 cups filtered water or distilled water

Instructions

• If you'd like to make rosewater: In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the rose petals and water to a boil. The petals will float, so I recommend placing a smaller lid on top of the roses during the heating/cooking process. This will keep the petals submerged in the water. Once the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer (lowest heat possible). Steep the rose petals in the water for about 45 minutes. You can steep the roses for longer, but I recommend turning off the heat and just letting the petals rest in the water versus using the heat.
• After steeping the roses, strain the rosewater from the roses using a bowl and cheesecloth (or a fine mesh sieve). A large coffee filter may also work for this step, although I haven't personally tried this method. Discard the petals. The water can now be used to make a facial toner. To keep the rosewater from spoiling, I freeze my rosewater in 1/4 cup measurements, using freezer-safe mason jars or baggies. This allows me to make several batches of rosewater toner as needed.

Notes

Rosewater Toner: To make a facial toner, combine ¼ cup witch hazel and ¼ cup rosewater in a jar or spray bottle. Spray or apply a small amount of rosewater toner on the cotton ball (or directly on your face), and then wipe your face with the cotton ball. I use this toner in the morning and at night, after using my cleanser and before using my vitamin C serum (at night) and oil moisturizer.

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.

Ingredient Notes

*Rose Petal Note: Source roses that are organic and haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. I soak the rose petals in water (just like I do with fruit or lettuce) to remove any dirt or surface substances, and then rinse the rose petals before boiling them. Using a produce spray is another option for washing the petals. If you can’t find organic roses, I’d recommend purchasing store-bought rosewater to make a toner. I first started using my rosewater toner with a store-bought rosewater, and I really enjoyed the product. My goal for this recipe is to give you the option to make rosewater, if desired. Both store-bought rosewater and homemade rosewater (either steamed or distilled, see note below) will work in the facial toner recipe, which is the end goal!

*Rose Otto Essential Oil Note: Rose essential oil is a very precious oil and very costly ($80 for a tiny bottle)!! I purchase Aura Cacia Rose Otto in Jojoba Oil, which is diluted with jojoba oil (which is a great skincare oil) to make this oil more affordable. The oil provides an amazing scent to the homemade rosewater (steeped rosewater isn’t very fragrant). This is a personal choice, but right now I can’t spend $80 for a tiny bottle of 100% undiluted rose otto essential oil, so this is the next best choice for me. If you’re using a store-bought or distilled rosewater, I wouldn’t worry about adding this essential oil, unless you already own it.

Distilled vs. Steeped

My recipe uses a steeping method, which results in a colored rosewater. Technically, store-bought rosewater is distilled, which results in a clear, fragrant rosewater. Steaming doesn’t result in such a fragrant liquid, but I’ve been pleased with the final product so I continue to use this method. If you’d like to distill versus steep your rose petals, I recommend checking out this easy tutorial video.

The post How to Make Rosewater and Rosewater Facial Toner 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.

If you’ve been around Live Simply for long, then you know that I’m not much a frivolous kind of gal. I’m a lover of blue jeans and cute flats, simple homemade meals and easy natural solutions. Practical is the name of the game when you’re a mom living with two kids, six chickens, two dogs, and one patient man.

For this reason, most of the DIYs around here are practical–dish soap, laundry soap, glass cleaner, face soap, body wash, etc. I love a good pampering, but 99.9% of my life right now is about practical necessity, maybe with an occasional lip scrub or massage mixed in–every few months.

With that preface, let’s talk about a practical, fancy, and pampering DIY. Think of this little DIY, which takes an entire 30 seconds to make, as a little touch of summer pampering with multiple practical uses. Let’s talk about DIY Rose Moisturizing Spray , shall we?

Summer is the time of year when my skincare needs drastically change. My skin quickly shifts from a desire for thick moisture in the “winter” months (Florida winter) to hydration throughout the humid summer. I usually switch from my heavier skin and body lotion to a simple facial serum for light moisture. The serum sinks into my skin and provides the hydration my skin so desperately seeks.

I also add a moisturizing spray to my homemade beauty/self-care regime. A special spray sounds fancy and a bit frivolous, but it’s super practical. Homemade rose spray provides my skin with daytime hydration in the warmer temperatures, along with neutralizing body odor and freshening my skin. My moisturizing rose spray is made with just three simple ingredients, let’s take a look…

Rose Hydrosol: A hydrosol is the aromatic water that is leftover after steam distilling a plant. Hydrosols, unlike essential oils, are safe to use directly on the skin and offer many therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. Rose hydrosol may be used as a skin toner, room freshener, deodorant, and a calming or sensual spray. This floral hydrosol is suitable for all skin-types, making it the perfect spray ingredient to freshen the skin during the hot (and sweaty!) summer months.

Glycerin(e): Glycerin is a thick, colorless liquid used in many of my DIY recipes (for example: bug spray and body wash). Cosmetically, glycerin may be used a cleanser, toner, or moisturizer. Glycerin is added to this recipe for both toning and moisturizing benefits.

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a natural astringent. When mixed with aloe it may be used to soothe a sunburn, or by itself to help tone the skin. Witch hazel is added to this recipe to help tone the skin and provide a cleansing solution.

I called this recipe “practical,” so let’s talk about practical application. You know, the good stuff–how to use this floral spray.

My favorite uses for this spray include: a hydrating deodorizer after a sweaty workout (I started Insanity a few weeks. This is my post-workout skin freshener), a cooling mist after spending time in the sun, or a skin freshener/spray cleanser while traveling and my skin just feels dirty and oily. This spray may also be used as a moisturizing toner during the summer, which means you may be able to skip the toner/astringent and lotion or serum. Finally, this spray may also be used to freshen your armpits…I know, TMI, but it’s true. Moving on…

DIY Moisturizing Rose Spray is my go-to moisturizer/freshener all summer long. Go ahead, pamper yourself, practically. It feels good!

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DIY Rose Moisturizing Spray

Homemade rose spray provides my skin with daytime hydration in the warmer temperatures, along with neutralizing body odor and freshening my skin. My moisturizing rose spray is made with just three simple ingredients…

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Rose Moisturizing Spray

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 /3 cup

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB rose hydrosol
• 1 TB vegetable glycerin
• 1 TB witch hazel

Instructions

• In a spray bottle, pour the rose hydrosol, glycerin, and witch hazel. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.
• Shake the bottle prior to application. Spray your face and body. This spray may be used as a facial toner (after cleansing and before a moisturizer), skin refresher during the hot summer months, and even a mid-day underarm deodorizer.

The post DIY Rose Moisturizing Spray (Toner or Skin Freshener) appeared first on Live Simply.

Without coconut oil? 

Kristin, Kristin, Kristin. I thought you were a natural gal- AKA: a lover of all-things coconut oil? A coconut-oil-heals- every-ailment blogger…

Have a boo boo? Coconut oil! 

Frizzy hair? Coconut oil! 

Grumpy kids? Coconut oil! 

A cup of black coffee? Coconut oil! 

Okay, so maybe you aren’t thinking the above thoughts, but I am.

Between Thursday’s super weird granola bar dream confession (#sorry) and today’s random self mumblings, if you’re still here, thank you! You’re such a good friend!

So, back to coconut oil. Or in this recipe, back to not using coconut oil.

Shortly after my first homemade product, foundation powder, I learned about a magical white substance: coconut oil. Of course, I just had to get my hands on a jar. I’ll admit the taste wasn’t pleasing (I’m not a straight-up coconut fan), but I was determined and found ways to incorporate this miracle substance into my family’s diet: smoothies, frying (plantains and chicken), baking, and Bulletproof Coffee. Since we were already eating coconut oil and I was looking for ways to reduce the toxins in our home caused by many traditional store-bought products, I decided to venture into the world of DIY coconut oil recipes.

My first DIY coconut oil recipe was a super simple three-ingredient moisturizer for the face and body. Instant love! The coconut oil moisturizer was easy, cost-effective and worked wonders on my skin within just a few days. I was hooked.

I continued to use my homemade moisturizer for over a year, until I noticed my skin was experiencing grumpy issues. While my skin has always been more on the sensitive side, the moisturizer appeared to escalate its grumpiness. Breakouts and dryness appeared on various parts of my face.

After much research, I learned some skin types don’t respond well to prolonged cosmetic use of coconut oil. My coconut oil moisturizer is a great product (the reason I left it on the blog), and many readers comment on that one recipe about their pleasing skin results, but my skin needed a temporary break.

I decided to try my creative hands at a new DIY moisturizer. My skin immediately thanked me for the change. After a couple of months I decided to post the recipe here on Live Simply. Homemade lotion (without coconut oil) has been live for over a year. The number of comments from readers in need of a product without coconut oil due to allergies or skin issues has confirmed my belief–coconut oil is amazing, but doesn’t solve every ailment for every person.

I think all this coconut oil talk begs the question: Is coconut bad for the skin? 

This is 100% my personal opinion based on my own research and experiences. 

I don’t believe coconut oil is bad for cosmetic use. In fact, I think it’s an amazing product for many people. I also believe coconut oil doesn’t agree with some people’s skin, whether long-term or just short-term.

It’s so important to listen to our skin, which is why I offer recipes that use coconut oil and others that don’t. Everyone is different. I still use coconut oil in some body products, like my homemade deodorant, without any negative side effects. Homemade products allow you to truly listen to your skin’s needs and tailor DIY projects accordingly.

Many homemade makeup removers require the use of coconut oil. In fact, if your skin tolerates coconut oil, using this one ingredient on a cotton ball or facial pad is a simple, inexpensive answer. If your skin needs a break from coconut oil or you have a coconut allergy, this recipe will remove makeup naturally without irritating the skin. Remember, getting to know your skin is always the answer when using natural skincare.

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DIY 2-Ingredient Makeup Remover (Without Coconut Oil)

2-ingredient makeup remover without coconut oil.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Makeup Remover

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 /3 cup

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB witch hazel
• 2 TB jojoba oil or sweet almond, avocado, apricot kernel, olive oil, or fractionated coconut oil (if you want to use coconut oil). I like to use jojoba or olive oil.

Instructions

• Pour both ingredients into a small storage container.
• To Use: Shake the bottle, then apply the makeup remover to a Q-Tip, cotton ball or facial pad. Wipe desired area (mascara, foundation, etc.) with the Q-Tip or ball/pad.

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.

Ingredient 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.

Witch hazel is a gentle and effective skin cleanser. The nourishing oil helps dissolve oil and cleanse the face. When paired together, the ingredients are gentle on the skin (concealer foundation, powder, and blush) and the eye area (mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow). Use caution around the eye area. Avoid using this recipe in your eye–this can happen when too much solution is applied.

More DIYs You May Like:

DIY Homemade Deodorant with Lavender

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

DIY Honey Face Wash

The post DIY 2-Ingredient Makeup Remover (Without Coconut Oil) appeared first on Live Simply.

A couple of weeks ago, after publishing the DIY Honey Face Wash, a Live Simply reader commented, “Do you think this could be incorporated into DIY face wipes? Maybe not even disposable ones, but a jar of cloths that I washed regularly. I have gone to bed in make-up a few nights because I was just too tired.”  Immediately my head began spinning with DIY possibilities.

What a brilliant idea!

For this reason and so many more, I love each and every one of you. You’re the reason Live Simply is such an amazing community of like-minded people looking to simplify the often complex world of real food and natural living.

Reusable wipes are not a new thing here at Live Simply. Two of my favorite DIYs are the reusable floor and surface wipes. Both are super easy to make and leave my home sparkling clean (which is no small task with two dogs, two kids, one husband, and eight chickens).

While many people feel overwhelmed with the idea of making homemade cleaners, I’ve found both reusable cleaning recipes require less time and effort to make and use than ordering and/or going to the store for a bottle of cleaner. Plus the savings are quite significant.

When a homemade product is super simple to maintain and packs major cleaning power, I’m much more likely to incorporate the product into a long-term lifestyle. That’s why you will never find complicated homemade products here at Live Simply. Who’s got time for that? Not this gal. Simple is the name of the game around here.

DIY Facial Wipes are the epitome of a simple beauty routine. Baby washcloths are used to make the wipes extra soft, durable, reusable, and affordable. I spent $3.99 for a pack of four washcloths at Target. A simple cleansing solution is then poured over the washcloths. This solution is created by only using four natural ingredients. Let’s take a look..

H2O. Because this solution sits on the counter for weeks, I recommend using distilled or boiled water to keep bacteria from growing.

Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a well-known, natural astringent that’s used to remove excess oil from the skin. Witch hazel is also known for the treatment of acne.

Nourishing Oil. Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a homemade facial cleansing recipe.

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 facial cleansing.

The creation of homemade facial wipes came at just the right time. Last weekend our family enjoyed a mini-vacation. We spent one night at a hotel and the following day at Disney World. I didn’t want to pack all of our personal care items for a 12 hour overnight vacation. Instead of packing a face wash or oil bottle, I grabbed two reusable facial cleansing wipes and placed them in a snack-size baggie. The facial wipes were the perfect travel solution!

If you travel frequently, these wipes will dramatically reduce the weight and volume of your suitcase. Trust me, I have first-hand experience. My only caution is to skip the castile soap if you don’t have access to water during your travels.

Even if traveling (let alone getting out of the house to go to the grocery store once a week) isn’t your thing right now, DIY Homemade Facial Wipes are an affordable time-saver for removing make-up at the end of the day, or facial cleansing without the need for an actual bottle of soap.

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DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes

DIY Facial Wipes are the epitome of a simple beauty routine. Baby washcloths are used to make the wipes extra soft, durable, reusable, and affordable.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Facial Cleansing Wipes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 7 Washcloths

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup distilled water boiled water will also work
• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 1 TB jojoba oil or other nourishing oils: almond, avocado, olive, apricot, argan
• 1 TB castile soap Baby Mild or Tea Tree
• 7-10 washcloths
• 1 glass storage jar I found the jar pictured at Target

Instructions

• Place the baby washcloths in the storage jar. Set aside.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine the distilled water, witch hazel, nourishing oil, and castile soap.
• Pour the liquid solution into the storage jar, covering the baby washcloths with the solution. Press the washcloths down into the liquid.

Notes

To Use: Remove one washcloth from the jar. Use the washcloth to wash your face and remove make-up and dirt. Rinse the washcloth under warm water and then wipe your face with the clean washcloth. Moisturize your face with a coconut oil moisturizer, lotion, or facial serum.

 

 

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.

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

More DIYs You May Like:

 DIY Homemade Honey Face Wash

 Homemade Foundation Powder

DIY Homemade Facial Serum

The post DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes appeared first on Live Simply.