Homemade Body Wash for Dry Skin

You practically need a PhD in chemistry to understand the ingredients list of store-bought body wash.  There are a multitude of toxic chemicals in store-bought body washes that I try to avoid for myself and my family.  Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) lather but are hard on skin.  Artificial fragrance and artificial colors that can trigger my allergies.  Alcohol that dries and irritates my skin.  Triclosan used for its antibacterial properties has been linked to a wide range of side effects from impaired immune resistance to hormone disruption and increased allergies.  The list of undesirable ingredients in store-bought body washes goes on and on.

So I make my own body wash.

Here are just some of the reasons to make your own natural body wash:

• I can control exactly what goes into it, giving my family only the best, natural ingredients
• it’s not harsh; it doesn’t strip off skin’s natural oils
• gentle and safe for the whole family
• nourishes and moisturizes skin
• calms and soothes itchy, dry, inflamed skin
• and, of course, it cleans – easily washing away dirt

What’s in my homemade body wash

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

coconut milk (the kind in the can)

• great moisturizer
• soothes sensitive skin
• has high levels of vitamin C which helps maintain skin elasticity
• anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness
• contains fatty acids that help treat dry and irritated skin
• find it in the “ethnic” food aisles of your grocery store, usually by foods from Thailand

unscented liquid Castile soap

• this is the main ingredient in the body wash
• cleans but doesn’t strip off skin’s natural oils
• natural antibacterial properties
• safe for sensitive skin
• makes the foam and bubbles in the body wash
• find it at Target in the natural beauty section or click here for where I buy online

vegetable glycerine

• thickens the body wash
• emulsifies the other ingredients which helps them mix together well
• helps skin retain moisture
• makes great foam in the body wash
• click here for the kind I use– it’s pure vegetable based, non-GMO, and from a sustainable source

apricot kernel oil (or substitute with sweet almond oil)

• ideal moisturizer for all skin types
• softens dry and irritated skin
• one of the gentlest oils
• rich in vitamin D, it’s extremely nourishing
• excellent emollient known for its ability to soften and recondition the skin
• click here for the sweet almond oil I use and click here for the apricot kernel oil I use (note: you only need one of the other for this recipe, not both)

vitamin E

• naturally hydrates and heals dry skin
• promotes collagen and elastin to keep skin looking young
• an antioxidant that helps fight the harmful effects of free radicals like wrinkles and brown age spots
• protects and nourishes skin
• helps soften and moisturize skin
• click here for the kind I use– it’s organic, natural, mixed with high quality oils, and a high concentration of vitamin e.

essential oil

• adds great scent
• plus essential oils have added therapeutic benefits
• depending on the essential oils you use, you can make your body wash be energizing, relaxing, stimulating, uplifting, or calming
• see the step-by-step recipe instructions below for 10 different essential oil blends I love or you can create your own

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut milk (the kind that’s sold in a can)

2/3 cup unscented liquid Castile soap

2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

2 teaspoons sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E

20 drops essential oil (see suggestions in step-by-step instructions below)

Step-by-step instructions

step 1:  add the following to a bowl or measuring cup

1/2 cup coconut milk (the kind that’s sold in a can)

2/3 cup unscented liquid Castile soap

2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

2 teaspoons sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E

step 2:  stir well

step 3:  add 20 drops essential oil

here are some suggestions for essential oils I like to use in this body wash:

12 drops sweet orange + 8 drops sandalwood

8 drops peppermint + 4 drops sweet orange + 4  drops lemon + 4 drops lime

7 drops lavender +7 drops orange + 6 drops frankincense

8 drops lavender + 8 drops lime + 4 drops spearmint

8 drops lavender + 8 drops bergamot + 4 drops ylang ylang

10 drops eucalyptus + 10 drops spearmint

5 drops ylang ylang + 10 drops orange + 5 drops cedarwood

12 drops lime + 8 drops spearmint

5 drops lavender + 3 drops clary sage + 12 drops bergamot

6 drops geranium + 7 drops lemon + 7 drops sweet orange

8 drops peppermint + 6 drops eucalyptus + 6 drops lavender

5 drops rosemary + 7 drops eucalyptus + 8 drops lavender

4 drops ylang ylang + 5 drops rose + 2 drops jasmine + 9 drops vanilla oleoresin

10 drops cedarwood +2 drops vetiver + 6 drops coriander + 2 drops clove

12 drops sweet orange + 8 drops vanilla oleoresin

step 4:  mix well and pour into soap dispenser

tip: although the photo shows a glass mason jar, you may want to use a plastic bottle so that you don’t risk having broken glass around the shower or bath.

tip:  plastic #1 (PET) and plastic #2 (HDPE) are both safe to use with diluted essential oils like this body wash.

How to use this homemade body wash

• apply a small, quarter-size amount of body wash to wet skin
• lather up
• use a wash cloth along with the body wash to help exfoliate dry skin, gently massaging the wash cloth in small circles
• rinse
• pat skin dry with soft, absorbent towel
• apply a moisturizer like my homemade whipped body butter (recipe here) to help trap moisture on skin

Where to get supplies?

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

coconut milk (the kind in the can)– find it in the “ethnic” food aisles of your grocery store, usually by foods from Thailand

unscented liquid Castile soap— find it at Target in the natural beauty section or click here for where I buy online

vegetable glycerin– click here for the kind I use– it’s pure vegetable based, non-GMO, and from a sustainable source

sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil— click here for the sweet almond oil I use and click here for the apricot kernel oil I use (note: you only need one of the other for this recipe, not both)

vitamin E– click here for the kind I use– it’s organic, natural, mixed with high quality oils, and a high concentration of vitamin e

here are a few other essential oil posts that I think you’ll like:

DIY shower steamers and melts

DIY calming lavender vanilla bubble bath

homemade shaving cream

DIY lavender, oatmeal & milk bath soak for dry skin

essential oil bath melts for luxuriously well-moisturized skin

bubbling bath salts {made with essential oils}

sea breeze bath bombs

soft & silky body butter with essential oils

essential oil face wash for your skin type

super rich & creamy dry hand lotion

DIY Face serum with essential oils for your skin type (dry, mature, sensitive, acne, oily, normal)

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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care.  Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.