Homemade Body Wash Recipes to Soothe And Nourish Your Skin

Enjoy making your own body washes using these homemade body wash recipes. Learn about homemade body washes and why they are a great addition to your toiletry.

Chhavi Puri
Written by Chhavi Puri , Skincare Coach & Makeup Expert
Updated on Aug 26, 2023 | 01:50 PM IST | 203.1K
homemade body wash recipe
homemade body wash recipe

In a world filled with countless options for personal care products, the allure of a homemade body wash is captivating. Personal care should be personalized; no point in settling for mass-produced, chemical-laden concoctions when you can indulge in the art of crafting your own luxurious cleansing experience. Knowing homemade body wash recipes is essential if you are seeking to stay away from body washes that are mass-produced and high in chemicals that may prove counterproductive for your skin in the long run. 

Our skin gets bombarded with elements that are hazardous. Environmental changes, pollution, and stress among other things all contribute to your skin feeling dull and unhealthy. Mass-produced soaps and body washes may cause further damage to the skin due to the chemicals present in them. If you have sensitive skin, the issue may get exacerbated. Let us now look at the importance of homemade body washes as well as how to make body washes at home. Join us on a delightful journey as we explore the captivating reasons why diy natural body washes should grace your bathroom shelf.

What Are the Benefits of Using Homemade Body Washes?

homemade body wash recipe

1. Tailored for You: Personalized Perfection

A homemade body wash allows you to become the alchemist of your shower routine. Tweak the ingredients and fragrances to suit your unique preferences and skin type. Whether you seek out soothing lavender, refreshing citrus, or invigorating mint, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the joy of customization and create a body wash recipe that feels tailor-made just for you.

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2. Chemical-free Delight: Nature's Bounty

Commercial body washes more often than not are a medley of synthetic additives and harsh chemicals. By crafting your own homemade body soap or body wash, you may control and embrace the purity of natural ingredients. Choose organic oils, gentle cleansers, and nourishing botanical extracts. Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances, your homemade creation offers a gentle, wholesome cleanse that your skin will thank you for.

3. Skin Sensitivity Savior: Gentle Care

For those with sensitive skin, navigating the world of store-bought body washes can be a perilous adventure. Our contributor Mary Sabat, Nutritionist and Ace Certified Trainer explains, “Using homemade body washes can offer several benefits for people with sensitive skin. These advantages include careful selection of ingredients that are soothing and nourishing, existence of moisturizing agents like aloe vera, coconut oil, honey, or glycerin, cost effectiveness and eco-friendliness.” Harsh detergents and irritants may trigger redness, dryness, or itching. Natural homemade body washes give you the power to create a gentle, soothing formula that caters specifically to your skin's needs. Think of it as a nurturing embrace, a delicate touch that leaves your skin feeling soft, supple, and radiant.

4. Environmentally Conscious: Embrace Sustainability

As awareness of our environmental impact grows, the desire to minimize waste and reduce plastic consumption becomes paramount. A homemade body wash allows you to embrace sustainability by using reusable containers and minimizing packaging waste. Furthermore, by selecting eco-friendly ingredients and supporting local suppliers, you can reduce your carbon footprint while indulging in a guilt-free bathing experience.

5. Cost-effective Luxury: A Frugal Escape

Luxury need not come with an extravagant price tag. Crafting your own body wash allows you to revel in opulence while staying within your budget. With a modest investment in basic ingredients, you can enjoy a sumptuous bathing experience that rivals the most lavish of spa treatments. 

6. Aromatherapy Awakening: Unleash the Senses

Homemade body washes offer the opportunity to awaken your senses and harness the power of aromatherapy. Select essential oils that invigorate, calm, or uplift your spirit. Immerse yourself in the delicate bouquet of fragrances as you cleanse away the stresses of the day, transforming your shower into a serene sanctuary of blissful relaxation.

7. Artistic Expression: Unleash Your Inner Craftsman

Crafting your own body wash is not just about practicality; it's an artistic endeavor. You can explore recipes, and experiment with textures, colors, and scents. Discover the satisfaction of concocting a beautifully fragrant potion that reflects your unique personality. 

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8. Mindful Ingredients: Know What Goes on Your Skin

By concocting your own body wash recipes, you gain complete control over the ingredients that come into contact with your skin. Take the opportunity to research and select high-quality, natural ingredients that nourish and support your skin's health. From moisturizing oils like coconut or almond oil to skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile, you can curate a recipe that aligns with your values and ensures that only the best touches your skin.

9. Sensory Retreat: Create a Spa-like Experience at Home

Indulging in a homemade body wash is more than just cleansing; it's about transforming your daily shower routine into a spa-like experience. With the right combination of essential oils, botanical extracts, and even exfoliants like sugar or coffee grounds, you can create a sensory retreat that elevates your bathing ritual. 

10. Bonding And Gifting: Share the Beauty of Homemade Creations

Homemade body washes not only provide personal benefits but also open the door to bonding and gifting opportunities. They make thoughtful and personalized gifts for special occasions. Fill decorative bottles, adorn them with ribbons and labels, and present your unique creations to friends and family, spreading the joy and beauty of homemade self-care.

Top 10 Homemade Body Wash Recipes for Glowing Skin

From soothing lavender-infused formulas to refreshing citrus blends, we've curated a collection of 10 recipes for homemade body washes that will transform your shower routine into a personalized experience like no other. So let's dive in and explore the magic of these homemade delights.

1. Calming Lavender Dream

homemade body wash recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of almond oil
  • 10 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil

Recipe

  • In a glass bowl, combine the liquid Castile soap and almond oil.
  • Add the lavender essential oil and vitamin E oil to the mixture.
  • Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  • Transfer the body wash to a reusable bottle for storage.

The lavender essential oil has calming properties and may help reduce stress and promote relaxation (1).

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Our contributor Mary Sabat explains, “Lavender essential oil contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which have been found to exhibit anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. These compounds may act on neurotransmitter systems in the brain, such as serotonin and GABA, which play crucial roles in regulating mood and anxiety.”

 Its gentle aroma can soothe the senses, making it an ideal addition to a body wash for a tranquil bathing experience. As far as natural homemade body wash recipes go, this one is as good as it gets.

2. Energizing Citrus Splash

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of sweet almond oil
  • 10 drops of sweet orange essential oil
  • 5 drops of lemon essential oil
  • 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil

Recipe

  • Combine the liquid Castile soap and sweet almond oil in a glass bowl.
  • Add the sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils to the mixture.
  • Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are blended thoroughly.
  • Transfer the body wash to a bottle for daily use.

Citrus essential oils, such as sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit, are known for their uplifting properties (2). These oils contain compounds that may promote a sense of energy and vitality, making them perfect additions to a body wash that awakens the senses and invigorates the mind (2).

3. Soothing Oatmeal Elixir

homemade body wash recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of jojoba oil
  • 2 tablespoons of colloidal oatmeal
  • 10 drops of chamomile essential oil

Recipe

  • In a glass bowl, combine the liquid Castile soap and jojoba oil.
  • Add the colloidal oatmeal and chamomile essential oil to the mixture.
  • Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated.
  • Pour the body wash into a container and store it in a cool, dry place.

Oatmeal has been used for centuries to soothe and nourish the skin. It contains compounds that help retain moisture, alleviate itching, and promote a healthy skin barrier (3). Combined with chamomile essential oil, which possesses calming properties, this body wash can provide relief to dry and sensitive skin (4). This is one of the best homemade body wash recipes for people with skin on the drier side. 

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4. Invigorating Mint Revival

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of avocado oil
  • 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
  • 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Recipe

  • Combine the liquid Castile soap and avocado oil in a glass bowl.
  • Add the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to the mixture.
  • Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
  • Transfer the body wash to a bottle and enjoy the revitalizing sensation.

Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils possess invigorating properties that can awaken the mind and refresh the body. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which provides a cooling sensation, while eucalyptus oil has a refreshing aroma and may help open up airways, promoting a sense of rejuvenation (5), (6).

5. Exfoliating Coffee Delight

homemade body wash recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds
  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • 10 drops of vanilla extract

Recipe

  • In a glass bowl, combine the liquid Castile soap and coconut oil.
  • Add the coffee grounds, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the mixture.
  • Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • Transfer the body wash to a container and indulge in its invigorating exfoliating properties.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that coffee grounds and brown sugar act as natural exfoliants, gently removing dead skin cells and promoting a smoother, more vibrant complexion. The aroma of coffee can also provide an energizing effect, while vanilla extract adds a comforting touch to the overall experience. This is a

6. Tea Tree Oil Remedy for Acne Control

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of grapeseed oil
  • 10 drops of tea tree essential oil
  • 5 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops of geranium essential oil

Recipe

  • Combine the liquid Castile soap and grapeseed oil in a glass bowl.
  • Add the tea tree, lavender, and geranium essential oils to the mixture.
  • Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
  • Pour the body wash into a bottle for daily use.

Tea tree essential oil possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a popular choice for promoting healthy skin (7). When combined with lavender and geranium essential oils, which have soothing and balancing effects, this body wash can be beneficial for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin.

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7. Hydrating Honey Glow

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of almond oil
  • 2 tablespoons of raw honey
  • 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil

Recipe

  • In a glass bowl, combine the liquid Castile soap and almond oil.
  • Add the raw honey and ylang-ylang essential oil to the mixture.
  • Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
  • Transfer the body wash to a container and revel in its hydrating and aromatic qualities.

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it helps draw and retain moisture in the skin, promoting hydration and a radiant complexion (8). Ylang-ylang essential oil, with its floral and exotic scent, adds a touch of indulgence to this body wash while potentially enhancing relaxation and mood (9). 

8. Refreshing Cucumber Breeze

homemade body wash recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of jojoba oil
  • 1/2 cucumber, peeled and blended
  • 10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Recipe

  • Combine the liquid Castile soap and jojoba oil in a glass bowl.
  • Add the blended cucumber and peppermint essential oil to the mixture.
  • Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
  • Transfer the body wash to a bottle for a refreshing and revitalizing shower experience.

Cucumbers are known for their high water content, making them refreshing and hydrating for the skin. They also soothe the skin and provide relief from skin irritation (10). Combined with the invigorating scent of peppermint essential oil, this body wash can awaken your senses, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

9. Nourishing Shea Butter Elixir

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of shea butter
  • 1 tablespoon of argan oil
  • 10 drops of rose essential oil

Recipe

  • In a glass bowl, combine the liquid Castile soap and shea butter.
  • Add the argan oil and rose essential oil to the mixture.
  • Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  • Transfer the body wash to a container and enjoy the nourishing and indulgent experience.

Shea butter is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, offering deep hydration and nourishment to the skin (11). It helps improve skin elasticity, soothe dryness, and promote a supple complexion. The delicate fragrance of rose essential oil adds a touch of luxury to this body wash, enhancing its overall appeal.

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10. Uplifting Vanilla Coconut Bliss

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of liquid Castile soap
  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • 10 drops of bergamot essential oil

Recipe

  • Combine the liquid Castile soap and coconut oil in a glass bowl.
  • Add the vanilla extract and bergamot essential oil to the mixture.
  • Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
  • Pour the body wash into a bottle and indulge in the heavenly combination of vanilla and coconut.

The aroma of vanilla is known to have a comforting and uplifting effect, potentially reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Combined with the tropical scent of coconut and the refreshing citrus notes of bergamot essential oil, this body wash envelops you in a delightful sensory experience. 

These 10 recipes for homemade body washes will leave your skin feeling nourished and indulged. 

Conclusion

Now you can enter the realm of homemade body washes with these 10 unique homemade body wash recipes. Let them guide you to a nourishing and indulgent shower experience. From calming lavender, and energizing citrus, to exfoliating coffee, and soothing tea tree oil, these homemade creations offer a range of benefits for your skin and senses. Embrace the art of crafting your own body wash and elevate your daily shower routine to new levels of luxury and natural beauty. 

Contributor: Mary Sabat, Nutritionist and Ace Certified Trainer, Body Designs by Mary

Sources: 

1. Lavender essential oil: A review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242116432_Lavender_essential_oil_A_review

2. Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033

3. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607907/

4. Electrospun Gelatin Nanofibers Encapsulated with Peppermint and Chamomile Essential Oils as Potential Edible Packaging

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b06226

5. Therapeutic uses of peppermint –A review

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282177469_Therapeutic_uses_of_peppermint_-A_review

6. Aromatic ointments for the common cold: what does the science say?

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9354706/

7. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x

8. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12058

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9. Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16807875/

10. Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/

11. Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits from the Shea Tree- (Vitellaria Paradoxa)

https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JBAH/article/view/39675
 

ALSO READ: Diwali 2022: A complete guide to making homemade body scrubs for glowing skin

FAQs

Why should I make my own body wash?
To achieve a personalized hygiene experience. By utilizing homemade body wash ingredients you can keep your skin free of harsh chemicals and irritants.

Is it necessary to use carrier oil in a homemade body wash?
When you add carrier oil, it will add moisturizing properties to the soap as well as more benefits to the skin, depending on which oil you pick.

Are homemade body washes safe for all skin types?
Choose the ingredients by understanding your skin type. Some ingredients may not go well with dry skin, some with oily skin, etc. It is advisable that you perform a patch test on your skin before using these body washes.

Can I use homemade body wash on children?
Homemade body washes are prepared with organic substances. Choose ingredients that are milder and will not dry out a child’s skin.

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About The Author
Chhavi Puri
Chhavi Puri
Skincare Coach & Makeup Expert

Chhavi is a certified Skincare Coach and she's also certified in Makeup Artistry. Her fascination with skincare

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