It’s not always easy making your own home products. But once you have done it a few times it gets simpler.
It took a few times for me to get things right and I learned from other recipes posted on the internet.
I searched for “homemade,” “homemade skin care,”"homemade cleaning products,” and got quite a few responses that I investigated.
I also purchased a few books. The Green Guide produced by National Geographic is my absolute favorite. Not too many recipes but great on the information for going green.
So I know in my last post I talked about making an underarm deodorant that was as basic and natural as you could get. I had some wonderful and interesting responses from visitors who shared what they’re using and I’ll have to look into some of them – thank you for your comments!
In this post I want to give you some tips that I have formulated in my home mini “lab” so if you wish to start exploring in making your own homemade products this info may be helpful to you in getting you started.
First, start saving a small collection of small cosmetic, or condiment glass (is best) jars. I make small batches of product. Depending on what I am making, a skin cream for example, ingredients may go bad over time because there are no preservatives in it and will have a shorter “shelf” life.
Second, some ingredients I buy in bulk which saves money such as baking soda and corn starch, large containers of vinegar, and so on.
Deodorant:
1.7 oz glass jar with top, washed in hot water, air dried
small round cotton pads (used for makeup removal) for light dusting
3 TBSP baking soda
3 TBSP corn starch
Shake thoroughly and store in a cool, dry place. Use daily.
Make more as you need it.
Skin Care.
I have very sensitive skin and I bought all kinds of skin lotions and creams for good, healthy, nice looking skin. It got to the point where I couldn’t wear any product that had fragrance in it. There were other ingredients in many of these skin care products that burned my skin and I stopped using them all. I started using Enfuselle which is very good, but I also wanted to see what I could find naturally. Now I use a mix of… are you ready?
Olive oil! I smell like a salad for a few seconds and then you’d never know I had it on – the scent goes away.. I moisturize every night and morning with it. I also use it on my body after a shower or bath. Fabulous! It’s also good for men too – I mean, skin is skin right?
Products containing mineral oil are not a good choice for skin care – especially on babies. Mineral oil is a “petro-product” meaning it’s a by product of crude oil and nonrenewable. Plus they really do nothing for your kin. Plant based oils – olive, apricot, almond, etc. are far better, and healthier to use on your skin.
Making home made products to save money or enhance your health certainly are worth it …
Watch this video ….
But there are challenges too. Hang in there it’s all worth it in the long run.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and thank you in advance!







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How cool is this! I am so glad I read this post, I really want to try and do at least a few of these things. I love home made things. Thanks for putting together this list!
Angela´s last blog ..A Cool Free Seo Tool For Your Blog Posts and Articles
Hey Lesly…I have to share this with you. We found ourselves for the first time ever in the midst of reproducing fleas. I never knew they could be so prolific in such a short period of time. We have some outdoor kittens we are trying to get into the hands of good people…but meanwhile I guess they attracted fleas.
Before we knew it…there were many fleas in our house…literally in about a week or so of seeing one or two for the first time. We are very much against using toxic materials so my wife and older children go to searching. We came up with a whole host of ideas that we had to synthesize down into something that we could manage with time and money.
We ended up doing some very basic things that worked better than we ever could have hoped.
We have lots of rosemary growing in our back yard…(we love rosemary). Apparently fleas don’t like it. We spread it around and about in our house. We also made a rosemary rinse and bathed our dog and the cats in it about every other day. We also started vacuuming 2X/day and spreading regular salt and then baking soda on the carpet after each vacuum. (Amazingly enough the carpets are getting cleaner and cleaner with each day…a fun side effect to all of this).
We had already been giving our dog garlic and some anti-parasite herbs on a regular basis…but we upped the garlic and started giving some to the cats as well.
You know after the first day of doing this the fleas seemed like they were going to take over the world (not really quite that bad but it was a bit disheartening for sure). However…after 2-3 days, the fleas seemed to disappear. We have kept on with the routine because we certainly don’t want them back…but the salt and baking soda along with the Rosemary and a few other things…were seemingly miraculous in how well they worked. We are very thankful to God for all of that.
I just thought you would appreciate that story.
Lesly,
That post was fabulous. I used to love watching I Love Lucy – so wholesome, so innocent, and so funny.
I love your suggestions for what to have ready to create homemade products.
Erica
I had no idea that deodarant could be so easy!
Thanks for the hilarious I Love Lucy clip!
Jacqueline Green´s last blog ..How to Set Your Family up for a Great Weekend or Summer Day
Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you for the visit and comment! Life is full of easy solutions when you look for them!
Thanks for sharing. I especially enjoyed the Lucy clip. How on earth did you ever find that clip?
Thanks again,
Michael
Hi Michael,
If you look hard enough, you can find pretty much anything on You Tube! Thanks for the visit and comment …
You have so many talents, Lesly. This is great information. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Nicole! Thank you so much for that compliment… I appreciate it
thank you for visiting and commenting …
I find olive oil a bit heavy for my skin, but then it’s a bit oily compared to some. I really love coconut oil though. It’s light and doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily at all. The scent is kind of a nice benefit, too.
Hi Vanessa,
Everyone’s skin is so different. Knowing there are other solutions is great.. thanks for the visit and commenting …
Hey Lesly, I am a man and yes I will admit it, I have sensitive skin
I am going to try your olive oil tip as I do not mind smelling like a salad. I mean there are worse things, right?
Peter Fuller MBA´s last blog ..Brand yourself online with your own “Nerve” Center
Hi Peter…
You’re the best… let me know how it works out! Thanks for the visit and comment
Hi Lesly,
I’m happy to meet another risk taker. Risk takers change the world and make it a better place for all. Thanks for the reminder that it’s okay to stumble and fall, even several times before we succeed. Never, ever,ever, ever quit!
HI Lesly,
Amazing journey you are taking. I will try your deodorant receipe. I am totally into organic and green.
Nice to meet you.
rebecca
Very interesting and helpful information Lesly!
Kevin M.´s last blog ..What brings your soul satisfaction
Hey Lesly! Olive oil is great and so is coconut oil (unrefined virgin expeller pressed). I’ve been using some home made products as well, lately I’ve been making my own toothpaste. Works very well.
–Lori
Lori, that’s great! You’ll have to tell me what the toothpaste is… would like to hear that .. Thank you!
Hi Lesly,
Olive oil is fantastic! You may like the book “The Passionate Olive”. (101 ways that olive oil can improve your life, love, and health)…things like arthritis, furniture polish forumula etc.
Thanks so much for the Lucy episode! What a kick.
Linnea´s last blog ..Niche Marketing
Hi Linnea,
I have heard of that book – thank you for reminding me!! Thanks for stopping by and your comment…:-)
Thank you so much for more great ideas. I will have to try and use the oil. We are always trying to find more things that are better for us. The Deodorant I have not got the guts up to try it yet, but maybe I will, I am sure it will all heal improve our overall health. I look forward to you next post.
Hi Julie,
You are most welcome, I felt the same way when I started exploring this stuff, no way! LOL Thanks for the visit and your comment…
Hi Lesly,
Another great post! I’ve been using olive oil to moisturize for quite some time. I really love it for my feet. I put it on before bed, then put socks on. It works better than any foot cream I’ve ever found…and no chemicals!!
MaryKay
MaryKay Edelen´s last blog ..How To Create Content For Your Blog Posts-
MaryKay
I LOVE live oil … it’s my absolute favorite.. thank you for the complement too
Not sure that stuff would work on me. I just use heavy duty body putty to fill in the wrinkles and divots. I can say this
” I love Lucy”
Ah Nelson,
You are too funny … thank you for visiting, your comment , I appreciate it
Thanks for the recipe .. gotta try it out! On the topic of skin care, I like to use Sweet Almond Oil, very soothing for sensitive skin but have also discovered Kitty of Devon (http://www.kittyofdevon.co.uk/) I came across Kitty when I was looking for something to soothe very sore feet from marathon running and the Pretty Feet Luxury Foot Balm was just the ticket! I believe Kitty ships to the US if you’re interested.
Keep up the great posts – I look forward to reading every one!
Joanna
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for your comment! Since posting this I am learning about what other people are using and it’s great! Thank you for sharing …
Great info.
Good to have some alternative recipes replacing those chemical products
Thanks for sharing.
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
Hi Yorinda,
thank you for stopping by and your comment! Yes … thank goodness for options!
Lesly I can’t believe making your own deordorant can be that simple. I am going to try that recipe and see how it works for me. Thanks for sharing
There is so much you can actually do at home. The convenience of buying things already done for you though is helpful when short on time. Òne housecleaning product that I have come across that is amazing is Pink Solution. You buy it in bulk and then have to prepare it in different intensities for different types of cleaning. What I like about it is that it is odorless. I too have become very sensitive to smells to the point that some things make me vomit.
Thanks for the deodorant recipe. I will certainly be passing that along.
Hi Rebecca, thank you for stopping by and your comment – I have not heard of Pink Solution. I will have to find that. Thanks! Learn something new everyday…