5 DIY Natural Cleansers That Are Easy (and Cheap!) To Make at Home
Soaps can contain harsh detergents that not only scrub away dirt but remove your body’s natural oils and beneficial bacteria along with it. An easy way to get clean without compromising your beauty? Make your own cleansers with gentle yet effective natural ingredients you already have at home!
These simple recipes cost just pennies a day and last all week long!
Try honey and coconut oil instead of face wash.
Not only does honey hydrate skin to prevent dryness, it has antibacterial compounds that remove impurities from the skin’s surface. And coconut oil’s lauric acid whisks away dead, dry skin cells while further moisturizing skin for a youthful and glowing complexion.
■TRY IT! Combine 1½ tablespoons of honey and 3½ tablespoons of coconut oil. Rub one tablespoon of the mixture onto damp skin on the face for one minute, then rinse. Store cleanser in a sealed container and use twice a day.
Try apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo.
Apple cider vinegar’s alpha hydroxy acids dissolve excess oil and product buildup on the scalp, while its acetic acid boosts circulation to help stimulate healthy hair growth. What’s more, unique compounds in the vinegar seal hair’s cuticle, increasing strand shine. The result? Clean, voluminous, and lustrous locks.
■TRY IT! Mix two cups of apple cider vinegar and four cups of water. Pour one cup of the mixture over damp hair and rub on the scalp for one minute; rinse. Store leftovers in a lidded jar.
Try charcoal and glycerin instead of body wash.
Charcoal acts like a magnet to pull dirt and other impurities from skin, while its exfoliating properties whisk away dead, dry flakes. And glycerin (made from the oil extracted from vegetables) locks moisture back in.
■TRY IT! Mix a half cup of glycerin and a half tablespoon of charcoal powder. While showering, rub a tablespoon of the mixture on damp skin for one minute; rinse. Store remaining mix in a lidded jar.
Try peppermint and baking soda instead of toothpaste.
Peppermint’s menthol refreshes breath and has antiseptic properties that inhibit harmful and enamel-discoloring plaque and bacteria buildup. And gritty baking soda nixes surface stains for a brighter smile!
■TRY IT! Mix four drops of peppermint oil, two tablespoons of baking soda, and two tablespoons of spring water. Twice a day, brush teeth with one teaspoon of the mixture for one minute; rinse. Store leftovers in a sealed container.
Try castile and lavender oil instead of hand soap.
A hand wash made with both castile soap (a chemical-free cleanser made from a mix of plant- nut- and vegetable-derived oils, such as olive oil and hemp oil) and antibacterial lavender oil gently cleanses skin of germs and grime. The combination helps calm red, cracked skin without stripping it of the natural oils that keep hands smooth and hydrated.
■TRY IT! Mix 2⁄3 cup of castile soap and six drops of lavender essential oil. Add the mixture into a soap dispenser and use when washing hands throughout the day.
BONUS: Try these scrubbers to boost your clean!
Luckyiren Soft Silicone Body Scrubber
silicone body buffer
Thanks to its antimicrobial makeup, this scrubber’s silicone “prongs” soften dry patches without harboring bacteria like loofahs can. Wrote one customer: “What a great little tool and value for your money! Feels soft yet it also feels like it exfoliates! I just love this! It comes with two; I use one for all creams and moisturizers, and use the other one for cleansers! They are easy to clean, dry fast, and feel great!”
Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer
shea butter foot slougher
A gritty sponge infused with shea butter buffs away rough skin while depositing hydration into heels and soles. Wrote one happy customer: “I have NEVER had such smooth skin on my feet and can’t imagine going without these little miracle foot buffer sponges. I love them so much I ordered 12 more because I am afraid to ever run out.”
EcoTools Aloe Facial Konjac Sponge
Konjac face sponge
Squishy konjac sponges (made from root vegetables) gently remove dull skin on the face without irritating sensitive skin. One happy reviewer of the EcoTools sponge wrote: “I feel like my face is not really clean until I finish off the cleansing process with several swipes of [this] sponge.”
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
