Moisturizing Homemade Body Wash Recipe (4 Ingredients)

Ditch the store-bought body soaps and washes and make your own instead. This DIY Body Wash is so easy to make and with just a few simple ingredients. It foams up on a loofah or body puff and gently cleans the skin. It’s perfect for kids too.

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Walk down the aisle of any drugstore, and you’ll see shelves of skincare products made with harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, especially body wash products. But there is another way. You can make your own homemade body wash recipe where you control the ingredients, and it’s a fun DIY project too.

In this post, I’ll explain benefits of making your own body wash, essential ingredients, a step-by-step guide, customization options, safety considerations, and frequently asked questions.

What’s in Your Body Wash? 

Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on a store-bought body wash? Here’s what I found in a popular body wash that you can find in the store:

Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Fragrance (Parfum), Algae Extract, Glycerin, Citric Acid, PPG-9, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 33 (CI 17200).

Really other than water and algae extract, you probably can’t even pronounce most of the the ingredients in this body wash. You’ll see there’s artificial fragrances, artificial dyes, and a long list of chemicals. This is the last thing you want to put on your body, or worse give to your kids. There is a better and easier way for a body wash made with natural ingredients that your whole family can use. 

Benefits of Making Your Own Body Wash

Cheaper

It can actually be cheaper in the long run to make your own DIY body wash recipe. You can buy in bulk, and use to make more batches of body wash. Plus, you’ll have the basics to make other homemade skincare and beauty recipes like DIY Face Wash, DIY Foaming Hand Soap, Homemade Bubble Bath, and even Homemade Baby Shampoo and Body Wash.

This recipe doubles as a homemade shower gel recipe as well. 

Control the ingredients

This homemade natural body wash only uses 4 ingredients that are easy to source, and don’t contain harsh chemicals, artificial dyes, artificial fragrances, additives, or preservatives. You know exactly what’s going into each bottle of body wash that you make.  

Customize for your skin type

Another benefit of this DIY body wash is you can customize the ingredients to suit your skin type. I’ll have options for you to create a body wash for oily/combination, normal, or dry skin. You could then create different body washes for different members of your family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Base Ingredients

• Castile soap is a gentle cleanser that helps to remove dirt, grime and make-up without stripping the skin.
• Jojoba oil natural emollient is an excellent moisturizer and t that helps to keep skin soft and prevent cracks in the skin. You can substitute others like sweet almond oil, rosehip seed oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, sesame oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, or your favorite carrier oil. Just be sure to get organic, cold-pressed oils.
• Vegetable glycerin is a natural moisturizer and gives this homemade body wash the sudsy effect, as well as lather to use to wash the skin.
• Essential oils provide a natural scent and also help to nourish the skin. My favorite essential oils to use for this recipe is Lavender (for anyone especially kids), Ylang Ylang and Orange (for the ladies), or Pine and Peppermint (for the guys) but be sure to opt for pure essential oils. This is the only brand I use. 

Optional Additions

• Vitamin E oil is an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage. Vitamin E levels in the skin naturally declines with age. It also helps to moisturize skin.
• Essential oils provide a natural scent and also help to nourish the skin.

Step by Step Guide to Make Your Own Body Wash 

Before you begin, get all of the ingredients and tools like a mixing bowl, whisk or spoon, and a container for storage.

You can substitute different essential oils to make your own scent and even replace jojoba and vitamin E oils with you other favorite carrier oils (like almond oil, argan oil, and rosehip seed oil).

In a 2 oz bottle, add castile soap, jojoba oil, and vegetable glycerin. Option to add and vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel. 

Then add 10 total drops of essential oils. Use your favorite combinations like Lavender and Lemon essential oils.

How to Use

To use, shake well and them pump a dime-size amount into a loofah, sponge or wash cloth. Add water to create a foam and clean the skin.

Storage Tips 

Store this natural body wash recipe at room temperature for up 2-3 weeks in a storage container that’s suitable for the shower or bath.

I prefer to store this in a squeezable bottle with a narrow spout on the lid. You can keep it in a sturdy glass soap dispenser. Just be sure it can withstand being dropped in the shower or bath. Keep out of direct sunlight.

Make Batches for the Family

This DIY body wash is a cinch to make. Once you’ve bought the ingredients you’ll be able to make multiple batches. We all hate going into the bathroom, ready for a nice shower, only to find an empty vessel of body wash!

This is so quick and simple to make, in a couple of minutes you’ll have a fresh batch of cleansing, scented goodness.

Tips for Customize

Scent Variations

Experiment with different combinations of essential oils to create your own favorites. Lavender is a great place to start that’s great for all skin types. 

Skin Type Variations

• For All Skin Types: 6 drops of Lavender essential oil, 4 drops of Lemon essential oil
• For Dry Skin: 4 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil, 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• For Kids Skin: 5 drops Lavender essential oil

Safety Considerations

While homemade body wash can be a safe and effective alternative to commercial skincare products, be sure to follow safety guidelines. Avoid using ingredients known to cause irritation or allergic reactions for your skin, and do a patch test before applying new formulations to larger areas of the skin.

Note that citrus essential oils like lemon, orange, and lime can make skin photosensitive to the sun. Avoid sun exposure within 24 hours of use with citrus oils, or just omit altogether and opt for something like lavender.

FAQs

Can I use homemade body wash on sensitive skin?

Yes, homemade body wash can be suitable for sensitive skin. The ingredients in this recipe 

How long does this body wash last?

The shelf life of homemade body wash can vary depending on the ingredients used and storage conditions. In general, it’s best to use it within a 2-3 months and discard if any changes in color, odor, or texture occur.

Can I use this body wash on my face?

While homemade body wash can be gentle enough for use on the body, it may not always be suitable for the delicate skin of the face. But it does have similar ingredients as my DIY Face Wash. 

Are there any ingredients to avoid in this body wash?

Some ingredients, such as synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and parabens, are best avoided in homemade body washes to minimize the risk of irritation and adverse reactions. Opt for natural, plant-based ingredients whenever possible.

Top Tips for This DIY Body Wash

• Use a 2 oz pump bottle as your container.
• Make sure to shake the pump well before using.
• You only need a dime sized amount of body wash.
• Use a good loofah to reach the hard to get places!

More DIY Recipes You Might Like

• 8 DIY Honey Facial Masks
• How to Make DIY Lotion Bars
• 10 Homemade Natural Skin Care Recipes

Did you try this DIY Body Wash? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see what other fun things I’m getting up to.

Want More DIY Beauty Recipes?

Check out my book Natural Beauty Made Simple. It comes with 45 homemade skincare recipes with a set of printable labels and gift tags. You can download it instantly to your phone, computer or e-reader, so it’s portable and can go with you anywhere!

With this book, you’ll learn how to:

• Make your own organic beauty and skin care products for less than $25 a month!
• Learn simple techniques to make your own skincare – without the fuss of complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients
• Get tried-and-true recipes that work to nourish the skin and make it look more radiant than ever before
• Create beautiful gifts for friends and family with the printable labels and gift tags I’ve included with this book