By popular request, here are the “recipes” that I use to make the collection of DIY, zero waste, all-natural hygiene products that I use on a daily basis. I’ve been using these recipes for years, and now make them without really measuring (and sometimes substitute ingredients or omit them). They were all originally pulled from other places online, but I’ve long since forgotten the original sources!
DEODORANT
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make your own deodorant: baking soda, which neutralizes odor, arrowroot powder to absorb moisture, tea tree oil, and coconut oil (Mine is from Precious Trading Co). Both coconut oil and tea tree oil are antibacterials and antifungals, and the coconut oil is a great skin moisturizer.
Measurements:
1/4 Cup of Baking Soda
1/4 Cup of Arrowroot starch (or corn starch- or omit this ingredient and decrease coconut oil to 2 TB)
4 Tb Coconut Oil
1/4 tsp Tea Tree Oil (optional, or use a different essential oil)
Mix all ingredients together to form a paste/cream… and that’s it!
To apply, just dip a finger in, hold it against your skin to warm the mixture for a second, and rub it in! A little goes a long way. Say hello to happy, healthy, non-stinky armpits!
TOOTHPASTE
Andrew and I have used a few different recipes for toothpaste. Right now we’re using a remineralizing toothpaste to try to stop/reverse a cavity on one of Andrew’s molars, but we’d generally just use the simple recipe.
Remineralizing Toothpaste:
1 tsp Diatomaceous Earth
1 tbsp Bentonite Clay
2 tbsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Real Salt (not iodized)
3-4 Small Packets of Stevia Powder (or to taste)
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
7 drops of peppermint essential oil
Simple Toothpaste:
2-3 tbsp coconut oil.
2-3 tbsp of baking soda.
3-4 Small Packets of Stevia Powder (or to taste)
7 drops of peppermint essential oil
Mix all ingredients. Keep in an airtight jar. scoop onto your wet toothbrush with a clean utensil (I use the handle of a spoon, then use the spoon to get some coconut oil for oil pulling). Brush.
TOOTH WHITENING
Tooth whitening products inevitably contain problematic ingredients and most tooth-whitening systems I’ve seen utilize a lot of single-use plastic. Use activated charcoal instead! I always keep encapsulated activated charcoal on hand because of my stomach woes, so I just break a capsule open onto my wet toothbrush, brush, and rinse. Alternately, you can mix a bit of charcoal powder into your toothpaste.
SOAP/ BODYWASH
My alternative for plastic-packaged/chemical filled conventional soap and body wash is… nothing! I wash my body with water, only (I use soap on my hands only, before preparing food or after using the bathroom), and my skin is healthier than ever! Our skin is a part of our microbiome, containing good bacteria that helps fight off bad bacteria. if you can’t get away from soap, opt for pure Castile soap (not zero waste, unless you can find it in bulk or unpackaged near you) or homemade coconut oil soap.
MOISTURIZER
Since I’ve stopped using soap on my body, I no longer have dry skin. Even my elbows are hydrated and smooth. I still do moisturize on my face and neck, but just use a tiny amount of straight coconut oil. I’ve also used a homemade body butter when I feel the need for a body moisturizer, like when I’m in a very dry or cold climate.
MAKEUP REMOVER
I just use coconut oil for this, as well. Rub on and then remove with a wet cloth. It’s great at removing mascara, and has the added bonus of conditioning your eyelashes (mine have definitely grown longer).
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