By Angela Beery, Contributing Writer
Have you ever wondered exactly what ingredients your beauty products are made of? Are you sure that the ingredients in your beauty products are safe? Many of us have never stopped to consider the ingredients in our cosmetic products and how they might be affecting our appearance and our overall health. The good news is you can know exactly what goes into your products!!
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has put together a website called Skin Deep that provides a search-able Cosmetic Safety Database that I highly recommend. At Skin Deep, the EWG has reviewed thousands of brand name and generic beauty products and divided them into the following categories: Makeup, Skin, Hair, Eyes, Nails, Babies, Oral Care, Sun Protection, etc. The products are rated on a scale of 0-10, 0 being the lowest hazard and 10 being the highest hazard.
I encourage you to do a little experiment. Go into your bathroom and grab the three products you use most. Search for them on Skin Deep and find out where your product rates on the safety scale.
If you have never taken the time to consider what your beauty products are made of, I am confident that browsing through the pages at Skin Deep will inspire you to do so. It may also inspire you to begin making your own beauty products at home.
Why should I spend the time making beauty products at home?
1. Making beauty products at home will provide you with the safest and most personalized products possible.
Only you know exactly what your skin issues are. Maybe you are dealing with early signs of aging, have dry or sensitive skin. Natural ingredients are always the better alternative to chemicals. Making your own beauty products means customized products that meet your personal needs.
2. Making beauty products at home is very frugal.
It is estimated that the average American family spends $2,000 annually on hygiene items. Homemade beauty products require fewer ingredients and tend to last longer than store bought.
3. Homemade beauty products make great gifts.
Homemade gifts are always more personal and a practical way to live a more sustainable lifestyle!
4. Homemade beauty products are free of toxins and harmful substances.
According to the EWG, only 11 percent of cosmetic ingredients have been tested for safety by the cosmetic industry. That is just scary. Can we really trust the profit-driven cosmetic industry to use only ingredients that are good for our long term health?
One of the greatest resources available on this subject is Beauty Secrets of the Bible by Ginger Garrett.
To quote Garrett:
“Whatever you apply on the skin can be absorbed into the body. Nicotine and birth control patches work on this principle. Applying beauty products may allow any ingredient to be absorbed into the skin and into the bloodstream. Many beauty products are specifically engineered to penetrate the skin’s barrier to deliver the chemicals and create ‘results.’”
Ask yourself, “Am I getting the ‘results’ I want?
Which ingredients should I avoid?
Ginger Garrett has a free download available called the Ingredients to Watch List. The top five ingredients that she recommends to avoid are Parabens, DEA, Phthalates, Sodium lauryl sulfate, and Petroleum. You can read more about these toxic ingredients in Beauty Secrets of the Bible.
The EWG also provides a free download that can easily be carried in your purse or wallet called the Shopper’s Guide to Safe Cosmetics. The Shopper’s Guide also recommends avoiding parabens and Sodium lauryl sulfate as well as fragrances and dyes, DMDM and TEA. You can find more detailed information on what to avoid and why at Skin Deep.
Photo Credit: sallyleecandles
What are some beauty products that I can make at home?
Body Scrub: Brown Sugar, Honey and Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
This is a recipe that I developed in my own kitchen. I use it to exfoliate before shaving my legs. Because it is so moisturizing, I have found that I do not need to apply lotion to my legs if I use it before shaving.
Moisturizer: Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is the simplest, purest moisturizer in the world. It can be used anywhere on your body, including the extra dry spots like your elbows, knees and feet. It is also an excellent facial moisturizer. Keep in mind that very little olive oil is needed. If you use too much, your skin will end up feeling greasy and you may smell a little bit like an Italian restaurant. Start with a drop the size of a dime and spread evenly across your skin. Use more as needed.
Make-up Remover: Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Seriously, I know I am starting to sound repetitive, but Olive Oil is the simplest, purest way to remove eye makeup while moisturizing the most tender (and most prone to wrinkles) part of your face.
Antidandruff treatment: Apple Cider Vinegar
Simply spray Apple Cider Vinegar onto your scalp before washing your hair. Your hair may be wet or dry. Leave the vinegar on the scalp while you take a shower (approx 5 minutes) and then rinse it out. Wash you hair as normal. This will get rid of the vinegar smell.
Razor Burn Treatment/ Facial Moisturizer: Honey
Honey Tonic (from Beauty Secrets of the Bible)
Apply 1-2 drops honey to wet fingertips and massage onto razor burn area or wet face. Do not rinse. Pat dry. Using honey on your face will not make your skin feel sticky. Honey helps the skin retain moisture, plumps up fine lines and gives your skin a beautiful glow.
Photo Credit: vzaliva
For Dry Elbows: Lemon
Cut a lemon in half and massage it onto each elbow once a day. Dry elbows with towel and apply olive oil to moisturize. You will see fast results with this.
Hairspray: Gelatin
Bring approximately 1 cup of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of plain gelatin to it. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Store in a spray bottle and place in hot water bath in your sink before use as it will solidify. This recipe is safe for your body and the ozone layer!
Diaper Rash: Coconut Oil
Try using coconut oil on your baby’s diaper rash instead of the expensive, chemical rash creams available in stores.
Lip Balm:
Lip Balm
Ingredients
- 1/4 c grated beeswax
- 2 Tbsp cocoa butter
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp almond oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together over low heat. Pour into small containers.
I encourage you to take a closer look at the beauty products you are using and consider switching either to safer, store bought alternatives or to begin making your beauty products at home. Head to your local library or get online and start researching recipes for homemade beauty products. Check back frequently at Keeper of the Home this month for more posts on this topic.
Do you feel confident about the safety of the beauty products you use? Have you tried making your own beauty products?
Real Food Makeover: The Anderson Family
Great post! I was thinking about making some homemade scrub for my mom & MIL for Mother’s Day. This recipe looks great!
I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and absolutely love it. It has so many purposes, both in and out of the kitchen. And all those medium chain fatty acids are so good for you!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Gluten-Free & Delicious: Oatmeal Blender Pancakes =-.
Thanks for the great info! I have been working on going without make up for some time, my husband likes my natural beauty. I have used coconut oil as a facial moisturizer; it has a pleasant but not overwhelming scent.
Best Regards!
-Lisa
@Lisa Garrett, I also use coconut oil on my face and love it!
Thanks for these recipes! Do you have a recipe/idea for a safe bath soak?
@Jill, I bet Angela has a suggestion, but a few that I like are epsom salts, ginger powder, oats (in a cloth tied up, so you don’t end up bathing in oatmeal!), or a few drops of essential oils. Pretty simple stuff. I’m sure there are more complex things you could do!
ohhh, I love these ideas – thanks so much for sharing! I use coconut and olive oil for lots of things already, and have been wanting to go completely natural with the rest of our skin products. You make it sound simple & easy 🙂
Do you have any other book recommendations on this subject?
.-= emily hope´s last blog ..love defined . 1 corinthians 13 . cafe mount . 12×12 =-.
@emily hope,
I do! I am writing a post on them on my blog right now!
http://domestic-godliness.blogspot.com
.-= Angela Beery´s last blog ..Homemade Cough Syrup =-.
Depends on what you are looking for in your bath. If you would like something that will moisturize your skin, help heal dry spots, rashes, etc. try an oatmeal bath. Here’s what to do:
Get a pair of pantyhose and cut it at about knee length. Fill the pantyhose with dry oatmeal. Tie a knot at the top. Use in the bath in place of a wash cloth or hang over the spout and let the water run through it as it enters the bath. Simply wet the oatmeal and squeeze – your bath water will be full of natural, non-irritating moisturizer!
You can also use this on your face. It is an excellent moisturizer!! Brands like Aveeno use oatmeal in their products.
.-= Angela Beery´s last blog ..Homemade Cough Syrup =-.
Such a lovely , interesting post. =) TY!
I’ll have to try the Apple Cider Vinegar thing for my husband…I mean if he will try it. I wonder though if it would have to be the expensive organic unpasteurized stuff that we have to eat?
I’ve never tried making stuff myself, but I don’t use many things. I have never understood why people need so many things! I just use a few things like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and an all purpose moisturizer, all natural brands bought at a co-op and researched their ingredients. Making things does interest me, but since I am really happy with the natural brands we use, and I get them at good prices, its not something I am thinking about doing soon, but great info!
I started making my own lye soap just before Christmas both to give as gifts and because I wanted a more natural soap. It was a huge hit with my family and those who received it as gifts! I’ve also started using it as shampoo with a vinegar/water rinse for conditioning. Last month I made homemade lotion and lip balm (similar to the recipe in this post). I’m definitely hooked on making my own beauty/hygiene products! I’m looking forward to trying the hairspray recipe in this post. I also want to try some seasonal things like sunscreen and insect repellent.
Here’s a helpful link with great information about natural skin care and more recipes: lotionsecrets.com
has anyone else noticed that Coconut Oil dries out the skin? I used it for about 6 months, varying the amount and found that my skin was drier than ever. I switched to a grape seed/jojoba oil blend instead.
Coconut oil is still the best deoderant i’ve ever used though!
@Heather H.,
Oh! I’ll have to try the coconut oil as deodorant. I’ve never used it on my skin…I usually stick with olive oil.
.-= Angela Beery´s last blog ..Where to get ideas for Safe/All Natural Beauty Products You Can Make at Home =-.
Heather,
I have also noticed that Coconut has a drying affect on my skin. My skin has always been dry even as a teenager. Did anyone offer you a suggestion for an alternate oil? I’ve used EVOO with some success, but would really love something that is even more moisturizing for my extra dry (and aging) face.
Shea butter, olive oil and tea tree oil! I use it everyday! Shea butter can actually draw out pimples, moisturizes with vitamin e, and acts as a sunscreen! It is also an amazing prepoo (pre shampoo conditioner)conditioner for my hair.
Can you tell me the amounts you use for this recipe? Coconut butter dries my face out too and I have all the ingredients to make the product you use.
Fabulous post! Olive oil and coconut oil have become a huge favorite at our house, too. I have not managed to remove the smell of vinegar when using it in my hair – not sure if its the hard (HARD) water in Berlin, my shampoo, or what. But the vinegar just couldn’t stick around.
I can’t wait to share this post with my own readers. Thank you!
katie
I’ll have to try the Apple Cider Vinegar thing for my husband…I mean if he will try it. I wonder though if it would have to be the expensive organic unpasteurized stuff that we have to eat?
I’ve never tried making stuff myself, but I don’t use many things. I have never understood why people need so many things! I just use a few things like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and an all purpose moisturizer, all natural brands bought at a co-op and researched their ingredients. Making things does interest me, but since I am really happy with the natural brands we use, and I get them at good prices, its not something I am thinking about doing soon, but great info!
@Brad, I agree that it can also work to just use a few, well-researched and reasonably priced natural products form the store. I currently do a mix of homemade and bought, and there are some things that I just don’t feel too worried about learning to make. But I do love knowing how to make special things for every once in a while, like a sugar scrub, etc.
Thanks for the great information. It’s true that things can penetrate the skin and be absorbed into the body. That’s why I’m super careful about what I will put on my skin. I use a lot of homemade products, because that’s my business, but I think I would lean that way even if I didn’t make them.
.-= [email protected] bath products´s last blog ..Funky Monkey Soap (Kitchen Smell Dispel) =-.
Hi,
Could you guide me as to what I could use to extend the shelf life of scrubs,like which essential oils (or other natural alternatives) that can prevent the formation of molds especially in humid countries.I would not want to add alcohol to extend the product’s self life.Any suggestions pls?
Thank you !
I have adopted homemade skin care over the last week. Mostly because I’m out of my normal face wash from Korres. I used jojoba oil because I had it on hand. I am very happy with it.
I’m also using a mixture of honey and sugar as a scrub and a mixture of oatmeal and dairy (milk, cream, half and half – whatever I’ve got) for a mask.
Here’s one tip though for the oatmeal mask:
– I decided to use a box of leftover organic oatmeal baby cereal since my baby’s outgrown it. It worked MUCH better than the regular oatmeal. The consistency was better. I couldn’t pulverize the oatmeal into a fine enough powder to get it to spread over my face evenly and smoothly. The cereal worked wonderfully though.
I am a fan of branded products. The one that comes with cute packaging and has a famous celebrity endorsing it. But lately I have come to my senses. My pocket is empty because of my attempt to look good but what exactly i am doing is patronizing products that i have little knowledge of and only to find out they have something that is harmful. So i researched and read about natural products. And that’s the start of my addiction to DIY home recipes! I have actually formulated a few unique recipes! but I will definitely try the one above especially the body scrub!
I’m really wondering what products people use to shave their legs? I desperately want a natural alternative. I have extremely coarse hair, but extremely sensitive skin (constant eczema battle!). Bad combo.
I have tried grapeseed oil… not the best shave. The razor doesn’t glide well over oil. Suggestions? Recipes?
@Michelle, I just use castile soap and get it foamed up really well, and for me, it works. Castile soap foams a lot, even with a very small amount, and it doesn’t seem to affect how the razor moves.
@Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home,
Awesome. Thanks for the tip. I’ll definitely be trying that out next. 🙂
@Michelle
My daughter has had eczema her whole life and began using a steroid cream as a teen. when she found out what steroids were and what they could do she refused to use it any longer. She suffered this condition on her arms,legs and torso.Searching online I read about a recipe for a balm made from honey,oliveoil and beeswax. I did some looking around and altered it a bit using raw shea butter,tea tree oil and olive oil and have had amazing results.She uses it now as a lotion regularly as well as a conditioner for her scalp.
You mention using gelatin and beeswax. Are there other ingredients that a vegan could use? They typically avoid those products.
I was wondering if you have trouble with your towels and sheets smelling like old playdough after using the body scrubs. It seems like the oil left on my body gets into them and i can’t wash it out and then they stink. Any suggestions on how to get the smell out would be appreciated.
A great way to get that musky smell out of clothes and towels is to pour a cup of apple cider vinegar in the wash with the load of laundry and your normal detergent. Don’t worry, the cloth doesn’t smell like vinegar after you take it out.
I recently started using natural bar soap and trying to use natural moisturizer [a blue chamomile oil blend]after bath but I’m noticing that my skin is very dry, does natural soap leave residue on skin? now that I know of all the harmful chemicals in all the regular beauty products that leave my skin so soft and supple but I dont want to compromise my health in the process,any suggestions? I think I’ve heard safflower oil is also good to use before any other moisturizer?
i always like the homemade productions specially when it comes to skin care. Nowadays there are bunch of skin care materials you can found for your healthy skin to makes them unhealthy after some time ..looks skin goes shrink and rough.. 🙁
I’m wondering if it’s OK to use regular sugar, salt, etc for homemade scrubs? Does the processing of those ingredients make them harmful to our skin (since we absorb what we put on our skin)?
I just made a homemade scrub with regular brown sugar and am assuming it’s fine, but can’t seem to locate discussion of this online. It would get pretty expensive to use organic sugar or high-quality sea salt in beauty products!
If anyone has solid facts on this, I’d love to hear them! Thanks!
I decided to stop putting junk in and on my body. I am going through all the drawers and such and getting rid of all my petroleum based products. If I don’t want it IN my body, I don’t want it ON my body. Just saying . . . . This is just me, though.
Nice and very useful article….we all should make our own beauty concotions
i agree with the issues of potentially dangerous contents in commercial cosmetics. Would you have a ‘recipe’ for a good moisturizer rather than just olive oil? I have tried one or two but ended up with a mess of clumps and water.
Love this article! Thanks so much! It helped me with a research paper for school. Just bought some beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil to make lotion and lip balm! Love it! Thanks again!
Where do purchase the ingredients? Thanks so much for this article, Caterina
Great article. Just to throw a couple things out there, I wash my hair and face with goat’s milk and castille soap, then rinse my hair with diluted Apple cidar vinegar. It has eliminated my itchy scalp and my facial acne. I use a dab of coconut oil if I have dry spots anywhere on my body. The skin deep website was a huge eye opener for me!