Making your own all-natural body wash is easier than you think. With this simple 4 ingredient recipe, I will show you how to make a natural body wash that is moisturizing for the skin and cost-effective.
Some of the products that we are using to keep our bodies clean can actually cause our bodies more harm than good. Have you revamped your daily grooming routine yet? When I decided to “clean up,” pun 100% intended, my routine, I noticed that making my own natural body wash was going to be much cheaper than buying natural options from the store.
I guarantee you that DIYing your own body wash, shampoo, and conditioner is much easier than you are expecting. And the best part is that they really do require a lot of the same ingredients, so once you make one, you might as well make them all.
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WHY MAKE NATURAL BODY WASH?
Most of the body wash you are going to find at the store is not going to be made with ingredients that you will want to rub all over your body. Just as you can absorb vitamins and minerals through the skin, you can also absorb chemicals. In fact, it can take as little as 26 seconds for something to be absorbed from the skin and enter the bloodstream.
As you can see, what goes on the body is almost as important as what goes in the body.
WHY USE NATURAL BODY WASH?
If you peek on the back of the body washes sitting in your shower right now, I am guessing that you can’t pronounce half the words listed on the ingredient list. That is my first sign that I need to get rid of it and make something to replace it.
Among these ingredients, there are a few you will definitely want to avoid. These include fragrance, artificial dyes, parabens, sulfates, and triclosan.
FRAGRANCE
Fragrance can mean an array of things, and unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t make companies disclose the exact ingredients that are in these fragrances. I prefer to make my own scents by using pure essential oils.
The environmental working group (EWG) says that fragrances can contain over 14 chemicals. Several of these are not considered safe and can cause skin irritation, allergies and are linked to hormone imbalances.
ARTIFICIAL DYES
I avoid artificial dyes like the plague. In fact, I tell my kids that they can eat anything as long as it doesn’t have sugar and dyes in it. That basically knocks out all processed and unhealthy foods!
Several years ago, I was reading the back of some soap bars in my bathroom and noticed they contained dyes! What in the world? Why can’t the darn soap just be white or gray or whatever color it is supposed to be naturally? It made me curious, so I started reading the back of all the things in my bathroom. Sure enough, I found dyes in toothpaste, deodorants, body wash, face cleanser, the list goes on!
Artificial colors and dyes can cause allergic reactions, contain hormone disturbers, carcinogens, and have been linked to damage sperm.Some dyes, like red40, are banned in other countries. And we still find it in our foods and beauty care products!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
You can find several natural dyes to use or make your own if you decide you want to add color to your foods or soaps.
PARABENS
Parabens are a group of compounds used as a preservative in most cosmetic and personal products.They, too, mimic estrogen and cause hormone imbalances.Parabens are found in 99% of breast cancer tumors!
Parabens can also cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, and rashes.
TRICLOSAN
This ingredient is found in most antibacterial soaps and cleansers. It can cause more harm than good to the body.
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative in personal care and home-cleaning products.It is a hormone disruptor; and can irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE BEST FOR NATURAL BODY WASH?
CASTILE SOAP
Castile soap has become a staple in my household for natural cleaning and DIY products. It is a vegetable-based soap that can be found in liquid or bar form. Because it is biodegradable and non-toxic, it is safe to use on people with sensitive skin, pets, and kids.
It is very concentrated, and a little goes a long way. It can be diluted with water or carrier oil. You can find it already scented or unscented; I prefer to buy the unscented kind so I can add my own essential oils.
HONEY
Honey has so many benefits for the skin and your overall health. Adding it to your diet when you are suffering from allergies or respiratory infections can help boost the immune system and promote clear breathing.
Honey has antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it great for natural skincare. It is best to find local raw honey, but if you can’t find that in your area, I found this honey to be the next best thing.
CARRIER OIL
Adding in a carrier oil will add moisturizing properties to the soap as well as more benefits to the skin, depending on which one you pick. My favorite carrier oil to add is coconut oil because it has so many benefits for the skin.
Coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties making it another great ingredient to add to your homemade body wash. This superfood can basically help with any skin imperfections you encounter.
Be sure to use fractionated coconut oil because it doesn’t solidify, which will be much safer for your home’s drain pipes.
Glycerin is a vegetable-based, odorless, clear liquid. It will add thickness to the body wash and help it to lather more. Glycerin is a natural moisturizer and will help your skin to stay smooth and soft.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Adding essential oils to your body wash can benefit your skin and add a beautiful scent. You can add one essential oil or a blend of oils.
A few of my favorite oils to add are lavender, frankincense, tea tree, wild orange, and sandalwood.
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD I USE IN DIY BODY WASH?
It is always best to use pure essential oils that are not made with any added fillers. Because the FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils, you really have to do your own research. I use doTERRA essential oils in my home and find them to be very effective and pure. Learn more about why I choose doTERRA essential oils.
I like to add essential oils that are good for clear skin and anti-aging when I am making any skincare product.
HOW TO MAKE NATURAL BODY WASH
Making your own body wash is so simple, and it works great! This recipe really lathers and smells so good! It is as easy as mixing a few ingredients together!
Stir the ingredients together slowly to avoid having them bubble up.
Top off the 12-ounce foaming soap dispenser with water.
Transfer to a foaming soap container.
NOTE: This homemade natural body wash will last up to 3 months.
I hope you like this body wash recipe! Drop any questions in the comment section below, and if you made this recipe and loved it, give it a 5-star rating!
You may also like reading my newest post, how to make face cleanser gel next.
How to Make Natural Body Wash
Making your own body wash is so simple and it works great! This recipe really lathers and smells so good! It is as easy as mixing a few ingredients together!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Ingredients
1/3 cup of liquid castile soap
1/3 cup of honey, preferably local and raw
1/3 cup of a carrier oil (I use fractionated coconut oil)
1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin
20-30 drops of essential oils, OPTIONAL
Instructions
Pour all the ingredients into a small bowl.
Stir the ingredients together slowly, to avoid them from bubbling up. Top off the 12-ounce foaming soap dispenser with water.
Transfer to a foaming soap container.
Notes
Last for 3 months.
MORE NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
Making your skin care products can save you so much money and help to remove toxins from your home. Follow these simple recipes and start replacing your personal care products.
In the recipe card you mention that you add water to top off the dispenser. Is this needed or not? It doesn’t matter to me, either way, but I just wanted to clarify.
I saw this website. I am wondering about the loofah scrubber pictures in the photos. Are these your actual photos? Where can I purchase the scrubber used? It looks a little bit different than others. Thank you. Judee
Hello! Super excited to make this recipe. I love the blend of the oils that you chose. About how many drops of each do you use? Is it 10 drops equally or do you use mostly lavender and a hint of the rest?
Excited to try this recipe! Just a quick clarification about the steps, what do you mean by “ Top off the 12-ounce foaming soap dispenser with water.”
Do you add the mixture to the soap dispenser then top off with water?
Is there anything else that I can use besides carrier oil and fractioned coconut oil? I have trouble finding them and have looked in multiple stores. Would Jojoba oil or Sweet almond oil work?
I was wondering about the body wash recipe, can I put this in a squeeze bottle and how much water should I add? I’m not sure what size bottle I’m planning on using.
Looks like a very good bodywash recipe. I definitely want to try this. Just one question. Will it last for 3 months without any preservative? Do I need to store it in refrigerator?
Hello! I love this recipe! It feels good on my skin. Thank you so much for all your recipes! I love them all and I share them with people. I was wondering if I can use this recipe as a face wash and hand wash?
Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of making natural products. My daughter and I just made our own body wash. I made lemon verbena and my daughter made an orange zest body wash. I was amazed by how the soap lathers and the wonderful smells they have. You don’t have to use a lot of soap because a little goes a long way. Is there a way if you know any substitutes we can use besides honey, such as honey and milk, cocoa, shea and oatmeal butters?
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! You can make some substitutions, if you search my blog I have a lot of information on all those ingredients and several recipes using them.
Hi! We’ve been using several of your natural recipes the past few months, but all the “body” ones puzzle me. I find every time I use this body wash I get out of the shower feeling soft and smooth and smelling like grease. I’ve tried buying all new products for freshness but it didn’t change anything. Does this body wash really just make you smell horrible or what am I doing wrong? Any information or advice is appreciated as every “body recipe” leaves us stinking of grease. It is the reason we’ve given up on natural alternatives time and time again.
Anytime you switch to natural the first thing you will notice is that you won’t have that lingering smell from the product. That is because many synthetics and artificial fragrances are added to give it that smell. Even though the smell might be different, it is still cleaasing. It is something that you will get used to as you switch to natural products. You can add in more essential oils to give it a stronger scnet.
I wanted to love this recipe, but sadly I don’t. I don’t really like how the honey gives it a slight sticky feeling when applying. It is a lot thinner than I thought, I don’t know if it’s because it says to add water or what. I also don’t like how it doesn’t lather/sud up hardly at all. All I can smell in it is the honey & I even tried adding a lot of extra essential oil drops & that didn’t seem to change it.
You can add a broad spectrum natural preservative or antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or rosemary antioxidant to help stabilize the shelf life of the product if desired.
Hello! I have been working on formulating body wash recipes. But I am finding that the raw honey gives the body wash a weird odor–it almost stinks!–and the essential oils don’t mask the smell. Have you found this to be true? I made your recipe also, and got the same result. Any suggestions? Or is there a reason for this odor?
You can omit the honey if you prefer. It has amazing benefits for the skin so I love adding it in! One thing to consider, when you switch to homemade and natural products you will not get the same scent as conventional ones as they use artificial fragrances.
Hey can’t wait to try this recipe!
I notice you started talking about toxic ingredients found in everyday product and I noticed a lot of my makeup products have titanium dioxide, and iron oxide! I know titanium dioxide is terrible to consume but do you know if it’s also awful on skin.
I prefer to make my own makeups to avoid those types of ingredients. The skin is your largest organ and everything you put on it will absorb into the body.
Tanya Oickle says
Great body wash recipe! But doesn’t the honey feel sticky??
Laura says
Just rinse well and it will leave your skin feeling really soft!
Avary says
Do I have to use glycerin, or is there something I can substitute it for?
Laura says
No you don’t. It thickens it up and helps it to lather better, but you can make it without it.
Ashley says
You use a foaming dispenser for this recipe and others but would it be OK to use just a non-foaming liquid soap dispenser?
Laura says
Yes, you can make it in a non-foaming dispenser, but it will be liquidy.
Olivia says
Hello. Is there no need to add water to the foaming dispense also?
Thanks
Laura says
I do not add extra water.
Abbey says
In the recipe card you mention that you add water to top off the dispenser. Is this needed or not? It doesn’t matter to me, either way, but I just wanted to clarify.
Laura says
Yes
Erin Anthony Stockinger says
I had to use water. It was too thick for my foam dispenser! Lathers really well and I’m excited to use it!
Mar says
Can you substitute the honey with something else?
Laura says
I have only done it with honey and love it. You can leave it out if you prefer.
Judee says
I saw this website. I am wondering about the loofah scrubber pictures in the photos. Are these your actual photos? Where can I purchase the scrubber used? It looks a little bit different than others. Thank you. Judee
Laura says
Yes, they are my photos. I bought them on amazon.
Karmistha Poovan says
Can the honey be substituted with something else?
Laura says
You can make it without the honey if you prefer!
Amanda says
Hello! Super excited to make this recipe. I love the blend of the oils that you chose. About how many drops of each do you use? Is it 10 drops equally or do you use mostly lavender and a hint of the rest?
Laura says
It is completely up to you! I prefer equal parts of each.
Beth says
Which oils do you use for the body wash
Lauren says
Excited to try this recipe! Just a quick clarification about the steps, what do you mean by “ Top off the 12-ounce foaming soap dispenser with water.”
Do you add the mixture to the soap dispenser then top off with water?
Laura says
Correct!
Anna says
Is there anything else that I can use besides carrier oil and fractioned coconut oil? I have trouble finding them and have looked in multiple stores. Would Jojoba oil or Sweet almond oil work?
Laura says
Yes, either of those would work!
Shilpi says
Hi ,how to increase the shelf life of this body wash ?which natural preservative is good for this product!
Beth says
Do I need a preservative with this recipe?
Laura says
You can add an antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or rosemary antioxidant to help extend the shelf life of the product if desired.
Trisha says
How much of the antioxidants would you recommend adding ?
San says
I was wondering about the body wash recipe, can I put this in a squeeze bottle and how much water should I add? I’m not sure what size bottle I’m planning on using.
Thank you
Laura says
Yes, you can! Depending on the opening of the bottle, you may not need to add any water.
Laurie Porter says
I made the natural body wash and for some reason it’s not suddsing up. What can I add to it? I really want to use it.
Laura says
Add a little vegetable glycerin.
Neha Gupta says
Looks like a very good bodywash recipe. I definitely want to try this. Just one question. Will it last for 3 months without any preservative? Do I need to store it in refrigerator?
Please advice.
Regards
Neha Gupta
te says
Hi, does this body wash need a preservative since it contains water and also honey? If not, how long will this body wash last?
Jacky says
Hello! I love this recipe! It feels good on my skin. Thank you so much for all your recipes! I love them all and I share them with people. I was wondering if I can use this recipe as a face wash and hand wash?
Laura says
I am so glad you like it! Yes, you can! I also have face wash recipes on the blog!
Lorraine says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of making natural products. My daughter and I just made our own body wash. I made lemon verbena and my daughter made an orange zest body wash. I was amazed by how the soap lathers and the wonderful smells they have. You don’t have to use a lot of soap because a little goes a long way. Is there a way if you know any substitutes we can use besides honey, such as honey and milk, cocoa, shea and oatmeal butters?
Laura says
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! You can make some substitutions, if you search my blog I have a lot of information on all those ingredients and several recipes using them.
Abby says
How long will this body wash last before it goes bad?
Laura says
I make enough for one month and then make a fresh batch.
MapleX Naturals says
Great pointers on how to go about making a DIY Natural Body Wash…
Cheryl says
Is there a vegan option to substitute the honey for?
Laura says
You can omit the honey from the recipe.
Nicole says
Hi! We’ve been using several of your natural recipes the past few months, but all the “body” ones puzzle me. I find every time I use this body wash I get out of the shower feeling soft and smooth and smelling like grease. I’ve tried buying all new products for freshness but it didn’t change anything. Does this body wash really just make you smell horrible or what am I doing wrong? Any information or advice is appreciated as every “body recipe” leaves us stinking of grease. It is the reason we’ve given up on natural alternatives time and time again.
Laura says
Anytime you switch to natural the first thing you will notice is that you won’t have that lingering smell from the product. That is because many synthetics and artificial fragrances are added to give it that smell. Even though the smell might be different, it is still cleaasing. It is something that you will get used to as you switch to natural products. You can add in more essential oils to give it a stronger scnet.
Darlene says
Do you have any body was recipes for squeeze bottles and not foaming bottles?
Lesa Jacobs says
Can I leave the honey out of the body wash?
Laura says
Yes
Lui says
Hello for the carrier oil can I use extra virgin olive oil? Has anyone tried it?Thank you!Also can I subsitue the glycerin for anything else?
Laura says
Olive oil is a tad thicker than most carrier oils but should work just fine! I use fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil
Alissa says
I made the body wash recipe ,but the mixture kept separating. If this is normal, should we be shaking it up before each use?
Laura says
They should stay combined pretty well. If needed, you can certainly give it a quick shake before using it.
Jess says
I wanted to love this recipe, but sadly I don’t. I don’t really like how the honey gives it a slight sticky feeling when applying. It is a lot thinner than I thought, I don’t know if it’s because it says to add water or what. I also don’t like how it doesn’t lather/sud up hardly at all. All I can smell in it is the honey & I even tried adding a lot of extra essential oil drops & that didn’t seem to change it.
Julie says
Shouldn’t this body wash have a preservative in it because you are mixing water into the formula?
Laura says
You can add a broad spectrum natural preservative or antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or rosemary antioxidant to help stabilize the shelf life of the product if desired.
Julie says
Hello! I have been working on formulating body wash recipes. But I am finding that the raw honey gives the body wash a weird odor–it almost stinks!–and the essential oils don’t mask the smell. Have you found this to be true? I made your recipe also, and got the same result. Any suggestions? Or is there a reason for this odor?
Laura says
You can omit the honey if you prefer. It has amazing benefits for the skin so I love adding it in! One thing to consider, when you switch to homemade and natural products you will not get the same scent as conventional ones as they use artificial fragrances.
Claira says
Hey can’t wait to try this recipe!
I notice you started talking about toxic ingredients found in everyday product and I noticed a lot of my makeup products have titanium dioxide, and iron oxide! I know titanium dioxide is terrible to consume but do you know if it’s also awful on skin.
Laura says
I prefer to make my own makeups to avoid those types of ingredients. The skin is your largest organ and everything you put on it will absorb into the body.