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Making your own homemade 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.

A bottle of natural body wash with a loofah.
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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, natural shampoo, and natural conditioner is much easier than you are expecting. And the best part is that they require a lot of the same ingredients, so once you make one, you might as well make them all.  

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Squirting natural body wash out of a bottle onto a loofah.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Cost-effective: I already mentioned that making your own body wash is much cheaper than buying a natural body wash at the store, but it is worth saying again! I’ve saved so much money by DIYing my bath and beauty products. Once you buy the ingredients, they last for several batches.
  • Moisturizing: When I’m choosing a body wash or homemade soap bar to use, one of my top priorities is how hydrating it is for my skin. I often struggle with dry skin and what I use in the shower can make all the difference. This body wash uses ingredients that will leave your skin soft, smooth, and well-moisturized.
  • Gentle ingredients: I love that this recipe uses natural ingredients that I feel good about my whole family using! This body wash is gentle enough for all of my kids, even those with sensitive skin.

Materials Needed

Natural body wash ingredients.
  • A foaming soap container: I purchase them online to use for body wash and foaming hand soap.
  • Castile soap: Made with all-natural plant oils, castile soap is a moisturizing and effective cleaner. It’s also very gentle for sensitive skin, which is why I use it in my homemade baby wash and this recipe. You can buy it scented or unscented; I prefer unscented so I can add my own essential oils.
  • Honey: Honey has antibacterial properties, making it great for natural skincare. Raw honey can help with blemishes and skin conditions and may even offer anti-aging properties, according to Medical News Today. When possible, find local, raw honey.
  • Carrier oil: You can use any liquid carrier oil that you prefer. I like fractionated coconut oil, but it’s a good idea to try a few and find what works best on your skin. Check out my post on the top 10 best carrier oils for further reading.
  • Vegetable glycerin: 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: You can use any of your favorite essential oils in this recipe! A few of my favorite oils to add are lavender, frankincense, tea tree, wild orange, and sandalwood.
  • Water

How to Make Natural Body Wash

Pouring vegetable glycerin and castile soap into a foaming soap bottle.

Step 1. Pour the castile soap, honey, carrier oil, and vegetable glycerin into the foaming soap container.

Adding essential oils to a foaming soap bottle.

Step 2. Add your essential oils of choice to the bottle.

Pouring water into a foaming soap bottle to make natural body wash.

Step 3. Fill the foaming soap container to the top with water.

Using homemade natural body wash on the arm with a bottle of the body wash to the side.

Step 4. Secure the lid and give it a gentle shake to mix the ingredients. The body wash is ready to use!

Expert Tips

  • It’s a good idea to use warm water so the honey dissolves into the body wash more effectively.
  • This natural body wash will last up to 3 months in a cool, dark place.
  • Be sure to use a liquid carrier oil. Using cold-pressed coconut oil will not work as it can clog up your soap dispenser.
A bottle of natural body wash with a loofah and sink in the background.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use this body wash on my face?

Yes, you can. The ingredients in this natural body wash are gentle enough for your face. However, you may prefer a soap that is specifically formulated for the face. If so, try my homemade face cleanser gel or DIY face wash recipes.

Which essential oils should I use in my body wash?

You can use any essential oils that you like! If you aren’t sure where to start, I like to add anti-aging essential oils or essential oils for clear skin when I am making any skincare product. 

What brand of essential oils should I use?

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. 

More DIY Bath Recipes

If you tried this Natural Body Wash or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.47 from 169 votes

How to Make Natural Body Wash

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 oz
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! 
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Pour all of the ingredients directly into the foaming soap container.
  • Fill the foaming soap container to the top with water.
  • Secure the lid and give it a gentle shake to mix the ingredients.

Video

Notes

    • This natural body wash will last up to 3 months in a cool, dark place.
    • It’s a good idea to use warm water so the honey dissolves into the body wash better.
    • Be sure to use a liquid carrier oil. Using regular coconut oil will not work and it will clog up your soap dispenser.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.47 from 169 votes (168 ratings without comment)

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61 Comments

  1. Karmistha Poovan says:

    Can the honey be substituted with something else?

    1. Laura says:

      You can make it without the honey if you prefer!

  2. 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

    1. Laura says:

      Yes, they are my photos. I bought them on amazon.

  3. Mar says:

    Can you substitute the honey with something else?

    1. Laura says:

      I have only done it with honey and love it. You can leave it out if you prefer.

  4. Olivia says:

    Hello. Is there no need to add water to the foaming dispense also?
    Thanks

    1. Laura says:

      I do not add extra water.

      1. 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.

        1. Laura says:

          Yes

        2. 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!

  5. 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?

    1. Laura says:

      Yes, you can make it in a non-foaming dispenser, but it will be liquidy.

  6. Avary says:

    Do I have to use glycerin, or is there something I can substitute it for?

    1. Laura says:

      No you don’t. It thickens it up and helps it to lather better, but you can make it without it.

  7. Tanya Oickle says:

    Great body wash recipe! But doesn’t the honey feel sticky??

    1. Laura says:

      Just rinse well and it will leave your skin feeling really soft!