DIY Body Care Products: Ingredients to Avoid & 6 Recipes to Start With

QUICK SUMMARY

DIY body care products let you control what goes on your family's skin, scalp, lips, and mouth. Start with the products you use every day, learn the ingredients you prefer to avoid, and replace them one at a time with simple homemade options.

Below you'll find six beginner-friendly DIYs for soap, toothpaste, shampoo, moisturizer, cosmetics, and deodorant, plus practical essential oil dilution and storage guidance. The goal is not fear or perfection. It is stewardship, informed choices, and a more non-toxic home.

Remember that DIY does not automatically mean risk-free. Essential oils still need appropriate dilution, and water-based homemade products require extra care because bacteria, yeast, and mold can grow when preservation is inadequate.

Buying organic produce and making DIY cleaners are often at the top of the priority list when cleaning up chemicals in the home. But body care deserves the same attention because lotions, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, fragrance, and soap can become part of your family's everyday exposure.

The good news is that you do not have to replace everything at once. Learn the ingredients you want to avoid, choose simpler products when that makes sense, and try these six DIY body care recipes when making your own is the better fit.

Do Body Care Companies Actually Care?

The irony of the term “body care” is not lost on anyone trying to make better choices for their family. We want the products we use every day to care for our bodies, not simply smell good, foam well, or sit on a shelf for years.

This matters because most families use several personal care products before breakfast. Toothpaste. Deodorant. Shampoo. Conditioner. Lotion. Makeup. Fragrance. Hair products. Sunscreen. Hand soap. Body wash. Repeated use is exactly why label reading matters.

One of my favorite resources is the Environmental Working Group. Their Skin Deep database evaluates personal care products and ingredients so families can compare options without needing a chemistry degree. (1)

The regulatory landscape has improved. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 gave FDA its most significant expansion of cosmetic authority since 1938, including new requirements for facility registration, product listing, serious adverse-event reporting, and records supporting safety substantiation. That is real progress. But most cosmetic products and ingredients still do not go through FDA premarket approval, with color additives being the major exception. (2)

So we still read labels, ask questions, and “vote with our dollars,” choosing or making safe, natural, truly non-toxic body care products that fit our family's priorities.

Ingredients to Avoid in Body Care Products

Body care products are applied directly to the skin, scalp, lips, underarms, and mouth, sometimes several times a day.

Reality check: your skin is a brilliant God-designed barrier, not a helpless sponge. But it is also not a brick wall. Topical absorption depends on the chemical, formulation, concentration, body location, condition of the skin barrier, and length of contact. Some ingredients remain mostly on the surface, while others can penetrate more deeply. (8)

If you've ever made a natural topical remedy such as an anti-inflammatory oil dilution, you already know formulation matters. That is why I care about exposure rather than repeating the old idea that “everything you put on your skin goes straight into your bloodstream.” It doesn't. But what you put on your body can still matter, especially when the exposure is repeated, left on for hours, inhaled as fragrance, or applied to sensitive areas.

There is a lot to learn, but fear is not the goal. Discernment is.

Chemicals to Stay Away From

Instead of trying to become a full-blown chemist to weed through label nightmares, we can learn some basics to watch out for and resources to turn to when in doubt. Some quick ingredients to learn and avoid in body care products include (but are certainly not limited to):

• Parabens – preservatives such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Some parabens show estrogenic activity in laboratory research, and human studies continue to examine possible endocrine and reproductive effects. At the same time, FDA says it does not currently have information showing that parabens as used in cosmetics affect human health. Our family still prefers to minimize them when practical, but we do not need to turn uncertainty into a proven disease claim. (3, 16)
• Phthalates – a broad chemical family used in plastics and some fragrance or cosmetic applications. Human research has raised reproductive and endocrine concerns for several phthalates, but not every phthalate has the same evidence or risk profile. FDA says diethyl phthalate, the phthalate still commonly used in cosmetics, does not pose known health risks as currently used. We still prefer fragrance transparency and fewer unnecessary exposures when easy alternatives exist. (4)
• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients – formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, and FDA specifically warns about some hair-smoothing products that contain or release formaldehyde when heated. Exposure can also irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and respiratory tract. (5)
• Triclosan and triclocarban – antibacterial ingredients once common in consumer hand soaps and body washes. FDA ruled that 19 antibacterial active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in consumer antibacterial washes because manufacturers did not provide enough evidence that they were safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water. (7)
• Fragrance or parfum – fragrance formulas can contain mixtures of natural and synthetic ingredients, and FDA allows certain fragrance formulas to be listed collectively rather than disclosing every component when trade-secret protections apply. Some fragrance ingredients can also trigger allergies or sensitivities in susceptible people. (6) See why reducing synthetic fragrance remains one of our priorities in this report on artificial fragrances.

If you'll take a peek at the resource list at the bottom of this article, you'll see the Environmental Working Group as a reference point multiple times. Their Skin Deep Database is an easily searchable index for both products and ingredients. Use it as one tool, not as a substitute for reading the actual ingredient list and understanding how a product is used.

To boil this down to a simple household rule, remember that what goes on your skin can matter, especially if it's a leave-on product, a product used daily, or a product applied to lips, underarms, scalp, mucous membranes, or broken and irritated skin.

So, if you wouldn't eat it, don't apply it!

That's a memorable rule of thumb, not a scientific law. Some perfectly appropriate topical ingredients are not edible, and some edible ingredients can irritate skin. The point is to slow down and ask what the ingredient is, where it goes, how often you use it, and whether you really want that exposure.

Why We Need to DIY Body Care Products

The FDA's antibacterial soap ruling was a wake-up call. For years, antibacterial hand and body washes were marketed as better than good ol' fashioned soap and water. But FDA concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence that these over-the-counter antibacterial soaps were better at preventing illness than plain soap and water. (11)

Simply put: Clean is good. Sterile is not the goal for everyday family life.

Our skin also has a living microbiome that interacts with the skin barrier and immune system. Research continues to show that barrier function and microbial balance are connected, which is another reason I do not believe everyday hygiene should be built around killing every microbe in sight. (12)

This is why DIY body care products can be so empowering. You control the ingredients, fragrance, essential oil dilution, batch size, and storage. But DIY does not automatically mean safer. Water-based products can grow bacteria, yeast, and mold when preservation is inadequate, so sanitation and storage matter just as much as choosing clean ingredients. (17)

Here’s the thing: biblical health is not just about what you eat. It is also about what you put on your skin, what you breathe in your home, and how you steward your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. God gave us plants, oils, butters, clays, herbs, salts, and other natural ingredients that can help us care for our families beautifully and practically.

Demystifying Essential Oil DIYs

Don't click away just yet – you can do this! DIY body care products aren't just for the Pinterest-inclined among us. You don't have to be a fancy blogger or experienced aromatherapist to make your own toiletries, sans nasty toxins!

Essential oils can add familiar natural aromas and useful botanical properties with only a small amount. But remember: essential oils are concentrated plant medicine. “Natural” does not mean “use as much as you want.” A few drops can be plenty.

Tips and tricks when working with essential oils to make body care products:

• Dilute appropriately. There is no single percentage that fits every body care product. Tisserand Institute guidance places many adult body oils and lotions in the 1-3% range and facial cosmetics and deodorants around 0.5-1.2%, while individual oils can have lower dermal maximums. For children, sensitive skin, pregnancy, and daily leave-on use, go lower and check oil-specific cautions. (9)
• Keep blends to a few oils, usually sharing similar or complementary benefits.
• Remember that oil and water do not mix. For water-based aromatic sprays, use a suitable solubilizing system or properly formulated high-proof alcohol when appropriate. A carrier oil dilutes essential oils for oil-based products, but it does not make them disperse evenly in water. (10)
• Use clean, sanitized containers that are appropriate for the formula.
• Make small batches and use them promptly. Water-based ingredients such as water, hydrosols, and aloe vera gel increase microbial-contamination risk. Refrigeration can slow growth, but it does not replace an effective preservation system. Discard a batch if the odor, color, texture, or appearance changes unexpectedly. (17)

6 Body Care DIYs to Start With

Making your own body care products can be rewarding, empowering, and, dare I say, addictive. Try a few of these basic formulas first to get your feet wet and confidence built.

1. Soap

Hand washing was one of the great turning points in modern medicine. In the 1800s, doctors did not routinely wash their hands between patients, autopsies, childbirth, and wound care, a practice that helped spread deadly infections. Unfortunately, we quickly took things a tinge too far, with antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers coming on the scene in full force.

Because in everyday life, the goal is clean hands, not sterile hands.

For most families, plain soap and water are still the gold standard. They remove dirt, grease, and microbes without relying on unnecessary antibacterial chemicals. That matters because the skin is not lifeless. Our hands carry a diverse and constantly changing microbiome, and healthy skin depends on more than simply killing every germ in sight. (11, 12)

The bigger concern is that many antibacterial products have added chemicals that do not offer meaningful benefits for everyday home use. The FDA has ruled that several common antibacterial soap ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in consumer hand soaps and body washes because manufacturers failed to prove they were safe for long-term daily use or more effective than plain soap and water. (11)

That does not mean handwashing is bad. It means we should practice wise, targeted hygiene. Wash after using the bathroom, before eating, after handling raw meat, after caring for someone sick, and whenever hands are visibly dirty.

For everyday use, choose a gentle, plain soap with clean ingredients. If you prefer a homemade soap, essential oils can be used for scent and botanical support when properly diluted, but the foundation should still be simple: wash well, rinse well, and avoid unnecessary antibacterial chemicals.

Essential oils can add aroma and botanical character to a homemade soap, but good handwashing technique does the heavy lifting. A simple soap can be made by adding essential oils into a high-quality melt-and-pour soap base.

DIY Essential Oil Soap Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• Melt and Pour Soap Base
• Peppermint essential oil per base instructions

Instructions

 

• Prepare the melt-and-pour soap base you chose according to the label instructions.
• Play with the oil blends, using citrus, tea tree, and other gently antimicrobial essential oils. Add them into the soap base immediately before pouring into the soap molds of your choice.
• Pour into your preferred soap molds and allow to cool according to your soap base label instructions.

2. Toothpaste

Oral health is much more than cosmetic. Cavities and gum disease are common, and oral health is connected with eating, breathing, speaking, confidence, well-being, and overall health. Oral disease also shares important risk factors and relationships with conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which is why I do not treat the mouth as separate from the rest of the body. (See our discussion of metabolic health here.) (13)

Some antiseptic mouthwashes also deserve thoughtful use. Chlorhexidine and other potent antiseptic rinses can reduce nitrate-reducing oral bacteria involved in the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. Individual human studies have reported small blood-pressure changes, although a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis did not find a significant pooled blood-pressure effect. That means the biology is real, but the clinical significance is still being worked out. (14, 18)

Check your toothpaste and mouthwash for ingredients your family prefers to avoid, including triclosan and controversial fluoride. Especially with children who may swallow some of the paste, use an age-appropriate amount and supervise brushing.

Check out my article on essential oils for oral health if you are stumped on which oils to use, then add them to these ingredients:

Homemade Essential Oil Toothpaste Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• Equal parts baking soda AND coconut oil extra-virgin AND unrefined (¼ cup each is good to start with)
• 1-2 teaspoons sea salt, ground
• 5-7 drops essential oils
• optional: 1-2 teaspoons each powdered stevia OR bentonite clay

Instructions

 

• Mix and place in a small jar or a squeeze bottle. Use a spoon or disposable wooden scoop to get the paste out and avoid contamination.

3. Shampoo

Shampoo can't be overlooked because it goes directly on the scalp and is often used several times a week.

Hair care products can contain strong surfactants and ambiguous fragrance. Some people find that harsher cleansers leave the hair or scalp feeling stripped, dry, or irritated, which is one reason we prefer simpler formulas when they work for our hair type.

A tip from my friend Dr. Axe, this recipe uses a castile-soap base and adds nourishing natural ingredients:

Homemade Essential Oil Shampoo Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• 1½ cups (1 can) coconut milk, organic
• 1½ cups organic unscented liquid castile soap
• 40 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

 

• Mix well (a blender might work best!) and add to a BPA-free squeeze bottle. Store no more than a week in the fridge before using or replacing. Shake before use.

4. Skin Moisturizers

We all could stand a little more moisturizing to take care of the skin that works so hard for us. Lotions, creams, and body butters are leave-on products, so ingredient choice and skin tolerance matter.

True water-based lotions are more complicated to make safely at home because they usually require an emulsifier and an effective preservation system. That is why an anhydrous DIY, moisturizing body butter can be such a practical starter project.

When replacing your standard lotion, look for the ingredients your family has chosen to limit, including synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and certain preservatives. When making your own, keep the formula simple and use essential oils only at an appropriate dilution.

Lotion-making techniques vary from simple to complex. Here's an excellent starter DIY recipe from my good friend Jill at The Prairie Homestead. Simply combine a few ingredients:

Essential Oil Hand Cream Lotion Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup unrefined shea butter
• ⅛ cup sweet almond oil
• 1 tablespoon organic beeswax pellets yellow or white

Instructions

 

• Carefully melt, then add 20-30 drops of essential oils. Stir, then pour into sterilized jars. Adjust the amount of beeswax for a firmer or softer body butter. Try nourishing oils like lavender, chamomile, citrus, and myrrh.

5. Cosmetics

Cosmetics are used around some of the most sensitive areas of the body, including the eyes and lips, often every day. Not every synthetic cosmetic ingredient is harmful, but repeated use is a good reason to know what is in the product and whether it fits your family's non-toxic priorities.

Don't you want to know if those ingredients are safe?

The EWG database can be a helpful starting point for comparing products and ingredients. And if you would rather make something yourself, basic cosmetics do not have to be intimidating.

DIY lipstick is nothing more complicated than a jazzed-up lip balm. Here are the main ingredients:

DIY Essential Oil Lipstick Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil OR coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon organic beeswax pellets yellow OR white
• 1 teaspoon Cocoa butter OR unrefined shea butter
• Organic beet powder (optional)
• Organic Ceylon cinnamon (optional)
• Organic turmeric (optional)

Instructions

 

• Finally, remove from heat and stir in a drop or two of essential oil for fragrance and nourishment, like peppermint, lavender, sweet orange, or lemongrass. See more information on how to make homemade lipstick here.

Citrus Oil Safety

Note (as a word of caution about citrus essential oils): some citrus oils are phototoxic, meaning they can increase the risk of burning or skin damage when that skin is exposed to UV light. The biggest concerns are usually expressed citrus oils rich in furanocoumarins, while distilled citrus oils are generally not phototoxic because those heavier constituents do not carry over significantly in distillation. (15)

If you choose to use citrus in your lipstick, be careful to only use 1 drop and stick with the list that's considered safe according to the classic text, Essential Oil Safety:

• Bergamot Oil (FCF) – Bergaptene/Furanocoumarins is removed
• Blood Orange Oil
• Lemon Oil (Steam Distilled)
• Lime Oil (Steam Distilled)
• Mandarin Oil
• Sweet Orange Oil
• Orange Leaf Oil
• Satsuma Oil (Cold/Expeller Pressed)
• Tangelo Oil
• Tangerine Oil
• Yuzu Oil

Download our free how-to-dilute essential oils guide for more information.

6. Deodorant

Last but not least, we cannot forget the daily product applied to underarm skin. Antiperspirants commonly use aluminum salts to reduce sweating, while deodorants are designed primarily to control odor. Either type may also contain synthetic fragrance, preservatives, and other ingredients your family may prefer to avoid.

Deodorant is also a product we're not easily convinced to eliminate. No one wants body odor to be the first thing that signals a natural lifestyle!

Instead of spending a fortune on products that fit your standards or foregoing deodorant altogether, simply make your own homemade deodorant.

Another recipe formulated by my buddy Jill at The Prairie Homestead will keep you clean and fresh with a simple ingredient list.

Essential Oil Deodorant Recipe

Author Mama Z

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Ingredients

• ⅓ cup coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined
• ¼ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup arrowroot powder
• 4 tablespoons organic corn starch
• Essential oils-try tea tree sweet orange, lavender, frankincense, etc.

Instructions

 

• Combine the dry ingredients first, then add coconut oil and up to 10-15 drops essential oils. Add more dry or wet ingredients as necessary for consistency; store in a jar or roll-up tube.

Which of the DIY body care products are you going to make first?

Want to learn more tips for making essential oils part of your everyday life?

Check out our Essential Oil Lifestyle Library.

References: