QUICK SUMMARY
Homemade body powder is a simple, natural alternative to store-bought powders that often contain talc, synthetic fragrance, and mystery ingredients. This easy DIY recipe uses a safe base powder, deodorizing powder, finely ground herbs, and essential oils to absorb moisture, reduce friction, freshen body odor, and soothe skin.
The best homemade body powder is talc-free, lightly scented, and customized for your needs. Use arrowroot, corn starch, oat flour, kaolin clay, or tapioca flour as your base, then add skin-loving herbs and essential oils for everyday freshness.
You can sprinkle this powder on areas that chafe, use it in shoes to deodorize, or make a gentle version for babies by skipping strong essential oils and applying carefully away from the face to avoid inhalation.
If you want a fast, easy way to soften your skin, freshen up, and reduce your toxic burden, look no further! My Homemade Body Powder recipe contains simple powders, herbs, and essential oils to smooth skin and leave it smelling great. Sprinkle this powder on your skin after a shower, dust it on areas that tend to chafe, or even put some in the bottom of your shoes to deodorize.
Here’s the thing: body powder doesn’t have to be complicated. God gave us beautiful plant-based ingredients that can help us care for our bodies in practical, everyday ways. This recipe is one of those “small swap, big impact” DIYs because it replaces talc, synthetic fragrance, and questionable store-bought ingredients with things you can actually recognize.
The sky’s the limit! Use your body powder in the summer on areas that easily chafe. You can even make a gentle version for babies. I know you’ll love this multi-tasker as much as I do!
Table of Contents
4 Reasons to Make Your Own Body Powder
DIYing body powder is easier than you may think. All you need is a base powder, deodorizing powder, herbs, and essential oils. The best homemade body powder absorbs moisture, helps reduce odor, supports sensitive skin, and lets you avoid ingredients your family doesn’t need.
Here are a few reasons you should try this recipe.
- Store-bought powders often contain talc. Talc is used in many cosmetics and body powders, but it has raised safety concerns because talc can be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. The FDA has continued reviewing talc testing concerns, and as of its current talc update, cosmetic ingredients generally do not need FDA premarket approval before sale. (1, 2) My DIY version uses talc-free base powders so you can freshen up without that concern.
- Store-bought powders usually include synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances are extra sneaky because fragrance formulas may be treated as trade secrets, and fragrance ingredients do not have to be approved by the FDA before cosmetics go to market. (3, 4) With a rule like that, who knows what chemicals brands are putting in their products!
- You can customize your powder to fit your unique style and needs. If you need to relax, add some lavender. If you’re making this powder for the man in your life, add some masculine-smelling essential oils. If odor is your main concern, pair this powder with our homemade deodorant or roll-on deodorant.
- Homemade Body Powder makes an excellent gift for a loved one! I recommend putting the powder in an attractive jar and including some other DIY products, such as my bath bombs or sugar scrub.
Application: Start with one small batch and test it on your own skin first. Once you know what base powder and essential oil blend your family loves, make a larger batch for bathrooms, gym bags, shoes, and summer travel.
Homemade Body Powder Ingredient Options
The best part about this recipe is how easily you can customize it! You can swap the base powders, herbs, and essential oils to create the best formula for your body. Just remember to get non-GMO ingredients. Need inspiration? Here’s all the information you need to get started!
Base Powder Options
The best base powder for homemade body powder is light, soft, absorbent, and gentle on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, start with oat flour, arrowroot, tapioca, or kaolin clay. If you need more moisture control, try bentonite clay or corn starch.
Bentonite Clay: This natural clay is highly absorbent and helps pull oils, sweat, and surface impurities from the skin. (5, 6) Bentonite clay has been used for ages to beautify the skin! If you choose this option, apply the powder under your armpit or the soles of your feet to help keep those high-moisture areas fresh.
Corn Flour: Yes, you can use this grocery store ingredient in your DIY recipes! Using corn flour as your base creates a light powder that quickly absorbs into the skin. Be sure to find a non-GMO version.
Kaolin Clay: Choose Kaolin clay base if you’re planning on using your body powder primarily on the face. Kaolin is a gentle cosmetic clay used in beauty care for oil absorption and skin feel, which makes it a good option for oily or combination skin. (5)
Garbanzo Bean Flour: You might not think of putting chickpea flour on your skin, but garbanzo bean flour works well and is all-natural!
Tapioca Flour: Another one of my favorites! Tapioca flour doesn’t break the bank and is easy to find at most grocery stores. It gives homemade body powder a soft, silky texture that feels lovely on the skin.
Oat Flour: If you have organic oats in your pantry, you have oat flour! Place a cup of oats in your blender and pulse until you get a powdery consistency. This is the cheapest base powder option, and it’s excellent for sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal is recognized as a skin protectant ingredient, and research supports oatmeal’s ability to help soothe dry, irritated skin and support the skin barrier. (7, 8)
Rice Flour: Rice flour makes a soft, economical base that’s most likely right in your kitchen! Just like oat flour, you can make this option from the comfort of your home. Take one to two cups of uncooked rice and blend until you get a flour consistency. Rice flour gives body powder a smooth finish and works well when you want a simple, pantry-friendly option.
Deodorizing Powder Options
Deodorizing powders support freshness by absorbing moisture and helping make the skin less friendly to odor-causing bacteria. This is important because sweat itself isn’t the whole problem. Body odor happens when skin microbes transform sweat secretions into odor compounds, especially in warm, moist areas like the underarms. (9)
Arrowroot Powder: Arrowroot powder helps absorb moisture, making it the perfect option for underarm use. This is my favorite deodorizing powder! You’ll notice this recipe doesn’t promise to stop sweat from happening altogether. Sweat is part of God’s design for cooling the body, so I prefer to treat odor and excess moisture instead of trying to shut sweating down completely.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is unique because it can help neutralize odor, and laboratory research shows sodium bicarbonate has antibacterial activity. (10) If you have sensitive skin, you may want to stick with arrowroot or cornstarch because baking soda can be irritating for some people.
Organic Corn starch: Corn starch, like arrowroot powder, is effective at absorbing moisture. You may be able to find a non-GMO version at your local grocery store! Topical starch is also listed in the OTC skin protectant monograph for temporarily protecting and helping relieve minor skin irritation. (7)
Reality check: Some people worry about antiperspirants and breast cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that most case-control studies have not found a link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer risk. (11) Our family still prefers simple, non-toxic swaps whenever possible, because reducing unnecessary chemical exposure is one practical way to steward the body well.
Herb Options
All herbs need to be ground finely for this body powder to succeed. You can use a mortar and pestle, Magic Bullet, or coffee grinder. Here are a few herbs that work beautifully in this recipe.
- Calendula
- Chamomile
- Cinnamon or nutmeg (small amounts only!)
- Cacao powder (in small quantities!)
- Jasmine buds
- Lavender buds
- Neem powder (extra deodorizing!)
- Peppermint
- Rose petals/buds
- Spearmint
- Vanilla beans (inside only)
- Yarrow
Application: For babies or very sensitive skin, keep the herbs simple. Calendula, chamomile, lavender buds, and oat flour are usually the gentlest choices. Avoid cinnamon, clove, peppermint, and strong spice oils for little ones.
Essential Oil Combinations
Here are some of my favorite essential oil combinations. You can limit yourself to just one essential oil, which might be a good idea if the herb of choice is really aromatic.
Play around until you find the combination you like best! Lavender is a favorite because research on lavender inhalation supports its calming, anxiety-reducing effects, which makes it a beautiful option for nighttime body care. (12)
- 16 drops bergamot, 16 drops lavender, and 16 drops lemongrass: The light floral note complements the citrus perfectly!
- 12 drops bergamot, 12 drops nutmeg, 12 drops patchouli, and 12 drops vetiver: A few great options for men’s powder!
- 16 drops cinnamon, 16 drops clove, and 16 drops vanilla absolute or oleoresin: Not suitable for babies, but great for deodorizing shoes.
- 16 drops geranium, 16 drops rose, and 16 drops vanilla absolute or oleoresin: A great combination that will remind you of spring.
- 25 lavender and 25 drops Roman chamomile: A very calming blend. I recommend using these essential oils if you’re using this in place of baby powder.
- 16 drops lemon, 16 drops lime, and 16 drops orange: Citrus scents are mood-boosting. We call orange oil our “liquid antidepressant!”
- 25 drops lemon and 25 drops peppermint: Uplifting and energizing. The perfect blend to help you “get r done.”
- 25 drops ylang ylang & 25 drops clary sage: Perfect for hormonal support! Note: Avoid clary sage in early pregnancy and use it during pregnancy only with guidance from your birth team. Research in term pregnant women has explored clary sage aromatherapy and oxytocin response, which is one reason this oil is traditionally treated with respect around labor. (13)
- 25 drops lilac & 25 drops lavender: This blend reminds me of my grandma..in a good way! It’s comforting and ladylike.
Safety note: Cold-pressed citrus oils such as bergamot, lemon, and lime can be phototoxic on skin exposed to sunlight because of naturally occurring furocoumarins. Choose FCF/bergaptene-free citrus oils when appropriate, or avoid sun exposure on areas where you apply citrus-scented powder. (14) Cinnamon, clove, peppermint, and lemongrass can also be strong on sensitive skin, so use common sense and dilute carefully.
How to Make Homemade Body Powder
Here’s a basic step-by-step to get you started! Be sure to look at the notes to learn even more ways to customize your Homemade Body Powder.
Homemade Body Powder Recipe with Essential Oils
Quantity
Ingredients
- 1 cup base powder(s)
- ½ – ¾ cup deodorizing powder(s)
- 3 tablespoons herbs
- 50 drops essential oils
Supplies
Instructions
- If using herbs, grind them into a fine powder using a morter and pestle, food processor, or coffee grinder.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the base powders, herbs, and deodorizing powders.
- Add the essential oils slowly, mixing and breaking up any clumps.
- Store in a jar with a shaker top.
- To use, sprinkle onto the body and lightly massage into your skin.
Step One: Grind the Herbs
Using a food processor, coffee grinder, or a mortar and pestle, grind the herbs into a fine powder. This is important because large herb pieces won’t feel smooth on the skin and may clog your shaker top.
Step Two: Add the Powders
Mix the base, deodorizing, and herb powders of choice until well combined. I like using a sifter to ensure everything is mixed evenly.
Step Three: Add Essential Oils
Add the essential oils of your choice slowly, whisking continuously to break up clumps. I recommend storing your homemade body powder recipe in a glass jar with a shaker top!
Application: Let the finished powder sit overnight before using it. This gives the essential oils time to disperse through the powder so the scent is softer and more even.
Homemade Body Powder FAQs
What is homemade body powder used for?
Homemade body powder is used to absorb moisture, reduce friction, freshen body odor, soften skin, and help prevent chafing. Use it under arms, under the breasts, between thighs, on feet, in shoes, or anywhere skin rubs and gets sweaty.
What is the best talc-free powder for the body?
The best talc-free body powder depends on your skin. Arrowroot and tapioca are light and silky, oat flour is soothing for sensitive skin, kaolin clay is nice for oily areas and facial use, and corn starch is an easy budget-friendly option.
Can I use homemade body powder as baby powder?
Yes, you can make a gentle version for babies, but apply carefully. Keep powder away from the baby’s face, never shake it into the air, and put a small amount into your own hands before applying. Baby powder can be a breathing hazard if inhaled, especially when a puff of powder gets into the air. (15) For babies, skip strong oils and spices, and stick with gentle options like oat flour, arrowroot, calendula, and chamomile.
Does homemade body powder stop sweating?
No, homemade body powder does not stop sweating, and that’s a good thing. Sweating helps your body cool itself. This recipe absorbs moisture, reduces friction, and supports freshness without trying to block the body’s natural process.
Can I use this body powder in my shoes?
Yes! Homemade body powder works beautifully in shoes. Sprinkle a small amount into shoes overnight and shake out the excess before wearing. For shoes only, stronger deodorizing blends like cinnamon, clove, vanilla, peppermint, or citrus can work well.
How long does homemade body powder last?
Homemade body powder usually lasts several months when stored in a clean, dry jar away from moisture. If it smells off, gets wet, or changes texture, it’s time to make a fresh batch.
Can I use this recipe as dry shampoo?
Yes, you can use a simplified version as dry shampoo, especially with arrowroot or corn starch. For hair-specific tips and color adjustments, see my DIY dry shampoo recipe.
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc
- https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/talc/
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling/trade-secret-ingredients
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics
- https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/1/7
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632318/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/monographs/OTCMonograph_M016SkinProtectantDrugProductsforOTCHumanUse09242021.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7103792/
- https://asm.org/articles/2021/december/microbial-origins-of-body-odor
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12017929/
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10671255/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10341564/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073409/
- https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center/baby-powder
