3 DIY Beauty Supplies Made With Organic Coconut Oil

This post was originally published on Modern Alternative Mama.

Our skin in our largest organ and it is porous. Chemicals rubbed onto the skin can enter the bloodstream quickly, sometimes faster than if we were to ingest them.Conventional beauty products often include harsh chemicals, artificial colors and fragrances, paragons designed to prolong shelf life, and other ingredients that you probably don’t want in your body. Between cosmetics, cleansing and skincare products, we might be putting 20 or more products onto our skin each day, with however many chemicals each of them happens to include.Last year, I decided I wanted detoxify my cleaning and beauty routines. I was already buying products marketed as “natural’, but reading through the list of ingredients didn’t convince me that they were any less chemical-laden than the mainstream stuff.I had been struggling with both acne and dry patches on my face and the collection of products I had amassed to help deal with those conflicting issues were hard on my wallet and also not effective. It was time for a change.I wanted my morning regimen to set the tone, not just for my day but my life. It needed to be as natural and simple as possible.After some research, I realized I already had the base ingredient for several simple, healthy and natural recipes that would replace almost half of the containers on my bathroom window sill: Organic coconut oil.Over the past year, I’ve experimented with several recipes and settled on three coconut oil-based products that I love and use daily.Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase a product after clicking through a link I will make a small income from the sale at no additional cost to you. The income helps to support this blog. Thank you! The first recipe is the very simplest - just coconut oil.I keep a small jam jar of straight coconut oil in the shower and use a pea-size amount to cleanse and moisturize my face every morning. If my skin feels unusually oily or if I’ve used sunscreen on my face the previous day, I dip my finger in a container of baking soda before melting the oil on my hands to create a very gentle scrub. The oil is light and rinses off, but leaves my skin soft and moisturized.After only a week of this new facial cleansing regime, my acne cleared up and hasn’t returned. I was able to get rid of all the acne-fighting products and also the concealers I used to cover the red spots. Because the coconut oil also hydrates my skin, I’ve also tossed all the facial moisturizers. My bathroom counter has never been so clear!Virgin coconut oil liquifies at 76 degrees F, so depending on the temperature in your home, it may not remain solid. No problem, you can still use it in its liquid state!This foot scrub is great for keeping your feet smooth and healthy. If you get cracked heels in the winter, this will help. The lemon juice helps kill bacteria that leads to foot odor and aloe vera is healing and soothing to the skin. Tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties. This recipe is modified from one in the book Eco Beauty. Brown Sugar Foot Scrub1 cup organic brown sugar4 tsp organic coconut oil2 T organic lemon juice1 T aloe vera1/2 tsp tea tree oilAdd liquid ingredients to sugar in a bowl and stir to combine. Spoon into a sterilized container.To use, spoon out a small amount and massage over the soles of your feet, paying special attention to any rough or callused spots. Rinse well.I made the first batch of this shaving cream for my guy, who has extremely sensitive skin. I had a theory that his conventional shaving foam was irritating his face. He’s a convert - the shaving foam went in the trash after his first shave with this stuff. I’ve since discovered that it is also great on my legs and doubles as a moisturizer so I don’t need an additional lotion after my shower!My guy prefers his cream unscented but I like this combination of citrus and vanilla for myself. You can scent it with any essential oils that appeal to you. This recipe makes 8 ounces, which can easily be divided for his and hers use.Note: The aftershave shown in the photo came from a recipe I found here. Citrus-Vanilla Shaving Cream1/3 C shea butter1/3 C organic coconut oil1/4 C almond oil 10 drops vanilla essential oil10 drops citrus essential oilCombine first three ingredients in a small heat-proof bowl set in a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat and add essential oils.Place the bowl in the refrigerator until oils have solidified completely. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip the cream until it is light and fluffy, at least three minutes. If the oils are not sufficiently cooled, this step will not work! Spoon the cream into sterilized jars for use.A little of this stuff goes a long way! It will last a month or more, but if you see any indication of mold toss it and make a fresh batch! It has a very different texture than conventional shaving cream and you will need to rinse your razor with hot water to remove the oil from the blades when you are done. 

Tips For Making Your Own Beauty Supplies

It is a good idea to keep a set of measuring utensils and mixing bowls just for making these recipes that will not be used for food.I like small Weck jars like these or these for my coconut oil concoctions. Whatever you use, make sure you sterilize them before filling. If you see any discoloration or hints of mold in your containers, discard the contents and make a fresh batch. Coconut oil has a long shelf life and is unlikely to go rancid, but bacteria introduced from your hands can result in mold.I’m now experimenting with coconut oil-based lotions, body butters and salves. Check out my DIY Beauty Supply board for these and other recipes for simple, natural beauty supplies you can make yourself.Have you replaced conventional beauty supplies in your home with homemade alternatives? What is your favorite recipe?To get posts like this delivered directly to your mailbox (along with my free ebook and a monthly newsletter), you can sign up right here.