It has never been easier to make your own beauty products. Making your own beauty products can help you to become a more responsible consumer, to save money, to enjoy a creative hobby, to be more independent, to take control over what you put on your skin or to simply feel more confident.
Make your own beauty products at home!
When you are first learning to formulate, here are 10 of the best beauty products that you can make yourself at home! You will become more proficient in formulating as you gain experience.
1. Body butter made at home
Body butter is the first thing you should create at home. It is also a product loved by people of all ages. Start with a framework formula and then adapt it according to the ingredients that you can easily find.
To achieve the desired viscosity, you must balance the oils, butters, and waxes. It takes more time to whip a body cream because you have to chill the formula and then whip it again. The result is a beautiful, light product.
2. Face, body and hand balms
Making body balms at home is a great way to start. Butter and balms have some important, yet subtle differences. Both are anhydrous and contain a combination of botanical oils and butters. However, the proportions of these ingredients can vary, depending on the desired consistency.
A balm has a solid, slightly transparent appearance that melts immediately when it comes into contact with skin. Body butters are softer, less oily and fluffier, even when not whipped. Body butters tend to be made with waxes and harder butters such as cocoa butter, whereas balms use softer butters.
Our users love making balms because you can combine botanical oils and extracts in endless combinations. Sea Buckthorn Oil is one of the most popular balm oils. It imparts a yellow-red color to any balm, even when used in small amounts.
3. Lip Balms, Serums and Scrubs
Lip balm is a necessity for everyone. Lip balms are great gifts to give to friends and family. They’re also convenient to carry around with you when on the go to protect your lips. Our CEO, Lorraine, always has a lip balm on hand!
It’s crucial to think about the formula when making lip balm. You’ll need more wax if you want a solid balm. This is especially true if you are making a stick. The packaging you choose will also influence the formula.
You can add colour to lip balm by using natural colorants, such as botanical oils or pigments. If you are adding essential oils to lip products, make sure you research the dermal limits before you add them.
Make a lip scrub to keep your lips healthy and remove any stringy, dry bits that may appear when your lips are chapped or dried out. Choose ingredients that have gentle exfoliating qualities, as our lips are very thin (only 5 layers).
4. Face and body oils
Face oils can be made in a single pot, and they do not require heat. They are usually made from oils like grapeseed, Rosehip, and sunflower, as well as liquid waxes such as Jojoba. However, they can also include oil-soluble extracts like vitamin E which is an anti-oxidant.
It’s all about personal choice. Face oils do not have to be greasy or heavy. These oils can be made with oils that are fast-drying and quick-absorbing, and have a light feel. They can also be used for a wide range of skin issues and types. Certain oil formulations can be beneficial for skin that is prone to acne.
5. Face powders
Beauty products are increasingly being made from dry, powdered formulations you activate with water. Powdered cleanser can be packaged more economically than solid formulations. Powdered formulations, like face oils are easy to make. However, there are a few important factors that you should consider.
You should also wear suitable face protection to prevent inhaling powder particles. Wearing a face mask will help you avoid inhaling powder particles. You can also learn how to thoroughly incorporate small amounts essential oil if you want to add them to the cleanser for fragrance or other purposes.
Moisture-proof containers are required for dry formulations such as powdered cleansers. Ingredients, like clays, can become contaminated if they come into contact with moist hands or moisture.
When activated, a powder to foam formulation can be created to suit the skin type of each individual. Additives like peptides or marine extracts are also available. Here are some simple powder formulas to inspire you and get you started:
6. Face mask with Activated Mask
The activated face masks are similar to the powder cleansers. They’re a dry formula that you activate using water or Hydrosols and then apply with your fingertips or a brush, depending on your budget and preference.
The masks should be worn once or twice a week. They can be left on a bit longer for them to do their magic. However, they shouldn’t be left so long that it dries and pulls the skin.
It’s fun to choose the powdered, dried ingredients. The mask we have created below uses activated charcoal, but you could also use dried marine ingredients. Super fruit powders can be a great option for adding colour to your skin and providing antioxidants. Try using herb powders such as chamomile, nettle or moringa. There are endless possibilities.
7. Face toner
Face toners remain a staple product in commercial cosmetics despite the growth of micellar water. Why are toners so popular?
Their multi-functionality is the main reason we think. Face toners can be used to remove makeup residue, to refresh the face, to tone it to make it feel better, and to balance the pH of the skin. A splash of toner can refresh the face in hot weather.
Toners are often scented with hydrosols such as the florals rose and jasmine, as well as the fresh scents of lemon balm, green tea, and neroli. Hydrosols contain plant sterols that offer benefits to the skin beyond scent.
They do require to preserve but, on the other hand, can contain a variety of star ingredients that are water-soluble such as prebiotics, which are good for your microbiome, or moisturising agents, like allantoin. The fun part about making a toner again is selecting the actives and fragrances that suit your chosen theme. Here’s an easy formula to get started:
8. Hair styling wax
Why not create your own natural products after the pandemic? A styling wax is a versatile and all-purpose option for quick styling. Hair waxes, which are popular with both men & women, make great gifts (if you can part with them! ).
Hair styling waxes have a similar formula to body butters but contain a higher wax concentration to give it more hold. Choose waxes and butters that have higher melting points. Cocoa butter is a good example. They provide protection and nourishment to hair.
Consider using natural silicone alternatives, now readily available, to enhance the shine and smoothness of your wax.
The beauty of creating your own organic, natural haircare products lies in the ability to avoid the synthetic fillers that are often found in mainstream styling product. You can easily recreate this formula, which is enriched with African butters and oils.
9. Hair mist
The hair mist is the ninth product on our list of beauty products that are easy to make. The hair mist is similar to a multi-purpose toner, and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Hair mists refresh the hair in between shampoos, adding a mild fragrance and styling abilities. They can also help to protect and nourish hair shafts.
A hair mist, depending on the ingredients used, can protect your hair from UV rays or wind. It can be water-based, and can therefore be used to carry water-soluble actives like Humectants. This includes various amino acids which can give shine as well as helping moisture to penetrate hair shaft. You can make your own hair spray that you can customise.
10. Gel Face Cleanser
The gels, and the oleogels that you can make yourself are among the most popular DIY skincare products. This is due to the vibrant colours and the wonderful skin feel.
Oleogels are particularly popular because they transform into a lovely cleansing milk when in contact with water and gently massaged. Their application is a sensory experience.
