2016 Note: This post was first published back in 2013 as I was just learning how to DIY in my bathroom. Since that time I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in a small batches to use “in the moment.” You can find my current body wash recipe over here.
Being a mom is dirty business.
Literally.
Within a few hours minutes I can go from fresh, clean and smelling fabulous to, “When’s the last time she bathed?” How is it that every piece of dirt, marker, food crumb, and well, you know what else, ends up being worn by mom? I truly cherish the dirt and whatever else happens to find its way onto my skin, clothes, and hair, each day. Let me rephrase that. I truly cherish the little people who lovingly adorn me with such well-earned souvenirs. This OCD (or is it CDO?) woman is truly learning to embrace the dirt that comes with the role of mommy-hood.
While I truly am learning to love this stage of dirtiness and fun, I am all for a good scrub down. You’re welcome, honey.
This past year I have been challenged to “clean-up” the non-food items in our home. I’m talking about the products we use on our bodies: soaps, toothpastes, lotions, deodorants, and make-up. Anything that comes in contact with our skin and within seconds our bloodstream.
Nothing like a super clean system filled with pastured, organic meats and good fats, organic fruits, and veggies, soaked organic whole grains, fermented and proboitic goodies and then adding in a large dose of daily toxins.
As I have shared in the past, I have fallen in love with developing my own recipes for toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, and laundry soap. I’ve even ventured down the road of making my own make-up. I’ve also found a local lady who makes wonderfully nourishing homemade soaps. Life has been good.
My beloved soap lady went on vacation last month. I intended to order lots of back-ups, but life got the best
of me, and I forgot. After a few days of grieving and wondering how I would survive a month, inspiration came knocking on my natural door. I decided to try making my own soap, more of a body wash to be exact.
I have a great love for Dr. Bronner’s Soap. If you haven’t tried Dr. Bronner’s you really must. No toxic ingredients and a thousand and one uses (okay, maybe more like ten) for just one bottle of soap. This body wash uses Dr. Bronner’s as well as coconut milk as the main ingredients. Please buy real coconut milk , usually found in a can, not the coconut beverage sold in cartons.
This soap is gentle enough I have also been using it on my children. The lavender is perfect for a nighttime bath!
Nourishing Homemade Body Wash
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk canned
- 2/3 cup castile soap I prefer the lavender or Baby Mild
- 3 tsp vitamin E oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tsp vegetable glycerin optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake and use on a washcloth.
- This body wash has a very short lifespan since it lacks preservatives and contains coconut milk, so it's best to keep this body wash in the fridge and use it within a week. If you don't think you'll use this body wash quickly, reduce the recipe, or freeze the extra in an ice cube tray to defrost in small batches. See the 2016 note below. The glycerin may be left out if you don't have any on hand. As an alternative, you can use a nourishing oil, like jojoba, almond, or olive oil.
Notes
*This recipe needs to be used quickly due to the coconut milk. If you’re looking for a body wash that can be stored at room temperature with a longer shelf-life, I recommend use this recipe.
2016 Note: This post was first published back in 2013 as I was just learning how to DIY in my bathroom. Since that time I’ve learned a lot about making homemade products, including the safety side of ingredients. While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, and many folks have loved this body wash, it must be used very, very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in a small batches to use “in the moment.” You can find my current body wash recipe over here.
With the cleaning power of Dr. Bronner’s and the antibacterial properties and hydrating moisture of coconut milk mixed with the antioxidant powers of Vitamin E and Essential Oil, this body soap is a perfect combo for both fighting the dirt and helping this mom relax at the end of a fun, messy day.
More DIYs You May Like:
Homemade Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser
DIY Homemade Facial Cleansing Wipes
Hi Kristin. Just found this blog. This DIY body wash sounds great! Btw, do you think that adding the glycerin will work as a natural deodorant?
I’m not really an advocate of hunting or anything like that, I’m just asking because there are soaps with glycerin that I see in hunting shops. Apparently, glycerin inhibits most human odors so hunters use them so they can get a little bit closer to their prey.
Hello,
I was wondering where you got the glass bottle with the cork lid to store your body wash in? I’ve been searching everywhere for something similar.
Hey Xavier, It’s from HomeGoods.
Hi! I have used many of your wonderful recipes, and made this body wash last night using the Coconut Milk you suggested. I read the update from 2016. I made a smaller batch and have it in the refrigerator. Do you think it will keep for a week if I keep it refrigerated in between uses?
Hey Robin, Yes, a week in the fridge should be just fine!
I accidentaly got low fat coconut milk, will it still work?
Hey Rose May Johns, Yes, it will.
I added about a tablespoon of xanthan gum to this recipe and put it all in a mason jar. I then put just 1 beater on my mixer and mixed it in the mason jar for 2-3 minutes. The xanthan gum thickened it to a perfect creamy consistency. Just have to make sure you mix the xanthan gum with a little carrier oil Before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients so you don’t get lumps! I used almond oil. Lovin’ it!
I’m loving the use of coconut milk in this body wash! I use coconut oil for so many other uses but I have yet to try making my own body wash and am a wee bit scared, truth be told. But this looks easy and manageable. Can’t wait to try it!
Hi! For those without vitamin e oil- sunflower oil has a very high percentage of vitamin e in it, and most grocery stores are carrying it with the other cooking oils these days. It is also non-comedogenic. Honey would be a lovely addition to this body wash! And if you worry about the ph, spritz a little diluted raw apple cider vinegar on before you towel off.
Great ideas, Sheila! Thank you for sharing!
HEEELP!
…i’m making this now & i added 2 tblspns instead of tspns of veg. glycerine…how can i recover?
Hey Lisa, The body wash should be fine. If you notice it feels sticky then you can add more water or soap.
I have just made this and tested it out and found the consistency to be really runny. It doesn’t foam up either unfortunately. I have store it in the fridge and will test it out in the bathtube but what have I done wrong? Too much Castille Soap?
Hey Sharron, It sounds like you did everything right. This body wash is very different than a store-bought body wash since it doesn’t contain any thickeners. Reducing the water will help both the consistency and bubbly action. Also, it’s important to remember that bubbles don’t always mean your skin is getting clean :).