Part 1, the Do’s
Making your own skin and personal care products can be easy and fun, but it also needs to be safe and effective.
A simple internet search of DIY cosmetics and personal care products leads to millions of results. There is no question that there is a demand for them, with more and more consumers opting for healthier, more natural lifestyles; and wanting to avoid harsh chemicals that are bad for the body and the environment. However, while many of these DIY recipes are certainly natural, that doesn’t automatically make them safe or effective.
But don’t get discouraged! We have created a 3 part blog series to help you navigate the Do’s and Don’ts of making your own natural products at home.
The Do’s of DIY
1. Research. There are many bloggers, Pinners, Youtubers, and Instagrammers out there that have created quite the following based on their make-up, green living, and frugal tips. But are they truly knowledgeable in their area? While there are many reputable sources, there are also those that rely too heavily on information that, unbeknownst to them, is actually inaccurate. This is because they aren’t professionals in the area that they are giving advice on. Homemade personal products can be amazing, you just need to ensure that you are getting your information from numerous, credible sources in order to keep yourself and your family safe.
2. Consider product concentrations. For example, tea tree is a terrific and effective natural ingredient; however, it should not be used in concentration levels above 50 percent as it can be irritating to the skin at those levels. It is a good idea to double check the ingredients you are using and how much of them you are putting directly on your skin.
3. Think about shelf life. No homemade beauty products will last as long as their store-bought counterparts so it is always a good idea to stick to a single serving when making your own products. As a rule of thumb, those with food ingredients can last up to a week in the fridge and those without food ingredients, usually around two to three weeks. Of course, you can add to the shelf life of your homemade cosmetics and personal care items by using natural preservatives such as Vitamin E, Coconut Oil, or Grapefruit Seed Extract.
4. Choose the right package. Many DIY recipes are featured in beautiful jars, however, to minimize contamination it is better to use dispensing jars in place of open-mouthed jars. And before even thinking of adding your mixture, be sure to properly sterilize and dry the container. If you must use an open-mouth container, avoid directly touching the product as much as possible with your fingers and hands. Instead use a cotton swab, a cloth or some other single-use or washable item.
Stay tuned for part 2 of our series, The Don’ts of DIY skin care, coming up soon!
