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Homemade Body Wash
February 1, 2025
![Homemade body wash - Dr. Axe](https://draxe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/shutterstock_2499953489-1.jpg)
Many commercial body washes and soaps contain harsh chemicals that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. A natural alternative is making your own homemade body wash using simple, nourishing ingredients.
This homemade body wash recipe provides a gentle cleanse, deeply hydrates the skin and offers a variety of skin benefits thanks to its natural skin care ingredients.
By using natural oils and plant-based ingredients, you can pamper your skin without the harmful additives commonly found in store-bought products.
Key ingredients
The beauty of this homemade body wash lies in its ingredients, each selected for its unique skin benefits. Here are the main players:
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment and helps retain it in the skin. It has powerful antimicrobial properties that can help cleanse the skin and reduce acne-causing bacteria.
Honey also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
Castile soap
Castile soap is a plant-based soap, often made from olive oil, which makes it gentle and non-drying. It effectively cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Castile soap is also biodegradable, eco-friendly and free from harsh chemicals, making it a great choice for those seeking a natural body wash option.
Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E oil is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants. It deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin, promoting skin repair and reducing the appearance of scars or stretch marks.
Vitamin E also works as a natural preservative in this recipe, extending the shelf life of the body wash.
Essential oils
Lavender essential oil is known for its calming and soothing properties. It not only has a relaxing scent, but also helps reduce inflammation and skin irritation.
Lavender oil can improve skin tone and texture, making it a great choice for those with dry or sensitive skin. Its antiseptic properties also help cleanse the skin and promote overall skin health.
Chamomile essential oil is widely used for its gentle and soothing effects on the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.
Chamomile oil is excellent for sensitive skin and can promote skin healing, making it a perfect addition to any homemade body wash.
Geranium essential oil is known for its ability to balance oil production in the skin, making it beneficial for both dry and oily skin types. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that support healthy, glowing skin.
Geranium oil can help promote circulation and rejuvenate the skin, giving it a refreshed and revitalized look.
How to make homemade body wash
Making your own body wash is simple and requires just a few ingredients.
In a bowl or jar, combine the Castile soap, honey and vitamin E oil. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are fully integrated.
Next, add the lavender, chamomile and geranium essential oils to the mixture, along with the jojoba oil. Stir gently to combine the oils evenly.
If you prefer a thinner consistency, add 1/4 cup of distilled water, and mix thoroughly. This step is optional, depending on how thick or runny you like your body wash.
Pour the mixture into a clean bottle or jar with a pump dispenser for easy use. Use a BPA-free plastic lotion dispenser or glass bottle with a dispenser.
Apply a small amount of the body wash to a loofah or washcloth, and gently massage it into your skin. Rinse off with warm water for a smooth, nourished feeling.
Homemade body wash is a great way to take control of the ingredients you’re using on your skin while also saving money. With the combination of soothing essential oils, nourishing honey and gentle Castile soap, this recipe offers the perfect balance of hydration, cleansing and skin-loving benefits.
Whether you’re looking to nourish dry skin, calm irritation or simply indulge in a luxurious, natural body wash, this easy-to-make recipe is a fantastic option for your skin care routine.
More DIY body care recipes
If you want to supplement this homemade body wash with other natural body care products, here are some DIY recipes to try:
- Homemade Honey Face Wash for Clear Skin
- Homemade Hand Soap
- DIY Shower Gel with Orange Essential Oil and Shea Butter
- Homemade Healing Bath Salts
- DIY Bath Bomb Recipe with Wild Orange & Rose Oils
Homemade Body Wash
- Total Time: 2 min
- Yield: 30 uses 1x
Description
This homemade body wash recipe provides a gentle cleanse, deeply hydrates the skin and offers a variety of skin benefits thanks to its natural skin care ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2/3 cup liquid Castile soap
- 30 drops lavender oil, chamomile and/or geranium essential oils
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 2 teaspoon jojoba oil
- BPA-free plastic lotion dispenser or glass bottle with dispenser
Instructions
- In a bowl or jar, combine the Castile soap, honey and vitamin E oil. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are fully integrated.
- Add the lavender, chamomile and/or geranium essential oils to the mixture, along with the jojoba oil. Stir gently to combine the oils evenly.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, add 1/4 cup of distilled water, and mix thoroughly. This step is optional, depending on how thick or runny you like your body wash.
- Pour the mixture into a clean bottle or jar with a pump dispenser for easy use. Use a BPA-free plastic lotion dispenser or glass bottle with a dispenser.
Comments
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46 Comments
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Hi Dr. Axe I would make your body wash
Hi Dr. Axe…. I would like to try and make your dyi recipe for ” Body Wash “. Can i possibly mix those 3 EO’s together like 10 drops each of the Lavender, Chamomile and Geranium EO’s instead of just 30 drops of one kind ?
Absolutely!
this recipe has 1 tspn Vitamin E . . .is this oil?
Yes it is
My 88 year old mom had a stroke in Dec of 3013. She has recovered remarkably well but her bladder. She has UTI infections all the time and they say she is not totally emptying her bladder and urine is staying in there and thus bacteria is developing. I have her on 30 billion probiotics. What else can I do? I was also wondering if she needed magnesium. They have her on a good bit of diuretics also.
Check this out: https://draxe.com/health/home-remedies-for-uti/
Hi. My mum diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and she has a 2 viruses which is B,C do u have any suggestion about treatment. Thanks
I would consult with a physician who practices functional medicine and check these out:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/liver-cleanse/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/milk-thistle-benefits/
I have a friend who has chf what could i tell what essential oil. Thank you very much.
Won’t all the oils in the body wash make the bottom of the tub slippery? I would love to try but am afraid to use it. Both my husband and I are 65, so so falling for us :-)
I haven’t found it to be slippery. If anything, it may be the castille soap that would cause that. I personally don’t think it does :)
Would like to know what can my pregnant daughter do for those very bad asthmas attacks doctors want to induce her at barley going on 7months they hv put her on 2 different medications one is a inhaler the other a type of steroids. This 2 medication r very expensive she can’t afford them if u can please let me know what remedy will help her i woyld really appreciate it a lot
Check these out:
https://draxe.com/health/asthma-natural-remedies/
https://draxe.com/health/asthma-natural-remedies/
https://draxe.com/health/8-natural-allergy-relief-remedies/
For the water, does it have to be distilled water? Or can I boil the water let it cool and use instead of the distilled water?
That should work
Any tips or advise on dealing with anxiety? It’s made my life miserable for the last 5 years. Everyday I literally feel as if I’m going to die. I know I’m not but still….
I just want to feel normal again. I noticed this about the same time my dr loaded me up on medication (which makes me very anxious to take) and my father’s death 5 years ago.
Check this out: https://draxe.com/health/natural-remedies-anxiety/
ASEA should be in your daily regimen. It has helped a lot of people’s bodies heal and recover from adverse health conditions. It’s truly a remarkable health science technology.
Way too watery for body wash (???). I’ll use this as a hand soap and would suggest NOT adding ANY water for a body wash.
My blood pressure is in prehypertension range. How can I lower my pressure so that I don’t have to take a medication. I’m 39 yrs, woman, weight 150 and 5’1 tall.
Check this out: https://draxe.com/health/natural-ways-to-lower-blood-pressure/
Hi, have been reading lots of your remedies/recipes and would love some direction on the best foods and supplements for my daughter. She has crohnes disease and almost died 5 years ago, it came on suddenly and within months she was emaciated and hospitalized 26 times, that does not count the number of times we spend the day/night in the ER to just be sent home. She was finally put on Humira and it saved her life, within just a few weeks of her first mega dose we saw a turnaround in her health. She has been back at work for about 2 years now and has developed Interstitial cystitis which is causing her a lot of pain. Along with that she has plantar fascitis..so between the two her diet has been very restricted and so has her exercise..she is grouchy, irritable and depressed. We have been talking about going gluten free and are working in that direction. If you had to name one thing that would be the greatest step in helping her regain her health what would it be? I have read a little bit about making bone stock and thought that I would give that a try immediately, but our finances are limited and we will need to take small steps. Thanks for your help!
Check out these articles:
https://draxe.com/health/7-signs-symptoms-you-have-leaky-gut/
https://draxe.com/health/leaky-gut-diet-treatment/
I would also consider a GAPS diet:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/gaps-diet-plan-protocol/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/gaps-diet-plan-protocol/
my doctor wants me to start taking lipitor again for cholesteral control as well as aspirin for heart/stroke prevention. I stopped taking the lipitor when I could no longer afford it. I have been researching natural alternatives I have come across nattokinase for heart health and have been taking lemongrass and cassia for colesteral. she wants to see the research regarding anything I take that is not a pharmecutical as well as the side effects. do you have any suggestions as to what else I can add. I use lemon and lavender e.o. daily also. Thanks for your imput
Check this out: https://draxe.com/health/lower-cholesterol-naturally-fast/
My mum has bin diagnosed with diverticulutis is there anything she can take to ease her suffering dawn beaven
Check out these articles:
https://draxe.com/health/7-signs-symptoms-you-have-leaky-gut/
https://draxe.com/health/leaky-gut-diet-treatment/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/l-glutamine-benefits-side-effects-dosage/
What about pancreatic cancer. Any support tips for that. I know three ginger and tumeric tea us recommended ……
Check out these articles:
https://draxe.com/health/10-natural-cancer-treatments-hidden-cures//
https://draxe.com/health/10-natural-cancer-treatments-hidden-cures/
What would you recommend for a 48 year old male who was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 8 years ago?
Check out this article: https://draxe.com/health/hypothyroidism-diet-natural-treatment/
Is it possible to order a paper copy of the book, The king,s Medicine Cabinet?
No but you can print it off.
Would this work with other, less flowery, oils? I know citrus makes you sensitive to sunlight … but what about peppermint? The bacterial killers aren’t the oils in this, are they?
Yes. You can choose the scent.
Could this also work for hand soap?
Check out this recipe: https://draxe.com/beauty/homemade-hand-soap/
Is there a natural way to heal a colon fistula or Fischer.
Check out the information given here: http://blog.listentoyourgut.com/perianal-abscess-natural-treatment/
Would love all the information I can get on Chronic Kidney Disease. My husband is in stage 3. He has been told to eat on 2 cups of vegetables a day and mostly white bread, pasta etc. All the foods that are so healthy he is only supposed to have very small amounts. This just does not sound healthy. I wonder what do you think of the kidney diet. His potassium is too high and most healthy food is high in potassium. The junk out there has a little. Thank.s
I would follow my healing diet: https://draxe.com/nutrition/healing-diet/
Hey… You can also go to this website in addition to his diet…. http://www.holistic-kidney.com/
My Dad was just diagnosed with the same stage 3 at 84 yrs old. Docs told him if it goes to a 5 he would go on dialysis. We stayed at a Hacres lifestyle center for 6 days. He radically changed his diet and next appt was at a 1 with nothing wrong with his kidneys. Hallelujah!
That’s an awesome testimony!
The reason why is his kidneys have to work harder to remove all toxins from his body, I am in my renal stage of kidney disease, and I too had to change my diet and can only eat a certain amount of food, you might also want to try juicing