DIY Natural Body Products

Some of the “normal” products we use in our western society are expensive, unhealthy and I think they are just plain silly. But I am opinionated like that. Also I am sensitive and allergic to things, so I have to be careful what I use.

Shampoo

The foaming agents that shampoos use, like sodium lauryl sulfate, are overly harsh, and bad for your health. Some are banned in the European Union. If you get the fancier ones that are less harsh, they are expensive. I abandoned anything with chemical foaming agents because of my allergies, and I think my hair and health are better for it.

I have been using this method since 2019. Since abandoning shampoo and hair dye (after using henna for some years), my hair is thicker and healthier than it ever has been. I even discovered my hair is a little bit wavy, if I stop stressing it out with henna and shampoo.

The chickpea flour removes excess oil from the hair, so it works even with oily hair (which I have). But it doesn’t strip the hair of oils too harshly, so it is also less irritating for dry, sensitive scalps, according to friends who have tried it.

1-3 tbsp chickpea flour (depending on how much feels right to you), mix with a little water to form a paste, blorp it on your head and massage, then wash it out. You can add 1 tbsp sweet rice flour too, which I find adds shine and smoothness. The finer besan flour will wash out more easily so you don’t wind up with “chickpea dandruff” flakes.

Conditioner

For a conditioner, I make a cup of coffee, and add a splash of apple cider vinegar. After washing with chickpea/rice flour, I pour the coffee/vinegar on my hair, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Caffeine is a good stimulant for the scalp, and vinegar smooths the cuticle. Note: I have dark hair, so the coffee is fine for me. It might not work for light colored hair. I’ve heard chamomile tea is good as another option.

Deodorant

Ingredients:

  • Baking Powder
  • Coconut oil
  • Arrowroot powder
  • Lavender essential oil (and others as desired)
  • Bentonite clay

The secret is the take 1 tbsp baking soda, boil some water, pour a sploosh (1-2 tablespoons or so) onto the baking soda, and stir to disolve as much as you can. Then pour that into the jar you are using. I find straight baking soda to be irritating. Diluting it this way helps it to be gentler on the skin.

Then mix in coconut oil, arrowroot powder (enough to thicken), add some lavender essential oils and a bit of bentonite.

I usually just wing the amounts. I’ll come back with actual ratios one of these days.

Menstrual Products:

Also a note about disposable menstrual products: they are 99% dumb. I like to estimate how much money I save by using a menstrual cup, and I am sure it’s $1000 at least, over the last decade. Menstrual cups are so easy, safe (no toxic shock syndrome worries) and one will last for several years at least.