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DIY 6 Month Supply of Toiletries -10 Products from 10 Ingredients

sailawayblog
Feb 5, 2016
4 min read

Though I love living aboard my 38 foot sailboat, this lifestyle does not allow for abundant shopping opportunities. We're often in remote areas without stores, or if there is shopping available, the selection is extremely limited. I rarely find the same brand twice, and quality/expiration of products is questionable. Plus, shipping and customs on US based brands makes prices on these items sky high internationally!

This makes things complicated when caring for our skin and hair. For me, switching brands reaps havoc on my skin.. My skin and hair are creatures of habit, so it is important that I have a routine to keep them looking and feeling healthy. I like to use the same products on a daily basis, which are free of chemicals and harsh ingredients. Therefore when it comes to our health and beauty, my husband and I have found it easiest, cheapest, and healthiest to make our own natural, gentle and effective products.

Concocting our own toiletries is super simple and fast, and saves us a bundle on expensive name brand or imported products. Plus, we feel better about using reusable containers like mason or salsa jars, or upcycled water or wine bottles. Saves money and the environment? What's not to like?!

My and my husband's absolute favorite homemade recipes are our Baking Soda Toothpaste with cinnamon, the Tea Tree Deodorant, and the Honey Face Wash, but we really love all these products just as much as any store brand!

Using this list of 10 basic ingredients, we can make 10 products which meet all mine and my husband’s needs for daily grooming and hygiene for at least 6 months (we're on our 6th month living aboard now, and haven't run out yet!).

Basic Start Ingredients:

Liquid Castile Soap (I Like Dr. Bronner's)
Coconut Oil
Honey (raw, organic is best)
Essential Oils this one<<(such as Tea Tree,Lavender,Grapefruit, Cinnamon,Peppermint,Spearmint, or whatever you like. an essential oils kit, like >> is great!)

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

6. Nourishing Oil (such as pure Vitamin E, Avocado, Almond, castor, or jojoba oil)

7. Baking Soda

8. Corn StarCH

9. PeroxiDE

10. Sand or Salt

Recipes:

Note: Although some people use coconut oil on their face, it makes me break out and I've heard it does the same for many others. Therefore all of the recipes for face products exclude coconut oil.

Also, the nourishing oils in these recipes are interchangeabe. If you don't have vitamin E, no problem, swap it out for avocoado oil or whatever you have on hand! The same applies to the essential oils. If you don't have cinnamon, use lemon or orange, or whichever oil you like or have available.

Honey Tea Tree Shampoo

Ingredients:

1 cup Castile Soap
1/4 cup coconut oil (use less if you have oily hair)
1/8 cup honey
2-5 drops essential oil for scent (I like tea tree oil to promote hair growth and for the tingle sensation)

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a clean bottle. If coconut oil is solid, heat to liquid before mixing.

ACV Lavender Conditioning Hair Rinse

Ingredients:

½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 cup water
2-4 drops essential oils for scent and moisture (I like lavender)

Instructions:

Pour ingredients into a clean bottle. Shake to mix.
Apply mixture after shampooing, and rinse with water until you can't smell vinegar.

Facial Moisturizer

Ingredients:

pure nourishing Oil (I like vitamin E or jojoba)

Instructions:

Apply conservatively to face after washing, only 1-2 drops.

Body Moisturizer

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup nourishing oil (I like jojoba or castor oil)
5-10 drops essential oils for scent (I like grapefruit and orange)

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients into a clean bottle and shake to mix. If coconut oil is solid, heat to liquid before mixing.

Tea Tree Deodorant

Ingredients:

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
10 drops tea tree oil (for anti-bacterial properties)
10 drops other essential oil for scent
1/4 cup coconut oil

Instructions:

Mix coconut oil, baking soda, and corn starch in a pot on low heat until smooth texture.
Add essential oils last.
Store in a clean jar.
Note: This is a deoderant, not an anti-persperant.

Honey Face Wash

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Castile Soap
1/3 cup honey
3 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. nourishing oil ( NOT coconut)

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients into a clean bottle and shake to mix. If coconut oil is solid, heat to liquid before mixing.

Baking Soda Toothpaste

Ingredients:

1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 tbsp. coconut oil
4 tbsp. peroxide (for whitening)
25 drops essential oil (I like cinnamon, spearmint, or peppermint)

Instructions:

Heat coconut oil in a pan on the stovetop over low heat
Mix in baking soda and remove from heat.
Add essential oils and peroxide.
Texture should be paste-like. Add more baking soda if the texture is too liquid.
Store in a clean jar.