DIY hand soaps are also a good way to remove more toxic chemicals from your home. Store-bought hand soaps contain harsh chemicals and compounds, and even endocrine disruptors that can lead to the development of neuroendocrine cancer. You can also store your DIY hand soap in glass foaming soap dispensers or Mason jars to reduce plastic exposure and the harsh chemicals that they contain.
Liquid castile soap is a common base ingredient in DIY all-natural foaming hand soap, A bottle can go a very long way. With that in mind, look for natural ingredients to make your hand soap.
Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that got its name from the region of Spain where it was developed. It is made with all-natural ingredients and is biodegradable, it also does not contain animal fats. It's usually available in liquid and bar form and is traditionally made from olive oil. Castile soap can clear up oily and acne-prone skin without drying it out.
If you can't find castile soap, other alternatives are readily available at home (or your nearest grocery store).
- Coconut oil -- This has been used to make soap and other beauty products for hundreds of years, and has recently become more popular as a soap base in the United States. Coconut oil can also double as dry skin liniment and shaving lotion.
- Goat's milk -- Goat's milk is nutrient-rich and has natural healing compounds. It is also rich in vitamins A and D with a high animal fat content that can help repair damaged skin.
Making foaming hand soap
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons liquid castile soap, coconut oil or goat's milk
- 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon almond oil, olive oil, or vitamin E as a carrier component
- 12 ounces distilled or filtered water
- Essential oils for scent
Directions
- Put water into the foaming sop dispenser, up to three-quarters of the way full.
- Add in the soap base.
- Add the carrier oil or vitamin E.
- Put the lid on the foaming soap dispenser and shake the mixture vigorously to combine the ingredients.
- Remove the lid and add in the essential oil of your choice.
- Replace the lid on the soap dispenser and shake once more to incorporate the scent from the essential oil before use.
Measurements used in the recipe are ballpark figures -- you will have to adjust according to the size of your vessel and how thick you want the moisture to be. If the hand soap is too runny for your liking, you can add more carrier oil or vitamin E. If the soap is too thick and is clogging up the pump, add more water to the mix, instead. (Related: How to make your own DIY liquid hand soap and laundry soap.)
Benefits of making your own soap
With more and more people opting for cleaner, eco-friendlier skincare options, it is best to make your own soap using natural ingredients that you are familiar with. Homemade soap consists only of base oils and additives from natural sources. Mass-produced soap, on the other hand, has a lot of chemicals that can be harsh for the skin, leaving it dry and irritated.
Since homemade soap is often crafted at home in your kitchen, or in small shops, ingredients are usually sourced and disposed of responsibly.
Most homemade soaps also contain glycerin, which is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the skin. Mass-produced, chemical-based soaps usually remove glycerin during the production process to sell them off to other manufacturers for skin lotions or other skincare products.
There are plenty of ways to customize your liquid hand soap as well. Add fruit juices, various kinds of milk, or even exfoliants to create gentle and nourishing products for your skin.
Check Preparedness.news for more projects that you can make at home.
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