Homemade Body Wash Made with Clean Ingredients

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Making your own body wash at home is one of the easiest ways to fill your bathroom with natural ingredients you can trust. Many store-bought products are packed with harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation, especially for anyone with sensitive skin or dry skin. This homemade body wash recipe is a simple recipe you can make in small batches, and it’s gentle enough for the whole family. If you’ve been wanting your own homemade body wash that fits your skin type and smells exactly the way you like, this is a great way to start.

This natural body wash recipe uses simple ingredients like liquid castile soap, vegetable glycerin, fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and your favorite essential oils. These ingredients create a creamy homemade body wash that works for the entire body and leaves your skin feeling clean and soft after bath time.

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Why Make Your Own Homemade Body Wash?

Making your own body wash is a natural alternative to products you find in drug stores. You get full control over what goes on your skin, and you can skip the synthetic fragrance, dyes, and unnecessary fillers that often come in liquid soap and bubble bath products.

You can also customize your shower gel recipe to fit your favorite scent combinations, your favorite essential oils, or your skin’s needs. If you have sensitive skin or dry skin, choosing your own carrier oil—such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oils, or even hemp oil—can make a big difference in how your skin feels after using it.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Body Wash

For this diy body wash recipe, you only need a few natural ingredients that are simple, clean, and easy to find:

• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap (unscented castile soap works great)
• 3 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
• 15 drops of your favorite essential oils (lavender essential oil, orange essential oil, or ylang ylang are great options)

You can also add a little bit of aloe vera gel or raw honey if you want added moisture. Some people even add melted shea butter for a richer, creamier body wash, but that’s optional.

Step-by-Step Homemade Body Wash Instructions

Prepare Your Bottle or Container

Choose a clean 8-ounce bottle or mason jar. Glass bottles are a great option because they keep essential oils stable and protected from direct sunlight. Personally, I’m not brave enough for glass bottles in the shower so I use these. Make sure the container is fully dry before adding any ingredients.

Add the Oils First

Pour the fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and vegetable glycerin into the bottle. These moisturizing ingredients help soften the skin and create a smoother bath wash texture.

Pour in the Castile Soap

Add the liquid castile soap. Unscented castile soap works well if you want more control over the scent. Do not shake the mixture yet so the ingredients can settle cleanly.

Customize with Essential Oils

Add 15 drops of your favorite essential oils. You can use one scent or blend several to make your own signature fragrance.

Gently Combine the Ingredients

Tighten the lid and gently swirl or roll the bottle to combine everything. Avoid shaking too hard at this stage because castile soap creates a lot of bubbles.

Let the Mixture Settle

Allow the bath wash to rest for several hours so the ingredients can fully blend. This improves texture and helps the wash feel more balanced.

Shake Before Each Use

Because this recipe uses natural oils and simple ingredients, the mixture will naturally separate over time. Give the bottle a gentle shake before every use to recombine the oils and soap for the best lather and consistency.

Use Your Homemade Body Wash

Pour a small amount into your hand, onto a washcloth, or onto a loofah. Add warm water to create a soft lather and wash your entire body. Rinse well and follow with your favorite body lotion or body butter if needed.

**This homemade body wash can also double as a hand soap, especially when poured into a soap dispenser near the sink. It’s a good option if you want a natural way to wash hands without harsh ingredients.

Choosing the Right Essential Oils

Your favorite scents make your own homemade body wash unique. Here are a few great combinations:

• Lavender essential oil + ylang ylang
• Orange essential oil + vanilla
• Peppermint + eucalyptus for sore muscles
• Lemon + lavender for a clean, fresh smell
• Tea tree for antibacterial properties

The best essential oils are the ones you already love using—your favorite scents will make bath time feel calming and refreshing.

Customizing for Your Skin Type

If you have dry skin, using a richer carrier oil like olive oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil can help lock in moisture. Adding aloe vera gel or raw honey is another great way to calm irritated skin.

For sensitive skin, stick to unscented castile soap and mild essential oils like lavender or chamomile. Using warm water instead of hot water in the shower also helps reduce redness.

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

Because this homemade shower gel is made with natural ingredients and only vitamin E oil for support, it does best when stored in small batches. Once the bottle is opened and exposed to moisture during regular use, the shelf life is close to 3–4 weeks. Store your body wash in a cool, dark place and keep it away from direct sunlight to maintain the quality of the essential oils. Be sure to shake the bottle before each use, since the oils will naturally separate over time.

How to Use Your Homemade Body Wash

Use this soap recipe like any other homemade body wash recipe or diy shower gel. Squeeze a little bit into your hand, onto a washcloth, or onto a loofah. Add warm water and lather it over your entire body. Rinse with hot water or warm water, then follow up with your favorite body lotion if you need extra moisture.

This creamy body wash recipe works beautifully as an everyday homemade shower gel, a gentle hand soap, or even as a natural alternative to bar soap for your whole family.

Final Thoughts

Making your own homemade body wash is an easy way to switch to clean, natural ingredients. You get full control over your skin care, you can customize every part of the process, and you never have to worry about harsh chemicals. Whether it’s your first time making a diy shower gel or you’ve been creating natural products for a long time, this simple recipe is a great option for anyone who wants a more natural body wash recipe for everyday use.

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