When I first got interested in DIY cosmetic products I ordered many interesting sounding ingredients and ended up having a huge collection of all sorts of oils, butters, emulsifiers, essential oils, containers and whatsoever. Some of them are still standing in my kitchen cupboard and waiting for times of inspiration...what I have learned experimenting with DIY bath and body products is that actually what I really need is a few basic ingredients around the house to make almost everything I need to take care of my face and body. Today I created a list of my basic and favorite cosmetic ingredients, and an explanation why I like them so much.
Coconut oil is probably the first ingredient I fell in love with. I think the smell is what I found most intoxicating. One kind of coconut oil which I particularly like is with small flakes of coconut in it. I like to add it to my whipped coconut-cocoa body butter and adore the texture of the body butter with coconut flakes in it (I though it was only me, but a few friends that I gave this body butter to also really liked the texture!). I use coconut oil on my hair (for split ends), add it to body butters (or just use it directly as a body butter), and face creams.
Cocoa butter again, like in the case of coconut oil I fell in love with the smell...but also with the hard consistency which allowed me to make solid body lotion bars without even adding beeswax to the ingredients. I add cocoa butter to all sorts of body lotions and body butters.
Aloe vera gel is a must have for me as I add it to all of my face creams as well as my shampoo. Sometimes when I run out of my day cream (and am too lazy or busy to make a new batch that very day) I apply aloe vera gel directly onto my face as a light cream. It absorbs great and leaves my skin refreshed and moisturized. Be careful though buying aloe vera gel as very often preservatives are added to it. Even if it says 100% aloe vera gel make sure you read the label carefully (I have been fooled before). I add aloe vera gel to my homemade shampoo as it is a great moisturizer and conditions my hair.
Olivem 1000 is my basic emulsifier and thickener which I add to the majority of my face creams, lotions and face cleansers.
Sweet orange essential oil is the very first essential oil I ever bought and I knew right away that I would be using it in tons of my products. Whenever I'm not sure what scent to add to my product I just add sweet orange essential oil and it always comes out great! My favorite option is adding it to cocoa butter or mixing it with vanilla essential oil.
Honey is my basic ingredient for facial masks as well as the main ingredient of my shampoo. It is a humectant (a substance that is used to keep things moist) and has antibacterial properties.
Sea salt is another basic ingredient which I add to my shampoo, use it for foot and body scrubs and also add to my shower gel.
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