If you’re a mom like me, you know time to truly relax and enjoy a long, hot shower doesn’t come around every day. So when I do get the chance to close my eyes and cleanse my body, I like to make sure that I am doing it with the best possible ingredients. That’s where my recipe for the best natural body wash comes into play. 

See, I have spent years trekking up and down the aisles of my local pharmacy looking for a non toxic body wash that is going to make my sensitive skin look and feel good. I was searching for a product that would hydrate, clean, and soothe my skin. Finally, I realized that I wasn’t going to find it on the grocery store shelves. I was going to have to take my showers into my own hands. 

That’s when I started researching the best organic body wash recipes. And of course, I had to give it my own special spin. In this article, I’ll share my moisturizing, non-toxic shower gel recipe with you – plus a handful of tips and tricks to get it right and make it your own. With all-natural ingredients like honey and essential oil, this pure body wash will keep you skin hydrated and smooth all day long.

Why Should You Make Your Own Chemical Free Body Wash? 

What we slather onto our skin every day absorbs directly into our cells – and in the long term, it can affect our health. Often, body wash is made with toxic ingredients and chemicals that can build up in our bodies over time. For instance, a 2023 study found six ingredients to avoid in body wash. I’ll share them with you so that you can stay in-the-know, too: 

1. Sodium Laureth Sulfate: this ingredient is known to irritate the skin, has been linked to breast cancer, and can also allow other chemicals to penetrate more deeply into your skin.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: a common foaming agent, this can cause dry skin and permanently damage eye tissue.
3. Propylene Glycol: an ingredient added to body wash to keep commercial batches from freezing during transport, this can cause immunotoxicity and respiratory toxicity.
4. Cocamidopropyl Betaine: another foaming agent, this can also ause immunotoxicity and respiratory toxicity.
5. Triclosan: an antibacterial and antifungal agent, this has been linked to the development of allergies in children. Plus, it is restricted for use in cosmetics in Canada and Japan. It is on a list with harmful chemicals like chloroform – so you should definitely not be rubbing it on your clean body.
6. DMDM Hydantoin: an antimocribial that many body washes contain, this can also cause allergies and skin sensitivity for those with certain skin types. 

This list of chemicals might sound scary, but so many body washes and shampoo on the market contain these ingredients that cause skin irritation (and so much worse). I feel that it’s important to be informed about what we are bringing into our homes. For both babies and adults, it is always better to go the natural and organic route for body care. 

When you make your own non-toxic body wash at home, you will be better equipped to truly nourish your skin and protect your family from toxic ingredients. 

Homemade, Hydrating Body Wash

My clean body wash is a great option when you’re ready to try making your own moisturizing body wash at home. And trust me – you don’t need a PhD in chemistry to handle this recipe. With three simple ingrdients, you will be able to whip this body cleanse up in no time. 

To create this gentle formula, I rely on natural oils and organic ingredients. I find this combination is a great body wash for sensitive skin in both adults and children – and if you want to mix it up, you can always turn to essential oils as add-ins for fragrance and fun. 

3 Ingredients for the Best Non Toxic Body Wash

Let’s dive into my DIY body wash ingredients. I use three basic components: one cleanser and two moisturizers that promote lather and keep your skin hydrated. 

#1: Liquid Castile Soap

This soap is incredibly gentle and perfect for those with sensitive skin. I always look for a brand that is certified organic, like Dr. Bronners Unscented Castile Soap or WholeNaturals EWG Verified Pure Castile Soap. This is the much more gentle than what you will find in conventional body washes, but it will still cleanse your skin and leave you feeling refreshed. 

Dr. Bronner's - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented, 8 Ounce) - Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Hair, Laundry, Dishes, For Sensitive Skin, Babies, No Added Fragrance, Vegan, Non-GMO

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#2: Moisturizing Natural Oil

Soap – even all-natural options like the ones I shared above – can be drying, so I like to add a natural moisturizer to the mix. You can use ingredients like olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil to replenish your skin’s moisture and soothe the skin. Coconut oil will also work, but I would suggest fractionated coconut oil rather than the kind that is solid at room temperature. 

#3: Honey

It might sound sticky, but trust me – it’s not! Adding honey to your homemade body wash is one of the best ways to create a lather and add to the moisturizing effect. It is chock full of nutrients like vitamins B, C, E, and K – plus items like beta-carotene, magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, and more. In other words, it is great for promoting healthy skin and is one of my favorite body wash ingredients. 

#4: Essential Oils (Optional)

If you want to to keep your body wash fragrance free, stop here. But sometimes, I like to add a little something extra and spice up the body wash that I make for myself and my family. For instance, adding drops of lavender or vanilla can make for a great scent in baby shampoo and body wash. For myself, I enjoy a few drops of peppermint, tea tree oil, or even a citrus fruit in my body wash. It helps energize me and wake me up in the morning!

Make My All-Natural Body Wash at Home

Now that you know the basic, certified organic ingredients that you will need, let’s break down the process. This body wash is great for those with sensitive skin – and is even suitable for baby skin. It is the best treatment for dry, dull skin, and it will have your skin feeling refreshed in no time. So what are you waiting for? Wash away!

Equipment

• Bowl or blender
• Mixing spoon
• Soap dispenser (for storage afterward)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1/3 cup carrier oil (olive, jojoba, avocado, coconut, or almond will work)
• 30-60 drops natural essential oils (optional)

Method

• Add all ingredients to a bowl or blender. Mix or blend thoroughly until combined.
• Pour into a soap dispenser – either squeeze-style or pump-style will work. 
• Shake well before using. Over time, this recipe will separate – but all you need is a few strong shakes and you’re good to go. 

Try My Favorite Natural Body Wash Recipe Today

It’s time to ditch toxic ingredients and switch over to my favorite non toxic body wash option today. Making this body wash also can be a fun activity to do with the family – and since you probably already have the equipment you need, you are pretty much ready to go. 

If you want to explore my other homemade personal care products, this is a great jumping off point. Natural shower gel – which can also be used as hand wash or face wash – will do wonders for your skin but also benefit your health in general. Formulated with natural ingredients and organic oils, this body cleanser is sure to work its magic in no time. 

Follow along for more herbal and homeopathic recipes and tips for living a natural, wholesome life.