Can I just say I have never . . .
Had more fun testing a recipe for you?
I mean, I’m a mom, so showers are optional a lot of the time. But when I tested this recipe, I convinced myself that it was my JOB to shower.
It was one I took seriously, especially after one too many recent mishaps with my favorite shampoo bar and my tried-and-true coconut oil body bar. You see, they look identical, which is fine if you mix them up and shave your legs with the shampoo bar. But grabbing the body bar by mistake and washing your hair? Yeah, that doesn’t end well.
The solution? This simple homemade body wash recipe – it creates a rich, bubbly lather, moisturizes while cleansing, and most importantly, can’t be confused with a shampoo bar. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients, shall we?
Liquid Castile Soap
Made from pure olive, coconut and/or hemp oil, castile soap is incredibly gentle – many with sensitive skin use it exclusively. I prefer this brand.
Honey
Contrary to what you might expect, honey adds moisture and lather without being at all sticky. It’s equally loved by all skin types for its infusion of nutrients: Vitamins B, C, E & K, beta-carotene, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese. In this recipe it also thickens the mixture and promotes lather.
Moisturizing Oil
Soap can be drying, so it’s important to add a natural moisturizer such as olive, avocado, or almond oil to this recipe to replenish skin’s moisture.
Homemade Body Wash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup castile soap (where to buy castile soap)
- 1/3 cup honey, preferably raw (where to buy honey)
- 1/3 cup olive, jojoba, refined avocado, or almond oil (where to buy olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and almond oil)
- 30-60 drops essential oil, optional. I usually don’t add anything because the body wash already has a light, honey scent. However, if I do it’s something kid-friendly, like sweet orange, vanilla, lavender, this sweet dreams blend, or this nighty night blend.
To Make
Add all ingredients in a bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into a squeeze-top or pump-top container.
To Use
Shake well before using. Add body wash to a soft natural sponge or loofah sponge and use like you would any body wash.
Storage/Shelf Life
Up to one year.
Sharon
July 13, 2015 at 1:56 PMAny suggestions of essential oils with a “manly” scent? Would love to make this for my guys too!
Jamee
July 18, 2015 at 11:33 PMRosemary. My husband wears Rosemary EO all by itself.
Marilyn
February 11, 2017 at 2:34 PMRosemary oil has so many uses I have a sore knee twisted while shoveling snow I put 4 tbsp.traumica(from NW therapeutics)in western wa.state in another container added 4 drops pexperiment oil&4drops Rosemary oil.mixed in works great for sore backs,knees,stiff necks or whatever ails u .
Marilyn
February 11, 2017 at 2:36 PMDosent the Rosemary oil burn his skin?I have to use carrier oil or mix oil in other skin lotions or body products.
LuAnn
March 23, 2017 at 2:45 PMI use rosemary oil, and the amount of oil in this soap seems to buffer it enough. I used about 10 drops along with 15 drops lavender (I don’t like a heavily scented body wash).
Hope it helps!
Shayla
September 18, 2017 at 5:14 PMIn this you have the carrier oil already in it along with soap and such
todzak
October 2, 2015 at 11:28 PMVetiver
Lily Nguyen
January 19, 2016 at 1:04 AMCedarwood 🙂
Trish
April 21, 2016 at 4:04 PMMy guy likes bergamot
Bethany
August 2, 2016 at 1:28 AMSandlewood and bay rum are yum yummy.
Melissa Stalnecker
October 19, 2016 at 10:02 PMTry Amber scent it’s a nice or decent earthy sent you love it the guys love it too it’s all round about scent for guys and girls
Nichole
February 6, 2017 at 9:30 AMMy husband likes a mix of Majoram and Citrus Fresh 🙂
Deborah
May 23, 2017 at 9:58 PMMy sons like woodsy scents like sandalwood, myrrh, also a spicy cinnamon blend with cistus, sandalwood and cedarwood.
Bev
January 10, 2019 at 10:07 PMMy sons love lavender or lavender/lemon.
Chrissi
November 15, 2018 at 10:06 AMCedarwood or sandalwood/pine I would think might smell more masculine ?
Mandy
January 13, 2019 at 9:41 AMPetitgrain is amazing
RusticIce
February 12, 2019 at 7:06 PMWood oils, like sandlewood. Or beach breeze. I’ve noticed pine and oak also smell sronger version of “manly” I am a candle freak so maybe go around and smell candles and then look at the back for the type of oils they used.
Sarah
July 13, 2015 at 2:06 PMNot trying to be critical, but I think you forgot the word drops after 30-60. It looks like a nice recipe.
Heather
July 13, 2015 at 3:05 PMOops, thanks for catching that! Updating now 🙂
Moriah Lee
July 13, 2015 at 3:14 PMI have tried a similar recipe that also used honey but it also used coconut oil. The problem I had was that EVERYTHING seperated. I like how this recipe looks and I plan on trying it but I am curious, is the honey essential or would regular store bought honey work?? I am concerned about separating and also cost as we use mainly local raw honey
Heather
July 13, 2015 at 3:45 PMHi Moriah, the reason I didn’t include coconut oil as a suggested oil for this recipe is that if it gets too cool and becomes solid it’s really difficult to recombine. This recipe will separate after awhile but all you need to do is shake it 2-3 times and you’re good to go. Easy peasy. 🙂
Oh, and I’ve tested this recipe with raw (runny), raw (solid), and store bought honey and they all worked beautifully.
Brenda
December 5, 2015 at 9:33 AMI was wondering about using fractionated coconut oil since it stays liquid. Would that work?
Ali
June 26, 2016 at 8:32 PMYes it will. Since it’s fractioned cocunut oil the fat is taken out so it stays a liquid. Just like when you use it as a carrier oil for essential oils.
kj
August 20, 2016 at 12:33 AMArborvitae or Douglas Fir
Sue
January 3, 2018 at 3:43 PMCan fractionated coconut oil be used? I know alot of recipes call for melted coconut oil but the fractionated coconut oil is liquid already. I am very new to all this and just learning, is there a difference between the solid and liquid coconut oil??? Thanks much for a learning experience!
Heather
January 3, 2018 at 5:10 PMYes, fractionated coconut oil would work.
Patricia
January 23, 2018 at 2:10 AMJust be careful with store bought honey. About 80% of store bought honey in the USA is not pure unadulterated honey but has been mixed with rubbish and has been so processed there is little goodness left in it. Check YouTube or Netflix for a doco about it
Moriah Lee
July 13, 2015 at 3:17 PMHow much would you recommend using for one wash?? Trying to make it stretch as far as possible and be cost efficient.
Anonymous
July 14, 2015 at 7:38 AMThank you!! I have been attempting a homemade body wash for my husband for years and I could not get a good result. Can’t wait to try it!!
Piragavy
July 14, 2015 at 9:22 AMWhere can you buy castile soap? I can’t buy it online 🙁
Johanna
December 17, 2015 at 10:05 PMWalmart or Target sells castile soap.
VICTORIA LITTLE
June 26, 2016 at 2:29 PMI just got back from Walmart, mine doesn’t sell Dr. Bonners so I bought their brand Equate!! can’t wait to make this
Brandy
August 10, 2016 at 2:39 PMI found Dr Bonners at Walgreens since my Walmart doesn’t sell it.
Leslie
July 14, 2015 at 9:44 AMThe raw honey I have is solid. Should I melt it? Wouldn’t it solidify when cooled?
Robin V.
November 21, 2016 at 1:58 AMI heated mine in microwave for 20 seconds and then it stirred in very nicely.
Jen
December 20, 2017 at 6:33 PMMicrowave kills good bacteria. Not good.
Erika
July 14, 2015 at 10:06 AMHeather,
I love your recepies. This one is looking realy good.I just have one question.
I would like to know if the honey would or could cause yeast infection if it used in the intim parts of your body.
Thank you for all the help
I would really appreciate a help with that.
Jaime
July 20, 2015 at 2:18 PMI’ve been using a different recipe that also uses honey and have not had any irritation in my intimate area. I believe it is safe to use daily.
Melissa
July 25, 2015 at 8:01 AMI typed in yeast infections and honey in google and was surprised to see that honey is actually used as a homemade remedy for this issue! I know honey is a “superfood” but I didn’t know that!
Myra
July 28, 2015 at 10:23 PMIncidentally honey has natural antibacterial properties as well…honey on a scrape or cut will heal it right up!
Bev
January 17, 2019 at 3:58 AMNatural or Greek-style yoghurt with Manuka honey. Wonderful for the dreaded yeast infections.
Loretta
July 14, 2015 at 6:35 PMPls wat is Castile soap? I live in Nigeria, does it have any other name it can be identified with?
Dell
July 16, 2015 at 6:29 AMHi Loretta, castille soap is basically a pure olive oil soap
Loretta
July 17, 2015 at 12:16 AMPls can I use olive oil?
Heather
July 17, 2015 at 9:11 AMUnfortunately, olive oil cannot replace castile soap in this recipe. The soap has gone through a process called saponification which changes it’s composition.
Erynne
August 1, 2015 at 11:06 PMG’day from Down Under!
I am also unable to buy castile soap and I have not yet found any olive oil soaps so, please let me know of an alternative product or if there is a reliable website where I can obtain castile soap at a reasonable price??
Hope
August 13, 2015 at 5:31 PMI have been getting my Castile from BulkApothecary.com for a couple of years.. I think they ship overseas too. I am going to try making this recipe for bath time tonight!
lisa
September 2, 2015 at 1:02 AMIn Australia Dr Bronner has wonderful castile soap as does melrose. You can get it from any healthfood store
Robert
August 20, 2018 at 12:16 PMActually these days any soap can legally be labeled “castile” regardless of whether it has any olivate. These sort-of-castile soaps are referred to by soap hobbyists as “bastile”, as in bastardized castile.
So when someone says they got good results using “castile soap”, you don’t really know what kind of soap that was without further info. About the only thing you can tell by that name is that it’s actual soap soap, rather than “soap”, because at least in the USA for the past 40 years you can even label other soaplike detergents as “soap”, but “castile” so far is still reserved for product made of actual fatty acid salt.
Fiona
November 9, 2018 at 12:00 PMCastille soap is very easy to make. I haven’t bought liquid handsoap for about 1.5yrs. You need a slow cooker to make it. 1 bottle of olive oil goes a very long way! You make a paste that is diluted for use and thicken with a little saline. Add essential oils and it’s fabulous. Great satisfaction in using a homemade product. I also made a coconut oil liquid soap that is fantastic for home cleaning. Lots of recipes and instructions online. That’s how I learned. And it’s so cheap as the Dr. Bronner’s etc. Is expensive.
Bev
January 10, 2019 at 10:25 PMHi Dell,
Castile soap is super easy to make. I make mine with olive oil only (the traditional way) and I also make a liquid castile soap. Just google (liquid castile soap recipe). Make it. Save lots of money. I make what I think I would use in the year. Therefore, only one lot of mess. Also shop around for the water prices vary considerably.
Jen
July 16, 2015 at 5:04 PMHi! I was just wondering if you would recommend one oil over another for mild psoriasis? Thanks!
Ann Sorocco
March 22, 2016 at 10:53 AMyou can purchase castile soap at Vitacost.com;it is cheaper than drugstore.com
Lillie
July 21, 2015 at 9:59 PMshampoo bar recipe please.
Heather
July 22, 2015 at 9:50 AMHi Lillie, you can find the recipe here: https://mommypotamus.com/shampoo-bar-recipe/
lala
January 21, 2016 at 12:01 PMDo your soap have recipes that coconut, treenuts or peanuts free? I have allgeries.
Thanks
Shanthi
July 23, 2015 at 10:18 AMDo you think this would work in a foamer pump bottle? Thank you for sharing!!
Jean Gross
August 21, 2015 at 3:34 PMIt does. That’s how I use it
Stephanie Beckmann
March 1, 2016 at 9:33 AMJean,
Do you dilute it with water when you put the soap in the foamer pump bottle? What is your ratio soap to water?
linglee
August 2, 2015 at 1:24 PMPlease, could this recipe be tweeked to make it into a shampoo?
lilimango
October 13, 2015 at 6:53 AMHi Linglee,
If you haven’t already come across it on the website, there is a coconut shampoo bar recipe available with video turorial, or if you buy heathers book (one of the best books I’ve bought to date – my go to!) she has a honey shampoo recipe amongst many others. Happy shampoo making to you!
deb
August 31, 2015 at 10:20 AMI LOVE the way this soap makes my skin feel but it just doesn’t get sudsy for me! Is it maybe the kind of water we have at our house? I’d love to get my husband on board with this soap but as long as it’s not bubbly he won’t go near it! 🙂
Lydia
January 9, 2016 at 12:08 PMI am in the same boat! No foam whatsoever and my husband won’t touch it. I have tried adding more castile soap to no avail. I washed my hands with straight castile soap and didn’t get much foam either, so I think that is my problem. Unfortunately, I have been unable to source another body use brand from the one I am using here in South Africa, but I’ll keep looking as I really love this wash and want my whole family to use it.
If anyone has a different suggestion that would be great!
Christine
March 25, 2016 at 12:52 AMTry using it in a foaming soap bottle, when you pump it out, it comes out as a foam
Marina
May 19, 2016 at 11:15 PMThis is the recipe I am using as a face make up remover (with the same ingredients):
– 1 Table spoon of honey (heaping) – any kind
– 1 cup of warm water (to dissolve honey)
– 1 Tablespoon castille soap (liquid)
– 1 teaspoon career oil (almond, olive, jojoba, etc )
Mix everything in a foam soap bottle. You can add any essential oil or blend of EO.
This mix is economical, moisturizing and gives a lot of foam 🙂
Heather
August 2, 2018 at 1:41 PMBased on the ratio of water to other ingredients in this recipe I think it would have a very short shelf life before bacteria could become an issue. Just something to keep in mind . . .
Sharifa
October 5, 2016 at 2:51 PMHi,I’m from South Africa as well. Where did you buy the castile soap from?
Sharifa
November 20, 2016 at 12:07 PMHi Lydia,I’m in South Africa as well. Please can you tell me the brand of castile soap that you have and where can I buy it.
Michele
November 15, 2016 at 12:50 PMNo castille will foam for me, our water is too hard. Ive used a foam pump & the bubbles quickly go flat. I’ve bought castille that is guaranteed to foam up, but it doesn’t. And I’ve made my own, pure, castille since most store bought have coconut soap in them too. Still no suds.
Teresa
November 29, 2016 at 9:14 PMTo get suds I simply add baby shampoo or baby magic to mine
Sara
April 17, 2017 at 3:56 PMthat defeats the purpose of this being all natural unless your using an all natural baby shampoo…but baby shampoo is full of chemicals unfortunately. Just FYI.
Darlene Carlo
November 25, 2016 at 3:20 PMI have the same problem. It doesn’t suds up at all and even putting it on my bath puff results in no suds and the puff just ends up feeling scratchy on my skin. I am using a ton of the soap because of this. After I run the puff over one arm it feels like there is no soap left on the puff so I have to squirt more onto the puff. I am doing this about 6-10 times while taking a shower. Wish I could get it sudsier and keep the natural properties also.
Powhatan Princess
February 10, 2018 at 5:00 PMPalm Kernel Flakes added to soap will make it lather. I get mine from Bulk Apothecary 🙂
Enaid
April 10, 2018 at 1:32 PMHow much do you add in this recipes measurements??
Gina
November 6, 2015 at 7:47 AMDo you heat the honey at all to make it liquid?
Heather
November 6, 2015 at 9:09 AMNo, I just stir it in. 🙂
Julia
November 23, 2015 at 8:32 PMI bought the same honey you recommended but it was like a solid brick. I had to melt in my candy melter thing. There was no possible way it was going to mix. Am I missing something?
Julia
November 18, 2015 at 2:33 AMHi. I’m a vegan and would love to try this recipe. Was wondering if you can suggest any other alternatives for honey?
Thank you 🙂
Linda Valentine
March 26, 2017 at 4:00 PMYou can use Stevia Nectar. It comes from a plant so you should be good to go. However, you’re going to lose out on great properties in honey.
Tomi
November 19, 2015 at 10:29 AMIf I used regular honey, such as the little squeeze “bear” honey I would get the same effect?
Justina
December 8, 2015 at 7:40 AMHi, I can’t find a castile liquid soap. It will work if I replace it with pure olive oil liquid soap?
Deborah
February 17, 2017 at 1:54 PMHi just one suggestion…i found that if you cant find castile soap, you can also make it yourself with just cheap unscented bars of soap. You shave them down in a big pot and then add about 1 to 2 gallons of hot water and stir until dissolved. It is a great substitute especially if you are on a fixed income as i am.
Donna
January 30, 2016 at 1:07 PMI was wondering if you could add an emulsifier ingredient to the recipe in order to prevent the product from separating? I think I will try to do it. I’ve done that with simular recipes before. I dislike the separating, even with shaking the product up, it never mixes evenly.
Skye
February 10, 2016 at 2:10 PMDid it work? What did you try?
Melissa
May 6, 2016 at 12:09 PMTry using an immersion blender if you have one. I make a face wash that has similar ingredients and separates but then I used my immersion blender and it doesn’t now, it’s wonderful!
Daffny
February 10, 2016 at 12:25 PMI am curious to know if you or anyone else has tried this in the bath?? Bubble baths are one thing I have yet to find a natural recipe for!
Robert
August 20, 2018 at 12:28 PMNo, but I can tell you in advance on general principles, it won’t work unless your water is softened (or if you use so much soap it softens the entire tubful of water). Even then, the oil in this recipe will break the bubbles quickly. And if you do succeed in making a bath sudsy with soap (actual soap soap), say by leaving out the oil in this liquid recipe, it’s going to be more grease-cutting on skin than commercial bubble baths for the same amount of bubbles. Most surfactants used in bubble baths have a higher ratio of bubbliness to detergency than soaps do.
Pam
February 10, 2016 at 7:38 PMHeather, This recipe is awesome!! My family loves (me) “experimenting” with different EOs. I make a big batch (triple recipe) without EOs and pour off to smaller personal bottles that I add EOs to based on the users request. So fun and so wonderful!
Heather
February 10, 2016 at 8:30 PMI’m SO glad you (and they) like it!
Keri
February 18, 2016 at 7:39 PMCould you use hemp oil?
carmen
February 22, 2016 at 12:30 PMCould I use frationated coco oil? instead of the other oils listed above?
Thank you!!!
Felicia
March 2, 2016 at 1:01 PMI just made this body wash recipe last night. Used it this morning and my skin is so soft (which is saying something since I am 8 months pregnant and prone to drier skin right now). It also smells great. I used Lavender castille soap, olive oil, honey, and no added essential oils. Thanks so much! So glad I can eliminate another chemical-laden product I use 🙂
Heather
March 2, 2016 at 1:38 PMSo glad you like it, Felicia! 🙂
Lydia
August 7, 2016 at 8:55 PMHow long does this typically last?
Yvonne
March 5, 2016 at 3:40 AMHi I am new to all of this
Could you please clarify for the 1/3 cup of oils is that 1/3 of each oil also do you have a solution for the separation would the emulsifier work and how much
Heather
March 5, 2016 at 10:48 AMIt is just 1/3 cup oil total for the recipe. There is no emulsifier in this recipe, but it’s not a problem at all. Just shake before using 🙂
Crystal King
January 13, 2017 at 7:01 AMHi Heather! Greetings from Maine! As I’ve been reading the comments, someone suggested using an immersion blender. I tried both ways (blending vs shaking) and the blended definitely works better! I am curious though…does blending it take away from the individual properties of the ingredients at all?
Kerrie
March 9, 2016 at 5:57 AMHi, I love this recipe & so does my skin 🙂
I was wondering if you would recommend using this as a facial cleanser at all?
Thanks!
Heather
March 9, 2016 at 9:01 AMYes, it will work as a facial cleanser. So glad you like the recipe!
Stephanie
March 9, 2016 at 7:02 PMWould you recommend diluting the recipe with water in order to use a foaming soap pump?
Kay
March 12, 2016 at 8:46 AMIt is extremely runny. I used ‘straight from the bee’ honey — so raw. I used organic Spectrum’s olive oil — unheated + castile soap.
I shake it up before every use, but super runny — waste some because it is so runny. Any suggestions to correct this?
Cathy
March 16, 2016 at 9:38 AMTo help with separation try putting a marble or something similar inside you container.
Tina Hammer
August 20, 2018 at 6:39 AMClever!
Kristi
March 16, 2016 at 11:57 PMHow many ounces does this make??
Janie
March 19, 2016 at 12:50 PMCan you use hemp oil in recipe for body wash? If so how much per gallon? Thanks. I haven’t tried yours ( or any!) yet but looking forward to it!
Carolina
April 9, 2016 at 6:58 AMI use it as my facial cleanser and I simply love this. Thanks so much!
Carol
Nikki
April 11, 2016 at 12:09 PMWould vitamin E work? And if putin foaming bottle do I add water? Thanks!
Alicia
May 10, 2016 at 6:00 AMHello,
I was wondering if anyone has noticed the “gross” smell after unscented castile soap is mixed with other products. I’ve added it to sugar scrubs and now made this body was which I love but even after adding essential oils… The smell is so gross. My 7 year old even thinks it smells discusting.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Heather
May 10, 2016 at 9:40 AMHi Alicia, do you think the soap might be interacting with something in the honey or oil? Variations are to be expected with different batches of honey/oil, so perhaps it is something unique to what you have on hand? My body wash smells slightly sweet (honey-like) without essential oils, not gross at all.
Tricia
October 4, 2018 at 6:04 AMI’ve had the same experience! I paid $15 for raw unfiltered Australian Honey and added EO. The soap smells like old cooking grease, but when I washed my hands with it, I could smell the fragrance I used. Could it be because the honey isn’t solid or creamy?
Kat
May 12, 2016 at 3:23 PMI made this is and like it a lot, but it doesn’t lather, at all. Does anyone else have this issue?
Courtney
November 9, 2016 at 10:31 PMInstead of the honey I used vegetable glycerin. It helps with lathering. I bought mine at an all natural soap shop, but I’m pretty sure you can get it on Amazon.
Zenab shamsi
August 7, 2017 at 3:50 AMYou use glycerin the same quantity of honey
Vanessa
June 9, 2016 at 5:58 PMHi! Any recommendation for an all natural sea sponge? We’ve been using synthetic sponges but I’ve read that these can harbor bacteria so looking for a better option.
Thanks!
Alexandra
July 10, 2016 at 8:51 PMYou can grow them in the garden
TurtleInAChelle
June 13, 2016 at 2:40 PMI didn’t exactly use this recipe because I didn’t use honey but I’m desperately searching for what I did wrong in the body wash I made. I used dr. Bronners Castile soap and fractionated ( liquid) coconut oil and a little sweet orange essential oil and it worked great the first day but the next day it completely solidified into a gel… Any idea why this would happen??? I’m completely confused as I’ve used all these ingredients in other things and they never solidified…
Catherine
July 4, 2016 at 7:45 PMI just made this and it foams beautifully!! I am in the process of going all natural and have made all my own cleaning products, laundry detergent, and EO roller balls for different ailments. I love this recipe, I made it with vanilla and lavender EOs and it smelt so good. My 7year old daughter liked it so I know it’s good!!! Can’t wait to follow you!!
Bethany
August 2, 2016 at 1:33 AMWould apricot seed oil work? No one ever seems to say anything about apricot seed oil and it’s supposed to be a great antioxidant… Am I missing something? ?
Heather
August 2, 2016 at 8:33 AMI think it would work fine 🙂
Haili
October 2, 2016 at 5:43 PMDo i add water if I’m using a foam pump bottle?!
Joann
November 20, 2016 at 1:30 PMI would love to find a DIY body wash that does not start out with buying the base product. I have tried making liquid soap, but with limited luck. Do you or will you at some point find a product you make from start to finish with raw ingredients?
Georgia
November 20, 2016 at 4:59 PMI just wanted to say that I bought some of Dr. Bonner’s 18 in 1 Hemp Lavender Castile Soap at GNC for $15.99+ tax on Wednesday. It was a 32 oz. bottle. They also had it in Peppermint and Tea Tree. With tax it only came to $17.11. I think this is a very good buy
Janet
November 20, 2016 at 5:20 PMLooking forward to trying this. I’m curious, though, how this can last up to a year without going bad. Is there some kind of preservative in Castile soap? Otherwise, I can’t imagine bacteria not building up. I’m hoping you can put my mind at ease. Thank you!
Heather
November 20, 2016 at 6:52 PMHoney can stay good for years – in fact, unspoiled honey has been found in Egyptian tombs. The two other ingredients, castile soap and oil, also have long shelf lives. Not thousands of years, but at least one. 🙂
Tara
November 21, 2016 at 12:13 AMHave you tried this in a foaming soap pump? Would it need to be diluted with water to use it that way?
Leon
May 24, 2017 at 8:36 AMOils are too thick for foaming pumps. Squeeze in into a loofah and it will foam. I use veg glycerin instead of olive oil and raw honey is too expensive where we live to wash with.
Lisa Kozma
November 21, 2016 at 7:44 AMHi. I really appreciate your blog and wonder if the honey and oil combination would be safe for my septic. I am very cautious of what and how much of it goes down into the septic tank.
Ms Pat
November 21, 2016 at 12:49 PMI enjoy your posts very much-thank you for sharing!
But, oh my goodness, you forgot to add a preservative to your wash!! Other than that, I think this would be a doable formula. Honey is a wonderful additive, especially when a preservative is added to a formula to prevent mold.
When using a formula that contains water, a preservative is necessary to prevent the formation of mold (bacteria). This holds true whether we are making a soap type product, lotion or cream. A cleansing product such as a shower soap or hand wash needs a preservative when water and soap (no matter what other natural ingredients are used) are combined. Adding honey to this type formula will not preserve the product. Honey is a natural food product and by itself, in the jar or bottle, it will NEVER mold. But when we add honey (or aloe vera gel) to a product containing water, bacteria will grow quickly, within a day or two. We can keep the product in the fridge for a few days (WITHOUT a preservative) without having a tremendous amount of bacteria growing but I doubt many of us will go run to the fridge, grab our shower soap then return it after the shower.
There is an article (from a blog) from a cosmetic scientist, Susan Barclay that we should all read about preservatives! Look for
“When should you use a preservative?” written on Sunday, January 29, 2002 in the search block on the right side of the screen. Her blog is name Swiftcraftymoney and it will take you weeks to go through and read all of her posts…they go back for many, many years. Susan shares formulas for making skin care and bath products. And she gives explanations about products and why they work…just fascinating information. Most of her blogs are very intense with ingredients that most of us would never buy and use-cost prohibitive unless we are wanting to learn to be skin care formulators. But she does share formulas for simple products without 15-20 ingredients in them that are manageable for the home DIY enthusiast.
Adding a thickener to the formula will help for those who think it is too thin and watery. Xanthan gum is a good thickener, the powdered product we add to gluten free flour recipes. This will take some experimenting however. The recommended rate of xanthan gum is only 0.1% to 0.3% of the total volume of the product being made. Bone up on your math skills for this formula!! And be sure to use a preservative! I use Optiphen Plus preservative in my soap cleansing product. It is available at many sites like lotioncrafters.com, Elements Bath and Body, etc. I also use Polysorbate 20 to emulsify oils and water (such as essential oils and water) as oil and water do not mix (water is polar, oils are non-polar) and a surfactant is needed to make the oil and water STAY mixed. Shaking does not properly mix a product containing oil and water without a surfactant to emulsify it.
Heather
November 21, 2016 at 1:50 PMHi Pat, while I agree that homemade body care which incorporates water either needs to be used quickly or preserved, water is not an ingredient in this recipe.
Bev
January 10, 2019 at 10:15 PMHi Heather,
I am a bit late to the party but I think Pat meant if water got into it. Although I fail to see how this would happen with a pump bottle. Anyway, I had to ask what do you mean by showering is optional?
Thanks again for another great recipe.
Bev from Australia.
Heather
January 11, 2019 at 9:21 AMHi Bev, I just meant that sometimes showers don’t take priority. 🙂
Tricia
October 4, 2018 at 6:17 AMThank you for the great information you’ve provided. I to use Xanthan gum to thicken my soap. I use vitamin E oil as a preservative. Is the Polysirbate good for natural?
Heather
October 4, 2018 at 8:53 AMPolysorbate 20 is considered a moderate hazard by the Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705137/POLYSORBATE-20/#.W7Ya8RNKigQ
I prefer the fermented radish root extract I link to in the ingredient section of this recipe: https://mommypotamus.com/hyaluronic-acid-serum-recipe/
Arya
February 1, 2017 at 7:17 PMHi Heather,
I was wondering if I could add Vitamin E to this recipe and if so how much would be a good amount?
Thanks in advance,
Arya
Leon
May 24, 2017 at 8:38 AMI’m not Heather but yes you can and about 3 drops per 8 ounces should be enough.
Anna-Marie
March 1, 2017 at 6:23 PMI have a commercial body wash which has a scent that I LOVE! Can you recommend what I can add to it for my dry skin? I don’t want to change the scent.
Holly
March 30, 2017 at 12:54 PMHow can I use this as a base for a detoxifying body wash with activated charcoal. I want a liquid body wash not a bar soap. I have made this and love it but I want to incorporate activated charcoal.
Bob
April 17, 2017 at 4:52 PMAny issue with also using this as a shampoo?
K.M.Y.
May 6, 2017 at 5:41 PMLove this! What do you suggest to thicken it? I have every cosmetic ingredient possible, but am not yet an experienced formulator. Many thanks!
Christine
June 16, 2017 at 12:29 PMHi Heather – have been reading a lot of your DIY posts lately (as I’ve been very unwell & started reading up on all the chemicals in all our household products) so your recipes appeal to me. I tried this recipe and like others – the final product isn’t very foamy nor create suds. Used the products you recommended (raw honey, castille soap & avocado oil) but it doesn’t seem right – any suggestions?? Many thanks! Christine
Paula Barnes
June 27, 2017 at 8:36 AMI Cant find a printer friendly link? What am I missing, besides perhaps my eyesite. LOL
Erica
July 4, 2017 at 8:47 PMI’m not sure which type of pump dispenser to buy.. I feel like Castile soap would do better in a foaming dispenser but not sure if the honey would clog it?? If anyone could give me feedback that would be great, thanks!
kati
August 4, 2017 at 9:15 AMI’d like to try this but I get concerned about using oil in it. Has anyone had the oil in this bodywash clog their drain?
Caryn
September 28, 2017 at 6:51 PMDoes this yield one 16 oz bottle?
Ruby
November 16, 2017 at 12:02 AMIs it good idea to use grapeseed oil for this? Thank you!
Tara
December 4, 2017 at 10:58 PMOmg this sounds easy and awesome!!! But I have a few too many questions & some regarding this body wash! Lol.
#1 Do you think Makuna Honey would be ok instead, I have it is why I ask or would it be better, & cheaper to go buy the kind you suggest?? And #2 (anyone plz feel free to chime in) I’ve never used essential oils for a man before BUT I’m doing my very FIRST try at natural, homemade products for Xmas gifts this year. The first set will be for my sister who just had a baby a month ago & I’m planning 3 items: fizzing bath salts (like bath bombs but not made using a mould) using Himalayan Pink Salts, epsom salts, Geranium E.O. etc. Since the salts are pink I am doing a floral scented theme. Also making her little “Coconut Oil Moisturizing Drops” like mini oil/lotion bars with coconut oil, and it said various citrus rinds (but I think it’s the wrong time of the year for that) so I was thinking of a tad of dried rosemary &/ dried herbs? Oh and scented with Rosemary. I am BRAND new to all of this DIY body stuff. So plz feel free to let the advice flow. For the oil lotion drop things you basically just pour it all (oil & then herbs last) into a mould & refrigerate- it’s for newbies.) The last is a Himilayan foot soak. The recipe I saw called for obviously the salt, epsom salt, baking soda etc. & peppermint essential oils but I don’t know about peppermint since it doesn’t go with my floral, feminine theme. Are there any other floral scents nice for a foot soak? Ylang Ylang? Jasmine? I know peppermint is ALWAYS used but never understood why lol. OK so then I decided to make the same 3 products but for her husband. Bc last minute I remembered he occasionally likes baths so I thought last night “wait! Why not make the same for him?!” But now definitely will make him this body wash instead of the foot soak!!!
Question is what 3 scents are best for men or even just 1 or 2?? I’ve never ever used one on or for a man and need help!
Linda
December 17, 2017 at 11:25 AMI made mine using liquid coconut oil, Dr. Bronner’s hemp rose castile soap and raw honey. Mixed thoroughly and placed it in a foam bottle for the shower and it didn’t foam. So, I poured it into a pump container (my container is clear and the soap has an amber color to it with no separation) and I get great reviews from everyone who uses it.
How do I clean the containers before each refill?
Taylor
February 21, 2018 at 10:19 AMCan you use shea butter in place of the honey?I’m kind of crazy when it comes to my shea butter 🙂
Heather
February 21, 2018 at 10:44 AMI don’t think the shea butter would mix in very well, and the honey helps create lather so I recommend keeping it in.
Jamie
March 7, 2018 at 12:31 PMWould this also work as a shampoo? Maybe without the oil? My shampoo now has honey and coconut oil in it, but I’m looking for something more natural.
Jessica
April 11, 2018 at 5:16 PMHi I really want to try this recipe but don’t have almond oil..could I substitute Vitamin E oil instead?
Vicki
June 6, 2018 at 10:39 PMI used almond-scented liquid Castile soap (Dr. Woods brand), borage oil, and gently heated the raw honey in a double boiler until it was pourable. Then I used a wire whisk to mix it all together thoroughly. Smells heavenly, and my skin feels amazing after using it. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Denyse Ferrell
August 19, 2018 at 2:07 PMLooking forward to making this recipe as soon as I can get out to purchase some liquid castille soap. Just about every store around here carries it. My plan for the oil is to use the infused oil I’ve made for whenever I make your salve. Right now I’ve got two different blends, one with hemp oil and the other with grape seed oil.
Helene
August 20, 2018 at 4:49 AMWhy not just use the castile soap alone? I am stunned to read add honey…and oil! Castile soap, Dr. Bronner’s, soaps right up for us – for the last 20 yrs.
Sarah
February 3, 2019 at 1:08 PMCastile soap by itself dries out my skin. This recipe does not. So, if it works for you, great, but those of us with a tendency toward dry skin need the oil and honey.
Robert
August 20, 2018 at 12:02 PMWait a minute! You previously wrote that you DID once use your all-coconut superfatted body soap bar on your hair, and were very pleased with the results. Now you write “that doesn’t end well”? Which is it?
The only thing you mentioned that was at all wrong with using the body soap on hair was the amount of superfatting, and that even then the overall effect was pretty good. I’ve known some people to like more superfat on hair than on skin, and others like you, vice versa.
Heather
August 21, 2018 at 9:54 AMThe body bar was great for a few washes, but because it was a higher superfat it ended up weighing my hair down over time.
Robin Arroues
October 21, 2018 at 4:13 PMI would love to get the free e-book mentioned above! DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple.
I absolutely love this body wash recipe! I wouldn’t ever use store bought again!
Kitty
December 11, 2018 at 1:36 AMI use this myself and it’s absolutely wonderful! I’m seven months pregnant though with my first and I wanted to double-check, this would be safe for baby, right? Thank you 🙂
nicole
February 27, 2019 at 9:16 PMHeather, water is the first ingredient in dr bronner’s castile soap 🙂 🙂 🙂
Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Palm Kernel Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Your recipe needs a preservative. Vitamin E would be fine.
Heather
February 28, 2019 at 5:35 PMHi Nicole, the water has been saponified as part of the soapmaking process, and is therefore considered shelf stable. Vitamain E is an excellent antioxidant but because it does not inhibit bacterial growth it cannot be classified as a preservative.
Giota Noutsi
March 14, 2019 at 6:50 AMI tried this recipe, but it doesn’t foam well 🤔, wondering what is wrong!
May be the avocado?
Brenna
March 17, 2019 at 11:43 PMHi!
Great article. I didn’t know about honey creating lather! I have a few questions for you:
– Can I add vegetable glycerine or guar gum or both to thicken this and make it more gel-like?
– Can I use Leucidal (a preservative) to make this last longer?
– Can I use natural butters to make it a creamy consistency?
– Can I use the same dye I use for making bar soaps to add a hint of color?
Thanks in advance!
Heather
March 18, 2019 at 10:03 PM– Possibly, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t offer specific guidance.
– Possibly, but if you’re using essential oils you’ll want to use the body wash within a few months or however long their listed shelf life is. Essential oils are the most likely thing in this recipe to oxidize.
– Natural butters would need an emulsifier to incorporate. It might work but I haven’t tested it.
– I would think so.