The best part about homemade body gels is that you can customize the recipe and avoid harsh chemical ingredients found in store-bought products. You can make them more moisturizing or play with fragrances. Plus, they are completely natural and safe for your skin. Homemade body gels are easy to prepare, and the ingredients are readily available.
Ingredients for Making a Shower Gel at Home
1. Glycerin
This is a very common ingredient in most soaps and body gels available on the market. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a humectant that binds water to keep the skin hydrated. Glycerin is excellent for treating dry skin conditions such as xerosis and atopic dermatitis. It nourishes the skin, heals it, and improves its appearance.
2. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has antibacterial properties and is beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin. It does not clog pores and gently removes dead skin cells. It contains high levels of vitamin E, which is essential for fighting aging. It also has a high level of vitamin A, which is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity. Additionally, it contains copper, which reduces age spots and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is incredibly soothing for sunburned skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Essential Oils
These oils are cold-pressed and are available in their purest form, containing the essence of the plant. Essential oils are extremely beneficial for your skin. They not only reduce inflammation but also keep the skin healthy by eliminating harmful free radicals. Some essential oils also have anti-aging benefits. They help treat skin infections.
4. Honey
Honey is a natural moisturizer. It is an antibacterial agent that reduces inflammation and maintains skin elasticity. That is why honey is perfect for dry, damaged skin and wounds. It also has moisturizing, emollient, and soothing properties and helps prevent wrinkles, keeping the skin youthful.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is often used in body wash products and soaps for extra hydration. This oil has anti-inflammatory properties that nourish the skin and reduce oxidative damage. If your body wash gel contains olive oil, you do not need to apply a moisturizer after showering.
6. Castile Soap
You will need liquid castile soap to create lather for body washing without adding any other chemical foaming agents. You can use unscented or scented castile soap. If you use scented castile soap, do not use essential oils.
7. Almond Oil
Almond oil not only nourishes the skin but also makes it glow. Its moisturizing properties soften dead skin cells and facilitate skin healing. Historically, it has been used to heal dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The oil can be a good alternative for hydrating the skin due to its high level of fatty acids.
8. Castor Oil
Castor oil contains essential fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9, along with vitamin E and other proteins. All these components are good for your skin. This oil is known for its antibacterial properties and restores the moisture content of the skin.
9. Shea Butter
The moisturizing property of shea butter is unmatched, but it is also known for its healing properties. Shea butter soothes skin allergies, sunburns, and rashes and promotes wound healing. It acts as an emollient and moisturizer and offers sun protection. Topical use of this ingredient has demonstrated anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
5 Shower Gel Recipes for the Body
1. Homemade Shower Gel with Castile Soap and Glycerin
Ingredients:
1 cup liquid castile soap
2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
2 tablespoons glycerin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
20-30 drops of citrus essential oil (you can use lemon, orange, or grapefruit oil)
Preparation Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Transfer the mixture into a pump dispenser bottle.
Shake well before use.
Shelf Life
Essential oils and olive oil usually have a shelf life of 2 years. However, glycerin has a shelf life of about one year. Therefore, it is best to use the body gel within a year.
2. Homemade Shower Gel with Coconut Milk
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup unscented liquid castile soap
3 tablespoons jojoba oil
2 tablespoons glycerin
1 tablespoon raw honey
5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
5 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Preparation Method:
Pour the coconut milk into a bottle and then add the unscented liquid castile soap.
Add honey, glycerin, jojoba oil, and essential oils.
Close the cap and shake to mix the ingredients well. Shake before each use.
Shelf Life
Jojoba oil does not expire almost ever, as it is not exactly an oil but a wax extracted from the jojoba tree. It has an indefinite shelf life. However, glycerin and essential oils have a shelf life of 1-2 years. Therefore, try to use this shower gel within a year.
3. Honey Shower Gel
Ingredients:
1 cup liquid castile soap
1 cup raw honey
2 tablespoons castor oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 drops essential oil of your choice
Preparation Method:
Pour the castile soap into a bottle.
Add the honey, followed by the castor and olive oils, and then the essential oil.
Shake well before use.
Shelf Life
When stored in a cool, dry place, castor and olive oils can last 1-2 years. This body shower gel should be used within a year.
4. Shower Gel for Dry Skin
Ingredients:
2 cups unscented castile soap
3 tablespoons almond oil (you can use sweet almond oil)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup rose water
15-20 drops lavender essential oil (you can also use citrus essential oils if desired)
Preparation Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a bottle and shake well.
Shelf Life
When stored in a cool, dry place, lemon juice lasts 1-2 years. Rose water can last up to 2 weeks (if made at home), and if purchased from a store, check the expiration date on the bottle. Sweet almond oil has a shelf life of 6-12 months. Therefore, try to use this product within 2 weeks (if using homemade rose water). Otherwise, finish it within 6 months.
5. Shower Gel for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients:
1 cup shea butter
1 cup almond oil
1 cup liquid castile soap
10 drops rose essential oil
Preparation Method:
Melt the shea butter in the microwave.
Mix the almond oil with the shea butter.
Add the castile soap and rose essential oil.
Transfer to a bottle.
Shake well to mix all the ingredients.
Shelf Life
This shower gel has a shelf life of 6 months to a year.
