There are many reasons to switch to natural beauty and personal care products. Growing research reveals the harm chemical-laden products have on our microbiome. Our skin is our bodies largest organ and much of what we put on our skin enters our bloodstream. According to the Environmental Working Group there are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today, many of which don’t have any safety data, especially those in the skin care and beauty industry. The FDA regulates the cosmetic industry and allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful in products we use on our bodies everyday.
Not only do I desire products that are chemical-free but ones using ingredients that nourish & heal while being environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, and at a reasonable cost. Is that even possible?! 
Sunny Sabramanian, an expert vegan beauty blogger, says “yes!” and and paves the way in her newly released book, The Compassionate Chick’s Guide to DIY Beauty. Fun and informative, it provides over 100 full color step-by-step photos, charts, diagrams, plus a DIY gift section so you can create nourishing products for you and share the love with others!
Creating your own beauty products may seem overwhelming but you can start small, selecting the products you use most often, and build from there. Items like deodorant are made infrequently, allowing you to even select one item per week to create while your dinner is cooking. So simple! Sunny has provided a few of her favorite recipes to begin to transform your cabinet into a beautiful and oh-so-fun haven (for all the new mommas, like myself, it really can feel like a mini-retreat! )
Refreshing Footloose Soak, page 129
It’s amazing how a little warm, mineral-laced water can work miracles on tired, achy feet. Soften and hydrate your hardworking tootsies with this simple soak while you catch up on some trashy celeb gossip magazines (guilty pleasure!) or binge-watch your fave Netflix show.
Best for: All skin types
Top Tips: Rosemary essential oil has anti-fungal superpowers. It has also been shown to fight bacteria, so it keeps feet smelling sweet.
If you like, add a pinch of dried rosemary and a sprig of fresh mint to your soak. It smells extra heavenly.
Superstar ingredients: Epsom salt chills out tired, aching feet, while baking soda helps eliminate and prevent foot odor. Peppermint and rosemary essential oils awaken the senses while they banish bad-smelling bacteria.
- Glass jar with lid
- Basin or bucket large enough to accommodate feet comfortably
1 cup fine Epsom salt 250 mL
1⁄2 cup baking soda 125 mL
15 drops peppermint essential oil 15
15 drops rosemary essential oil 15
Hot water
- In a medium bowl, stir together Epsom salt, baking soda, peppermint essential oil and rosemary essential oil until well combined. Spoon into jar.
- Fill basin with hot water. Add 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) of the Epsom salt mixture and stir until dissolved. Let cool slightly.
- Test the temperature of the water with your toe to make sure it’s very warm but not scalding. Immerse your feet in the water and soak for 15 to 30 minutes (longer is OK, if you like).
- Pat feet dry with a towel. Follow with your favorite moisturizing cream or straight-up coconut or jojoba oil.
- Store jar at room temperature for up to 6 months.
******************************
Keep-It-Dry Deodorant Paste, page 232
Tired of searching for a pure, chemical-free deodorant that doesn’t cost a fortune? Yeah, me, too. Here’s a mega-simple DIY deodorant that focuses on safe, effective ingredients. No muss, no fuss, no stink!
Best for: Normal, Combination, Oily/acne-prone, Dry and Mature skin
Top Tip: Tea tree, lavender and lemongrass essential oils are all powerful odor fighters. Add a few drops and you’ll be smelling sweet!
Superstar ingredient: Coconut oil is a terrific emollient. It was also popular for cooking in the United States and Canada until the 1970s, when corn and soy oil companies ramped up their propaganda against it. They claimed that its high saturated fat content made it dangerous to consume, but today, we know that coconut oil is more complex than that. The saturated fat in coconut oil consists primarily of medium-chain fatty acids, which aren’t as easily stored as fat by the body.
- Small glass jar with lid
3 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch 45 mL
1 tbsp baking soda or kaolin clay 15 mL
2 tbsp coconut oil 30 mL
5 drops essential oil(s) of your choice 5
- In a small bowl, whisk arrowroot powder with baking soda until well combined. Set aside.
- Place coconut oil in a small heatproof glass bowl. Microwave on High, stirring every 5 seconds, until melted and completely smooth. (The total time will depend on the strength of your microwave.)
- Whisk coconut oil into arrowroot mixture along with essential oil(s) until a paste forms. Pour into jar.
- Using fingers, rub a small amount of paste over underarm skin until absorbed.
- Store at room temperature for up to 1 year.
******************************
GIVEAWAY TIME!! Begin creating your own products at home with a 15mL bottle of Young Living Lavender essential oil. To enter leave a comment sharing what personal care or beauty product you’d replace first. Be sure to grab a copy of Sunny’s book for more recipes for a toxic-free cabinet.
Winner will be chosen at random. Giveaway ends on November 23. Valid for U.S. residents only.
Update –> Congratulations to Teran for winning this giveaway!
Many thanks to the publisher, Robert Rose, for the opportunity to review this resource.