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Are you looking for amazing DIY zero-waste beauty recipes? I have nine incredible and simple recipes that I use regularly to maintain healthy glowing skin, hair and teeth.
1. DIY Clay Shampoo
I use a bentonite and aloe mix as my shampoo every week. I love this recipe because it's very cheap to make (bentonite clay can be as cheap as $5 online or at your local natural grocery store). Clay helps repair my curly hair by strengthening my strands and helping them resist breakage. It also helps my hair clump and make beautiful, effortless, and frizz-free curls. I combine Bentonite clay with aloe to add an extra layer of moisture. Aloe vera is a humectant which means it attracts water from the air and draws it into the hair strand. This allows my hair to retain moisture longer so I can enjoy my week with frizz-free curls.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of Bentonite Clay (or a clay of your choice)
- 3/4 cup of water (add more or less for desired consistency)
- 1 tbs of fresh aloe from the plant*
Combine the clay, water and aloe in a non-metal bowl with a non-metal utensil. Mix until desired consistency is reached. I prefer my mix to be creamy but not too watery or chunky.
*I prefer to use fresh aloe instead of bottled aloe. I find that fresh aloe is more potent, has less preservatives, and is zero waste.
2. Aloe, Banana, Avocado and EEVO Deep Conditioner
One of my favorite DIY deep conditioners is the aloe, banana, avocado and olive oil conditioner. I love this combination because it leaves my curls feeling hydrated, shiny, and moisturized. The aloe acts as a humectant that draws moisture into the hair strand, the banana adds bounce and shine, avocado provides fatty acids that strengthen the hair and the olive oil locks in moisture. I do this deep conditioner once a month and switch around the ingredients as needed.
Recipe:
- 1 tsp of fresh aloe vera from the plant
- 1 medium banana
- 1 medium avocado
- 2 tbs of extra virgin olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender or mix in a bowl with a fork. Process until well combined and all of the ingredients are smooth. Apply to damp hair in sections. Twist or braid each section after conditioner has been applied. Put on a shower cap or plastic bag. Let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
3. Matcha & Aloe Face Mask
On those days when my skin is feeling dull and in need of a little antioxidant boost, I like to do a Matcha & Aloe face mask. The Matcha is rich in antioxidants that helps to rejuvenate my skin and give it a nice detox. As mentioned above, aloe draws moisture from the air which helps my oily skin stay balanced and moisturized. I do this face mask once a month when I need a little pick me up.
Recipe:
- 1 tsp of matcha green tea powder (preferably ceremonial grade, I buy my Matcha here)
- 1 tsp of fresh aloe vera
- 2 tsp of water
In a mixing bowl, combine the matcha, aloe and water in a non-metal mixing bowl with a non-metal utensil. Combine until smooth and all of the matcha and aloe chunks are dissolved. Apply to a clean face. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with luke warm water. Pat dry.
4. Aloe Scar Treatment
This is an oldie but a goodie. If you suffer from acne scars and discoloration, aloe vera may be able to help. Whenever I get a new acne scar, I run to my aloe vera and apply it to the affected area once a day for two weeks. After two weeks, I see a great improvement. My scars fade beautifully and my skin tone evens out. The anti-bacterial and rejuvenating properties of aloe are perfect for my oily, acne-prone skin.
Recipe:
- 1/2 inch of fresh aloe vera (cut in half) or 1 tsp of bottled aloe
If using fresh aloe, take each half of the aloe portion, and rub the gooey part on the affected area. If using bottled aloe, take the teaspoon. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with luke warm water. Pat dry.
5. Baking Soda & Coconut Oil Toothpaste
This DIY toothpaste recipe is perfect for those who want flouride-free, zero waste toothpaste that won't break the bank. I have been using this toothpaste everyday for two years. It takes me 5 minutes to make every month. The ingredients aren't too expensive either. Coconut oil and baking soda are both well under $10 and a little goes a long way. The abrasive properties of the baking soda are great for removing plaque and buildup on the teeth. Combined with the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the coconut oil, this duo make an incredible team that work to clean your teeth and leave your mouth feeling nice and fresh.
Recipe:
- 1/2 cup of semi-solid extra virgin coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 5 drops of peppermint oil (optional)
In a clean jar, combine the coconut oil, baking soda and peppermint oil. Mix in with a non-metal spoon until well combined. Store in a cool, dry place. Use twice a day.
6. Coconut Oil Pull
Oil pulling has been used in ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It's designed to pull toxins out of the body through the mouth. If done correctly, oil pulling can rejuvenate your gums, freshen breath, and reduce plaque buildup. I like to oil pull at night right after I brush my teeth. I oil pull as needed, usually once a month.
Recipe:
- 1 tsp of extra virgin coconut oil
Take the coconut oil and spoon it into your mouth. Swish from left to right, top to bottom for 20 minutes. Spit out and rinse the mouth with luke warm water. Do every night, week, month or as needed.
7. Flaxseed Gel
Flaxseed Gel is a very popular natural gel for curly hair. Tons of beauty gurus, Youtubers and others have created flaxseed gels. Flaxseed comes from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). It was first cultivated in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and is now cultivated all around world. Flaxseed can be purchased in several countries in non-plastic bags. You can buy it in bulk at most natural grocery stores. I recommend using whole flaxseeds to make your gel so you can get the most out of it. Flaxseed can be tricky. Sometimes batches turn out well and other times, they can really fail. The recipe below is the one I trust and is the most zero-waste friendly.
Recipe:
- 1/4 cup of whole flaxseeds
- 2 cups of water
- Vitamin E oil (optional)
Take a medium pot and fill it with water. Add the whole, unground flaxseeds. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. About 15 minutes. Once the mixture appears to be more gelatinous and sticky, remove from heat. Let sit until luke warm. Do not let it cool 100%. Allowing it to cool too much will cause it to thicken and make it difficult to strain out the seeds. You want it to be slightly warm so it can still be pourable into your strainer. Take a cheese cloth, nut bag or fine mesh strainer and pour the flax mixture into the strainer. Tease out the flax gel by separating the seed from the gel. Transfer gel to desired container and apply a few drops of Vitamin E oil. This will help your flaxseed gel last longer. Store in your fridge for up to 10 days.
8. Peppermint Coconut Body Scrub
Body scrubs are an important part of my zero-waste beauty routine. I need exfoliants to help me get rid of dead skin and bring my body back to life. I love homemade body scrubs because they are super affordable and easy to make. I whip up my body scrub in 15 minutes and it usually lasts me about a month. I incorporate peppermint tea leaves and essential oil in my mix. I like the way the tea leaves add another layer of gentle exfoliation. The essential oil gives the mix a great smell that leaves me feeling refreshed. I use sugar as my main exfoliant, however, you can use salt or peach pits if you want. The coconut oil acts to congeal all of these ingredients and adds a smooth texture to the scrub. All of these elements make this scrub a great DIY beauty recipe.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of sugar or salt
- 1 tbs of peppermint tea (loose leaf preferred)
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
In a double boiler, place the coconut oil in the top pot (or bowl) to melt. Once melted, remove from heat and set aside. Stir in the sugar or salt, peppermint tea leaves and oil. Combine well. Pour mixture into desired jar or bowl with an airtight lid. Store in a cool, dry place.
9. DIY Creamy Lotion
Lotion is an essential part of my beauty routine. My skin can get very dry if I do not apply lotion. Ashiness, flaking and other skin issues occur when I do not apply lotion right after a shower or swim. I'm very picky about the ingredients in my lotions. I value 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and natural ingredients. I have found several lotions to buy that offer all of these things I like. However, they can be pricey. I enjoy creamy, non-greasy lotions that are affordable to make. After looking far and wide, I found a lotion recipe that I can get behind. It's been a year of making my own DIY body lotion and I have loved every minute of it.
Recipe:
- 10 oz of water
- 1.5 teaspoons of glycerin
- 2 tablespoons of emulsifying wax (I buy mine here)
- 2 tablespoons of shea butter
- 3 tablespoons of oil of choice (olive, apricot, almond, etc)
- 2 teaspoons of Vitamin E oil
- 40 drops of essential (optional)
Yields 12oz of lotion
Begin by disinfecting all of your cookware (jar, pot, utensils, etc) with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Allow to dry. Next, combine water and glycerin in a sturdy glass jar. In another jar, combine the emulsifying wax, shea butter, and liquid oil. Place both jars in a large pot filled with water. Bring the jars to a boil until each jar has all of the contents melted. Remove from heat. Each jar should be about the same temperature: 100 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 degrees of each other. In a clean and disinfected bowl, pour the shea butter and emulsifying wax mixture into the bowl. Gradually pour the water and glycerin mixture into the water mixture. With a whisk, incorporate both mixtures until well combined, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. The mixture should look creamy lotion. Add Vitamin E oil, essential oils and whisk to combine. Pour into desired jar, squeeze tube or lotion pump. Use within 3 months or store in the refrigerator for use up to a year.
How did you like our recipes? Have you tried them? Do you have others to share? Leave a comment below with your favorite DIY zero-waste beauty recipe.