7 Simple DIY Cosmetics You Can Make at Home

Making cosmetics at home can be creative, educational and enjoyable.

The easiest place to start is with simple anhydrous formulas that introduce the basic skills of weighing, melting, mixing and understanding ingredients.

Children and teenagers can join in suitable steps, but heating, hot ingredients, fine powders and fragrance materials should always be handled under adult supervision.

1. Cocoa Kiss – Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

Ingredients for 20 g

• 6 g unrefined cocoa butter – 30%
• 5 g shea butter – 25%
• 4.9 g castor oil – 24.5%
• 4 g Japanese wax – 20%
• 0.1 g vitamin E – 0.5%

Gently melt the butters and wax, add the castor oil, allow to cool slightly and stir in vitamin E. Pour into clean, dry pots.

2. Gloss Drop – Simple Lip Gloss

Ingredients for 20 g

• 14 g castor oil – 70%
• 3.9 g jojoba oil – 19.5%
• 2 g fractionated coconut oil – 10%
• 0.1 g vitamin E – 0.5%

Mix thoroughly and transfer into lip-gloss packaging.

For a tinted version, use only lip-safe mica or pigment.

3. Cocoa Bath Truffles

Ingredients for 200 g

• 90 g baking soda – 45%
• 50 g citric acid – 25%
• 20 g cornstarch – 10%
• 20 g cocoa butter – 10%
• 10 g shea butter – 5%
• 8 g Polysorbate 80 – 4%
• 2 g bath-safe fragrance – 1%

Combine the dry ingredients. Melt the butters, add Polysorbate 80 and fragrance, then slowly blend into the powders. Press into silicone moulds and allow to set.

4. Mineral Cloud – Mineral Bath Soak

Ingredients for 300 g

• 225 g Epsom salt – 75%
• 60 g baking soda – 20%
• 12 g Polysorbate 80 – 4%
• 3 g bath-safe fragrance – 1%

Pre-mix the fragrance with Polysorbate 80, then blend into the salts.

Use approximately 50–100 g per bath.

5. Shower Smooth – Solid Shower Scrub Bar

Ingredients for 100 g

• 25 g cocoa butter – 25%
• 15 g shea butter – 15%
• 15 g virgin coconut oil – 15%
• 15 g Japanese wax – 15%
• 29.5 g fine sugar – 29.5%
• 0.5 g vitamin E – 0.5%

Melt the oils, butters and wax. Cool slightly, add vitamin E and stir in the sugar as the mixture begins to thicken. Pour into moulds.

6. Shea Cloud – Whipped Body Butter

Ingredients for 100 g

• 50 g shea butter – 50%
• 25 g sweet almond oil – 25%
• 23 g jojoba oil – 23%
• 1.5 g cornstarch – 1.5%
• 0.5 g vitamin E – 0.5%

Soften the shea butter, add the oils and vitamin E, then cool and whip until fluffy. Blend in the cornstarch.

7. Soft Clay – Dry Facial Clay Mask

Ingredients for 100 g

• 60 g white kaolin clay – 60%
• 30 g pink clay – 30%
• 10 g colloidal oat – 10%

Blend the powders carefully and store completely dry.

Immediately before use, mix a small amount with water or hydrosol to form a smooth paste. Discard any mixed product left after use.