I started making my own products to save money but I quickly fell in love with it! I can use my favourite ingredients cheaply, keep it natural and clean, and customise my products to my needs.
This list has everything you need to get started! Check out the essentials and build from the other sections depending on what you want to make.
If you're looking to make bar soaps (eg with lye), they have different ingredients that I haven't gone into here. I also find liquid washes made with Coco glucoside (in this list) to be easier.
What’s not on this list (on purpose):
Many skin-friendly ingredients can be found in your kitchen or at the supermarket, so there’s no need to buy everything new right away.
This includes:
- Olive oil, coconut oil, or other basic carrier oils
- Sugar or salt for simple exfoliation
- Cornflour (cornstarch) for oil-absorbing or mattifying blends
- Beakers, stirrers, etc - you don't need anything fancy. Glass or hard plastic measuring cups and bowls, spoons, and a whisk will do you fine!
This list focuses on formulation-specific ingredients or supplies that truly expand what you can make and help you do it safely.
Start with what you already have, then build your kit as you go.
Disclaimer: Kitchen ingredients are not always functional on their own. Be sure to research your recipe and make sure you're using proper preservation and storage, especially in formulas containing water. As a rule of thumb, a water-containing product WITHOUT a preservative will last up to 7 days refrigerated, up to 24h at room temperature.
