Make Your Own Natural Body Powder
I’ve been making a natural body powder for years, partly because of our soy allergies, but also because I like to keep everything we use as natural as possible. This natural body powder is quick and easy to make, and it is made from only three ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store.
The procedure is simple. Start with eight ounces of corn starch and three ounces of baking soda. Add four ounces of rice flour… if you’re not familiar with this product, it is very fine and very, very silky… and mix everything together thoroughly (I use a little whisk). This recipe makes an unscented powder that is smooth and soothing. The powder can be scented, but personally I prefer the unscented version or a natural, non-perfume like scent. (Try putting the powder in a ziploc plastic bag for several days with a few sprigs of a nice-smelling herb like dried lavender… the powder will pick up the scent. Take out the herb sprigs before you put the powder into containers.)
After I have mixed up a batch of this powder, I transfer it into empty shaker powder containers that I saved from when I used to purchase commercial body powder. Sometimes if the weather is especially humid, this powder may clump, but if you add about a quarter teaspoon of uncooked rice to each container, the rice won’t shake out but will keep the powder flowing smoothly. To make a larger or smaller batch of powder, double or halve each of the ingredients listed above.
I find this homemade natural powder comparable to any purchased powder I have tried (actually, we prefer it). It’s inexpensive to make. I especially like knowing that this all-natural powder does not contain any ingredients I might not want to put on our skin.
Written by Shirley | Filed Under Doing It Ourselves, Frugality, Green Living, Living with a Soy Allergy, Simple Living, Voluntary Simplicity
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Comments
Comment by JC:
Very clever. Thanks for posting this; the idea of natural, frugal and unscented is very appealing to me. I enjoy your blog as well.
Comment by Brenda:
Thanks so much for this wonderful idea. The natural unscented part is what appeals to me. I love your blog. It’s the first one I check every day!!
Comment by Shirley:
I think you’ll like the powder. It’s very soothing, especially on sensitive skin. Thanks for writing… I appreciate your comments!
Comment by Rose:
Thanks fir this great tip. I will try it. Sounds like a real treat for your skin. Love your blog!
Comment by Kristen:
A quick note: if you’ve got athlete’s foot (or any other fungal skin infection), go with just baking soda, or the fungi will pig out on the starch and become even worse.
Comment by Jenni:
Sorry, but it is so NOT true that fungi will get worse with corn starch. My DH had a brief problem with athletes foot and his doctor told him to dust his feet and shoes with corn starch. It isn’t a cure but it is soothing and absorbs moisture.
Comment by Shirley:
All of the body powders I have purchased in the past have contained corn starch, so I decided to do some research. This is what I found.
First I searched Google for a negative link between corn starch and athlete’s foot. There were a few sites advising against using corn starch because of the fungi-feeding thing, but the majority of sites recommended corn starch as a way to soothe the condition. Here is one of the sites about athlete’s foot that recommends corn starch:
http://www.treatathletesfoot.com/athletes-foot-remedies.php
Next I researched the ingredient lists for two medicated powders made for treating athlete’s foot. The first, Desenex Foot Powder (Prescription Strength), made to soothe and cure athlete’s foot, lists corn starch as the second ingredient.
The second, Lotrimin AF Antifungal Powder, also made to cure athlete’s foot, lists corn starch as its third ingredient.
Finally I called the dermatology department of a large hospital and the receptionist was kind enough to put my call through to one of the specialists. She said that although corn starch would not cure athlete’s foot, it would be very soothing, and it definitely would do nothing to make the fungi grow or the condition worse.
You decide…
Comment by mary:
What a find! I really love your site. My family has always lived simply and we are happy , debt free and I am now retired. I do not understand why others work and work only to buy stuff they do not need. I have so many friends that can’t understand how I can retire. It’s because I don’t have alot of Stuff to pay for. thank you for your site.
Mary
Comment by Shirley:
Thank you so much for your very kind message. I always appreciate hearing from my readers. I think we’re the lucky ones to have figured out that money and “stuff” don’t buy happiness… thanks for taking the time to write.
Comment by jeannette:
great site! i’ve been browsing it for close to an hour now LOL
the corn starch thing is only a problem, i think, if you suffer from a yeast infection problem. some people have such a high build up of yeast that any starch can make it worse, like feeding bread yeast some sugar to get it growing.
Comment by Robin of toxicbeautyblog.com:
After making my own homemade deodorant (which is working splendidly…I posted this on my blog if you want to check it out!) I thought, why can’t I make my own powder too? I use Burt’s Bees…which is an awesome powder but there is just something special about using a product you made yourself. So I will definitely try this recipe. It’s so easy to do and I love the tip about putting dried herbs in a bag with the powder because I do like a little scent in my powder. I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for posting this. :o)
Comment by Lauren:
Hi,
I ran across your homemade body powder recipe after searching around online. I put together a batch and used it for the first time, but mine is definitely not smooth and soft. I used Argo corn starch, Arm & Hammer baking soda, and brown rice flour from my local co-op. I mixed it together with a whisk and put it in an old shaker bottle. When I pour it into my hands, it has a slightly scratchy feel – I can feel the coarse grains. I tried using it today, and had the same feeling. I’m wondering if you might be able to help me troubleshoot. Does your powder have a slightly coarse, grainy feel to it?
Thanks, and thanks for sharing your tips!
Comment by Shirley:
No, this body powder should not feel coarse or grainy. The brown rice flour is what is causing the grainy feel. The rice flour I use is a white rice flour, and it is silky smooth. Try the white rice flour and you will have excellent results.
Comment by amanda:
I am very excited to make this as christmas gifts! I have not been able to find scented powders for adults that wont make me smell like a baby for under $25 (victoria’s secret) and I thought I might just make my own. if you want a nice smell you can get some essential oils at AC moore or Michael’s for $3-$5. I just picked up the 7 bottle mixing kit for $20…. and my tip is this: don’t put it right in the powder, drop about 10-20 drops on a cotton ball or pad and put THAT in a ziplock bag with the powder. shake it several times over the course of a few days and remove the cotton ball before transferring your powder to permanant containers.
Comment by Rosemarie:
I was so happy to find your website & Natural Body Powder recipe. I have put it together but mine is also a little grainy as Lauren mentioned. I did use white rice flour. The package says “stoneground” could this be the problem? This was the only brand I was able to find at WholeFoods. Are there different grinds of rice flour? Any suggestions would help. Thanks for a great site!
Comment by Shirley:
Yes, the grind of the rice flour is extremely important. What you want is a rice flour that is silky smooth. I have always bought the rice flour I use for this powder in the baking section of the grocery store. This is one time when finely processed is best.
Comment by Susan:
I was wondering, can you make something similar to the Gold Bond medicated powder- it contains zinc and camphor or something. I can hardly wait to make this!
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