Over the last few years, I have learned that people love to make their own personal care products – whether it be for themselves or for gifts. Everyone loves trying new things.
There is something about making your own bath salts, soap, shampoo, body wash and more – it’s exciting! It makes you feel like you have it all together and it makes you want to scream to the world “hey! This was EASY! I did this!”
Obviously there are many reasons to make your own personal care items – you might do it to save money, or… to take a natural route to the concerns about toxic ingredients on your skin. Or, perhaps you might find going to the store with kids more than what you can handle and making your own items is just easier than loading kids in a car and buckling a seat belt.
I detest going to the store with my kids – no matter what time of the day, or what store, they just can’t get along very well.
One of the most popular personal care products today is LUSH – they are known for their shower jellies… the little squares that soap up in the shower or bath and smell absolutely incredible.
I think we all love LUSH – their cosmetics are fresh, fun, cruelty free and handmade. If you live quite a distance away from LUSH, you can make your own shower jellies. Making your own is easy, and ridiculously inexpensive!
Not every child loves taking a bath, but when you can incorporate bath salts, LEGO man soap or even shower jellies for them to use, bath time is much more fun. Besides, who wouldn’t want to play with LEGO man soap in the bath? Count me in!
These shower jellies would be a wonderful treat for your teenage daughter to use as she lathers up in the shower… you could even invite a few friends over and have a make & take with shower jellies too or incorporate any of these other 25 Essential Oil Recipes.
The little cubes are quite a bit softer than soap, and lather up quite nicely.
Personalize with your favorite essential oil – we used Lavender because it’s wonderful for supporting healthy skin (plus, it’s calming on the mind, too!) If you are looking for something to wake you up in the morning, then Grapefruit & Peppermint might be a better option.
Or… you could use Tea Tree for it’s wonderful cleaning ability.
You ultimately have the ability to personalize until your heart is content!
Gelatin has a myriad of health benefits – including it’s ability to help support healthy skin elasticity. I would recommend a high quality gelatin like Great Lakes or, Vital Proteins over gelatin varieties you find in your grocery store – as those varieties come from pastured beef (versus confined operations associated with cheaper prices).
We have made these jellies with 1 Tbsp of Vital Proteins Gelatin and they firm up wonderfully and keep nicely in the fridge.
If you plan on gifting these jellies to a friend, you will want to up the gelatin to 2 Tbsp to ensure that they don’t get too soft.
Heat up the liquid just until it’s warm and stir in the gelatin evenly to ensure it doesn’t clump, add your essential oil(s) then pour into your silicone mold to allow them to set.
Homemade Shower Jellies
- 3/4 C. water
- 1/2 C. unscented castile soap
- 1-2 Tbsp Gelatin (we used this variety but we also recommend this variety too)
- 20-25 drops essential oil
- Silicone Mold
- Optional: food coloring or glitter
Directions:
Heat up the 3/4 C. of water on the stovetop – you don’t necessarily want it to boil but you want it to be hot so that you can mix in the gelatin.
Remove from the heat and add the castile soap, then slowly sprinkle the gelatin in as you stir. Continue to stir until the gelatin dissolves completely.
Add your desired essential oil – we used Lavender because it’s wonderful for skin – but you can use Grapefruit or your favorite essential oil. Add your glitter or food coloring at this time.
Put your silicone mold on a cookie sheet tray, then pour the solution in the mold evenly. You may see some bubbles on the top of the mold – that’s just the castile soap & it won’t harm anything.
Place the tray in the refrigerator and allow them to set up – a few hours. Once they are set up, remove from the mold and place in a ziploc bag so that they are not touching each other. Store in a cool place.
If you plan on gifting, you will want to use 2 Tbsp of gelatin, so that they don’t get too soft. We used 1 Tbsp and store ours in the refrigerator – but we are in Phoenix.. and too little gelatin is not enough if you plan on keeping them in a warm area.
Looking for more Essential Oil DIY’s? Here are 25 DIY recipes you can try – from bath salts to lip scrub, sugar scrub bars & more.
Read more below:
- See more Essential Oil recipes HERE and HERE
- Find out how to buy Essential Oils at Wholesale Cost (24% OFF)
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