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Making lavender body wash is a simple and rewarding DIY project that lets you enjoy the calming scent of lavender every time you shower.
You don’t need fancy equipment or a chemistry degree to make lavender body wash at home.
With just a few natural ingredients, you can create a gentle, moisturizing body wash that smells like a spa in your own bathroom.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make lavender body wash step by step, including the benefits of lavender for your skin and the best ingredients to use.
Let’s dive in.
Why You Should Make Lavender Body Wash
Making lavender body wash at home gives you full control over what goes on your skin.
Here are the main reasons this DIY lavender body wash is worth the effort.
1. It’s Free of Harsh Chemicals
Many store-bought body washes contain sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin.
When you make lavender body wash yourself, you skip all those additives and use gentle, skin-friendly ingredients instead.
That means no hidden toxins and no mystery ingredients you can’t pronounce.
2. Lavender Soothes and Calms Your Skin
Lavender isn’t just a pretty scent.
It has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help soothe irritated skin.
Using lavender body wash regularly may help reduce redness and leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed.
The calming aroma also turns your shower into a mini aromatherapy session.
3. It’s Budget-Friendly
A bottle of good lavender body wash can cost a pretty penny.
But when you make lavender body wash at home, you can whip up a big batch for just a few dollars.
Most of the ingredients are things you probably already have in your kitchen or can grab at any grocery store.
4. You Can Customize the Scent and Consistency
Homemade lavender body wash lets you control how strong the lavender scent is and how thick or thin the wash feels.
You can also blend in other essential oils like chamomile or eucalyptus for a custom aroma that suits your mood.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Lavender Body Wash
Before we get into the steps, let’s go over what you’ll need to make lavender body wash.
Here’s a simple list of ingredients for a basic recipe.
1. Castile Soap
Castile soap is the base of most homemade body washes.
It’s a gentle, plant-based soap made from olive oil and it cleans without stripping your skin.
You can use unscented castile soap so the lavender scent comes through clearly.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
This is the star of the show.
Lavender essential oil gives your body wash its signature calming scent and skin-soothing benefits.
Make sure you use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil for the best results.
3. Carrier Oil Like Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil
A carrier oil adds moisture and helps balance the cleansing power of the soap.
Jojoba oil and sweet almond oil are both great choices because they’re lightweight and absorb easily.
4. Vegetable Glycerin
Glycerin is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture to your skin.
Adding a little glycerin to your lavender body wash helps keep your skin hydrated after every shower.
5. Distilled Water
You’ll need distilled water to dilute the soap and oils.
Avoid tap water because the minerals in it can shorten the shelf life of your homemade body wash.
6. Vitamin E Oil (Optional)
Vitamin E oil acts as a natural preservative and adds extra nourishment to your skin.
It’s optional but highly recommended if you plan to store your lavender body wash for a while.
How to Make Lavender Body Wash Step by Step
Now that you have your ingredients, here’s how to make lavender body wash.
This recipe makes about 8 ounces of body wash.
1. Gather Your Tools
You’ll need a clean mixing bowl, a whisk or spoon, a funnel, and an 8-ounce pump bottle.
Make sure everything is clean and dry before you start.
2. Combine the Wet Ingredients
Pour 1/4 cup of castile soap into your mixing bowl.
Add 2 tablespoons of your carrier oil, 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin, and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil if you’re using it.
Stir gently until everything is combined.
3. Add the Lavender Essential Oil
Add 15 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture.
Stir slowly to blend the oil into the soap base.
If you want a stronger lavender body wash, you can add a few more drops.
4. Dilute with Distilled Water
Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of distilled water while stirring gently.
Don’t whisk too fast or you’ll create too many bubbles.
5. Transfer to a Bottle
Use your funnel to pour the lavender body wash into your pump bottle.
Secure the lid and give it a gentle shake to mix everything one last time.
6. Store and Use
Your homemade lavender body wash is ready to use right away.
Store it in a cool, dark place and shake before each use since natural separation can happen.
It should last about 2 to 3 weeks without a preservative, or longer if you keep it in the fridge.
Tips for the Best Lavender Body Wash
Here are a few extra tips to help you get the most out of your DIY lavender body wash.
1. Use a Foaming Pump Bottle
If you want a richer lather, pour your lavender body wash into a foaming pump bottle.
The soap will come out as a soft foam that feels luxurious on your skin.
2. Avoid Citrus Oils in the Shower
Citrus essential oils can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Stick with lavender or other gentle oils like chamomile or geranium for your body wash.
3. Test on a Small Patch First
Always do a patch test before using any new body wash all over.
Apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours to make sure your skin doesn’t react.
So, How Do You Make Lavender Body Wash?
Making lavender body wash comes down to combining castile soap, carrier oil, glycerin, distilled water, and lavender essential oil in the right proportions.
It’s a simple process that takes less than ten minutes and gives you a natural, calming body wash you can feel good about using every day.
Whether you’re looking to avoid harsh chemicals or just love the scent of lavender, this DIY lavender body wash recipe is a great place to start.
Give it a try and turn your daily shower into a soothing spa moment.