This homemade body wash with aloe vera gel is rich and creamy with real nourishing ingredients to cleanse and soften your skin naturally.

Have you made the switch to natural living? Are you reading ingredient labels more than ever? Once you realise just how many toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis you’ll want to eliminate all of them! So let’s reduce your toxic load a bit further by making your very own homemade body wash with aloe vera gel.

This homemade body wash with aloe vera gel came about because I was determined to replace my hubby’s favourite commercial body wash. He was game but had 3 non negotiables.

It must lather
It must smell manly
It must be thick and creamy

Homemade body wash with aloe vera gel : check, check and check!

Homemade body wash with aloe vera gel recipe

This homemade body wash is super easy to make thanks to liquid castile soap.

To begin you’ll want to add all ingredients EXCEPT the liquid castile soap to a glass jar.

Combine gently with an immersion blender. Slowly add castile soap and pulse.

Homemade body wash with aloe vera gel should be thick , rich and creamy!

Transfer soap to a glass soap dispenser. I got mine from IKEA. This homemade body wash should keep for about 3 months. I specifically did not use any water or coconut milk etc in this homemade body wash because I am afraid of harmful bacteria.

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients of this homemade body wash with aloe vera gel

Liquid Castile Soap : Castile soap is made from vegetable oils. Dr. Bronner’s, one of the most popular brands of Castile soap, is made of coconut, olive, and hemp oils.

Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is a potent skin moisturizer that actually improves skin hydration without clogging pores.

Carrier Oil : I chose to use grapeseed oil as it is one of the lightest carrier oils available. I didn’t want to use an oil that would weigh down the body wash and potentially decrease its lathering abilities. Jojoba or Almond oil would also be a good choice.

Vitamin E : Vitamin E hydrates the skin and acts as a natural preservative.

Guar Gum : thickening agent which also prevents separation of ingredients.

Why is it called Castile soap

According to Wikipedia : Castile soap is an olive-oil-based hard soap made in a style similar to that originating in the Castile region of Spain.

Can you use castile soap as body wash

Yes, castile soap can be used as a body wash but I find that it’s a bit drying and if you don’t use a loofah or washcloth it just doesn’t lather well.

How to thicken body wash

For a thick creamy homemade body wash you’ll need to add a teaspoon of guar gum.

If you’re a gluten free baker like myself you may have already heard of or used xanthan or guar gum. Whilst they are used for their binding power in gluten free baking xanthan and guar gums are often used in cosmetics as thickeners and as a stabilizer to prevent ingredients from separating. Which means… you guessed it, you won’t have to worry about your homemade body wash separating between uses. #win

Homemade body wash with essential oils

Customise the scent of your homemade body wash with essential oils. Of course essential oils aren’t only for a nice smell. Each essential oil is a powerful plant extract that can help alleviate many everyday health issues.

Here are a few of my favourite essential oil blends for homemade body wash.

Men’s Uplifting Blend : 25 drops orange essential oil + 10 drops bergamot essential oil

Dry Skin Blend: 25 drops rosehip + 10 lavender

Kids Sleepy Time Blend : 15 drops lavender + 10 drops sweet orange

Citrus Splash Blend : 20 drops Tangerine, 10 drops lavender, 5 drops lime, 5 drops spearmint

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