Body powder is usually made of talc. However, according to some research, talc has been found to be a potentially harmful chemical. There is still research going on and no one dares to confirm this claim. So, I decided to make my own body powder from safer ingredients.
Body powder is a cosmetic product that should get back its former glory. Prior to the discovery of deodorants and antiperspirants, body powder was widely used everywhere. The purpose of body powder is to absorb excessive fat and moisture from the skin. Your skin will feel dry and fresh after peeling. Body powder can be perfumed with mild essential oils. This way you can get a great skin care product quickly and easily.
Why use body powder?
The purpose of body powder is to absorb moisture and fat from the skin. If you sweat excessively no product is obviously enough. You can use body powder on warm summer days when you want keep your clothes loose on your skin.
Body powder also do neutralize odours. Scents stay fresh longer even if you use a non-perfumed body powder.
Use body powder when dressing after the shower. The skin stays moist for a long time after the shower. Body powder makes the surface of the skin feel dry, making it easier to put on your clothes.
You can use the body powder after applying the body cream. Often, it takes a while before the body cream has absorbed. If you’ll get dressed immediately after applying the lotion, your clothes will absorb some of the lotion. In case you are hurry, you can put your cloths on sooner if you apply body powder on your skin.
You can also use body powder only to the armpits to dry the skin. It will neutralize the odour without being perfumed.
What does the body powder contain?
You do not need many ingredients to make a body powder. My version is quite simple. Since powder is an anhydrous product it does not need a preservative. In addition, the powder does not require any texture enhancers such as emulsifiers or thickeners. That’s why body powder is such an ecological product.
Magnesium carbonate powder
Magnesium carbonate powder is the raw material for natural body powders. It is a white, very fine and dusting powder. You can use magnesium carbonate in mineral makeups, dry hair wash and hair powders.
Magnesium carbonate powder can also be used as part of powdered sunscreen. Powdered sunscreen is a great invention. Powdered sunscreen is not an effective sunscreen when used alone. However, it provides an extraordinarily good level of protection when used together with a natural cosmetic cream.
Arrow root powder
Arrow root powder is a starch such as corn starch and rice starch. Of course, you can use either corn starch or rice starch instead of arrowroot. Personally I prefer arrowroot flour, I think it is absolutely the best for this purpose. It is able to absorb moisture effectively from the skin. Arrow root flour is very neutral and very gentle. It can be used as such even as a baby powder.
Essential oils
Many cosmetic makers want to get a personalized scent to their own body powder. You have a whole range of essential oils to choose from. I personally like scents such as lavender, peppermint or vanilla in body powder.
Another very popular scent is peppermint oil. It is really refreshing and suitable for the whole family.
I have also used genuine vanilla to scent my powder. I put a dry, used (seed removed) bar of vanilla rod in a body powder can for a week. The powder absorbs the natural scent of the vanilla bar.
Dried flowers
I sometimes grind dried flower petals and add them to my powder. The flowers need to be ground to very fine dust. It is easy with a mortar. The best flowers for body powder are
- Calendula powder
- Chamomile powder
- Yarrow powder
- Mint powder
- Lavender buttons
Cosmetic clays
I have used mainly kaolin for my body powder. It is a mild and very pale, powder-like clay. It is also very light which is a good thing in this product. Kaolin helps to neutralize odours. It is antimicrobial and absorbs some moisture. Kaolin does not irritate sensitive skin.
If you want more efficient clay, you may want to try bentonite clay. Bentonite can absorb moisture and grease very effectively. Bentonite is a darker and heavier powder. Bentonite does not make the powder so light but more effective.
How to make a body powder?
When making a body powder, it is important that the ingredients are carefully mixed. Because we are dealing with minerals, we should not use any metal vessels or mixing equipment. Metal diminishes the minerals ability to absorb moisture and oils.
I use a wooden spoon and a glass bowl myself. Because the ingredients are dry, wood is truly an excellent blending tool. The glass bowl is handy because I can check through the glass when all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Of course, you can also choose a wooden bowl, a plastic bowl or a ceramic bowl for this job.
Measure the following ingredients in the container
- 1 dl magnesium carbonate powder
- 1 dl arrowroot powder (or other starch)
- 1 tablespoon of kaolin clay or bentonite clay
- 1-2 teaspoons of very finely ground flowers
- 3-5 drops of essential oils of your choice
Do like this:
- Mix all powders thoroughly in a bowl.
- If desired, add the essential oils drop by drop and mix thoroughly
- Pack the body powder in a glass jar with a wide mouth opening. Do not use any metal containers.
- The powder will last for at least one year.
- Apply the powder to the whole body (not to the face or hair) with a powder puff or cotton pad.
- Wash your body powder away from your skin very carefully in the evening. Powder containing alkaline ingredients can irritate sensitive skin when left on the skin.
Tip: You can make a very simple, family-friendly body powder simply by mixing arrow root powder and magnesium carbonate powder.
Sunscreen booster powder
Minerals are effective physiological sunscreens. This powder is not a true sunscreen as its effectiveness has not been officially tested. However, I have been using this for myself and found it useful. You can use sunscreen powder as an additional sun protection with officially UV-tested, natural-grade sunscreen.
Make a quick and easy powder sunscreen booster by mixing 2 tablespoons of magnesium carbonate powder, 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and 1 tablespoon of zinc powder.
Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon. Avoid metal. Pack the powder in a glass jar.
Use:
- First apply a natural-grade cosmetic sunscreen with officially approved UV protection.
- Then use a powder puff to apply the protection booster on problem areas.
Mineral powders are very versatile and simple to use. Try these easy steps. This is how to get started in making mineral cosmetics!
Have you made mineral cosmetics? Tell us about your own mineral cosmetic tips in comments section!