Scrub away memories of chemical-filled bath products and get your DIY on with this super-easy, mega-gentle body wash. The natural ingredients in this concoction will moisturize and leave your skin with a healthy glow (and of course, they’re safe for your overall health). All of the items in this recipe can be found in most grocery stores and natural food markets, so get mixing and then slather this sucker on during your next shower.
There are tons of benefits to the ingredients in this recipe: antioxidant-packed green tea helps clear up acne and revitalize dull skin; virgin coconut oil soothes dryness; castile soap (a plant-based soap made primarily from olive oil) is safe and gentle on ultrasensitive skin; and essential oils have the healing properties of the plants from which they’re extracted. Note that when using essential oils, you should do a patch test of the diluted oil on your skin first, to check for any sensitivity.
Green Tea Coconut ?Body Wash
You’ll need:?
1/4 cup green tea ?
3/4 tsp. virgin coconut oil, melted in the microwave?
1/4 cup liquid castile soap (see note, below)
?8 drops of essential oil (recommended: lavender, tea tree, orange, and lemon)
?5 drops of Vitamin E oil (optional)?
Measuring cups and spoons?
Metal, ceramic, or glass mixing bowl?
Whisk or hand mixer?
Bottle and cap for storage
(Note: If using a scented castile soap, you can skip the essential oils. And if you’d like, substitute chamomile or peppermint tea for the green tea.)
Directions:?
Brew a strong cup of green tea, and set aside 1/4 cup to cool. Once it’s room temperature, whisk it and the other ingredients together in a bowl, by hand or with a hand mixer. Pour into a bottle—this recipe makes about 4 fl. oz. of body wash, but you can always double or triple it—and cap. This wash will keep in your shower for up to 3 months. Shake slightly before using, as it may separate.
?By Tara Pelletier, co-founder of meow meow tweet, meowmeowtweet.com
Images via Emily Kate Roemer
This story originally appeared in the June/July 2014 print edition of BUST Magazine.
Subscribe now and get this shit delivered right to your mailbox.
