Ingredients and a recipe
Body Powder
Body powder is something that not many people use anymore but can be very helpful. It is a multi-purpose product. I will give you some ideas and a recipe and tell you about a few of the ingredients. You can use it right after the bath as a deodorant, to prevent chaffing, and give your skin a nice scent. You can use them on baby’s bottom (and your own). You can also make a powder to use as a dry shampoo.
There are many different ingredients to pick and choose from. For the base of the powder, you can use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or baking soda. Then you add clay, oat flour, or rice flower. You can use dried herbs or flowers such as spearmint or roses. I also like to use zinc oxide as it is anti-aging and a great deodorant.
Body Powder Bases
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is beneficial for all skin types and is softening and smoothing. It is gentle on sensitive skin and is anti-inflammatory. Arrowroot powder contains helpful ingredients such as zinc, iron, potassium, and vitamin B6. It can help skin with rashes, acne or sores. It is a good skin conditioner and oil reducer. Arrowroot powder can help improve your skin’s texture and help you get the glowing skin you want.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is antiseptic and antibacterial therefore it may help get rid of the bacteria that causes acne; however, not the acne on your face. It is a good treatment for the back or shoulders. It is a natural deodorant, balances PH, and sooths irritation. Baking soda has natural exfoliating properties that can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, leaving the skin smoother and brighter. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test first as it can be harsh on the skin.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a natural and safe ingredient that has great absorbent properties and can help keep the skin dry and comfortable. It is gentle on the skin and can soothe irritation. It helps reduce friction by absorbing moisture. It has a smooth texture which can help give body powder that silky smooth feeling.
kaolin Clay
Clay has many benefits for skincare. Clays are bactericidal, antiseptic and balancing. They help cell turnover, are healing, softening, helping acne and managing excess oil. There are different types of kaolin clay that work better with different types of skin including white, red, yellow and pink. If you have sensitive or dry skin, use white clay. For oily skin and acne, use red clay as it is the most absorbing. Yellow clay is absorbing and exfoliating but is still fine for sensitive skin. Pink is a mix of white and red and is good for delicate skin.
Body Powder Botanical Extras
Chamomile
Chamomile is gentle and soothing and a great ingredient for sensitive skin. It can help calm inflamed and irritated skin. It is also great for dry and itchy skin.
Calendula
Calendula is another plant that is great for soothing and healing the skin as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Lavender
Everyone knows lavender is soothing and calming and smells lovely. Use it if you want a relaxing body powder after your bath.
Rose
With its smell and color, roses make a lovely body powder for after your bath. Rose can help to soften and moisturize the skin.
Rosemary
Rosemary has high antioxidant and anti-microbial activity. It’s a great addition to your body powder, deodorant, or dry shampoo. It can benefit your hair and scalp in many ways. It stimulates hair growth, helps prevent dandruff, strengthens hair, adds shine, and sooths irritation.
Spearmint
Spearmint is a good choice for deodorant as it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is soothing and refreshing. It can help skin problems such as insect bites or burns.
10 Ways You Can Use Body Powder
Depending on what you want to use the powder for, you might want to add different ingredients. For instance, for a deodorant you might want to add mint and zinc oxide. For a dry shampoo, you might want to add rosemary or mint.
- As a Deodorant
- After your shower or bath
- Before exercise on areas prone to chafing
- As a dry shampoo
- On feet and shoes
- For baby care
- As a setting powder
- In shoes and boots
- As a scented sachet
- After waxing or shaving
Body Powder Recipe
1 cup arrowroot powder
½ to ¾ cup kaolin clay
2 tbsp non-nano zinc oxide powder
2 or 3 tbsp spearmint powder
Mix all ingredients and blend together. Pour them into your favorite container such as powder puff containers, shakers, squeeze bottles, talcum powder containers, or reuse one of your old containers.
