What kind of products can you make at home?

The short answer is that you can learn how to make any kind of skincare that you want to use. It comes down to what you’re interested in.

What I make and teach is a niche category of skincare called “anhydrous” which means water-less.

Anhydrous products only contain dry ingredients: dried herbs, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, grains, oils, essential oils, butters, and waxes…

And they’re perfect for DIY, because they’re effective, simple to make, and long-lasting.

Here’s why:

Most skincare products contain water, it’s usually a main ingredient. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But, whenever you make a recipe that has water – it will also need to include specialized cosmetic ingredients to stabilize the product: thickeners to improve the feel, solubilizers to avoid separation… and, because water supports life – we’d also need to add preservatives, to prevent growing bacteria, yeasts and mold that could damage the skin. 

For me personally, I’m not interested in using preservatives and synthetic ingredients. My interest is in making skincare with all natural ingredients.

It’s not a moral choice. I don’t believe that all synthetic ingredients are bad. It’s a personal choice. I love working with natural ingredients… and my skin responds better to it.

If you want to make all-natural skincare at home without preservatives and synthetic ingredients – it’s best to leave out the water – and make anhydrous products.

That way you can make skincare, without worrying about it going off.

You don’t have to purchase a bunch of specialty cosmetic ingredients.

And you can use what’s around you – ingredients from your kitchen, supermarket and home garden.

Plus, anhydrous skincare is really potent. It has a high concentration of active ingredients because it hasn’t been diluted down with water.

The shelf life for anhydrous products is 3 months!

• The shelf life is actually much longer, anywhere from six months to one year.
• I prefer to play it safe, and will make just enough to last 3 months, that way I know it’s safe, fresh and super potent.
• Anhydrous products do not need to be refrigerated. Keep in air-tight container, away from water and moisture.

1. Cleansers

These anhydrous cleansers are soap-free alternatives. They use ingredients that function as cleansers, in different ways: through exfoliation, absorbing excess oils, antimicrobial and cleansing properties. 

• Oil Cleanser: A heavier, slow-absorbing oil that can be massaged onto the skin. Some oils have antimicrobial properties. The oil can be infused with herbs/essential oils with cleansing properties. Functions as a makeup remover.

• Cleansing Balm: Solid form of a cleansing oil. Often combined with wax, and/or hard butters. Functions as a makeup remover.

• Powdered Cleanser: Powdered grains and herbs with cleansing properties.

• Exfoliant Cleanser: Powdered grains and herbs with exfoliating properties (physical, and/or chemical)

NOTE: oil-based cleansers breaks down dirt, makeup, sunscreen and excess oils from the pores. It needs to be massaged onto dry skin, and then washed off with a soft cloth and water. 

EXAMPLE: https://littlegreendot.com/regenerative-cleansing-oat-goat/

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2. Moisturizers

A true moisturizer consists of both oil and water. Anhydrous products do not contain water – so we are missing ½ of the elements that the skin needs. When you use an anhydrous moisturizer, apply it over wet/damp skin to provide that water component.  

• Face/body oil: An oil or blend of oils chosen for specific needs/functions.

• Body Butter: Oil and solid fats, whipped together

• Solid Moisturizer: Oil and wax to create a solid form.

• Lip Balm: Lip balms serve as a protective occlusive. The product is designed to sit on top of the lips and protect the skin.

EXAMPLE: https://littlegreendot.com/utama-spice-balm-recipe/

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3. Exfoliants

There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants physically scrub the skin. Chemical exfoliants resurface the skin by breaking up the  “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. 

• Facial Scrub: Grains, herbs and/or botanicals with exfoliating properties that are specifically suited for the more delicate skin of the face

• Body Scrub: Grains, herbs, botanicals, sugars and/or salt. For scrubbing the body.

EXAMPLE: https://littlegreendot.com/the-simplest-remedy-to-scrub-stress-away/

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4. Masks

Masks are specifically designed to sit on the skin for at least 15 mintues, to allow the ingredients to “do their work.” To use an anhydrous mask, you will need to “activate” it  with water,  and then apply onto the skin. 

• Powdered mask: Loose powdered grains, and herbs, chosen for specific needs and benefits. 

• Solid mask: Powdered grains, herbs, clay, milk powder… combined with oil and/or solid butters, to form a dough texture.

EXAMPLE: https://littlegreendot.com/herbal-powder-face-mask-to-soothe-skin-mood/

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5. Bath & Body

This category blurs the lines between skincare and self care. You can create therapeutic skincare to address your whole needs: skin, body and mind. For example, skincare to help soothe stress, promote rest, to soothe aches and to elevate your mood. 

• Bath salts: Mineral rich salts for baths, and foot soaks. Combined with powdered herbs, and/or essential oils to treat all sorts of different skin, body, mind needs. 

• Bath & shower bombs: Fizzy, aromatic products that create a fun, sensorial experience. Made with baking soda, citric acid, and therapeutic fragrances and essential oils to enhance the mood. 

• Bath melt: Oil and hard butter, crafted into a solid form (like a chocolate bar) designed to melt in a warm bath and moisturize the skin. 

• Perfume balm: Oil and wax, fragranced with therapeutic, aromatic essential oils and botanical extracts.

• Aromatherapy mist: Includes water, but is made self-preserving by adding the appropriate amount of alcohol.

EXAMPLE: https://littlegreendot.com/good-night-tinctured-bath-salts/