One of the great joys of having your own craft business is trying out your own products. We always say our products are never tested on animals, only on family and friends! Most of the time we get it right, sometimes not so right. But practice makes perfect! We thought we would list a few of our favorite, very versatile, bath and body recipes.  These can be modified with other ingredients where noted. Enjoy!


Rose Milk Bath Beads

I am always surprised at the number of people I come across who tell me they don't take baths.  I find baths to be one of life's simple pleasures.  Crawling into a tub, after a hard day, with my Kindle, and a cold glass of ice tea, is an absolute joy.  I love taking that little bit of time to myself and just relax.  Not to mention, it helps take the chill off a cold Montana night. This is one of my favorite recipes for a nice skin softening bath.


Ingredients:

  • 1/4 c Epsom Salts
  • 1/3 c flour
  • 1/4 c  powdered milk
  • 2 T distilled water
  • 2 t sweet almond oil
  • 2 t apricot kernel oil
  • 20 drops of rose fragrance oil


You can substitute any other nut oils, like hazelnut, or even olive oil if you wish. You may also use any fragrance of your choice.  Mix the ingredients well.  If it is too thin, you can add flour by the tablespoon until it gets to a dough like consistency.  Then roll into 1" balls and wrap tightly.  I've also used a spritz (cookie) gun with the large star nozzle to make very elaborate looking beads.  Drop into tub when dry, for the perfect milk bath. 


Note: These beads will not last more than a few days without molding.  The milk in them grows bacteria rapidly.  If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate and add an anti-bacterial preservative like Germaben.  You won't need to  add much, but that is the only way to preserve them.


"Baby" Powder

This is an incredibly easy recipe to make and it is pennies on the dollar compared to buying it.  Plus, it is much safer than talc powder.  The ingredients are readily available from most health food stores.


Ingredients:

  • 1/3 c cornstarch
  • 1/3 c arrowroot powder
  • 1/3 c oat starch


Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a wire whisk.  Pour into shaker bottle. That's it! You can add tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil and then shake in shoes for a nice odor eliminator/anti-bacterial powder.  You can also add a few drops of other essential oils like lavender to give it a little bit of fragrance.


Basic Salt Scrub

This is a nice universal salt scrub that is an excellent exfoliant for feet, elbows and knees.  It should not be used on the face.


Ingredients:

  • 1 c sea salt - bokek dead sea or sonoma salt works very well
  • 1/4 - 1/2 c vegetable oil, like apricot, oil, or hazelnut
  • 1/2 c liquid castile soap
  • 1/4 t Vitamin E oil
  • 10 - 15 drops of essential oils


Put the salt in a bowl and add the oil until completely absorbed, whisking well.  The salt should be completely saturated.  Different salt will absorb different amounts of oil, so play around with it until you get a consistency you like. Add the castile soap and the Vitamin E oil. Whisk until blended.  Add the essential oil, blend in.  This recipe can be easily modified to your own personal taste.  Add in different essential oils based on your needs.  Peppermint and Ginger add a very nice "zing". Lavender is relaxing. Chamomile is excellent for inflamed skin.  Lemon and lime are excellent exfoliants, but can make you sensitive to the sun, so use in moderation. Be creative!


Basic Sugar Scrub

This scrub is designed for use on the face, but can be used all over. It is best when a coarse sugar is used like demerara, but coarse cane sugar works well too.  Do not use granulated sugar. It is too fine.


Ingredients:

  • 1 c coarse sugar
  • 1/4 c vegetable glycerin
  • 1/4 c coconut oil
  • 1/4 t Vitamin E oil
  • 10 - 15 drops fragrance or essential oil


The coconut oil can be substituted out with any light weight oil, like apricot kernel. Add sugar and oils to bowl and whisk until all blended.  Be sure any fragrance oil you use is skin safe.  Don't go overboard on either an essential or a fragrance oil in this recipe. If it is for use on the face, too much oil can cause severe irritation due to the abrasiveness of the sugar.

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