When I first started investigating how to make my own personal hygiene products I noticed most every site showed how to blend store bought products together to create what they labeled as “home made”  This was not what I had in mind as it was still relying on chemicals blends I was looking to eliminate from my families life. I began looking for videos posts which were based on creating African Black Soap on various sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch. This proved to be most resourceful and with that my journey began.  


I learned the processes of drying and creating the natural ash lye from plantain peels, cocoa pods, palm fronds, potato skins and other potassium rich plants.

I bought distilled water as it contains no metals, chemicals micro-organisms, or other contaminants which cause complications and undesired reactions.


I first tried purchasing ingredients to make floral water with the distilled water, while this is still a method of incorporating botanicals in my products, I rely on them only when I want plants I am incapable of sourcing naturally.  I began foraging from natural woodlands, along with harvesting fresh “organic” from my garden rose petals, periwinkle, chamomile, lemon balm, mints to list a few. I asked friends and family in various regions for other plant matter unavailable in mine. Traveling to collect and dry them was a fun experience as well as a great opportunity to enjoy my loved ones ‘1 on 1’  I am a firm believer in synergy and the abundance of love and joy these harvested plants contain. 

This method was quite rewarding yet can pose other concerns such as how to store the diverse amount of dried plants. I lived in a very small unit in which space was a premium. I began purchasing caning jars. The most economical and easiest to source are the typical Ball and Anchor Hocking jars.

I use flip top beverage style bottles for my shampoo’s and conditioner’s still when gifting, I have found the basic standard caning jars to be most practical for the brunt of products I make today.


I now have a diverse collection of plant matter which I store on a warehouse rack in my son’s basement.  I love being able to use fresh when applicable, while still having the ability to incorporate from my dried stock


It is important to follow storage per labeling, as they are bought in bulk. Another concern is labeling as it is common for the labels to fade.  Some ingredients are available in both concentrate and powder form. I prefer powdered as it is easier to contain, weighs less and allows me flexibility. 


For those interested a resourceful sites I find helpful are: 


  https://www.personalcaremagazine.com/story/35702/personal-cares-little-books


http://webdictionary.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/FrontMatter_Vol1%20Edited%20for%20Websites.pdf


https://www.miladypro.com/store/products/detail/9781285060798/skin-care-and-cosmetic-ingredients-dictionary


Making my own products has helped me take control of ingredients I put on my skin as they can be just as important as what we eat.


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