Living sustainably doesn’t just mean turning off the lights when not in use, going paperless, or donating to tree-planting organizations. It means changing your lifestyle and reducing your carbon footprint.
Besides minimizing your use of natural resources, you can establish a more sustainable lifestyle by creating DIY products for your personal care. With that, here are some popular personal care products that you can make at home for your sustainable living.
Why is Sustainability Important?
Global warming has become a pressing issue that people should be concerned about. Due to the earth’s increasing temperature, glaciers are melting and sea levels continue rising. If this persists, cities around the globe will be submerged underwater.
Apart from that, climate change has affected many countries in that they are now experiencing odd weather patterns and extreme natural calamities.
With this in mind, turning a new leaf and following a sustainable lifestyle can fight against this phenomenon. By becoming eco-friendly with your lifestyle and product choices, you reduce the waste filling the landfills and harming the earth’s natural resources.
People rely on natural resources to survive. However, these can be exhausted, and the planet won’t have enough to supply everyone. In this case, leading a sustainable lifestyle can help reduce the use of natural resources that go into the products you buy. Doing so can ultimately slow down climate change, preventing further damage to the earth.
Are you ready to DIY some products at home and make your life greener? Have a look at some of these personal care products to start.
How to Make Hand Sanitizers
Alcohol can be too drying for your hands, with its stinging smell invading your nostrils. As a solution, DIY hand sanitizers are a gentle alternative and easier to make, matching your sustainable lifestyle.
- For Gel Sanitizers
To make your own gel sanitizer at home, all you need are two parts isopropyl or ethanol alcohol, one part aloe vera gel, and a few essential oil drops of your choosing.
Step 1: Mix two parts of isopropyl or ethanol alcohol to one part of your aloe vera gel.
Step 2: Add a few droplets of your chosen essential oil to give a pleasant smell. You can choose from a variety, including clove, eucalyptus, or peppermint. You can even use tea tree oil.
- For Spray Sanitizers
A gel sanitizer can leave a sticky feeling on your hands due to the aloe vera gel. If you’re uncomfortable with that feeling, a spray sanitizer can be a good alternative. For this, you’ll need isopropyl or ethanol alcohol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, sterile distilled or boiled (then cooled) water, and a spray bottle.
Step 1: Mix 12 ounces of alcohol and two teaspoons of glycerol. Glycerol will serve as a moisturizer for your hands, preventing the alcohol from drying them out.
Step 2: Then, add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with three ounces of your distilled or boiled (then cooled) water.
Step 3: Once you’ve got your mixture, add a few droplets of essential oil and pour it into your spray bottle. Now, you’ve got yourself a great-smelling DIY hand sanitizer.
When making a DIY hand sanitizer, make sure to use rubbing alcohol with 91%-99% concentration. According to the Center for Disease Control, alcohol content should be to kill most germs. Also, don’t forget to sterilize your materials and clean your workstation before creating your concoction.
How to Make Hair Oils
If you can’t go to a salon, you can create your own hair care products like hair oils at home to maintain your healthy tresses like hair fall. These are great if you’re looking to grow your hair while keeping it smooth and healthy.
For your DIY hair-growth oil product, you’ll need a carrier oil (coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, hemp seed, sweet almond, castor) and your preferred essential oil (e.g., tea tree essential oil, peppermint essential oil, etc.). You can combine carrier oils and mix them up with different essential oils to give them a pleasant smell.
Also Read: How to Create a Skin Care Routine That Actually Works
DIY hair oil: Mix one drop of your preferred carrier oil and a few drops of your desired essential oils (around 5-10 drops) in a bowl or glass dropper bottle. Put the lid and shake well to mix it properly.
To use the hair oil, squeeze several drops of the hair growth oil onto your fingertips and rub them together for even distribution. Massage the scalp from the front hairline down to the neck with your fingers.
Before using your DIY hair oil, do a patch test first to see if you are allergic to any essential oils. If you feel any tingling sensations, stop using immediately.
How to Make Facial Masks
Another DIY personal care product you may find to your liking is a face mask. Replace those one-time-use face masks with natural DIY ones to keep your face silky smooth while helping the environment. You can start with an easy one like a charcoal peel-off mask.
Here are some of the ingredients you’ll be needing for this recipe:
- Activated charcoal
- Bentonite clay
- Gelatin
- Tea tree essential oil
Step 1: Get your activated charcoal and add them to a small glass or ceramic bowl.
Step 2: Add your bentonite clay and gelatin. Pour boiling water and mix using a silicone spatula.
Step 3: Once the gelatin thickens, add a drop of your tea tree oil and mix properly.
With that, you now have a sustainable DIY face mask to include in your skincare routine. Before using, cleanse your face and pat it dry. Be careful not to put it near your eyes or on your eyebrows, and use a warm wet cloth to remove the face mask if it hurts when peeling it off.
Sustainable Self-care
The earth is the only place humans can live. That’s why taking care of the planet is crucial for everyone’s survival, and you can do this by cutting down your carbon footprint and using sustainable products. Apart from conserving energy, you can create DIY personal care products instead of buying them.
Not only do you reduce waste, but you can get the same results as branded products for a fraction of the cost.
