We all crave for a skin that looks naturally beautiful regardless of what the complexion might be. But beautiful skin will be a distant dream if it is not healthy.
The health of your skin determines how visually appealing it looks without any application of artificial colours (different make-up items). The foundation of healthy skin is set by its cleanliness. Keeping the skin clean is quintessential for preserving one’s natural beauty.
Branded soaps and body washes that we see regularly on the screen tempt us. The luxury feel and look allure us to treat our body with them. But, this treat is a trick!
Why am I saying this? It’s because most of these soaps and body washes come with skin-unfriendly ingredients. Chemicals, preservatives and artificial fragrances and colours do more harm to the skin than just cleaning the body’s dirt.
Your Skin is Scared of Chemicals
I have said in my previous blogs too that one should apply those things on their skin that they can put inside their mouth. At least, as much as possible. I put lipstick on my lips and I can’t eat any ingredient enlisted in its composition! A few exceptions our skin is naturally equipped to handle if done in moderation. But, not everything we treat our body with should be necessary chemicals.
There are arrays of items we can access from our kitchen to make personal care items. Today, I will share one of my beauty recipes for clean skin. It’s a homemade body wash that you all gonna love.
Here it is…Soap Nut/Berry Body Wash!
Also called Reetha Body Wash, this is nectar for your skin. Your skin’s friendliest cleansing solution. And, is the easiest homemade body wash that you can make at any time using a few ingredients.
Ingredients used:
1)4-5 Soap Nuts or Soap Berries
2) Cocoa Powder (optional)
3) Xanthan Gum Powder
Process:
1)Break the outer woody shell of the soap nuts. Discard the black seed.
2)Keep it in a big bowl of water. ½ litres of water will be fine. Keep it soaked overnight.
3)Next day, you will see the water has turned slightly reddish brown. Boil the soaked Reetha along with the water in the bowl. Avoid steel utensils.
4)Low flame. 5-7 minutes will be enough. Keep it aside to cool.
5)Rub and squeeze the softened soap nut shells once it cools down. Sieve the solution. Collect around a small cup of the liquid and pour it into a mixer/grinder.
6)Add 1 and ½ teaspoons of Cocoa Powder and a teaspoon of Xanthan Gum into it. Close the lid and give it a whirl. As no solid chunks are there so blending for 30 seconds or less is fine.
7)You will get a jelly-like chocolaty body wash that smells like cookies! Now, pour the jelly-like mixture into the remaining solution and whisk it so that all ingredients mix well.
I asked you to take a smaller batch from the solution and use a grinder or blender because it will be easier to ensure the Xanthan Gum Powder mixes thoroughly and leaves no residual lumps behind. Blending all the solutions in the grinder might cause spillage.
You can also use a hand blender or a whisker to manually mix all the ingredients. Xanthan gum powder thickens the solution and gives it somewhat a jelly-like consistency. Much like those luxury body wash gels you feel tempted to buy.
Benefits
Soap Nuts or Soap Berries are natural cleaning agents. As you rub and squeeze the soaked shells you will feel the little lather it makes. It is all natural!
It wonderfully cleanses the dirt, grease, pollutants and even chemicals deposited on your skin layer (by using other harsh products). They are odourless and chemical-free.
Good quality Cocoa adds a dash of luxurious feel and fragrance to it. Rich in antioxidants, it has skin renewal and healing properties. The presence of tannins makes it a good choice for acne spots and minor blemishes. It supports holding on to the youthfulness of the ageing skin.
Cocoa powder is known to have a certain dose of Vitamin C as well. Needless to mention, it can brighten the skin to some extent. It is a saviour for one with dry and dull skin.
Why Should You Use It?
- It is the best homemade body wash gel recipe you have.
- It is the easiest one to prepare.
- The ingredients are readily available and are fewer in number compared to many other body wash gel preparations you can name.
- It cleanses your body softly.
- You can use it every day.
- You can use it as a face wash too.
- Your kids also can use it.
- Feels luxurious and smells chocolaty.
- It is one of the most affordable body wash solutions available.
- Your skin will Love it!
So, Natural Beauties-
What’re you waiting for? Prepare it in smaller quantities I mentioned here. As this homemade body wash is easier to prepare, resist the urge to prepare it in bulk. No preservatives we are adding so it will get discoloured or might smell funny if left for a longer time.
Make it in a quantity that will last for a week. Pour the gel into a ceramic or glass bottle. Refrigerate when not in use.
See your skin glow in health and smell awesome as you keep using it.
