My Non-Toxic DIY Kit

When I first started on my journey to use natural products it was mind boggling because of all the misguided information that was out there! I wasn't sure which "natural" products were actually made with only natural ingredients and which ones were just making claims of using natural ingredients. If you've made the switch to non-toxic living or you have just started the process, then you probably know what I'm referring to. There's a marketing ploy that many brands like to use that make these bogus claims that say they're natural or "made with natural ingredients" and pop some leaves on the package to make it appear "green" or non-toxic. I didn't want to be fooled into believing I was using something without chemicals so I made sure to read the ingredients in everything I bought.

The one downside to buying all-natural products is they can cost more than your normal chemical-laden products. Go figure! After I started pricing everything I realized that I couldn't financially afford the clean lifestyle that I wanted.

Then I realized something - I can make most of the products that I want if I just buy the ingredients. If I make it myself there's no confusion about what is in my products and it will come out cheaper, because I can use the ingredients multiple times for multiple products.

In hopes of saving you guys some trouble, I have gathered a list of my favorite all-natural ingredients to use for all of your DIY needs. Depending on what you plan to make, you can give or take some of these items, but these are the ones I can't do without.

• Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap - if you have read any of my other DIY products posts, then you already know how I feel about Dr. Bronner's. I use their castille soap for face wash, laundry detergent, hand soap, shampoo and body wash. I will never use anything else!
• Essential Oils - I love adding essential oils to the products I make! Sometimes I add them to increase the benefits of the products and sometimes I like to use them for the smell.
• Carrier Oils - I love using jojoba oil and/or sweet almond oil for my face moisturizer. Fractionated coconut oil is also great for the skin as well as adding to shampoo!
• Aloe Vera Gel - I like to use this in my face moisturizer! It is so smooth and it leaves my face feeling refreshed. 
• Shea Butter - If you want to make any balms or lotion, shea butter is real easy to work with. I use unrefined shea butter. The unrefined shea butter has a very distinct smell, but I don't mind it. Plus, you can add oils and other ingredients to make it smell less. You can use refined if you prefer, but just know it's gone through a refining process and it's usually refined in a factory with chemicals.
• Glass containers - If you want to make your own products, then you need something to put them in. There are so many different shapes and sizes, so look for the ones that are best for you. I usually use mason jars or spray bottles for all of my cleaning products. For my moisturizers, creams, etc. I use these from Amazon. 

There are lots more ingredients that I have, but these are the ones that I use the most. I have already shared some of my DIY products with you and I will continue to do more so that you can see all of the ways you can use them. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!

xoxo,
Amanda