If you’re like me, you love making homemade beauty products. The only problem is, they can go off faster than store-bought products. So how can you make DIY beauty products last?
Creating your own beauty products can be fun and cost-effective, but it’s important to know how to preserve them properly. Fortunately there are some simple and practical ways to make your homemade beauty products last longer.
These tips and tricks will help you extend the shelf life of your DIY beauty goodies. Let’s dive in and discover how to make your DIY beauty products last!
Why It Matters
The good thing about preservatives is that they keep products from spoiling. Have you ever looked at a bottle of clear aloe vera and seen something green growing in it?
Or had a jar of cream that suddenly lost its smell and very quickly started to smell really funky? I’ve had those things happen – and with store bought!
You do not want to put spoiled product on your skin. It could have anything from e. coli to flesh eating bacteria in it. It wouldn’t just not work – it might give you a very bad reaction.
One of the great things about homemade DIY beauty is that it’s very affordable, so you can afford to throw it out when it spoils.
But we can also extend its lifespan with these tips!
Start Clean
To make your DIY beauty products last, the first step is to maintain cleanliness throughout the crafting process. Contamination can lead to bacteria growth, mold, and other problems.
- Clean your containers before using them.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before handling ingredients or products.
- Use clean utensils and tools.
- Store products in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.
Keep Ingredients Fresh
The quality of ingredients affects the longevity of DIY beauty products. Here are some tips to keep ingredients fresh:
- Store oils and butters in a cool and dark place, or even in the fridge.
- Keep water-based ingredients separate until you’re ready to use them.
- Buy smaller quantities of ingredients with shorter shelf lives so you can use them all up before they go bad.
Always check your individual ingredients before adding them to a batch. Do they look and smell like they should?
If there’s any signal that they’re starting to spoil – loss or change of scent, change of color or texture – don’t put them in a new recipe.
Store it Properly
Storing your DIY beauty products correctly can greatly impact their longevity. Here are some tips for optimal storage:
- Use airtight containers to limit air contact and keep the products fresh.
- Store them in a cool area, like the fridge or a dark cupboard, as heat can make them spoil faster.
- Avoid moisture by choosing packaging that prevents water from entering or adding natural preservatives like vitamin E oil.
Natural Preservatives
Even with natural ingredients, some DIY beauty recipes may need preservation. Here are some commonly used natural preservatives:
- Vitamin E oil: It’s a natural antioxidant that extends the shelf life of oils and butters.
- Grapefruit seed extract: It helps prevent bacterial growth in water-based products.
- Essential oils like tea tree oil or rosemary oil have antimicrobial properties that can preserve your products.
You may need to do some research to find out which of these are compatible with your recipes.
How to Add Your Natural Preservative
The way to add a natural preservative to your DIY beauty products is the same no matter which preservative you choose.
- Measure your base product: This could be a lotion, cream, carrier oil, shampoo, or cleanser. Make sure to accurately measure it as you’ll be adding the preservative based on this volume.
- Calculate the amount of preservative needed: For facial products use 0.5%-1% of the total volume and for body products, use up to 2%.
- Add the preservative: Once you’ve measured it out, add it to your base product.
- Mix thoroughly: This is an important step to ensure the preservative is evenly distributed throughout the product.
- Store properly: Store your DIY beauty product in a cool, dark place to preserve its effectiveness.
Example: if you have an 8 ounce jar of body butter and you want to add preservative, 2% is just about 1 teaspoon.
Labeling and Rotation
Organizing and keeping track of your DIY beauty products is important for keeping everything fresh. Set up a labeling and rotation system with these tips:
- Label products with the creation date to track their shelf life.
- Use the “first-in, first-out” rule, placing newer products behind older ones.
- Regularly check for changes in color, texture, or scent. Discard anything that looks or smells off.
Adjust Batch Sizes
Creating smaller batches can also help prevent waste and maintain freshness. Making larger quantities is so tempting because it saves time.
But smaller batches are easier to use up before they expire. They also allow you to experiment with different formulations.
Learn and Experiment
Making DIY beauty products is very much a learn as you go kind of process. Learn about the ingredients you use and their shelf life.
This knowledge will help you make informed decisions when formulating your products. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and formulations to find what works best for you.