Scented Body/Dusting Powders

Body or dusting powders are used to absorb and keeps the skin dry. These poweder can be used as deordants, baby powders and even foot powders. Most of the commercial body and baby powders on the market consist of talc. Talc is a mineral (magnesium silicate) produced by the mining, crushing, drying and milling of talc rocks. The problem with talc is that it is closely related to the carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs. The good news is that making your own body powders is very easy and inexpensive natural alternative by using vegetable starches and clays. It should be noted that inhaling powders of any kind is bad for the lungs, so try not to made a cloud of dust when you are making your powders.

The ingredients for making your own body powders are:

4 oz bottle
1/2 cup Arrowroot Powder or cornstarch (absorbing)
2 tablespoons Kaolin White Clay (helps with adhesion)
1 tablespoon Baking Soda (deodorizing)
Approximately 1/8 teaspoon Mica Pearlescent Powder (optional for slight shimmer)


Equipment Needed:

* Sandwich size plastic baggies to start initial mixing
* Fine mesh strainer or sifter to incorporate the scent
* Stainless steel or glass bowl to mix when sifting
* Whisk or spoon for stiring/combining mixture
* Funnel for packaging into finished bottle/jar
* Optional face/dusk mask (or mix powders outside)
* Packaging; 4 oz shaker bottle and label

Directions:

(1) Measure out and combine all dry ingredients into a zip lock bag. Carefully close the zip lock and with your hand over the zip lock portion, shake well to combine.

(2) Slowly add 20 drops of scenting oil (fragrance or essential oils), one drop at a time, directly onto the powder. When adding your scent try not to have the oil contact the plastic bag directly.

(3) Carefully close the zip lock bag again and work in the scent like you were kneading dough. If there is too much air in your bag, stop and let some out, then continue.

(4) After mixing for 5 minutes, go outside and transfer the powder to a mixing bowl and sift several times through a mesh strainer until the small balls of scent are completely incorporated.

(5) When everything is mixed well, use a spoon or funnel to transfer to a shaker bottle.

This is just one receipe. You may want to consider looking at the following websites other recipes:

(1) www.zhealthinfo.com/basic-recipes.htm
(2) www.natureproducts.com/recipes.htm
(3) http://www.soapteacher.com/

On page 34 of Natural Body Care...Recipes for Health and Beauty by Julia Meadows has a recipe. She recommends that you should keep your powders from sunlight, heat or excessive moisture.

Here is her receipe for unscented dusting powder:

1 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
2 tbsp white clay powder
2 tbsp baking soda

Carefully measure the powders and pour them into a glass bowl. Mix slowly with a wire whisk. If you want to add essential oils at this time. The author recommends adding 10-15 drops of essential oil/s to each 4 oz (1/2 cup) unfragrant powder base. Add your scent drop by drop, ensuring the drops are broken up in the powder as you go. Continue to stir the powder (in concentric circles according to the author) until the entire mixture gives off the desired aroma intensity. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 20 minutes. If the scent is not to your liking after the resting period, then add more oils if desired. Then place your mixture in a small shaker type or plastic jar. The author suggests that salt and pepper shakers, grated cheese dispensers and small flour dispensers are great for body/dusting powders.