10 DIY Natural Products That Work Better Than Store-Bought
Tired of products filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce? Many store-bought items are packed with harsh chemicals—but the good news is, you can make safer, more effective alternatives at home.
Below, you’ll discover 10 DIY natural products that not only eliminate toxins but also work better than their store-bought counterparts.
I started this blog many years ago with the intention of sharing homemaking tips.
But after getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2018, I became somewhat obsessed with healing and feeling better, and this blog shifted into a completely new direction, and now it is mainly centered around health, wellness, and natural living.
One significant aspect of my natural healing journey has been ditching the toxic products I used to use on a daily basis.
I’ve learned to make so many household and personal care products from scratch, using natural ingredients, and I’ve really enjoyed sharing the recipes on this blog.
However, with that being said, not all of my recipes turn out great. There is a considerable amount of trial and error that goes on behind the scenes.
Some recipes never make it to the blog because, to be honest, they kind of suck. But this post isn’t about those. This post is about the recipes that don’t suck—in fact, in my opinion, they’re even better than their store-bought counterparts.
However, before I share the recipes, I wanted to discuss why I make my own homemade products and why I think you should too.
(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)
I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
Why Make Your Own Products?
The problem with store-bought products is that they often contain hidden toxins, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary fillers. Making your own products from scratch has many benefits which you can learn more about below.
Better for Your Health
The primary reason I began making my own homemade household and personal care products was to avoid toxic ingredients.
There have actually been many studies confirming the connection between toxic chemicals and autoimmune disease. I’ve listed a few below if you would like to check them out.
- Toxicology of Autoimmune Diseases
- Environmental Chemicals and Autoimmune Disease
- Possible Environmental Triggers Associated With Autoimmune Diseases
Making my own products ensures that I know exactly what is in the products that I am using.
Better for the Environment
Those same products that are bad for your health are often bad for the environment as well.
When you use toxic cleaners to clean your sinks or showers, face washes, body washes, shampoos, etc., those chemicals are then washed down the drain.
Most chemicals are removed at the wastewater treatment facilities, but not all. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals end up in our lakes and rivers.
The plastic bottles used to store household cleaners and personal care products also harm the environment by contributing to the already massive landfills.
You can not only protect your health by making your own homemade products, but you can also protect the environment.
Save Money
With the growing demand for cleaner and safer ingredients, many companies have reformulated their products to meet this need.
Today, you can find far more non-toxic options at your local drugstore than you could just a few years ago.
While it makes me genuinely happy to see companies listening and real change happening, the downside is that these cleaner, safer versions often come with a higher price tag.
DIY-ing your own products at home is often way more budget-friendly.
10 DIY Natural Products That Work Better Than Store-Bought
If you’re ready to start creating your own all-natural DIY products, I highly recommend starting with the products listed below.
These are the recipes that I consistently hear positive feedback about and that I personally love and use frequently.
They’re 100% natural, budget-friendly, better for your health, kind to the environment—and you’ll love every single one.
DIY Deodorant That Works
It can be really difficult to find store-bought, toxin-free deodorant that actually works.
I have tried many of them, and more often than not, I have been pretty disappointed with their effectiveness.
I decided to try making my own homemade deodorant a few years ago, and I was honestly surprised by how well it worked.
It’s pretty much the only deodorant I use now. You can click here for the recipe.
Super Simple (and Cheap) DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe
I love dry shampoo. I use it almost every day. However, unfortunately, most store-bought dry shampoos are highly toxic.
Dry shampoo might seem like a quick fix, but it can actually be harsh on your health—and not so great for your scalp or hair, either.
There are several all-natural dry shampoos on the market today, many of which I really like.
You can read the article, 5 All-Natural Dry Shampoos You Need to Try, to discover a few of my favorites, but the problem is that they are quite pricey, with some costing as much as $12.
But my homemade dry shampoo costs less than $2 to make and works great!
You only need five ingredients and a few minutes to make it. You can click here for the recipe!
Easy DIY Eye Cream Recipe
You can find pretty good eye creams that are toxin-free, but once again, they tend to be very, very pricey.
This DIY eye cream costs less than $2 to make and is, in my opinion, one of the best eye creams I have ever used.
This homemade eye cream can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. It also helps to moisturize the delicate eye area.
It is a highly effective eye treatment and is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This natural eye cream is rich in antioxidant properties and contains simple ingredients.
You can click here for the recipe.
DIY Vanilla Coconut Body Polish
This is one of the most luxurious bath and body products I have ever made.
This DIY vanilla coconut body polish recipe gently buffs away dead skin cells, leaving behind a heavenly scent and a silky-smooth texture.
This body polish not only exfoliates but also cleanses and moisturizes the skin. I’ve honestly never used anything like it before.
It is one of my absolute favorite homemade products I’ve ever created.
You can click here to get the recipe.
DIY Magnesium Lotion Recipe
I am obsessed with magnesium lotion. I don’t know how I ever lived without it. I have struggled with sleep almost my entire life, and magnesium lotion is like a miracle potion that helps me sleep through the night, every night.
I purchased magnesium lotion from Amazon for years. This one is my absolute favorite. I don’t have any problem with its ingredients, but I decided to make my own from scratch to save money.
My favorite store-bought magnesium lotion costs around $23 for a 5-ounce bottle.
My homemade magnesium lotion costs less than $4 for a 4-ounce jar, allowing you to save a substantial amount of money by making it yourself.
You can click here for the recipe.
All Natural DIY Glass Cleaner
This is the best glass cleaner. Not just the best homemade glass cleaner, but the best glass cleaner period.
You only need four ingredients—water, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and the secret ingredient, cornstarch.
I have been using this homemade glass cleaner recipe for years. I don’t even remember the last time I purchased glass cleaner from the store.
You can click here for the recipe.
Easy DIY Lip Scrub for Soft Lips
Nobody wants dry, flaky lips. But not everyone wants to spend $10-$20 on a store-bought lip scrub either.
The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money to keep your lips soft and smooth.
This DIY lip scrub is super easy to put together, contains only natural ingredients, and costs less than $1.50 to make.
It removes dead skin and hydrates the lips. It is made with caster sugar, a very fine sugar, which makes it really gentle.
You can click here for the recipe.
Best Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
This is one of my favorite homemade products because not only does it work great, but it can replace so many different cleaning products.
It is a true multi-purpose cleaner, and it is 100% natural.
To make it, all you need is water, castile soap, and essential oils. It can be used on countertops, floors, sinks, toilets, stovetops, refrigerators, and virtually any other surface you can think of.
You can click here for the recipe.
Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellent Spray
Store-bought bug repellent is typically filled with toxic chemicals. Many of which have been linked to neurotoxicity. Many also contain DEET, which is a known carcinogen.
This homemade bug repellent spray contains only natural ingredients.
It’s super easy to make, works great, and is 100% toxin-free! And you only need five ingredients to make it!
You can click here for the recipe.
DIY Face Serum for Glowing Skin
Face serum is a product that often contains not-so-great ingredients and can also be quite expensive.
But this DIY face serum is neither of those. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and doesn’t cost a lot to make.
This DIY face serum also has many incredible skin benefits. Below are a few of my favorites!
- Glowing skin
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Even skin tone
- Improve elasticity
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines
You can click here for the recipe.
Tips for Success with DIY Natural Products
For the most part, making DIY natural products is very easy, especially when someone else has already done the formulating and testing. All you have to do is follow the directions and follow them carefully.
However, with that said, there are a few key points to consider when creating homemade products to ensure success.
Always use high-quality, fresh ingredients whenever possible, especially when creating products that will be applied directly to the skin.
Additionally, when creating a product that contains essential oils, it is always best to store it in a glass container, as pure essential oils are highly potent and may begin to deteriorate and leach into the product over time if stored in plastic.
Final Thoughts
Switching to DIY natural products doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—in fact, it often means upgrading it. These homemade alternatives are not only safer and more affordable, but they also work effectively.
Whether you’re looking to ditch toxins, simplify your routine, or just enjoy the satisfaction of making your own products, these 10 DIY natural products are a great place to start. Give one (or all) a try and see for yourself just how powerful natural ingredients can be.
