What are some of the natural preservatives that could be added in my homemade natural bodywash? - #23089

Hey Mahi, its interesting you are trying making ng natural products yourself!

Potassium Sorbate can be used,its Widely used in natural cosmetics,it Preserves water-based products.

Use at 0.1–0.2%, dissolve in warm water first.

**Needs pH < 6 to work effectively ,you can lower pH with citric acid if needed

##Essential Oils (EOs)-Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary(Add 0.5–1%for added preservation )

Neem and tulsi can also be used

Important: Always do a patch test and avoid overuse, especially on sensitive skin. Store in a sterile, dark glass or PET plastic bottle, in a cool, dry place.

Don’t make large batches – limit to 2–3 weeks’ worth.

Shake well before use.

Monitor for odor or texture changes – discard if you notice anything unusual.

Hey Mahi, there is wonderful organic soap nut obtained fron nature named “RITA”.

bring them from any organic stores, wash them and store that soapy, foamy water, use it as a natural body and hair cleanser.

you also can mix aloe vera, tulsi, neem, hibiscus gel, flax seeds gel for hair use. it is naturally frothy and foamy.

please try and let me know.

HELLO MAHI,

you want to premix your daily herbal body wash powder with water and store it for 2-3 weeks safely without chemical preservatives.

WHY PRESERVATION IS NEEDED? when you add water to any herbs; powder, it becomes a highly perishable medium- bacteria, mild, and yeast can grow within 24-48 hours unless preserved. Ayurveda offers natural antimicrobial and antioxidant botanicals that delay spoilage while enhancing the therapeutic effect.

PREPARE THIS AYURVEDIC PRESERVATIVE LIQUID BASE-DECOCTION for 1L base water -boil the following in 1.5 litre water till it reduces to 1 litre . cool and strain

ingredients -NEEM LEAVES OR POWDER= 1 TBSP -TULSI LEAVES(FRESH/DRY)= 15-20 -TRIPHALA POWDER- 1 TSP -AMLA POWDER= 1 TSP -VETIVER ROOT= 5GMS -BHIMSENI CAMPHOR- A PINCH(ADD AFTER COOLING) -SHUDDHA GHANDHAK- TINY PINCH(ONLY PURIFIED ONE-REMEMBER)

strain, cool, store in amber glass bottle -you can use this decoction as your body wash mixing liquid or mix with your body wash powder in a batch and store in fridge.

READY-TO-USE BODYWASH MIX

IN A CLEAN CONTAINER MIX -100 gm of your herbal powder(eg Multani Mitti, Chandan, rose, neem,haldi) -150-200 ml of above decoction ADD- 1 tsp Aloe Vera Gel-for smootheness ADD- 1-2 drops lavender or tea tree essential oil=for antifungal and for fragrance

SHELF-LIFE IN FRIDGE- 2-3 weeks OUTSIDE FRIDGE- cool dark area- for 5-7 days max

STORAGE AND SAFETY TIPS

-use boiled, filtered water= avoids initial microbial contamination -use glass or PET containers, not metal= prevents oxidation/reaction -Add Camphor and Ghandhak after cooling= heat destroys their volatile compounds -Avoid dipping fingers into the jar= use a clean spoon/spatula to avoid contamination -Shake bottle daily if no thickener used= herbal powders can settle down

#BENEFITES OF USING AYURVVEDIC PRESERVATIVE BASE -100% chemical free yet safe for multiple days -no synthetic parabens or alcohol - enrich with tridosha balancing herbs -mild fragrance with natural skin rejuvinator

Your idea to shift to a more convenient yet natural method with ayurvedic preventive care. by creating body wash base that incorporates rakshoghna drives like neem, tulsi and triphala you’re not only preserving the product, but also enhancing its skin healing properties.

with proper hygiene and correct storage , your herbal body wash can last 2-3 weeks safely without any synthetic preservative

hope this might clear your all doubts and this is helpful to yoy

do follow

thank you

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

NAMASTE MAHI JI,

That’s the great initiative, making your own natural bodywash is not eco-conscious and skin-friendly. If you’re planning to premix your powdered bodywash with water and store it for few weeks, adding natural preservatives is essential to prevent microbial growth- bacteria, fungi, mold, especially since water drastically reduces shelf life.

1)VITAMIN E(TOCOPHEROL) -antioxidant, help prevent oils from going rancid. -works best in oil based products - not enough alone for water based formulas -can be combine with other natural preservatives

2)GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT(GSE) -Antimicrobial and anti fungal -add 0.5% to 1% of total volume -use a pure, high quality GSE - not the diluted ones with synthetic additives

3)NEEM OIL antibacterial , anti fungal, and anti viral -use sparingly (0.5%-1%) it has a strong smell. -works best when combined with other preservatives

4)ROSEMARY EXTRACT -anti oxidant and mild antimicrobial -helps extend the shelf life especially of herbal ingredients

5)POTASSIUM SORBATE -naturally derived salt of sorbic acid -effective against moles and yeasts -use 0.1-0.3% of total weight -best in product with ph<6

6)RADISH ROOT FERMENT -natural preservative derived from fermented radish -broad spectrum antibacterial use ar 2-4% keeps your formula fully natural and safe

-store your ready made mix in a sterile amber glass bottle or dark PET bottle -keep in a cool, dry place-ideally refrigerated -shake before use to redistribute herbs/actives -make in small batches-for 1-2 weeks max even with preservatives

-do not rely solely on essential oils as preservatives. they are antimicrobial to an extent, but not enough to prevent microbial contamination in water based product

hope this might be helpful

thank you

DR.HEMANSHU MEHTA

When creating a homemade natural bodywash, integrating natural preservatives can indeed extend its shelf-life while staying true to Ayurvedic principles. It’s understandable and quite common to seek convenience without compromising on the purity of ingredients.

One option you might consider is using extracts like grapefrut seed extract. It’s known for its antimicrobial properties and is a frequently used natural preservative. As per the Ayurvedic texts, neem oil could also be considered; neem has been praised in classical texts for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, keep in mind neem oil’s strong scent and potency, so use sparingly, maybe just a few drops.

Rosemary extract is another choice. It’s widely used for its antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits and aligns with Ayurvedic focus on purity and balance. These extracts can be included in small amounts, as too much could affect the formulae’s balance.

When it comes to naturally preserving aqueous solutions like your bodywash, ensure you’re storing it in conditions that minimize contamination risk. Use a dark glass bottle to protect it from light degradation and keep it in a cool, dry place.

Remember to test on a small skin patch before widespread use, especially if you’re introducing new ingredients. The Prakriti (individual constitution) plays a significant role in how these are received by the skin.

Finally, regularly ensuring cleanliness during your mixing and storage process will help keep things germ-free and safe.

These are some options for you to think about. But ensure to check the reaction with your skin type, especially if you have a dosha imbalance. If you have any adverse reactions, it’s wise to discontinue immediately and consult a professional.