Remember those big, fluffy powder puffs and the soft scent of body powder? It’s a bit nostalgic, isn’t it? But lately, many folks are looking sideways at the ingredients listed on commercial talcum powders. Concerns about talc, artificial fragrances, and other additives have led lots of us down the path of seeking simpler, more natural alternatives for keeping skin dry and comfortable. Happily, making your own body powder is incredibly easy, surprisingly effective, and lets you control exactly what goes onto your skin. The star of our show today? Humble arrowroot starch.
Why Arrowroot Starch Makes a Fantastic Body Powder Base
You might know arrowroot starch as a thickener for sauces and pies in the kitchen, but its properties make it absolutely perfect for skincare, especially body powders. What makes it so great?
- Silky Smooth Texture: Unlike cornstarch, which can sometimes feel a little gritty depending on the grind, arrowroot starch has an exceptionally fine, silky feel. It glides onto the skin beautifully, leaving a soft, smooth finish without feeling heavy or cakey.
- Gentle Absorbency: Arrowroot does a wonderful job of absorbing excess moisture – think sweat in uncomfortable places during warmer months or after a shower. It helps keep skin feeling dry and fresh without being overly drying or irritating, making it suitable for many skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Natural & Plant-Based: Derived from the rhizomes (rootstock) of the arrowroot plant (Maranta arundinacea), it’s a completely natural, plant-based ingredient. For those looking to avoid minerals like talc or synthetic ingredients, arrowroot is an ideal choice.
- Doesn’t Clog Pores: It’s generally considered non-comedogenic, meaning it’s less likely to clog pores compared to some other ingredients.
Using arrowroot starch as the foundation for your homemade body powder means you’re starting with a gentle, effective, and natural base. From there, you can keep it incredibly simple or customize it to your heart’s content.
The Simplest Homemade Arrowroot Body Powder Recipe
Ready for the easiest recipe ever? Seriously, it barely qualifies as a recipe, it’s that straightforward.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arrowroot Starch (sometimes labelled arrowroot flour – they are typically the same thing)
Instructions:
- Place the arrowroot starch into a clean, dry bowl.
- Whisk it gently to break up any small clumps. Ensure it’s smooth and airy.
- Transfer the powder into a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid. A shaker jar (like one for spices or parmesan cheese, thoroughly cleaned) works brilliantly, or an old powder container, or even just a simple glass jar.
That’s it! You now have a basic, unscented, wonderfully silky body powder. Use it after showering (make sure your skin is completely dry first) or anytime you need a little freshening up. Apply with a clean powder puff, a soft brush, or even just your hands.
Getting Fancy: Customizing Your Arrowroot Powder
While the plain arrowroot powder is fantastic on its own, the real fun begins when you start customizing it. Here are some ideas:
Adding Clays for Extra Absorption and Benefits
Cosmetic clays can boost the absorbent properties of your powder and add some extra skin benefits. Always use cosmetic-grade clays.
- Kaolin Clay (White Clay): This is one of the gentlest clays, known for its mild absorbent properties and soft texture. It blends seamlessly with arrowroot and is great for sensitive skin. Try adding 1/4 cup of kaolin clay to your 1 cup of arrowroot starch.
- Bentonite Clay: Highly absorbent and known for its drawing properties. Use this sparingly, perhaps just a tablespoon or two per cup of arrowroot, as it can be quite powerful and potentially drying if used in large amounts. It also has a stronger colour.
- Rose Clay (Pink Kaolin): Another gentle kaolin clay variation, offering a lovely subtle pink hue and mild properties similar to white kaolin.
How to add clays: Simply add the desired amount of clay to your arrowroot starch in the bowl and whisk thoroughly until completely combined and uniform in colour and texture. Sifting the ingredients together can help ensure a super-fine, clump-free blend.
Incorporating Natural Scents with Essential Oils
Want a scented powder without artificial fragrances? Essential oils are the way to go. However, caution is key!
- Choose Skin-Safe Oils: Select essential oils known to be gentle on the skin. Lavender, chamomile, geranium, sandalwood, and frankincense are often good choices. Avoid potentially irritating oils like cinnamon, clove, peppermint (can be too cooling/tingly for sensitive areas), or certain citrus oils if you have sun exposure concerns (phototoxicity).
- Dilute, Dilute, Dilute: Essential oils are potent. You only need a tiny amount. For 1 cup of powder base, start with just 5-10 drops total.
- Mix Thoroughly: This is crucial for safety and even scent distribution. Add the drops of essential oil to your powder base (arrowroot or arrowroot/clay blend) in the bowl. Use a whisk or fork to break up the oil droplets and distribute them evenly. You may need to whisk for several minutes, pressing any clumps against the side of the bowl. For best results, let the mixture sit in a sealed container for 24-48 hours, shaking occasionally, to allow the scent to mellow and permeate the powder evenly.
- Patch Test: Always perform a patch test on a small area of your inner arm before applying the scented powder liberally, especially if you have sensitive skin. Wait 24 hours to check for any reaction.
Important Safety Note: Avoid inhaling fine powders, including arrowroot starch and clays. When mixing your ingredients, do so gently to minimize airborne dust. Always apply the finished powder in a well-ventilated area and avoid creating large clouds of powder near your face. Keep containers tightly sealed and out of reach of children.
Adding Dried Botanicals (Use Caution)
Finely ground, dried flower petals or herbs can add subtle scent and visual appeal. Think chamomile, lavender buds, or rose petals.
- Grind VERY Finely: They must be ground to an extremely fine powder using a dedicated coffee/spice grinder. Any larger particles will feel scratchy on the skin.
- Use Sparingly: Too much botanical matter can affect the powder’s texture and absorbency. Start with a tablespoon or two per cup of base powder.
- Ensure Thoroughly Dry: The botanicals must be completely dry to prevent spoilage or mold in your powder.
Mixing botanicals requires extra care to ensure they are fine enough not to irritate the skin.
Tips for Storage and Use
To get the most out of your lovely homemade body powder:
- Storage: Keep your powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Bathrooms can be humid, so a bedroom drawer or linen closet might be better. Moisture is the enemy!
- Application: As mentioned, a clean powder puff, a large makeup brush (kabuki style works well), or a shaker jar are great application methods. Ensure skin is fully dry before applying to prevent clumping.
- Target Areas: Focus on areas prone to moisture or chafing – underarms (though it’s not an antiperspirant), under the bust, inner thighs, feet, or anywhere skin rubs together.
- Make Small Batches: While it stores well if kept dry, making smaller batches more frequently ensures maximum freshness, especially if you’re incorporating essential oils whose scent can fade over time.
Enjoy Your Natural Creation!
Making your own arrowroot body powder is a simple act of self-care. It connects you to the ingredients you’re using, avoids unnecessary additives, and provides a wonderfully silky, absorbent powder perfectly tailored to your preferences. Whether you keep it pure and simple or customize it with clays and gentle scents, you’ll appreciate the natural comfort it brings to your daily routine. Ditch the dubious ingredients and embrace the simple effectiveness of nature!
