Hello friends! Today I’m excited to share how simple it is to make your own fragrant, skin-friendly shower gel at home. This DIY shower gel is gentle, uses natural ingredients, and lets you customize scents with your favorite essential oils. Whether you’re trying to avoid harsh chemicals in store-bought products or you just enjoy crafting your own bath essentials, this recipe is easy, economical, and fun to personalize.
For a long time I enjoyed buying scented shower gels, but after learning more about common ingredients in commercial bath products, I began switching to more natural options. Making your own shower gel gives you complete control over the ingredients and the scent, and it only takes a few minutes to mix a fresh batch.
This particular blend I’m sharing here combines Castile soap with honey, jojoba oil, vitamin E, glycerin, and a woody-citrus essential oil mix that evokes warm spiced cider and evergreen—perfect for cozy shower moments. Below you’ll find the full ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, tips for adjusting texture and scent, and safety notes so you can enjoy a lovely, natural body wash made at home.
What you’ll need:
- 2/3 cup Castile soap
- 2 tablespoons raw honey (locally sourced or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
- Essential oil combination of your choice. Example blend used here:
- 6 drops of a festive orange-spice blend (or Orange essential oil)
- 4 drops Idaho Blue Spruce (or another spruce/evergreen essential oil)
The orange adds a bright, fruity top note while spruce and a touch of clove or spice produce a warm, resinous base—like enjoying hot spiced cider by the tree. You can experiment with other blends: vanilla and lime, lavender and rosemary, or eucalyptus and peppermint for an invigorating shower experience. Use whatever essential oils you prefer and always follow recommended dilution rates for topical use.
How to Make your Own Sweet & Sassy Spruce Shower Gel
- Combine all ingredients in a clean bowl: Castile soap, raw honey, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin, and your chosen essential oils.
- Whisk gently until the honey and oils are fully incorporated into the soap. The honey helps to add slip and mild nourishing properties, while glycerin adds humectant benefits and jojoba and vitamin E provide light conditioning for the skin.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean 8 oz. squeeze bottle or pump bottle for easy use in the shower. Make sure the container and lid are sanitized before filling.
- Use in the shower as you would any shower gel. A small amount goes a long way—apply directly with hands, a washcloth, or a sponge, lather, then rinse thoroughly.
Tips and variations: If you prefer a thicker gel, add a pinch of salt (dissolved first in a little warm water) or increase the glycerin slightly—add sparingly and test until you reach the desired consistency. For a milder scent, reduce the number of essential oil drops. If you want a foaming experience, use a foaming dispenser and dilute the mixture slightly with distilled water, but keep in mind adding water can shorten shelf life unless a preservative is used.
Safety and storage: Because this formula is mainly soap and oil-based with no water added, it’s relatively stable, but it’s best to make small batches and store the bottle in a cool, dark place. Always patch-test new essential oil blends on a small area of skin to check for sensitivity, avoid eye contact, and keep out of reach of children. If you notice any change in color, odor, or texture, discard and make a fresh batch.
Making your own shower gel is a rewarding way to control ingredients, reduce waste by reusing bottles, and craft a scent that’s uniquely yours. Enjoy experimenting with blends and formulations to find the perfect natural shower gel for your household.