When I first became a mom almost a decade ago, I started to question the ingredients in everything I put on my baby. Unfortunately, there were not good answers to most of my questions. One product I was surprised to find had problematic ingredients was baby powder.
The problem with baby powder…
Innocent though it seems, baby powder often has some hidden ingredients. Some regular baby powder contain talc, which is closely related to asbestos and has been linked to various cancers. Please don’t put it on your baby’s tender tushie! There are natural alternatives that are incredibly easy to make and work better without the side of cancer.
I did find a few good store-bought alternatives like Burt’s Bees Baby Powder and Little Twig Unscented Baby Powder but I also wanted to find a good DIY version. I suspected that if I could make it, I’d save money and be able to customize it.
Unlike some beauty recipes that require many attempts before I find a recipe I love, this one was relatively simple and straightforward. Just a natural powder of some kind and optional herbs or essential oils.
Baby Powder Ingredients
I settled on using arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch as the base and added powdered herbs like chamomile and calendula to sooth sore bottoms. I’ve also experimented with adding just a couple drops of chamomile essential oil and it worked really well too.
I found this was easiest to use when I stored it in a powdered sugar shaker. (This is a great price on a set of two) I also package homemade baby powder in these with a recipe card of how to make more when I give this as a baby gift.
If you’re worried about what comes in contact with your baby’s delicate skin, consider making your own baby powder or using an organic option.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
- 1 tsp chamomile or calendula flowers, powdered in the blender or food processor or a few drops of chamomile essential oil
Instructions:
Powder the chamomile or calendula if using. Mix with the arrowroot powder and store in a glass jar or sugar shaker (see links above) for easy use. Use as you would regular baby powder.