How to Make Homemade Scented Dusting Powder

Dusting powder provides soothing relief for skin that has been irritated by exposure to heat and moisture. A light coat of dusting powder also prevents further chafing. Powder forms a kind of anti-friction coating that allows your skin to rub against skin, clothing or shoes without any irritation. Many people prefer to avoid talcum powder---made from ground minerals---because it's not good to breathe. Arrowroot, corn or rice starch are good substitutes for talcum. They are made from grain that's been dried and powdered. These steps will show you how to make homemade scented dusting powder at a fraction of the commercial price.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 cups cornstarch 1 cup arrowroot or rice starch Sterile containers Fine mesh sifter Few drops essential oil Clean containers Rubber or vinyl gloves

1. Start with a clean bowl. You may use a mixture of the three starches, or just use one kind. With gloved hands, mix the powders together in a mixing bowl.

2. Using the essential oil of your choice, add drop by drop and mix it through the powder. Use your hands and lift the powder up slowly and carefully until the scent is mixed through. You will see small clumps where the starch is wet.

3. Using a flour sifter or a fine-mesh strainer, sift the powder back and forth until there are no more clumps.

4. Put the scented powder into containers and enjoy.

5. You can buy supplies, get complete recipes and even find instructional videos at the website for Snowdrift Farms, listed in
   Resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with oils: baby oil will give the traditonal "baby powder" smell to your powder. Lavender oil is popular, as are vanilla and mint oils.
• Be careful not to add too much scent. A little goes a long way.

Resources

• Snowdrift Farm