When I first became a mom, I started to question the ingredients in everything I put on my baby. Unfortunately, there weren’t 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. Up until recently companies like Johnson & Johnson used talcum powder as the main ingredient in their baby powder. The problem is talc is commonly contaminated with cancer causing asbestos. Now, 57,000 lawsuits later, J&J recently swapped out the talc for corn starch in their talc-free baby powder.

Even with the new formulations though there are still some issues for sensitive skin. There’s the fragrance which is linked with allergen concerns and endocrine disruption. Or the benzyl salicylate which has a high risk of allergies and immunotoxicity… but only if it’s in powder form.

When I had really little ones, I wanted personal care products that were also safe for my baby’s skin. Thankfully there are natural baby powders and baby products out there that are safe on baby’s bottom.

Make Your Own Homemade Baby Powder

I did find a few good store-bought alternatives, like this organic one from Eraorganics and Little Twig Baby Powder. However, I wanted to find a good DIY version. I suspected if I could make it, I’d save money and be able to customize it.

Unlike some body care recipes that require many attempts before I find a recipe I love, this one was relatively simple. 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. Some recipes add some blend of kaolin clay, baking soda, or tapioca starch. I’ve also experimented with adding a few drops of chamomile essential oil and it worked really well too. Tea tree or lavender essential oil are good substitutes if you don’t have chamomile.

I found this was easiest to use when I stored it in a powdered sugar shaker. 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.

4.52 from 25 votes

Homemade Baby Powder Recipe

This simple recipe features soothing ingredients for baby's bottom. Great to reduce moisture on skin for adults too!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Yield: cup

Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Shaker jar
Coffee grinder (or blender)

Materials

1 tsp chamomile flowers (or 2 drops chamomile essential oil)
1 tsp calendula flowers (optional)
½ cup arrowroot powder (or non-GMO cornstarch)

Instructions

If using chamomile or calendula flowers, powder them in the blender or coffee grinder (see note below for tips).
Mix the finely ground flowers, or essential oil if using, with the arrowroot powder and store in a glass jar, spice jar, or sugar shaker for easy use.

Notes

You can add a few Tablespoons of the arrowroot powder to the coffee grinder with the flowers and essential oils. Blending them together this way better incorporates the ingredients and avoids clumping. Just wait for the powder to settle before you open the lid!

How to Use Baby Powder

Baby powder is helpful for more than just babies! Women have used it for decades as part of their skincare routine. Body powder helps absorb excess sweat and moisture on skin. It’s also helpful to keep baby’s bottom dry to prevent diaper rash. And when you add soothing herbs it can help the skin recover faster.

More Baby Skincare Recipes

If you have a little one or are looking for some baby shower gifts give one of these recipes a try.

Have you made your own baby skincare products before? What are your favorite products to make? Leave a comment and let us know!

Sources

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

50 responses to “Homemade Baby Powder”

catherine

June 10, 2016

if i dont use arrowroot i can just use the cornstarch? The same amount?
Thanks – Btw: love your blog!!!!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 10, 2016
  
  Yes.
  
  Reply
Mallory Choyce

June 1, 2016

Hi I had a question I’ve done so much research now about homemade natural everything my lil one has inherited her daddy’s super sensitive skin almost all over the OTC cause issues any way to the questions could I add a tbs or tsp of benoinde clay podwer? With its extra anti microbial effect since arrowroot and cornstarch both hold the yeast in see yeast infections are our issue.

My last question is I’ve searched far and wide on the net I know that
org coco oil amazing for yeast but as it is a oil it doesn’t stay put…oily
Shea butter amazing for yeast with the vitamins and fatty acids all do the trick with tea tree, lavender, and camomile oils essential and blend then and they make a creamy. I’m desperate to find something that STAYS PUT like ex a&d an ointment not a cream that doesn’t give a barrier. N she’s allergic to zinc oxide pls help!! Anyone pls help!! I loathe going to her dr for script cause while it gets rid of it..it cause a total ph imbalance and the cycle repeats it’s MADDENING. Thank so much for your help and for listen to my frustrating ramblings!

Reply
1. Tremaine
  
  July 8, 2016
  
  I use lanolin for my little ones–the main ingredient in A&D ointment. Only a little is needed as the lanolin that I use is 100% pure. Any diaper rash will be gone within hours. Lanolin is also good for eczema as well as for use for sore/ cracked nipples after nursing. I use the Now Foods brand.
  
  Reply
  1. Mallory choyce
    
    July 10, 2016
    
    Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to me with helpful info you’re the only person who has so far..I’m grateful for you and I just bought it offline..
    
    Reply
Janice

May 3, 2016

Today, May 3, 2016, our local news said that Johnson and Johnson is being sued AGAIN because their baby powder used in women’s genial area causes ovarian cancer. I don’t know why anyone would put the powder there, but it made me wonder if mom’s are putting this product on/in their baby girls when they diaper the child! How awful!!
I’ve used baby powder for years after a shower, only on proper places, but not after today! I don’t even want to breath it!!
Thank you, Katie. I’m making your recipe for baby powder for me, an adult.

Reply
1. Darlene
  
  June 9, 2021
  
  “Only on proper places.” ? People use powder WHEREVER they want to feel dry and comfortable. The “proper places” are subjected.
  
  Reply
Missie

April 23, 2016

I mix this with olive oil and it works better than any cream. If baby has a rash, it will be gone the next day.

Reply
Kem

February 27, 2016

Can i add Organic Coconut in Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder ? For baby use.

Reply
1. cheyenne
  
  September 10, 2016
  
  The baby powder I normally use is just arrow root powder and coconut powder its called natures paradise organic coconut baby powder I refuse to use any thing else but its expensive so I just started making my own. I use organic coconut flour since its just super fine coconut.
  
  Reply
Jasmin

February 25, 2016

Hi Katie
I have been making the nappy cream for my granddaughter and my daughter has always used it since the baby was born. She has never had nappy rash! Just a minor hick-up this time, I put the Shea butter to melt with the coconut oil and now it is runny. Would adding more arrowroot thicken the cream more?
Best wishes. J

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  February 26, 2016
  
  It should thicken over a few days, or more arrowroot can help thicken as well.
  
  Reply
David

October 13, 2015

Probably a stupid question, but if you are using an essential oil how do you get it in the mix? Can you just drop it in the arrowroot powder and shake it well do distribute it? Thanks!

Reply
1. Diane
  
  February 29, 2016
  
  I read that if you put a cotton ball with some of the essential oil you will get the scent without the clumping.
  
  Reply
  1. Lisa
    
    June 11, 2020
    
    I make deodorant that I put EO’s into. Yes it clumps, I just use a fork to distribute it. Someone above mentioned a coffee grinder. Good idea. I’m going to buy one designated for only things with EO’s. Like the idea of the cotton ball as well.
    
    Reply
Maura

August 21, 2015

Skylar,
I remember my mom using cornstarch, substitute for arrowroot, for my little sister cloth diapers. She never had el problem with it. Hope this helped.
Also, I would to add that my husband and kiddos use this at home for skin rash, armpit or private area, it works pretty well from babies to adults. ?

Reply
Skylar

July 14, 2015

We clothe diaper our son and over the weekend he got a terrible diaper rash. Normally we use coconut oil as our diaper cream but I need something thicker. I like this recipe and have most of these ingredients but before I make it I just want to confirm that it’s clothe diaper friendly and whether or not I Need to use a liner. I would prefer not to. Has anyone tried this with there clothe diapers?

Reply
Julie

June 13, 2015

Can thIs be used with cloth diapers?
Thanks!

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  June 13, 2015
  
  I have used it with cloth diapers
  
  Reply
Anna

May 27, 2015

Hi,
I was wondering if there is an alternative for arrowroot powder, since I can’t find it in my country?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  May 31, 2015
  
  Cornstarch works too!
  
  Reply
  1. Stacy
    
    September 14, 2016
    
    I use cornstarch with a couple drops of tea tree oil and peppermint oil for my daughter. She has numerous allergies which leaves her with hives and itchy skin all over. It has certainly helped her.
    
    Reply
    1. Tawana
      
      July 5, 2022
      
      I used peppermint oil on me and it doesn’t feel good.
      
      Reply
Letitia

May 22, 2015

Hello,

I absolutely love your ideas and recipes! I am 22 weeks and I want to start making stuff for my baby girl before she arrives however I am very new to it all so I know little.

Are the recipes for body care able to be made this early in my pregnancy or will I have to wait closer to the time ???

I want to start preparing my house and would love helpful tips/ideas to what I can start making this early.

Thanks
😀

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  May 23, 2015
  
  I”d wait until closer. Congratulations on your pregnancy!
  
  Reply
2. Natalee Darden
  
  January 9, 2020
  
  Where do you find the chamomile and calendula flowers?
  
  Reply
Marjorie

May 13, 2015

Hi Katie! Thanks you so much for all these recipes! Tryin to get all the baby products made before my baby arrives.
How do you get the flowers to a powder?? Does my food processor just suck? The chamomile flowers are ground a bit but the calendula just fly around in there with the blade. What can I do? Maybe add a bit of water to the processor to weigh down the flowers then allow the powder to dry…?
Or what if I just put the whole flowers in with the arrowroot powder. I have a shaker with a mess lid so the flowers can’t get through. Would that have any effect or just be pointless?
Please help! Thanks! Otherwise I’m just goin with plain arrowroot power.

Reply
Lisa

April 18, 2015

Hi there. I made this just adding essential oil, not the flowers, but it doesn’t come out of the shaker very well. Frustrating. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  April 18, 2015
  
  You could try sifting it, or allowing it to dry out more… It sounds like it may be too moist and is clumping.
  
  Reply
Jeremy

March 23, 2015

Do u prefer chamomile or calendula? Also I got some lavender laying around can I throw it in the mix or is it a waste?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  March 25, 2015
  
  Calendula is better for skin…
  
  Reply
  1. Karmamichele
    
    June 17, 2016
    
    What about Sandlewood? I have chamomile, Calendula & Sandlewood, and I know sandlewood is good for skin and smells great, I just don’t know if it is ok for babies??
    
    Reply
Katie

March 14, 2015

I made this the other day for my grandmother (she likes baby powder instead of using deodorant) and it has become clumpy. It won’t come out of the powder bottle so she takes the lid off to get it out. It comes out in balls (that turn to powder when you touh them). Any suggestions? My mom suggested putting rice in it to help soak up some of the moisture. Thanks!

Reply
Lene

February 12, 2015

Any powder alternatives if you can’t get calendula or chamomile?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 14, 2015
  
  You can leave them out… they just improve smell and offer some additional benefits but plain arrowroot will work
  
  Reply
Marjorie

February 6, 2015

So i put my flowers in a food processor but could not get it super fine. Transferred to a mortar and pestle and continued to crush it, but cannot quite get it to a fine powder. Does it need to be as fine as the arrowroot or is it ok if there are flakes? Don’t know if I love the idea of the flakes on my baby’s bottom. What can I do?

Reply
1. Heather
  
  November 13, 2015
  
  I think I will use a coffee grinder?? I use one for spices so I thought I will buy one that is another color and use for herbals.
  
  Reply
Alysia

January 29, 2015

How long does this last for? I am a new mom and would like to start making some of these recipes before my little baby arrives in April. Is this baby powder something I could do in advance and it would still be good?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 5, 2015
  
  The powder can be made ahead of time. 🙂 Congrats on your pregnancy!
  
  Reply
  1. Jamie
    
    October 1, 2016
    
    Katie can adults use this powder also? My husband and I work outside and sweat alot can we use it everyday? And should I add different oils for us?
    
    Reply
Kimberly King

January 3, 2015

Love this recipe. We have used Redmond Clay in powder form for years as our baby powder. It is AMAZING!!!

Reply
1. Dani
  
  December 6, 2015
  
  Hi Kimberly! I have been trying to find a shaker that is a good price, and is not metal so I can use the Redmond Clay… What did you find was best for applying/shaking out the powder onto baby bums??
  
  Reply