4 DIY Personal Care Products Inspired by the Great Depression
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During the Great Depression, resourcefulness and frugality were key to survival. People learned to make their own personal care products using simple, inexpensive ingredients that were readily available.
Today, as consumers seek more natural, budget-friendly alternatives, many of these DIY beauty solutions from the 1930s are making a comeback.
Here’s how you can recreate Depression-era personal care products at home — effective, sustainable, and kind to your wallet.
Table of contents
1. DIY shampoo: baking soda and vinegar wash
Back in the 1930s, commercial shampoos were a luxury few could afford, so people turned to basic ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to cleanse their hair.
This 2-item DIY shampoo recipe is not only budget-friendly but also a natural alternative to today’s chemical-laden products.
How to make it:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water. Apply to your scalp, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a vinegar rinse by mixing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. This balances the scalp’s pH and adds shine to your hair.
Recommended product:
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda - available on Amazon, this trusted brand provides a bulk option that is perfect for your DIY shampoo needs.
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda
2. Natural hair conditioner: egg yolk treatment
Eggs were an affordable and nutritious staple during the Great Depression, and people also used them as natural hair conditioners.
The proteins in egg yolks nourish hair, making it softer and shinier. Here’s how to make a simple DIY hair conditioner.
How to make it:
- Beat one egg yolk and apply it to clean, damp hair.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water (to avoid cooking the egg).
Recommended product:
The brush, clips and bowl from the Yexixsr Hair Coloring Dyeing Kit will make it much easier to apply the egg to your hair.
Yexixsr Hair Coloring Dyeing Kit
3. Homemade lip balm: beeswax and coconut oil
During the Depression, many people made their own lip balm using basic ingredients like beeswax and oils. To replicate this old Great Depression-style beauty product, here’s an easy recipe for a DIY lip balm with coconut oil.
How to make it:
- Melt 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil together in a double boiler.
- Pour the mixture into a small container and let it solidify.
- Apply to your lips for deep, natural moisture.
Recommended product:
Beesworks Beeswax Pellets - these high-quality beeswax pellets are ideal for DIY lip balms and other natural beauty products.
Beesworks Beeswax Pellets
4. DIY toothpaste: baking soda and salt
Toothpaste was another luxury item in the 1930s. Instead, people used a mixture of baking soda and salt to keep their teeth clean. This simple blend is effective at polishing teeth and freshening breath.
Though make sure you don't overdo it as this DIY toothpaste recipe is a little bit rougher on the teeth than a modern-day toothpaste.
How to make it:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with ½ teaspoon of salt.
- Wet your toothbrush, dip it into the mixture, and brush as usual.
Recommended product:
Redmond Real Salt Ancient Sea Salt - A natural sea salt rich in minerals, perfect for your homemade toothpaste blend.
Redmond Real Salt Ancient Sea Salt
Frugal care and beauty products
The beauty and personal care solutions of the Great Depression teach us that less can be more. These DIY personal care recipes are not only affordable but also natural, simple, and effective.
Whether you're looking to cut costs, avoid synthetic chemicals, or embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, these Depression-era beauty secrets can help you do just that.
By incorporating these homemade products into your routine, you’ll be treating your body to gentle, nourishing ingredients while staying true to the principles of frugality and simplicity.
Which DIY personal care product will you be trying first? Comment down below.
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