Sticky skin, chafing, and over-scented body powders get old fast. This simple homemade dusting powder handles moisture, softens that tacky just-got-dressed feeling, and lets you skip the mystery-fragrance aisle altogether (which is rarely doing anyone favors). You can mix it in minutes and keep it ready right where you need it.
Making your own usually costs less than buying a comparable body powder. Using current retail pricing, 1 cup baking soda from a 1-pound box at about $1.42 plus 1 cup cornstarch from a standard container comes out to roughly a couple of dollars for the batch before fragrance, while store-bought body powders often cost more per container. You also control the scent completely by choosing your own essential oil, or leaving it lightly scented if you prefer.
You only need 3 materials for this batch: baking soda, cornstarch, and 8 to 10 drops of essential oil. The original method stores the finished powder in a pretty tin with a powder puff, so have a bowl or jar for mixing and a tightly sealing container ready to keep the powder dry and fresh.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools and Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Dusting Powder
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🛡️ Safety and Care
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Dusting Powder
- 📌 Love this Homemade Dusting Powder? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Homemade Dusting Powder
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 c. baking soda
- 1 c. cornstarch
- 8-10 drops essential oil, scent of your choice
Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl or jar
- Spoon or whisk
- Pretty tin
- Powder puff
How to Make Dusting Powder
- Combine 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup cornstarch in a bowl or jar.
- Add 8 to 10 drops of essential oil in the scent of your choice.
- Mix well until the fragrance is evenly distributed through the powder.
- Transfer the dusting powder to a pretty tin.
- Add a powder puff for easy application.
- Seal the container tightly so the powder stays dry and keeps its fragrance.
Customization Ideas
This base recipe stays simple on purpose, which makes it easy to tailor without changing the method. Choose a floral, citrus, or clean herbal essential oil if you want a more noticeable scent, or keep the fragrance very light for everyday use.
You can also package the powder in a decorative tin for a simple gift. Pair it with a fresh powder puff and a handwritten label, and it looks far more thoughtful than the five-minute assembly job it actually was.
How to Use It
Dust a small amount onto clean, dry skin with the powder puff wherever you want a drier, smoother feel. A little goes a long way, so start lightly and add more only if needed.
This works best when the powder stays dry and loose. If you use it in a humid bathroom, close the container promptly after each use.
Safety and Care
Keep the container tightly closed when you’re not using it, and store it away from excess heat and moisture. The FDA advises keeping cosmetic containers clean and tightly closed, which helps powders keep their texture and reduces the chance of moisture-related spoilage.
Use the powder only on clean, dry skin, and stop using it if it causes irritation. Avoid getting loose powder near your eyes or creating clouds of powder that are easy to inhale.
Storage
Store the dusting powder in a pretty tin with a tight seal. It’s best to ensure the container seals tightly so the powder stays dry and keeps its fragrance.
If the powder develops an off smell, changes texture, or gets damp and clumpy, make a fresh batch. Powder products last better when you keep moisture out of the container.
Cost Breakdown
Estimated project cost: about $2.25 to $3.50 per batch, depending on the brand of cornstarch and essential oil you use. That estimate includes the consumable materials only, not the tin, powder puff, or mixing tools.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Baking soda at Walmart
- Cornstarch at Walmart
- Essential oils on Amazon
- Powder puffs on Amazon
- Decorative powder tins on Amazon
- More homemade household recipes on Budget101
Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Dusting Powder
Yes. The recipe still works without it. The essential oil only adds scent, so if you’d rather keep the powder unscented, just leave it out.
Use a tin or container that seals tightly. That’s the best way to keep the powder dry, loose, and pleasantly scented instead of damp and clumpy.
No, but it does make application easier and less messy. If you don’t have one, use clean, dry hands and apply a very small amount.
Make a fresh batch if it smells off, feels damp, or develops clumps that don’t break apart easily. Powder products don’t handle moisture well, so texture changes are your first warning sign.
You can, but start with the stated amount first. Too much oil can create damp spots in the powder and make the texture less even, which defeats the whole point.
This recipe uses them as a simple blended powder base. Cornstarch helps keep the texture soft and powdery, while baking soda is included as part of the original formula.
You can, but a humid bathroom may shorten its usable life. If that’s where you’ll keep it, close the lid promptly after each use and avoid letting steam build up inside the container.
Yes. A pretty tin, a powder puff, and a simple label turn it into an easy low-cost gift that still feels useful and polished.
Absolutely. Just keep the same ratio of 1 cup baking soda to 1 cup cornstarch and scale the essential oil gradually so you can control the scent.
📌 Love this Homemade Dusting Powder? Pin it!
Did you try this project? Tell me what scent you used or how you packaged it for gifting.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Homemade Dusting Powder
Homemade Dusting Powder
Equipment
Materials
- 1 c. baking soda
- 1 c. cornstarch
- 8-10 drops essential oil scent of your choice
Instructions
- Combine 1 c. baking soda and 1 c. cornstarch in a bowl or jar.
- Add 8-10 drops essential oil, scent of your choice.
- Mix well.
- Store the dusting powder in a pretty tin with a powder puff.
- Ensure the container seals tightly so the powder stays dry and keeps its fragrance.
- Estimated cost is based on consumable materials only and will vary by brand and local prices.
- Store in a tightly sealed container so the powder stays dry and keeps its fragrance.
- Avoid getting loose powder near your eyes or inhaling it.
