Homemade VS Store bought (cost effectiveness)

[hnntrr]

Hello,
To those of you who use homemade products instead of store bought, is either one just more cost effective? I am wondering this because I want to try cutting down on buying products and start using natural ingredients.

 

[Ogoma]

I formulate my own body products and it is way cheaper for me. I have not started on hair stuff yet but, calculating the cost per oz, it is still way cheaper for me. This is with me using premium ingredients because I am formulating for fun for me, family and friends, with no plans to sell to anyone.

I think a mixture of glycerin/honey and oil will make just as good as a moisturizing deep conditioner as any you might buy. Where it gets tricky are protein conditioners since you need something penetrative, but you can buy SAA or hydrolyzed proteins and add it to your mixture.

 

[snoop]

I found that making my own personal products was worth it. First, I learned how ingredients work in general. Second, I learned what ingredients worked for me (i.e. I payed more attention to the ingredients themselves as opposed to a brand or jarred product).

I can control the quantities of each ingredient and I also learned how much you "should" use of each thing and why.

The upfront costs are greater, but if I want, I can try new formulations each time I make something just by changing the ratios. No need to buy anything new.

The other drawback is once you start making one product that works, you'll want to get into making a whole body care line and trying new ingredients...a PJ of another kind...

 

[Beany]

I agree with Ogoma and snoop. I make some of my products and it's always cheaper in the long run.

 

[Ogoma]

I found that making my own personal products was worth it. First, I learned how ingredients work in general. Second, I learned what ingredients worked for me (i.e. I payed more attention to the ingredients themselves as opposed to a brand or jarred product). I can control the quantities of each ingredient and I also learned how much you "should" use of each thing and why. The upfront costs are greater, but if I want, I can try new formulations each time I make something just by changing the ratios. No need to buy anything new. The other drawback is once you start making one product that works, you'll want to get into making a whole body care line and trying new ingredients...a PJ of another kind...

Tell me about it. I have put myself on an ingredient no-buy. I got into cosmeceuticals that can be pretty expensive so really had to pull back.

I agree the upfront costs are higher, but most of these ingredients last two or more years. You can spend $150 and have enough to make conditioner, shampoo, butters, hair milks, and lotions for two years. I only use long lasting oils in my formulations.

 

[mshoneyfly]

I agree with Ogoma and snoop. You still have to buy stuff in the beginning but in the long run it is cheaper. Also, the ingredients are the most important thing whether store bought or homemade. For instance, if a product has hydrolyzed keratin or keratin amino acids with little to no cones and no parabens, then its prob gonna work for me no matter the brand.

Basic stuff for moisturizing DC include raw honey, veg glycerin, avj, avg, pink Australian clay powder, henna powder, raw cocoa, kokum, shea and mango butters, SAA powder, henna and other ayurvedic powders etc.

I also rinse my hair with tea, coconut milk and/or coconut water; all cheap rinses for hair.

I still use some store bought conditioners and sulfate free poos but I get them all on the ground. I love making

I LOVE this HHJ!!

 

[Prettymetty]

Homemade is more cost effective and lasts longer. I buy ingredients in bulk (evoo, aloe vera juice and essential oils). Store bought stuff can get really expensive, especially if u are a pj like I used to be

 

[Ogoma]

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[JudithO]

I make a lot of my stuff.... I recently nailed my perfect DC formulation (includes protein).... I think it's more expensive to make than buy especially here in the US... Once you find your staple products, you can stock up when it's on sale, use coupons etc.. Some others are just not worth the time making..

 

[PeaceFlow]

I've started making my own hair spritz. It is very cost effective.

 

[Ogoma]

I make a lot of my stuff.... I recently nailed my perfect DC formulation (includes protein).... I think it's more expensive to make than buy especially here in the US... Once you find your staple products, you can stock up when it's on sale, use coupons etc.. Some others are just not worth the time making..

You are the first person I have ever heard (read) that felt this way. I did a real breakdown of how much it would cost me to make my favorite products and none came close to the retail price, which is understandable because I did not include costs I would if it were my livelihood. For some the COGS were like 10% of the retail price.

I posted one yesterday, but took it down.

 

[uofmpanther]

I'm starting to make more and more of my own products because it is more cost effective, especially my moisturizing spritz. Most of the retail spritzes are the same water, oil and possibly glycerin that I have at home. They charge $10-$15 for a little 16 oz bottle and I can get a liter of oil for that price, which will last at least a year. I may pay more upfront, but most of the products, like oil and glycerin, can be used in multiple things and last longer than any retail product I'd buy.

My next purchase will be BTMS, SAA and hydrolyzed protein so I can start making conditioners, but I'm waiting to whittle down my product stash some more. On the upside being a product junkie initially helped me figure out exactly what ingredients my hair likes.

 

[Risingsun]

Hello,
To those of you who use homemade products instead of store bought, is either one just more cost effective? I am wondering this because I want to try cutting down on buying products and start using natural ingredients.

Yes, you are headed in the right direction! Your homemade products will benefit your health in the long run. If you know how to do it go for it. Peace
________________

I don't grade my hair. (I have several textures!)
My Channel: https://www.youtube.com/Moorevolve

 

[greenandchic]

For the most part I blend my oils and butters but there are certain things I failed (and wasted money) on such as leave ins and most water/oil emulsions. I either had not enough or too much of a certain element and it would either come out like cottage cheese or turned into a brick. I successfully made a leave in but I hated it. If someone has some recipes that are comparable to certain products and brands (Oyin, DB, etc) I would be willing to try again.