Sticky Summer Body Powder
A silky body powder for humid days: cornflour and arrowroot give the slip, and a tablespoon of kaolin clay takes the shine off without turning the mix chalky.
You will need
- 3 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay
The ritual
- Sift the cornflour, arrowroot and kaolin clay together into a bowl.
- Whisk with a fork until the colour is completely uniform.
- Sift the mixture a second time straight into a shaker jar.
- Dust lightly onto dry skin, keeping the jar well below your face.
- Smooth it into creases with a large soft brush rather than your hands.
Why these ingredients
- 3 tbsp cornflour
- Cornflour is the bulk and the slip, and it is what makes the powder feel silky rather than dusty.
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder
- Arrowroot is finer than cornflour and gives a smoother finish, so the mix does not sit visibly in creases.
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay
- Kaolin takes the shine down and holds a little moisture, which is what stops the powder sliding straight off.
Easy swaps
- 3 tbsp cornflour → tapioca starch, which feels slightly silkier still.
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder → more cornflour, if arrowroot is not in the cupboard.
- 1 tbsp kaolin clay → rice flour, sifted very finely, for a similar matte finish.
Keep it clean
Mix with freshly washed hands and clean, dry bowls and spoons. If a recipe is stored, use a jar or bottle washed in hot soapy water and dried completely, and never dip wet fingers into the batch.
Storage & when to let go
Keeps six months in a dry sealed jar. Keep it out of the bathroom, since steam turns any starch powder to paste in the lid.
What to expect — honestly
Skin feels dry and slippery instead of tacky, and clothes stop clinging for a few hours. Sweat eventually wins and you reapply. It manages how a hot day feels rather than stopping you sweating.
Common questions
Will cornflour go pasty when I sweat?
It can if you use too much on damp skin. A light dusting on skin you have dried properly stays powdery; a thick layer will clump.
Can I scent it?
Drop a dried lavender bud or two into the jar, leave it a week, then sift them out. Skip essential oils, which clump the powder.
This recipe is shared for general cosmetic enjoyment, not medical advice — see how we research and write in our editorial policy and the full safety guide.
