Yes and no. Making soaps and lotions isn't hard and it's super cheap.  Can also buy Dr. Bronner's soaps and use them for all kinds of cleaning and even making laundey detergent by using a food processor to grind the Castilian soap bars and mix with inexpensive things like Borax and Aluminum free baking soda.  Lotion is like making mayo. I do it in the blender super easy. Just takes some patience and about 15 minutes or so.  Joy of Cooking has a recipe for blender mayo and I just use healthy oils like I mix organic coconut oil melted/warm room temp with some organic sunflower, US organic extra virgin olive oil aka EVOO (italian is adulterated with soybean oils not on label) and if I have some I add Avacado oil etc.  The coconut oil gets too hard when cold so it has to be mixed and EVOO taste is too strong.  Makes a delicious mayo when you get ratios how you like. Lotion I am newer to making but some great blogs on this stuff and http://WestonAPrice.org has articles and book recommendations as well. For tooth paste it's easy to Make also but I use Vita Myrr as it helps my gum issues a ton. I switch between that mouthwash and this herbal one my biological dentist recommends. I forget the name. It's fun to make these things and they make great inexpensive gifts. I get bottles from Amazon but I am going to find another source as I am trying to avoid them as much as I can.  Bulk buying is easy off Amazon but when I just need a few it's harder.  Of course could just use Mason jars and buy pump attachments they make now.  I don't like glass in the bathroom tho we do try to avoid plastic as much as we can.