How to make all natural lotion – this easy recipe is inexpensive and works very well!
This past year, I’ve become more interested in making my own bath and body products. When I was pregnant for the first time, I started doing a lot of reading about all of the chemicals in a lot of store bought products, and I started reading the labels, and avoiding parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, etc.
I have my favorite natural products that I use, but I think it’s fun to make my own products as well. I have had very good luck with my homemade deodorant – it really is the only natural deodorant that works for me! Believe me, I’ve tried them all…they work for a while, and then stop working. Usually at a very inconvenient time. :( This Christmas, I also made homemade lip balm, and that was a big hit! And such an easy and cute present to make and give.
A couple of weeks ago I ran out of lotion, so I decided I would try to make my own. To be honest, the basic ingredients for deodorant, lip balm and lotion are basically the same, so it’s easy to experiment once you make the initial investment in oils, butters, and beeswax. I adapted a recipe from Wellness Mama, and I bought a really tiny jelly jar from Michael’s- I would say it’s about a 2.5 ounce jar. This recipe was the perfect amount to fill that jar.
How to make all natural lotion:
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond oil or grapeseed oil
- ⅛ cup coconut oil
- â…› Â cup beeswax
- 1 Vitamin E oil capsule
- 1 Tablespoon Shea Butter
- 5 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 Drops of Sweet Orange Oil
- Small glass jar for storing your lotion
(The ingredient list does include some Amazon affiliate links).
Instructions
- If your beeswax is in chunks or bars, you will need to grate it. I bought a cheap grater from the Dollar Tree to use just for beeswax. Grate it before measuring. If you buy beeswax pellets, you will skip this step.
- Place the beeswax, almond oil, coconut oil, and shea butter in a glass mason jar (this is just a container for mixing, not a container for storing. It should be a larger jar). Place the glass jar inside of a pan that has a couple of inches of water in it, and turn heat on medium.
- As the water starts to simmer, the ingredients will melt. Stir occasionally to help them melt. It will take about 7-8 minutes for everything to melt fully.
- Once everything is melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the Vitamin E Oil by poking a hole into the capsule and squeezing out the oil, and the essential oils of your choice. (Be sure to research your essential oils, not all of them are safe for your skin. Lavender, sweet orange, tangerine, and peppermint are okay for body products. This is a great guide to essential oil use and safety.
- Carefully pour your lotion into the container that you want to store it in. Be careful, wear oven mitts! The oils are really hot.
- Let lotion cool completely before using.
This lotion absorbs well into the skin, and is really moisturizing. The texture is a little bit more oily than the kind of lotion you might buy at the store. I really like how it makes my skin feel, and I love the lavender and sweet orange scent.
One of our friends who makes body products suggests using something other than your finger to remove the lotion from the jar, since it does not contain preservatives, and your fingers can introduce bacteria into the jar. However, this makes such a small amount, it really depends on how quickly you think you will use this lotion. A small wooden stick or spoon is a great way to keep your lotion pure.
If you want to read more about essential oils, I wrote about them HERE.
Debbie
Hi Kelly,
I enjoyed your post. I’ve been making my own products for several years. When I started, I used vitamin E in capsules too because that’s what I had at home. I’ve found using liquid vitamin E in bottles so much easier. Also I know how greasy feeling coconut oil can feel on skin. You can use arrowroot powder to counteract this. For the amount in this recipe you would probably only need to add about half of a teaspoon. Keep posting and making products. I look forward to your next post.
Debbie
Maura
Can you mix this with a mixer and turn it into a body butter?
Kelly Roenicke
I haven’t tried that, so I don’t know.
Geetha
How long is the shelf life? As you did the mention any preservatives
Kelly Roenicke
I’m not too sure, it makes a small amount, so it doesn’t last that long, because I use it up. I would think it would last at least a couple months. I don’t make a big batch because I would prefer to make it fresh and use it up.
Jill
I make this lotion regularly and have shared it with many friends who suffer from a variety of skin conditions. This lotion has helped people in ways that medicated creams have not. I have added calendula infused oil to my mixture as well. Thanks again for this fabulous recipe!
Grace
How much lotion would this recipe make?
Kelly
It makes about 2.5 ounces.
Jenni
How much Vitamin E is in a capsule do you think? I bought my Vitamin E in a bulk bottle that I just pour the amount I wan’t/need out of.
Kelly
Very little, maybe 1/8 teaspoon.
lamia
This is so nice . Easy to follow instructions and well organized . I think that I developed the same passion of doing my stuffs lately . All the best .
Karina
I love this! Thank you. Do you think it’s safe to use this moisturizer around the eyes?
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
I love this idea Kelly! Where did you get those cute jars? I want to try this for a little hostess gift.
Kelly
Thanks, Natalie! Found them at Michael’s!