These recipes for DIY homemade body lotions let you create your own ideal moisturizer. Get just the right ingredients for your skin and save some money in the process.
If you have dry skin, you’ll probably try anything to make it soft, smooth and supple. But store-bought body lotions can cost a lot and contain ingredients that irritate your skin.
You can make your own body lotion at home using natural ingredients. Not only will you save money, but you can also control what goes on your skin.
Benefits of Homemade Body Lotion
- When you make your own body lotion, you have control over the ingredients, ensuring that they are natural and safe for your skin.
- DIY body lotions are more affordable than their store-bought counterparts.
- Natural ingredients used in homemade lotions provide additional benefits like reducing inflammation and soothing the skin.
- You can experiment to find which ingredients your skin reacts the best to.
Essential Ingredients for DIY Body Lotions
There are some basic ingredients you’ll need for any body lotion.
Creating your own homemade body lotion allows you to tailor the product to your specific skin needs and preferences. Here’s a list of ingredients you can consider using in your DIY body lotion recipe:
Base Oils are the primary oils used as a foundation in homemade skincare products, including body lotions. They provide nourishment, hydration, and various skin benefits.
Some of these oils include: Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil.
Emulsifiers help to combine oil and water so they will stay mixed and not separate. They stabilize and create a uniform mixture of these two immiscible (unmixable) components.
Some of them include: beeswax, candelilla wax (vegan), or any product called “emulsifying wax”, some of which are natural, but not all.
Water ingredients thin the lotion, make it spread more easily, and can still provide some moisturizing properties. They can include distilled water, aloe vera gel and essential oils.
Other ingredients include glycerin, honey, shea butter, coconut butter, mango butter and vitamin E oil.
Recipe 1 – Soothing Lavender Body Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax pellets in a double boiler until fully melted.
- Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.
- Stir in the lavender essential oil thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool completely.
- Apply a small amount of the lotion to your skin and gently massage until absorbed.
Recipe 2 – Refreshing Citrus Body Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
- 10 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions:
- Follow the same instructions as Recipe 1, but instead of lavender essential oil, add sweet orange and lemon essential oils.
- Thoroughly stir all the ingredients until well mixed.
- Let the lotion cool completely before use.
- Massage a small amount onto your skin, focusing on dry areas.
Recipe 3 – Nourishing Cocoa Butter Body Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
- 10 drops vanilla essential oil
Instructions:
- Melt the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax pellets in a double boiler until fully melted.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Stir in essential oil thoroughly.
- Pour the lotion a container and let it cool completely.
- Apply a small amount to your skin and gently massage for optimal absorption.
Tips for Making and Using
- Make sure all your equipment and containers are clean and dry before you start.
- Store your homemade body lotions in a cool, dark place to extend their shelf life. You can also add natural preservatives to make homemade beauty products last longer.
- If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test before applying the lotion to your entire body.
- Experiment with different essential oils to create personalized scents that suit your preferences.
- Customize your body lotion by adding a few drops of vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel for added skin benefits.