DIY Luxury Lotion Recipe

If you're still using store-bought lotion, there is super easy natural alternatives that are fun to make! This DIY lotion recipe has three basic ingredients and only takes ten minutes to put together.

The basic recipe is an ultra-moisturizing, water-free version that lasts for years without preservatives. While lotion is technically a formulation of water-based and oil-based skin care ingredients, this one is oil-based. It feels more like a body butter and is great for dry skin.

Homemade lotion

I discovered years ago that I could use natural ingredients to make my own skin care products and I haven't looked back since! From homemade lip balm to whipped body butter, I love making it myself. Lotions were one of the first things I did and I branched out into other types of lotions as well. This version uses unrefined coconut oil, almond oil and shea butter to deeply nourish the skin.

Most lotions use emulsifying wax to mix distilled water and carrier oils together. It can be tricky to make at home. Plus it requires a preservative so it doesn't go bad! This DIY lotion gets around this problem by eliminating water. You can extend the shelf life further by using vitamin E. This antioxidant helps keep the oils from going bad as quickly.

Choosing a carrier oil

I use sweet almond oil for my carrier oil as it is a middle of the road oil. It's not as heavy as coconut oil, but it's more moisturizing than something like grapeseed oil. You can replace it with any liquid carrier oil you prefer. Jojoba, olive oil, or avocado oil are also good options.

This lotion is ultra-hydrating and less greasy than water-based lotions, so you won't need to use as much. It also has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes. All ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added.

Custom lotion creation

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, have fun customizing your lotion to your skin type, skin conditions, and desired scent!

There are endless variations, but some of my favorites are:

• Baby lotion – Infuse the oil with dried calendula and chamomile before making the lotion.
• Cooling muscle friction – Add peppermint, wintergreen and ginger for muscle pain.
• Anti-aging face lotion – Use argan oil and add lavender and patchouli essential oils.
• Lavender and vanilla lotion – Add a few drops of lavender and some natural vanilla extract.

Essential oil safety

So how many drops of essential oils should you add to your DIY lotion? It depends on the essential oil and your preference. If you add optional shea butter, 45 drops of essential oil will be a 1% dilution. A 2% dilution is generally considered safe for skin care products such as lotion.

If you like a really strong scent, you can double the amount (to 2%). Or if you prefer a lighter scent or have more sensitive skin, you can cut the amount in half (or even less!). I avoid using essential oils on little ones, especially babies.

Some oils like wintergreen, cinnamon, and lemongrass are harsher and should be used in smaller amounts. Others, such as grapefruit and lime, are phototoxic. Some of my favorite skin-friendly essential oils to use include:

Don't want to do it?

If you want healthy lotion but don't want to make it or don't have the ingredients, there are some good store-bought options. These creams have pure ingredients and help to hydrate thirsty skin:

Other variations of the homemade lotion recipe

There are many ways you can make your own lotion at home. Here are some more lotion tutorials to try:

Have you ever made DIY lotion before? how did it go Let me know below!