**Updated Picture from more recent batch**
I’ve been an on again, off again homemade lotion maker for a long time. Ever since I found and fell in love with homemade baby lotion, that’s kind of been my go-to. But then there’s the stretch mark cream recipe, and I like that one as well.
Recently though, I wanted to make a bona fide homemade body lotion. One that’s heavier than homemade baby lotion, but still contains some of the skin nourishing aloe vera gel – But with no bees wax.
Rather than being a bar, this is something you store in a jar to dip your finger in. (although it could be made into a bar I think, by leaving out the aloe vera gel, and liquid oil.)
I love being able to pump lotion right onto my hand (which the afore mentioned baby recipe is great for), But folks, my toddler sucks on the pump bottle, and eats lotion! It’s gross, and I wish I were kidding, but I’m not.
So this lotion is going into a mason jar with a tight lid, and probably up on a very high shelf.
What I love about this homemade body lotion, is that it incorporates all of the major skin-nourishing oils and butters, and I can customize the small amount of liquid oil, from olive oil, to jajoba, sweet almond, or avocado.
The scent is customizable as well. This time, I went with the relaxing smell of lavender, but I think my next batch will be spearmint (that’s my favorite scent ever!). I would also highly recommend orange, peppermint, and rosemary.
Homemade Body Lotion
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 TBSP shea butter
- 2 TBSP cocoa butter
- 1 TBSP olive oil (or jajoba, sweet almond, etc)
- ¼ tsp grapefruit seed extract (preservative)
- 1 TBSP Aloe Vera Gel. (if you don’t have this, try substituting olive oil)
- 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine first three ingredients in a small saucepan or heat-proof bowl.
- Heat gently over very low heat (use double boiler method is using a bowl) until ingredients are almost completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in olive oil, and grapefruit seed extract.
- Let cool for several minutes – up to half an hour depending on the temperature of your house, until mixture is just starting to solidify.
- Stir in essential oil and cold aloe vera gel.
- Beat vigorously to incorporate everything as it quickly begins to solidify thanks to your cold aloe vera.
- Store in an air-tight container – 4 oz. mason jars are perfect for this recipe!
- Enjoy your new lotion!
Recipes everyone can make!
Nourish your body with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Leslie says
I have a large aloe Vera plant, could I open up a branch from that and use the pulp in lieu of aloe Vera gel?
Thanks.
Elise says
I’ve never done it, but I believe it would.
Amber says
I do not have grape seed extract. Can I still make this without??
Elise says
Yes. The grape seed extract is a preservative. If you don’t use it, you will probably want to keep the lotion in the refrigerator just to be on the safe side.
jane says
Dear Elise How much exactly does this recipe make?
And, did you price it… how much did it cost you to make this one recipe? Thank you, SisJane
Elise says
Hi Jane, this recipe makes about 3/4 of a cup.
I did not price everything out. I buy pretty much everything in bulk, and it lasts a long time. I do know that the aloe vera gel costs $0.26/oz, and the shea butter was $0.54/oz. I think the coconut oil, which we buy in 5 gallon pails was somewhere in between. The essential oil costs 5-1- cents per drop.
It all depends on what brands you use, and where you buy them. 🙂
Christine Ongano says
I have a question….I’ve made this….it isn’t whipped & creamy like your picture? Do I need to let it chill more? I even used my whipping beaters on my mixer…still looks like oil? Any help u can offer? I used sweet almond Oil & then used olive oil in place of the grapefruit seed extract
Elise says
I’m so sorry you’re having trouble!
The cocoa butter and shea butter should make it creamy even at room temperature, so you could either try adding more of those, or chilling it to see what happens.
Melissa says
Hello! Think this would this work in a pump? Is it “thin” enough?
Thanks!
Elise says
It should be at room temperature.
Heidi says
Hello! Excited to try this recipe! However, I’ve recently read some pretty scary stuff about grapefruit seed extract (it’s made with some very nasty chemicals) and would like to avoid using that ingredient since I am 16 weeks pregnant. Do you have any suggestions for any other substitutions beside olive oil? Thank you!
Elise says
You could add several drops of an antibacterial essential oil (lavender, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, etc.) instead, or you could make a smaller batch so that you’ll use it all before it spoils – in my experience, it takes quite a long time to spoil.
Kathy says
Will the aloe stay emulsified with the oils even without any type of emulsifying wax?
Misty says
Could this be made with something other than coconut oil? We have a critical allergy to it in our family. What might be a good substitute?
Danielle says
How do you customize the smell?
Elise says
You can add 5-10 drops of your preferred essential oil. 🙂
Cynthia says
Is the aloe Vera gel bought in the suntan lotion aisle the same used in your recipe? Could I use it instead?
Elise says
It’s not the same, but I think you could use it.
Dina Chalom says
can I ask what the purpose of the aloe vera gel is?
Mandy says
I jab been looking for this recipe….but are you able to put it in a squeeze bottle or pump bottle for traveling, and will it stay “thin” at room temperature?
Elise says
It’s not hard, but doesn’t flow, so you’d have to squeeze it. I’d say put a little extra olive or sweet almond in it if you want to make sure it’s thin enough.
angel says
For some reason, mine did not thicken at all.
Mary Ann Smith Kang says
Do you have a recipe for face cream by any chance you can share? I ran out of mine and would prefer to make my own than buy. Thanks in advance! Regards, Mary Ann
Elise says
Hi Mary Ann, Not really, I’m afraid. I usually make this homemade baby lotion to use on my face, and also make baking soda face wash (occasionally), and gentle cleansing face wash for my skin care routine. Hope that helps! 🙂
Denia lynch says
is so good.
Sue vanderweyst says
I’m not sure what I’ve done wrong mine sure didn’t thinken at all still I oil form.lol any ideas what I can do to fix it?
Andrea says
Hi Elise, what is the purpose of the aloe vera gel in it? Also how long is it until it spoils at room temperature? Also how long in the fridge? Thanks
Fran says
Gonna try this for my eczema, without the aloe vera as I’m allergic to that & tea tree oil
Stella Smith says
Grapefruit seed extract is not a proper preservative for any lotion as it will still allow microbes to grow and you may not be able to see them.
Davina says
Can beeswax be added? If so, how much?
Elise says
This particular recipe was designed without beeswax, so you’ll definitely end up with harder lotion if you add it.
Davina says
I have made this following the recipe. It is AWESOME! Thick and creamy. It was left in fridge 1 hour instead of 30 mins. Thank you so much. I think the COLD aloe gel is essential to the creamy consistency.
Davina says
This recipe turned out AWESOME for me. I feel the COLD aloe gel is essential. I also left in fridge 1 hour instead of 30 mins. Thank you for sharing this CREAMY recipe:)
Elise says
Glad you liked it Davina!
Davina says
Ok
Jennifer says
I read the reason you don’t put lotion in a pump bottle, but I just wanted to ask can you put it in one? Will this work in a pump bottle as well as small jars?
Thank you
Jennifer
Debbie Anemaet says
Can you add glycerin to this recipe?
Wanda says
Thank you for your message I’ve been trying to understand how to work from Home your information as opened up my eyes a whole lot thank you I will try some of those steps and keep up the good work
Farha says
Can we put it on the hair as well? Minus the grapefruit seed extract and essential oil?
Farha says
Hi Elise.
Can we put it on the hair as well? Minus the grapefruit seed extract and essential oil?
Elise says
It wouldn’t be *bad* for your hair, but it would definitely be greasy.
KB Brooks says
curious what your thoughts are on the fragrance oils that are available..can they be used in homemade lotions and creams?
Elise says
They can be, but I stick to essential oils personally to stay away from chemicals in fragrances.
Tamera M says
Hi, how long is the shelf life of this product with the preservative?
Jina says
Do you have any moisturizer for mature skin types?
Cindy says
Can you use grape seed oil to replace olive oil?
Elise says
Yes.
I_HATE_YOuR_LOTION says
I HATE THIS LOTION
Dee says
This is called Whipped Body Butter. Not a lotion.
Jackie Wilson says
I love how you put everything step by step. And great lotion!
Kimberly says
How much does this make and how long does it last?
Lana Mimes says
Is there a replacement for the coco butter? Just not fond of it.