Homemade Body Lotion

13K Shares

**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.

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!

Baking Soda Face Scrub