This silky smooth DIY homemade lotion whips up in minutes and is made from 100% all natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils so you can make it whatever scent you like. It’s super soothing and smooth on your skin and is whipped up in under 5 minutes so it couldn’t be easier! Includes options for thinner lotion texture or thicker hand cream.
I’ve loved soft and flowery scented lotions every since my first encounter with Country Apple and Sun Ripened Raspberry. Does anyone else remember those?
Ah…the good ole days. Except that I never knew to question what I was slathering all over my skin day in and day out.
My old favs were discontinued long ago, but here are the ingredients in Japanese Cherry Blossom, a top seller from that same bath and body store I used to love:
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, fragrance (parfum), ceteareth-20, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, carbomer, isododecane, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, tetrasodium EDTA, disodium EDTA, sodium dyroxide, bhy diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, benzyl alcohol, propylparaben, alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylpropional, cinnamyl alcohol, citronellol, coumarin, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, linalool.
Aaack! What is all that stuff? It’s been a while since I took biochemistry, but I’m pretty sure some of is NOT supposed to be going into my body!
Sadly, buying more “natural” and “organic” alternatives can mean little more protection than the standard versions!
Ready to make a batch of the best homemade lotion for yourself? You’ll just need an electric mixer, about 3 minutes, and 3 ingredients: Pure Shea Butter, Pure Coconut Oil, and Lavender Essential Oil (or any other essential oil).
The homemade lotion will last a long time because all the natural products used have a long shelf life and there’s no water added to the mix. I like to store my lotion in glass containers (you can opt for one large jar or smaller ones to take on the go) and it will store well for up to 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
HOMEMADE LOTION VS STORE BOUGHT LOTION
I’ve loved soft and flowery scented lotions every since my first encounter with Country Apple and Sun Ripened Raspberry. Does anyone else remember those?
Ah…the good ole days. Except that I never knew to question what I was slathering all over my skin day in and day out.
My old favs were discontinued long ago, but here are the ingredients in Japanese Cherry Blossom, a top seller from that same bath and body store I used to love:
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, fragrance (parfum), ceteareth-20, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, carbomer, isododecane, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, tetrasodium EDTA, disodium EDTA, sodium dyroxide, bhy diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, benzyl alcohol, propylparaben, alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylpropional, cinnamyl alcohol, citronellol, coumarin, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, linalool.
Aaack! What is all that stuff? It’s been a while since I took biochemistry, but I’m pretty sure some of is NOT supposed to be going into my body!
Sadly, buying more “natural” and “organic” alternatives can mean little more protection than the standard versions!
Ready to make a batch of the best homemade lotion for yourself? You’ll just need an electric mixer, about 3 minutes, and 3 ingredients: Pure Shea Butter, Pure Coconut Oil, and Lavender Essential Oil (or any other essential oil).
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
The homemade lotion will last a long time because all the natural products used have a long shelf life and there’s no water added to the mix. I like to store my lotion in glass containers (you can opt for one large jar or smaller ones to take on the go) and it will store well for up to 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup pure shea butter (softened in microwave or double boiler)
- 1 cup pure coconut oil (mine is in soft solid stage at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup arrowroot powder or 1-2 tsp melted beeswax pastilles* (optional)
- 75-100 drops of lavender or other essential oil (use more or less, to your liking - for reference, 75 drops is approximately 1 tsp)
- * NOTE: If you like thicker lotions and creams (try adding 1-2 tsp melted beeswax pastilles to the mixing bowl. Since I originally developed this recipe, I've begun adding the beeswax each time and LOVE the thicker, more luxurious feel!)
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a stand mixer or large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form, then transfer to glass storage containers.
NOTES:
- Shea butters can vary widely in their scent. In my experience, the lighter (white) shea butters have the most mild scent and the darker (yellow) ones smell much stronger. I prefer the white for this recipe.
- You can substitute cocoa butter for the shea butter too, which would give it a light chocolate scent, similar to my white chocolate and double chocolate body butters.
- You can simply mix all ingredients at room temperature in a single step. But some have found it helpful to soften/melt the shea butter and coconut oil first to prevent any clumping. If you melt them all the way, you'll want to chill the mixture before whipping it.
- If you like your lotion thicker like hand cream, be sure to add the melted beeswax pastilles.
- This recipe makes a large batch of lotion - at least 20 oz. You'll need less of this than commercial moisturizers - just a dime size is plenty for both hands and arms.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST HOMEMADE LOTION
- Shea butters can vary widely in their scent. In my experience, the lighter (white) shea butters have the most mild scent and the darker (yellow) ones smell much stronger. I prefer the white for this recipe.
- You can substitute cocoa butter for the shea butter too, which would give it a light chocolate scent, similar to my white chocolate and double chocolate body butters.
- You can simply mix all ingredients at room temperature in a single step. But some have found it helpful to soften/melt the shea butter and coconut oil first to prevent any clumping. If you melt them all the way, you’ll want to chill the mixture before whipping it.
- If you like your lotion thicker like hand cream, be sure to add the melted beeswax pastilles.
- This recipe makes a large batch of lotion – at least 20 oz. You’ll need less of this than commercial moisturizers – just a dime size is plenty for both hands and arms.
