DIY Body Oil for Glowing Skin

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This DIY body oil is simple to make and will leave your skin glowing, soft, smooth, and beautiful. Made with a combination of carrier oils and essential oils, this body oil recipe is perfect for all skin types.

A bottle of homemade body oil laying on a striped towel with dried lavender buds.

On an annual “girls’ weekend” with my mom and sisters, we were shopping in the cutest little store, which sold mostly products related to skincare and beauty.

I knew I was in the right place when I walked to an essential oil diffuser diffusing in the corner! 😉 I love looking at stores like this for inspiration and ideas.

One item did stand out, it’s one that viewers ask about from time to time, and that is a body oil. Body oil serves many purposes. For example, it can be used as a massage oil or lotion to restore glowing skin and soften dry, flaky skin.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Great for the skin: This homemade body oil is packed full of nourishing oils that restore and moisturize the skin! When I use this body oil, my skin feels and looks soft, healthy, and lustrous. You may find the same results and your skin will certainly be well-moisturized.
Affordable: Body oils can be quite expensive. I don’t like spending a lot of money on skincare products when I know I can make my own so easily. This recipe costs far less than most commercial body oils, which adds up quickly when you make all of your own products.
Simple ingredients: You won’t find any unpronounceable ingredients or potentially harmful additives in this recipe. It calls for just 5 simple, natural ingredients. Plus, you can easily substitute ingredients to make the oil your own!

A bottle of homemade body oil sitting on a striped towel with twine and dried lavender buds.

What Goes Into This Recipe

The first step in making body oil is gathering your ingredients. You will notice this recipe calls for several carrier oils, all of which are used to provide you with the ultimate body oil full of moisturizing and hydrating properties.

Grapeseed oil: Applying this oil to the skin can help reduce signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It may also help retain moisture, even out skin tone, and repair dehydrated skin.
Avocado oil: Avocado oil is very hydrating and will add moisture to the skin when used topically. It is full of vitamin C, vitamin E, and fatty acids, making it great for anti-aging and reducing skin imperfections.
Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is one of the best carrier oils to use for sensitive skin as it is very gentle and light. Similar to the other oils, jojoba oil also contains vitamin E oil, making it great for skin imperfections, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil is a common ingredient found in lotions and creams due to its moisturizing properties. While it can be applied directly to the skin, it is recommended to dilute it in a carrier oil or lotion for better absorption and to prevent potential irritation, according to Medical News Today.
Lavender essential oil: Lavender essential oil smells delightful and promotes relaxation. It’s the perfect oil for a soothing massage or winding down before bed.
Dried lavender buds: These are optional, but they add an additional lavender scent and can give the oil a lovely touch. When I make body oil for a gift, I always add the lavender buds as it makes the oil feel more special.
Glass bottle: You can use a spray bottle or a dropper bottle for this recipe, depending on how you wish to apply the oil.

Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have all the oils mentioned in the recipe, you can substitute them for a different carrier oil. Carrier oils are any vegetable-based oils that are cold-pressed or expeller-pressed. Check out my post on the 10 best carrier oils for appropriate substitutions.

You can also substitute the lavender essential oil for a different essential oil if you prefer. I suggest using other soothing scents, such as sandalwood, chamomile, or clary sage. You may also want to use some of the best essential oils for anti-aging to give your body oil some added anti-aging benefits.

If you don’t have dried lavender buds, feel free to add in any dried herbs or flowers. Just make sure they are dried! Fresh flowers and herbs will spoil quickly.

How to Make Homemade Body Oil

Pouring oil into an amber glass spray bottle using a metal funnel.

Step 1. Add equal parts of grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil into a small glass spray bottle or dropper bottle.

Dropped vitamin e oil into an amber glass bottle.

Step 2. Add vitamin E oil and essential oil. If you’re using them, add the dried lavender buds. Secure the lid and shake well.

How to Use

For best results, apply body oil to damp skin. Right after a shower when the pores are cleansed is a great time to use it.

Be sure your skin is free from makeup, dirt, and other products before applying the body oil.

Apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and rub it into the skin. If you are using a spray bottle, you can spray directly onto the skin before rubbing it in. Use the oil in place of homemade lotion or cream, or use it in place of my DIY massage oil.

I like to use it anywhere I have dry skin, including my face and neck. The oils in this body oil are gentle and soothing, leaving my skin feeling moisturized.

Pro tip: For dry skin, use this product daily for the best results! If you have oily skin, I suggest 2-3 times a week or as needed.

Dropping body oil into the palm to apply it to the skin.

Expert Tips

It’s always a good idea to do a patch test before applying new products to your skin. Rub a little bit of oil into the inner arm and watch for adverse reactions.
Consider your skin type and adjust the oil if needed. I formulated this recipe to be suitable for all skin types, but you can always customize it based on your needs! If you know some oils work really well on your skin, feel free to substitute those.
Apply the oil right after a warm shower for maximum benefits to the skin.
Use this oil to soothe and hydrate the skin after exfoliating with homemade sugar scrub.
While this body oil would be fine to use it in the hair, I suggest using a dedicated homemade hair moisturizer for optimal results.

Homemade body oil in amber colored spray bottle laying on white and gray striped towel with lavender buds sprinkled around it.

Recipe FAQs

What is body oil used for?

This DIY body oil is made out of lightweight oils meant to nourish and protect the skin. When applied to the body, it can provide a protective barrier and lock in moisture.
Body oil is used to relieve dry, itchy skin to leave the skin glowingly smooth. It is commonly used during the colder months when skin is dry from the changing weather or when skin is damaged from harsh cleansers or skin imperfections.

How often should I use body oil?

According to Eden’s Garden, body oil can be used daily. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, 2-3 times weekly or as needed is fine.

Does body oil expire?

Over time oils can break down, becoming less effective, but they don’t really expire.
Some carrier oils will have an expiration date printed on the bottle but are usually good for at least several years. Essential oils never expire, though they can lose potency over time.
When in doubt, run a smell test. If it smells off, dump it out and make a new batch. If you use this oil daily or even a few times a week, you should easily finish it before it goes bad.

Can I use body oil on my face?

Yes, this body oil is made with gentle oils that are suitable for your face. Of course, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before applying new products to your face. You may also like my homemade facial oil!

Can I use coconut oil in this DIY?

Coconut oil is an excellent option; however, you should use fractionated coconut oil rather than cold-pressed coconut oil.