This homemade lotion recipe is made with all-natural ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin E oil to help moisturize and soothe dry, cracked skin.
I love to make my own skincare products. And the best part about DIY-ing skincare is that you won’t need a ton of ingredients to revamp your entire routine. I find that once you have things like coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and essential oils on hand, you can make almost anything.
I have shared a homemade whipped body butter and a DIY face moisturizer on the blog already. Now I am excited to share this all-natural hand lotion with you. And best of all, it uses many of the same ingredients. Plus, you won’t need any special equipment.
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HOW DO YOU MAKE NATURAL HAND MOISTURIZER
I have been making whipped body butter for years, and I love it. It smells fantastic, it is made with cocoa butter, so if you like chocolate, you will like this stuff. It works great for moisturizing the skin, and it is the best for diaper rash and other skin irritations.
I wanted to come up with another version that is silkier and smoother, so I started experimenting. The outcome was definitely one to share, so here I am! This lotion can be used on the hands, feet, or body.
You will need a double boiler for this recipe, but don’t worry if you don’t have one. Using a glass bowl with a pot of simmering water underneath it works just as well. You will also need an immersion blender, this is optional, but it will really help make the perfect texture.
This recipe is as simple as melting a few ingredients together, mixing them with an immersion blender, and pouring it into a container. Anyone can do that, right?
WHY SHOULD I MAKE HOMEMADE LOTION?
I love that this lotion is made with all-natural ingredients. Most conventional lotions are full of harsh ingredients that can cause more damage than good. It is especially important to use natural lotions if you are putting them on your feet or underarms.
The bottom of your feet has the largest pores on your body, which allow them to absorb harsh ingredients faster. This is why doing a detox foot soak can be so beneficial. Using natural shaving cream and aftershave is important too because when you shave, you are opening up the pores and allowing more toxins into the body.
HOMEMADE LOTION RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons shea butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil or any other carrier oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
- 20 drops essential oils (see my suggestions below)
Water (if needed)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the shea butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax into a glass bowl.
- Set the glass bowl over a pot of water and bring to a boil to melt all the ingredients.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. You don’t want it to cool long, as it will harden.
- Add the fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils to the glass bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients using an immersion blender. You can add a little water if needed.
- Pour the lotion into an airtight container for storage.
NOTES: You can substitute for rose water in this recipe. Also, it is best to use filtered water or distilled water to extend shelf life. I personally didn’t add any water and liked the consistency.
If you don’t have both cocoa butter and shea butter on hand, just substitute the other for the one you do have. It will still make the same consistency as lotion.
If making this lotion for a child, dilute it further by using 10 drops of essential oils instead of 20.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOMEMADE LOTION RECIPE
You can use a blend of essential oils or a single oil. My all-time favorite essential oil for lotion is lavender. I love the way it smells, the calming effect it has, and how it is so soothing to the skin.
If using citrus essential oils, remember that they are photosensitive and shouldn’t be used when in direct sunlight.
- Wild orange
- Lavender
- Rose
- Frankincense
- Patchouli
- Roman Chamomile
- Lemongrass
HOMEMADE MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKIN
If you are making this lotion recipe for someone with oily skin, consider choosing essential oils from this list.
- Tea Tree
- Roman Chamomile
- Lemon
- Lavender
- Geranium
DIY MOISTURIZER FOR DRY SKIN
If you are making this lotion recipe for someone with extra dry skin, consider choosing essential oils from this list.
- Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Peppermint (This one smells fantastic with the cocoa butter; think thin mints! )
For more skin care recipes, check out these anti-aging serums and sugar scrubs. Both of which use several of the same ingredients.
HOW LONG WILL THIS LOTION LAST?
If you add water, this lotion won’t last as long as a moisturizer without water. To extend the shelf life, you can store it in the refrigerator. However, when it is stored at a cooler temperature, it will harden and not be pumpable.
If you decide to store it in the refrigerator, be sure to place it in a wide mouth mason jar to make it easier to scoop out.
You can also consider adding a preservative into the recipe or making a smaller batch at a time.
WHAT CARRIER OIL IS BEST TO USE IN LOTION?
I am using sweet almond oil in mine because that is what I had on hand. You can also use fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil. Learn more about all the carrier oils and what benefits they have, and then decide which one will be best for your skin type.
I hope you enjoyed this post; check out these other skincare recipes.
- All-Natural Foundation
- Body Butter for Glowing Skin
- Goats Milk Lotion
- Moisturizing Hand Cream
- Moisturizing Hand Mask
Homemade Lotion Recipe
Equipment
- Double boiler (or saucepan)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons shea butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- ½ cup fractionated coconut oil or any other carrier oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil optional
- 20 drops essential oils
- Water if needed
Instructions
- Add shea butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax into a glass bowl.
- Place the glass bowl over a pot of water and bring to a boil to melt the ingredients.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. You don't want it to cool long, as it will harden.
- Add the fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils to the glass bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients using an immersion blender. Add water if needed.
- Pour the lotion into an airtight container for storage.
Joan says
Can you add nano zinc oxide to the Homemade Lotion recipe, and if? so, how much
Laura says
Hi, I have a homemade sunscreen recipe you might like. Just head to the search bar to find it.
Amy HARDMAN says
Hello, looking forward to making this recipe. Please can you just confirm does this have to be stored in the fridge without preservite if it doesn’t have water in please?
Can you use this on your face?
How long on average is the shelf life please?
Jacky says
Hello! What if I am not using an essential oil in the recipe, do I still need to add a carrier oil? Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Laura says
It may change the texture of the lotion a bit.
Michelle says
Hello! I’m trying to get in to making my own lotions etc. & I am planning to use your recipes! Several other articles I’ve read say that if you add any water at all to a mixture even distilled, you need to add a preservative because even though the mixture looks fine or you store it in the fridge, it still will grow mold and bacteria. What are your thoughts or experience? The nerdy farmhouse blog is one article I read where she did test strips on lotion to show the mold and bacteria in it. Thanks!!!
Rev. Sr. Fidelia Mary Alao says
I appreciate this recipe. I will definitely try it out. Thanks
Sr. Fidelia
Natosha Allen says
I’ve made all of your lotion recipes and have loved them all! This is by far my favorite, it’s absolutely luxurious. I figured out that I needed to keep the mixture in the fridge for awhile, 30 minutes or more. Then I used a hand mixer for maybe 5 mins and wow is that a soft, whipped consistency. I don’t think it’s possible for a lotion to be softer and more hydrating than this. Thank you 🙏🏻
Ellie F says
What is the approximate shelf life without preservatives?
Linda says
OK, so I now know I didn’t let it cool enough as it was just a cup of oil when I poured it into a container (I’ll try again). It’s also very oily on my skin, hopefully it won’t be as much when it firms up. The photo with the recipe shows the lotion in a jar, but the recipe states to put in a bottle with pump, so I’m not quite sure what the consistency is supposed to be. I’m also looking for ideas on the clean-up as everything is so greasy/oily. Is there a better way to clean utensils/dishes other than very hot water & lots of soap? Was tempted to put everything in the dishwasher as that might have been the easiest. I am most anxious to try soaps & moisturizers. Thank you for sharing!
Laura says
Storing it in a mason jar is best, as some pump bottles don’t work well for this lotion. You can add a little arrowroot powder if it is to oily. I find the best way to clean my DIY products is with boiling water and a cloth.
Christina says
Mine turned out runny. Can I use cornflour or rice flour to thicken instead of arrowroot?
Alyson Thomas says
Hi Laura,
I really like all your recipes and have gotten the ingredients that you recommend. I made this lotion last night and it came out very oily and yellow, not at all creamy. I added the Vit E oil and NO water.
I did not chill my bowl before whipping
Thanks for any suggestions
Alyson
Laura says
Did you use yellow beeswax? If so, that is why the color is yellow and that is noraml. You can reduce the amount of carrier oil if you want to make it less oily. You don’t have to chill before whipping, but it is important that it was set before you whipped it to get the creamy texture. Hope that helps!
Alyson Thomas says
Yes! I whipped it up again and when I went to use it this morning it was lovely. Yes I did use yellow beeswax.. Thanks again
Laura says
I am so glad! You’re welcome!
Sue Borton says
I made this for my Mom. I used Frankensense & Eucalyptus to hopefully help her with her arthritis. The cosistancy did not match what you have in you video. For the carrier oil, I used jojoba oil & choose to put the Vit E in too. It did not whip to a look like yours so I put it in the fridge for a while. When touched, it ‘melts’ & its consistantcy is just oily…as if you put soft butter in your hands and rubbed it in like a lotion. Any ideas as to what I may have done wrong? I so apprieciate your feedback. 🙂
Laura says
I put my bowl in the fridge to firm up before whipping it. Did you do that?
Sue Borton says
i did do that. i even added a bit more bees wax. and blended it, what i think, for a long time. puzzling for sure. I wound up making her a roller bottle of francensense, eucalyptus and a carrier oil, i think jojoba oil. she says it works pretty well. it will be enough for now. down the road i’ll try the recipe again.
working on replacing things in my house as what i’ve bought runs out. Thanks for all you do! i’m glad i found you! this year is dedicated to leaving less of a carbon footprint and a more healthier, physically and environmentally, way of living. i’ve got 3 teenage kids i’d like to send out into the world with the knowledge of how to be mindful of our environment and health.
~peace,
Sue
Jou says
Thanks, but where can I buy those items. Can you recommend any?
Laura says
Everything is linked in the post. 🙂
Amy says
Always love a good DIY lotion. Thanks for sharing your spin on it!
Laura says
You’re welcome!
Alexa says
I’ve never used beeswax in my lotion before – is it like shea / cocoa butter? Looks amazing!!
Laura says
It is very good for the skin! Similar but has a different texture.
Elise says
This looks amazing and I would definitely use the peppermint because I love thin mints!! Thanks for the recipe and tutorial! I love lotions and the more natural the better!
Laura says
Ohh yes! I love peppermint in my lotion too!
Maria says
In this lotion recipe you suggest using a preservative if you did not want to store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. What preservatives would you recommend?
Laura says
Rosemary essential oil is a great natural preservation!
Joanie Mccann says
How much would you add as a preservative? Does vitamin e also help preserve? Or witch hazel?