Recipe: Make Your Own Body Lotion
You may want to add a lotion to your skin and body care line or experiment with creating your own formula. All you need to create your own lotions at home is a few simple, natural ingredients!
Get started with our basic homemade lotion recipe below. Once you've learned the basics, you'll be ready to start customizing your own formula.
so, what is a lotion?
Lotions are hydrous formulations made up of a majority of water! Since they contain mostly water, they need certain emulsifying agents to blend water and oil together.
Water and oil are made up of different sized molecules so you need an emulsifying agent to make them stick together. Simply put, it’s just water and oil emulsified together!
Lotions are typically lighter in composition and contain more oil to butters. They can be made in all types of consistencies each with their own set of benefits.
This video shows you how to make mineral enriched body lotion quickly and easily.
why make your own body lotion?
Making your own body lotion can offer a range of benefits that extend far beyond the simple act of creating a personalized skincare product.
Firstly, it allows you to have complete control over the ingredients that go into your lotion. Commercially-produced lotions often contain a variety of chemicals, preservatives, and artificial fragrances that can be harsh on the skin and may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
By making your own lotion, you can choose natural, organic ingredients that are tailored to your specific skin type and needs.
This customization ensures that you're using a product that is gentle and nourishing for your skin, reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
Another advantage of DIY body lotion is cost-effectiveness. Once you've invested in a few key ingredients like carrier oils, essential oils, and natural emulsifiers, you can create multiple batches of lotion at a fraction of the cost of buying high-end skincare products.
Plus, homemade lotions often have a shorter ingredient list, making it easier to pinpoint any potential allergens or irritants.
Additionally, the process of making your own lotion can be a rewarding and creative experience, allowing you to experiment with different recipes and fragrances until you find the perfect blend that leaves your skin feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
Creating your own body lotion is a sustainable, skin-friendly, and cost-efficient choice that empowers you to take charge of your skincare routine.
before you get started
Try out a few different lotion recipes to get your feet wet. Learn what you like and don’t like before you move on to formulating your own batch.
In the recipe below, we are using stearic acid as the emulsifying agent. We will also be using super hydrating jojoba oil for moisture, plus a preservative, and a natural fragrance oil.
Natural aloe water + osmanthus fragrance features violet leaves, osmanthus, raspberry, and aloe. We describe it as a clean, white floral tonic.
This recipe can be used on sensitive skin because it contains natural ingredients. It could also be made without fragrance for an unscented version.
Let’s get started!
the body lotion recipe
Important: Before starting, make sure you sanitize all tools in a 5% bleach solution, diluted in water. This includes pitchers, your stick blender, spatula, and the counter area. You want to ensure your product is completely free from any bacteria.
Pro tip: With lotions, weight is your measurement, not volume.
Makes (1) 200ml bottle
Ingredients
- 200ml black UV glass pump bottle
- 5.1oz distilled water (76%)
- .6oz coconut oil fractionated mct (9%)
- .5oz golden jojoba oil (8%)
- .3 oz stearic acid (5%)
- 2ml geogard 221 preservative (1%)
- 2ml natural aloe water + osmanthus (1%)
Tools
Mixing instructions
- Put on your safety goggles and gloves.
- Put your pouring pitcher on the digital scale.
- Measure out the ingredients separately (water and oils).
- Use your microwave in 20-30 second bursts, separately, to heat up each.
- Heat both pitchers to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you find they begin to cool too quickly after heating, cover with a towel to keep the heat in.
- Next, add in the stearic acid to the oil bowl and reheat again to 160 degrees F.
- Use a thermometer to make sure they are both at 160 degrees before combining the water bowl with the oil bowl.
- Using your stick blender, mix for 2-3 minutes to emulsify the product. It will turn from an oil water separation into a cloudy milky consistency and then a white, fluffy and creamy consistency.
- Next, add in the geogard, your eco certified preservative.
- Add in your fragrance oil. This will typically be a 1-3% fragrance load with lotions, depending on the strength of the fragrance itself and your preference.
- Use a stick blender and blend all the ingredients together, leaving you with a white, fluffy lotion!
- Package in a jar or bottle and let sit 1-2 hours to cool before ready for use. The lotion will continue to thicken as it cools.
- At this stage, you can also add enhancers, botanicals, and micas to customize and elevate your lotion.
- And last, but certainly not least…add your own label if you desire!
Yay! You did it, maker! You made your own diy body lotion! Start slathering it on your dry skin to really enjoy the benefits.
As you continue to experiment with different ingredients, fragrances, and essential oils, remember to take notes along the way. There is so much you can learn from the process of making that will help in crafting your perfect lotion recipe.
