You guys, today is a big day. A day many of you have been waiting for. It’s time for another homemade lotion recipe.
We’ve already made homemade lip balm and body butter, and today we’re making a silky smooth lotion.
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First, a little background story…
A few years ago, I started thinking about making the switch from a laundry-list-of-toxic-ingredients that I’d used to clean my home and care for the outside of body. My family had already been enjoying “real food” for a few years at that point.
Now, let me pause here, and go down a bit of a “rabbit trail.”
There’s an idea going around, which I first believed when making the cleaning and bodycare switch, that chemicals are bad. Friend, I would suggest just the opposite. When I talk about making the switch from toxic products to “more natural” products, I’m not talking about banning chemicals from our homes, because that’s impossible! Everything from baking soda to water has a chemical composition, and we certainly know those ingredients aren’t toxic.
When I talk about making the switch, I’m talking about choosing or making products that aren’t made with highly questionable/toxic ingredients. If you’re curious about some of the questionable/toxic ingredients used to make many of the beauty and cleaning products in the US, many of which are banned in Europe due to health concerns, I recommend checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Database. On the EWG site, you can check out overall safety ratings for products and brands, as well as individual ingredients.
Just remember, my natural living goal is to source or make safer products, not eliminate chemicals. Because that would mean having to eliminate my beloved baking soda, water, and vinegar, too.
Okay, back to the lotion story ;)…
My switch to more natural products started with bodycare items, particularly foundation powder and moisturizer.
I had read about coconut oil being a miracle product, so I switched out my store-bought moisturizer for coconut oil. Within a few months, it was clear that my skin didn’t think coconut oil was a miracle product. After much research, I determined that coconut oil just wasn’t something that I could use every day as a moisturizer.
Side note, I still use coconut oil for DIYs, so I’m not saying coconut oil is bad news. Rather, I’m just suggesting that everyone is different, and so the products we love and use will vary, too. My skin tolerates coconut oil in deodorant, and as an occasional post-shave moisturizer.
At that point, I decided to create a homemade lotion that would be shelf-table, and could be used in place of the coconut oil. After lots of trial and error, I developed a homemade lotion, which technically is a body butter, that’s thick and luxurious. My skin loved the change from 100% coconut oil to this new product. And here’s where my backstory meets today’s DIY lotion recipe…
I shared that lotion/body butter recipe two years ago on Live Simply. Since that time, I know many of you have tried that recipe, and love it! I also know, based on comments and emails, that many of you would like a creamier/less thick lotion that has more of a store-bought consistency.
Today, I’m excited to share with you a new lotion recipe that’s soft, creamy, and even “pumpable.” Before I share the recipe, let’s chat about a few things to keep in mind…
1. This recipe is “pumpable.” This means the lotion is smooth and liquid enough to be used in a pump bottle. My ultra-moisturizing lotion/body butter is very thick, which means you have to store it in a jar (it won’t pump). While you can store this lotion in a pump bottle, cleaning the “straw” (what is that little thing at the base of the pump called?) is tricky, because well, you’re dealing with lotion.
If you use a pump bottle, know that you may need to replace the pump and straw if you can’t thoroughly clean them out before making a new batch of lotion. Alternatively, this lotion could also be stored in a bottle or jar, and then poured on your hand, or spooned out. I personally go with the jar (other than for photos here), since I store this in the fridge.
2. This lotion does require a number of ingredients, and is a bit of process to make. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of making one more thing, let me encourage you…
You don’t have to make lotion to use “cleaner” bodycare products. It’s perfectly okay to purchase pre-made lotion.
Yep, that probably sounds contradictory for a homemade lotion chat. Here’s the thing, simple living isn’t about “doing it all.” In fact, if you’re “doing it all” you’re probably not living simply. It’s okay to say, “You know what, I’m going to make a homemade dinner for my family, and purchase a ‘cleaner’ lotion from the store.” I personally don’t make lotion the majority of the time because I have to prioritize other tasks and I know my health food store sells some decent lotion options.
If you’re going to purchase lotion, I highly recommend checking out the EWG. I personally like Every Day Shea brand.
With that being said, today’s recipe is for the folks who want to make a silky smooth lotion at home.
5 More DIY Recipes With Shea Butter
- Shea Butter Lip Balm – Use shea butter and oil to make this natural lip balm recipe.
- Honey Lip Balm – Use honey, shea butter, and beeswax to make an ultra-hydrating lip balm.
- Lotion Bars – Moisturizing lotion in a solid bar, made with shea butter and beeswax.
- Body Butter – This luxurious lotion is made with shea butter and oil and moisturizes the whole body.
- Face Moisturizer – Combine shea butter and oil to make an all-natural face moisturizer.
Silky Smooth Homemade Lotion
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sweet almond oil 157 grams
- 3 TB refined mango butter 40 grams
- 2 TB cocoa butter 14 grams
- 1 TB beeswax pellets 8 grams, or finely chopped beeswax
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 43 drops lavender essential oil or orange essential oil, can be reduced to 20 for young children
- 1 cup distilled water or a floral hydrosol – rose lavender or calendula all work well – must be room temperature or lotion is more likely to separate, 220 grams, the hydrosol is my preference
Instructions
- Make sure that your blender or immersion blender (you can use either one–I prefer an immersion blender because it’s easier to clean), bowl and all utensils are very clean when you make this. If they’re not fully sanitized, then your lotion can grow bacteria or mold. Clean everything with hot soapy water, then swab with rubbing alcohol or vinegar, and let air dry.
- In a heat safe glass bowl, combine the sweet almond oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax.
- Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water, over medium heat. This creates a type of double boiler. Stir occasionally until everything is melted and combined.
- Allow the oil mixture to cool for a few minutes before pouring it into your blender (if using a table-top blender). Let this mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy, thick and opaque, but don’t let it get solid. Optional: You can place the blender in the fridge for about 35 minutes to speed up the process.
- Add the vitamin E oil and essential oil to the cooled oil mixture. If you’re using a table-top blender, blend the mixture with the lid on for a few seconds. If you’re using an immersion blender, place the stick in the bottom of the mixture (in a high-rimmed bowl), and blend for a few seconds, pulsing up and down at the bottom a few times.
- If you’re using a table-top blender, take the lid off of your blender, or just the top part of the lid if you have that option on your blender. With your distilled water or hydrosol in the glass measuring cup, slowly pour it into the oil mixture in a very thin drizzle while the blender is on medium/low. If you’re using an immersion blender, with the blender on and at the bottom of the jar, slowly pour the distilled water or hydrosol into the oil, pulsing the immersion blender up and down at the bottom just a few times.
- If you’re using a table-top blender, slowly increase the blender to medium speed and blend the lotion for 30 seconds more. If you’re using an immersion blender, continue to blend, pulsing the immersion blender up and down, for about 30 seconds more.
- Immediately pour the lotion into a jar and store away from light and heat.
Notes
Natural Body-Care Simplified
Learn how to make your own body and beauty products with simple ingredients.
Where is the best place to get good lotion bottles with pumps?
Hey Marcella, I’ve had good success at places like Target and HomeGoods.
Hi Kristin
I just wondered if shea butter could be used in place of refined mango butter?
Thanks!
Hannah
Hey Hannah, You can try. I know some folks have done this. The lotion may be a bit gritty with the shea butter.
Hi Kristin! I tried it using olive oil (refined so it wasn’t super yellow and wouldn’t yellow my sheets) and Shea butter. The first time I made it, it did go a bit gritty as it cooled down and set overnight. That was when it was early spring here in NZ and still quite cold at night. The second time I made it, it turned out perfectly! That was a few weeks later. I have given it to a few friends and they love it! Thank you so much for this recipe! I love that the emulsifier is simply beeswax and it doesn’t use any more refined emulsifiers like glycerin, glyceryl stearate etc! I’m sure my friends and family are going to love this as a Christmas gift and I’m so happy that I have a good quality moisturiser to give as a gift! ❤️❤️❤️
Also just wanted to say that I L.O.V.E your blog. It’s very professional, the graphic design is excellent and all the photographs too. Definitely one of the best sustainable living/DIY/living naturally blogs I’ve seen, if not the best! ❤️Much love and keep on doing what you’re doing! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Hannah! And I’m so glad you’re enjoying the lotion!
I gave it a try, and it seems to have worked. Pretty funny though…I’m new to this & have bought tons of ingredients, so I used nearly all of them, but in your ratios. I added a bit over 1/4 t of organic sunflower lecithin & 1/4 t lanolin to the oil phase, and after the beeswax melted included coconut oil (since my mango butter hasn’t arrived) along with total 1/2 cup jojoba, sesame, apricot kernel, & almond oils…then a little later added total 1/4 cup of the following oils: pomegranate, argon, rose hip, carrot, geranium, & emu…also added 1t CoQ10. I made an herbal infusion of wild comfrey, noni leaf, & tulsi which grow where I live) along with both Siberian & Korean red ginseng… & added to that about a t of pearl powder & hyaluronic acid serum. Unfortunately I forgot the vitamin E & C & grapefruit seed extract I meant to add to help preserve it. I will be slathering lots of this on to use it up asap! I hope I learn to concoct more simply!!! LOL!
Wow, that’s amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kristin! I’m going to try this ^ lotion recipe…just ordered mango butter. What do you think about using a hand blender, the kind used for making cake batter & frosting? I’ve used stick blenders & counter top blenders & recently ordered a hand blender as they seems easier to clean. I also have a Vitamix with a wide pitcher…which didn’t work well for a fairly small batch of face cream.
Hey Eloise, I’m not sure a hand mixer would work for emulsification.
I tried this lotion and I love it. The only thing is mine got a little thick for the pump. Is there any way to correct this. Thank you so much
Hey Mary, I’m so glad you like it. I wonder if the warm air from the shower running would help loosen up the thick lotion? That’s the only thing I can think of at the moment.
Hi — I just made this with witch hazel and so far it has turned out beautifully!! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Awesome, Kate.
What can substitute the mango butter? Anything?
Hey Kensie, You can try shea butter. It may cause the lotion have a bit of a gritty texture, but it will still moisturize the skin.
I love this recipe!! Could you help me with one thing, is there anything that can be added to this which could convert it into a body lotion that removes tan and can be used overnight? I live in India and would prefer to make something chemical free.
Hi Kristin,
I have been researching into venturing into water-based cosmetics and came accross your recipe. I hadn’t heard of the leucidal before and it sounds pretty good. I was, however, wondering what the shelf-life of the lotion with the leucidal added would be? It doesn’t state anywhere on the website you linked about leucidal what the achieved shelf-life is.
Thanks in advance for your help 🙂
Hey Laura, I don’t have an answer for exactly how long–much is based on how it’s stored and how the tools are handled, too. I would reach out to the company and ask about their shelf life recommendations since they know their product best and can probably give a more exact answer than I can.
Hi! I had enough lotion to put in two bottles. Should I store the second bottle in the fridge until I finish the first one or isn’t it a good idea to store it in the cold? Thanks in advance!
Hey Laurence, Yes, store it in the fridge :). Enjoy!
I absolutely LOVE this lotion recipe! Making sure its all room temp and letting it set for 24 hours made ALL the difference. I have substituted in aloe butter and also hemp butter and aloe water. I have a burn survivor and we go through this lotion so much that I never worry about preservatives. I get great compliments on our childs skin and her skins healing!! I add more than just the lavender essential oil as well
If I am using rose water – would you still recommend using that preservative??
Also – what is the difference between rose water and rose hydrosol? Is one better that the other?
Cant wait to try this recipe!
Hey Kaylee, Some folks would say yes to still using a preservative and some would say it’s safe to skip it for a short-term product. I personally skip it with a hydrosol and just store extra lotion in the fridge to keep it safe. Rose water and hydrosol are the same thing :).
Where did you get the lotion pump in this recipe and the soap dispenser in your Dish Soap Recipe? I can’t wait to try both recipes!
They’re both from HomeGoods, Rachel!
I absolutely love this recipe. I have made if twice. I have used this as an after tan moisturizer and my friends love it too. I was wondering if you could put Arrowroot in it to decrease the greasiness a little,
( although i like the texture already) How much if any would you put in?
I’m so glad you’re enjoying (and sharing) it, Helen! I definitely think you could add arrowroot. Maybe just 1-2 tsp? A little bit goes a long way. And I would use the technique in this recipe: https://livesimply.me/2017/03/31/how-to-make-easy-body-butter/ Adding the arrowroot to some of the oil first.
Hi and thank you for sharing this recipe. I am new to the natural life. Did you use a glass bottle to store it or is a plastic bottle with a pump fine?
Also,, do I have to keep this in the refrigerator?
Hey Vanessa, I’d go with glass, if possible. If you can find a glass bottle, then plastic would be a good second option.
I’ve made the lotion twice now swapping Shea butter instead of cocoa butter and avocado oil instead of sweet almond oil. Works beautifully and kept well in the fridge for just over a month. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
Awesome, Elizabeth! That’s great to hear!
I love this lotion! What’s even better I had all the ingredients on hand! I’ve been looking for a diy pumpable lotion for ever! Thank you!
I’ve been trying to find a vegan friendly recipe. Though I think your’s is the best on the web. It does suggest the use of beeswax. Which is not vegan, Since almost all bee farms are not cruelty-free. Hate to be the annoying vegan here. But, Can I substitute the beeswax with a plant based ones? Such as soy, candellila wax
Hey Renenete, I haven’t tested other options, so I’m not 100% sure if others will work. I would try candellila or an emulsifying wax.
Thanks for your quick response. You are the best guide for my DIY process.
When you changed from store bought lotion/cream to DIY. Did your skin feel good right after you use the homemade one or it takes a while for your skin to adapt to it?
I found when I put the lotion. At first my skin feels good, a few minute later my skin feels drier than the store bought one, But a few hours later it became better. I am not sure if my skin is trying to get used to the lotion or I need to adjust the receipt of the lotion. If I need to adjust the receipt, what will help?
Also I found your receipt do not use glycerin often, but the most store bought creams have this ingredient. Is there any downside about the glycerin or something in your receipt already has the same function of it.
Thanks.
Hey Marina,
I’ve found that it’s really hard to compare homemade products, like lotion, to the store-bought equivalent (particularly large batch products). Many times, they’re really different, just in the ingredients used and how they’re used.
I’ve found that certain brands of store-bought lotion make my skin feel better than others–so there’s that factor, too. As far as homemade lotion, you can definitely experiment to see what works best you–tweaking amounts and such as needed. This process does take a bit of trial and error since some ratios may not work so well at first. One thing I can suggest is to apply lotion while your skin is still damp (after a shower)–that should help some with feeling well moisturized and hydrated.
Glycerin is a sticky product that hydrates the skin. I find that’s a bit too sticky for my taste in something like a lotion. You could try adding some to your creations and see what you think. The butters, oils, and even floral water should provide the moisture and hydration needed in this particular recipe.