If you are trying to avoid harmful chemicals in your beauty products, homemade lotion is a great place to start. Reading the ingredient list on a bottle of commercial lotion is scary! Our skin is our largest organ, and it deserves as much care as everything else. Actually, many studies suggest it needs even more attention. Chemicals or toxins that we ingest orally can at least be partially broken down in the digestive system. But substances that enter through our skin bypass that step and enter directly into the bloodstream.
It takes mere minutes to learn how to make homemade lotion and this recipe has just four ingredients. This lotion will moisturize and soothe even the driest winter skin, and little bit goes a very long way! You can customize it with your favorite essential oil, such as lavender for the spring or peppermint for the winter holidays. My daughter has a patch of eczema on her cheek, and this lotion is the only thing that helps it. I love knowing exactly what I am putting on my baby's delicate skin.
Homemade Lotion
Makes 30 ounces
As this lotion contains water, it should be refrigerated in warm weather.
- 4.5 oz coconut oil
- 1.5 oz emulsifying wax
- 16 oz distilled water
- 8 oz glycerin
- 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)
In a microwave safe bowl (I use a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup), combine the oil and wax. Microwave for about two minutes or until melted. (This can also be done in a double boiler on the stove if you prefer to not use the microwave.)
Heat the water in the microwave or on the stove until simmering.
Combine the water, oil/wax mixture, glycerin and essential oil, if using. Stir thoroughly.
Pour into desired bottle(s). I divide mine up into a few 4 ounce mason jars, then store the rest in a bigger jar in the refrigerator.
If you want something super easy you could also check out our Coconut Oil Lotion and find a bunch more DIY Health and Beauty Projects here on Little House Living!
Did you know how to make homemade lotion before today? Will you try now if you haven't before?
Disclaimer: This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve noticed that distilled water is called for here and in other recipes for body products such as soap. Do you know why? What will happen if I use tap water?
Distilled water is free of bacteria and minerals that could interfere with the shelf life of a homemade product that does not have preservatives. You technically can use tap water, but I would boil it first to ensure it is sterile.
Thank you for clearing that up!
You can also make it easier by just using the Coconut Oil as your lotion/moisturizer. I have very dry skin and use exclusively Coconut Oil as my moisturizer all over my body. Not only does it moisturize but I have noticed a decrease in my fine lines and elasticity of my skin. Just remember that a little goes a LONG way!!
Sometimes I use just coconut oil, too! It really is amazing. It can be a little oily for me, though, so I like to have it lotion form as well. Also, I find that combining it with the wax helps to lock in the moisture.
Can you use beeswax for this? I have all the ingredients at hand, except I have beeswax, which I use successfully in other recipes. Thanks!
Beeswax isn’t an emulsifier, so no, it wouldn’t work
E-wax is the only way to go.
Also, be sure to use a preservative such as Phenonip, Germaben, or Optiphen. Non-preserved lotions can grow yeast and mold in just days, if not hours (even if kept in the fridge)
You could also use a natural preservative like vitamin e oil. I use that in most of my homemade health and beauty goods to get them to last longer
If all the tools and jars used are sterile, and the lotion is kept in a cool climate or in the fridge, then it will not mold that quickly. Dipping dirty or wet hands into the jar or using non-sterile equipment will cause it to spoil, though. My lotion keeps for months with no preservative, though I do add lavender essential oil which could help hinder spoilage.
katydidsoaps is correct, it needs to be emulsifying wax. Beeswax is a thickener, and though it might hold the lotion together for a little while, it will eventually separate.
Where is the best place to get these ingredients? I have psoriasis and want to give this a try soon!
Thank you.
We linked to many of them in the article, Amazon pretty much carries everything
I really like Wholesalesuppliesplus.com. They have great prices on bulk products, and free shipping on orders over $30. Amazon is awesome, too.
I made a lotion that called for glycerine and I found that the lotion felt sticky on my hands. Anyone else experience this with glyverine? I haven’t tried this recipe yet, and am hesitant because of the glycerine.
I can’t speak for other lotions, but I do know that this one can feel sticky only if you use too much. It is very potent, so just a tiny dab is enough and should not feel sticky, especially if you use it on damp hands (which is the ideal way to use lotion anyway). You can always scale the recipe back by half, that way you won’t be wasting too much if you don’t like it! (2.25 oz coconut oil, .75 oz emulsifying wax, 8 oz water, 4 oz glycerin)
This is Amazing!! I can’t wait to try this recipe! & I’m glad you cleared up that you have to use Distilled or Purified water, & also about the Beeswax, very important!! Thankyou! Also, I wanted to know, where do you get your Essential! oils from? Thanks again
Thank you, I hope you like it! I buy my essential oils mostly from Amazon, but also Mountain Rose Herb(really good organic oils) and WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com. I compare prices between the three and go with the best deal.
Where do u buy the wax and the glycerin to make this lotion?
The wax, glycerin, and coconut oil sources are linked in the ingredients list above.
This is really great! I have a lot of allergies so I need to try this. Would love you to link it up on Wednesday at my place. Hope to see you there! Family Home and Life
Thanks for sharing this homemade lotion recipe. I love making homemade skin care products to avoid harsh chemical in commercially made products. ;o)
This is a great recipe. I have been looking for lotion recipe for a while. I just pinned this. We have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. We also have a $50.00 Visa Gift Card Giveaway. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/03/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_26.html
We hope to see you there.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
I have never heard of making your own lotion before. I’ve been in a soap making class, but never lotion. I really love this idea. It’s so rewarding to make your own stuff!! I know our readers would love to see this, too! Our Weekly All Things Thursday Link Up party is going on now at allthingswithpurpose.com, and we would LOVE for you to join us
Hope to see you soon!!
Hi Amanda,
I can’t wait to try this lotion, just love homemade lotions and creams. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Well, after doing a little more research, I guess all or most (haven’t found one that says it doesn’t) emulsifying waxes contain polysorbates and even the possibilities of other ‘nasties.’ I’m kinda bummed. Not sure if this is a route I want to travel when I’ve stayed so far away from anything carcinogenic in my bath and body products. Please delete the above comment tho’ and this one as well so as to not cause confusion. This is another of those things we each have to figure out for ourselves… I like your blog very much and will have to wander around and do some reading! Thank you!
Can you use fragrance oils as opposed to essential oils?
I don’t see why not, but honestly, I have never worked with fragrance oils so I cannot say for sure.
I was looking into making a caffeine lotion… What do you think the result would be if I used coffee/espresso instead of part of the water in this recipe?
I’m going to give this a try! Thank you!