Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

I try to hydrate and drink plenty of minerals (including salt water), but sometimes my skin needs a little more hydration. This aloe vera lotion softens dry skin and leaves skin feeling moisturized. It works great as a body lotion or a face lotion. Even better, it contains just a few simple ingredients!

This moisturizing lotion combines organic aloe vera gel, rich shea butter, and nourishing almond oil. All without the parabens, sulfates, and dimethicone found in many store-bought skin care products.

Aloe Vera Body Lotion

As the weather gets cooler many of us find our skin gets drier. Living in a humid climate I don’t have this problem as much anymore. However, sometimes my skin needs some light hydration. While I love lotion bars and this homemade lotion for intense nourishing, this aloe lotion is great when you want something lighter.

Aloe has a similar feeling to glycerin in skin care recipes, but it doesn’t feel quite as sticky. It absorbs well into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. If you’re using fresh aloe from a plant, this lotion will only last a week or two before it goes bad. Aloe vera gel sold in stores and online is preserved and will last longer, up to 6 weeks.

Skin Benefits of Aloe Vera

I keep an aloe plant in my home because I love them so much! Not only are they great for treating burns, but they work well for other skin irritations. You’ve probably used aloe vera gel at some point to soothe a sunburn.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice is rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. It also helps our skin create hyaluronic acid and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm and wrinkle-free. Aloe helps skin be more elastic and supple so it “bounces back.”

Ingredient Options

This lotion can also be used as a face cream. It can work well for those with acne or eczema too, depending on the exact ingredients you use. Oils like olive and avocado oil are great for dry or more mature skin types. If you’re prone to acne or want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, then adding some rosehip seed oil is a good choice. I prefer sweet almond (non-greasy) or jojoba, which mimics skin’s sebum and sinks into the skin nicely.

I use shea butter for an extra rich feel, but it’s optional. You could also use cocoa butter or mango butter instead. Cocoa butter is more intensely moisturizing, while mango butter is very light and absorbs fast.

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Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

This aloe-based lotion is smooth and lighter than some options. Great for all skin types and even little ones!

Yield: 6.5 ounces

Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

• Blender, immersion blender, or hand blender (or stand mixer)
• Double boiler OR glass bowl and pot
• 8 ounce glass jar

Materials

• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• 2 tsp beeswax pastilles
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil (or jojoba, or any other liquid oil)
• ½ tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
• 1 tsp shea butter (or mango butter, optional)
• 7 drops essential oils (optional)
• ½ tsp leucidal complete preservative (optional)

Instructions

• Melt the beeswax, oil, and shea butter (if using) in a double boiler or glass bowl over a pan of water.
• Remove from heat and pour into a blender or mason jar (if using an immersion blender). You can also use a stand mixer for this.
• Add the vitamin E (if using) and any essential oils.
• Let cool to room temperature. You want it to be room temperature and just barely starting to harden around the edges. This will help make sure that the lotion emulsifies correctly.
• Add the Leucidal complete to the aloe if using.
• Start blending on low using a blender or immersion blender. Very slowly, start adding room temperature aloe vera gel until incorporated. Use a spatula to wipe down the sides and re-blend a few times until fully incorporated.
• Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to six weeks.

Notes

If your family goes through a lot of lotion then feel free to double the recipe.

Preserving and Storing the Lotion

Vitamin E helps the oils from oxidizing as fast but will not preserve the lotion. If you want to use a natural preservative you can add some Leucidal complete to slow microbe growth. With the preservative, it should last for several months in the fridge.

As always, be sure to keep in a cool, dark place away from direct light and heat. Bathroom counters in moist bathrooms are not the best place! And only use clean fingers to apply.

Try making homemade non-toxic sunscreen too.

Have you ever made your own lotion before? Leave a comment and let me know!