If you are still using store-bought lotion on yourself or your family, there are super easy natural alternatives that are fun to make! This homemade lotion recipe has three basic ingredients and takes only ten minutes to whip together.
The basic recipe is an ultra-moisturizing water-free version that lasts for years without preservatives.
NOTE: This is an improved recipe since many people were having trouble getting the temperatures exactly right to get the lotion to emulsify (as per the comments below). This recipe will not have any of those issues!
Making Custom Lotion Blends
Once you master the base recipe, have fun customizing your lotion to your skin type, skin conditions, and desired scent!
There are endless variations, but some of my favorites are:
- Baby Lotion – Infuse the oil with calendula and chamomile before making the lotion.
- Cooling Muscle Rub – Add peppermint, wintergreen, and ginger for sore muscles.
- Anti-aging Face Lotion – Use argan oil and add lavender and patchouli essential oils.
- Lavender and Vanilla Lotion – Add a few drops of lavender and a little natural vanilla extract.
Homemade Lotion Recipe
Yield
Materials
- ½ cup almond oil (or jojoba oil, or any other liquid oil)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup beeswax pellets
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
- 2 TBSP shea butter (or cocoa butter, optional)
- essential oils (optional)
- vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea or cocoa butter if using, in a double boiler or a glass bowl on top of a simmering pan of water.
- Stir occasionally as the ingredients melt.
- When all ingredients are completely melted, add the vitamin E oil if using and any essential oils or scents like vanilla.
- Pour into a glass jar or tin for storage. Small mason jars work perfectly for this. Note: This will not pump well in a lotion pump!
- Use as you would regular lotion. This lotion is ultra-moisturizing and more oily than water-based lotions so you won’t need to use as much. It also has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added. Use within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
Notes
Other Homemade Lotion Recipe Variations
There are lots of ways you can make your own lotion at home. Consider this easy men’s lotion with just a handful of ingredients, or see below for other ways to moisturize!
Lotion Bars
If you want an even easier solution, make these easy lotion bars! It only has three ingredients, takes less time to make, and lasts even longer.
Aloe-Based Homemade Lotion
If you’d prefer a lighter lotion recipe, this aloe-based version is much smoother and not as greasy. Unlike the version above, it does not have an indefinite shelf life and should be used within a month since it does not contain any preservatives.
This recipe is adapted from the recipe I’ve used for years from Frugally Sustainable.
Aloe Lotion Ingredients
- 1 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp + 1 TBSP beeswax pastilles
- 1/2 cup almond oil or jojoba oil (or any other liquid oil)
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
- 1 TBSP shea butter (optional)
- essential oils of choice – I like 10 drops of geranium and 5 drops of lime
Aloe Lotion Instructions
- Melt the beeswax, almond oil (or other liquid 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).
- 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 vitamin E (if using) and any essential oils.
- Start blending on low using a blender or immersion blender. Very slowly, start adding the 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.
Best Pre-Made Natural Lotions
If reading all that just convinced you that you’d rather just buy a natural lotion than go through the trouble of making one, there are also some great pre-made options. (And no judgment… that’s how I felt the first few times I tried making lotion and toothpaste too!).
These are lotions that I’ve personally used and love and that have safe ingredients and a good rating with the Environmental Working Group:
- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Lotion – I’ve never found a product I didn’t like from this company
- Shea Moisture Head to Toe Ointment – Similar to the first recipe above- no liquid and very moisturizing
- Nourish Organic Body Lotion – Fragrance-free and very highly rated by EWG
- Shea Moisture Olive Oil and Marula – Smells amazing and works really well!
- Nature’s Baby Organic Unscented Lotion – Also very highly rated unscented lotion
Ever made your own lotion? How did it go? Let me know below!
I quite liked this recipe! It was a little greasy on the skin though (unsurprising I suppose) but it does melt nicely . I think cocoa butter would be better to use than shea butter only because shea butter smells very strong (and not very pleasant), and tends to dominate despite the addition of essential oils. I actually cooled the mixture then whisked it for 10-15 minutes into a sort of mousse, which gives it a nice texture. I would recommend this recipe, I’ll definitely be using it again 🙂
HI –
I just discovered your post and plan to make the Homemade Lotion. Your suggestions for alternatives included AntiAging lotion with argan oil. Do I substitute the argan oil for the almond or coconut oil in the original recipe?
Thank you so much !
Warmly, Mary Jo
Substitute for the almond oil. Liquid oils can usually substitute in the same ratios.
What am I doing wrong?
My bee wax separates int tiny little balls once it cools. Kind of grainy and doesn’t want to melt in my hands
Hi! I wanted to know some details about the body lotion recipe… What is the final quantity of the ingredients given? And by saying cup, what kind of cup do you mean? Thank you in advance!
What is the beeswax for since you’re Emulsifing?
Loved the recipe! I used olive oil and works great
At what tempurature do you add the essential oils and the vit E.? thanks!
Any chance you still have the older recipe available with no beeswax? I loved that recipe and haven’t made it in a while – seems like it’s not listed in your site any longer? Thank you!
does these recipes go bad if not refridgerated?
Hi! I want to buy a pre made base lotion and add almond oil, coconut oil and shea butter, how I add it? It would be thick? Sorry for my english
Hi Katie,
I made the lotion using jojoba oil and coconut oil. Following exact recipe I added 2 tbsp of shea butter and 7-8 drops of vitamin E oil. But the out come is more like harder side similar to Vaseline. Could you tell me what went wrong? I was super excited to try this for my infant, but it was not as expected.
Do you have a recipe for one that will work in a pump?
Hi Kate – these recipes are fab. How many drops of essential oils do you recommend for the homemade lotion recipe? Thanks
Hey, so I made the lotion but for some reason the lotion comes out as more solid than liquid which makes it hard to get to the lotion. Should I use less coconut oil or what can I do to not make it so hard ? Thanks!
Reducing any of the harder ingredients (coconut oil, beeswax, etc) should help or adding more of a liquid oil
Hi! Out of curiosity, could I add a preservative to the aloe Vera one?
How long does this last?
Is there an alternative for the coconut oil?
I made this and found that it came together into a lotion consistency which was great especially given the comments from some others! I put it in the freezer for 15 minutes before whipping as directed. I also put the oatmeal water in the fridge as it was very warm and humid in my house at the time and it whipped into a lotion very quickly with my hand mixer! i added 15 drops of lemon and 15 drops of lavender and it turned out great! Thank you for the recipe!
Note: I had to throw out my first batch of oatmeal water as I had left it on the counter for a couple of days and it had started to ferment.
Will beef tallow work instead of coconut oil?
It will. you can sub 1:1 in this recipe
Do I have to dilute any essential oil I chose to use before mixing it with the rest of the recipes?
Or add a small enough amount that when calculated into the final recipe, it is within safe dilution ratios.