Homemade Lavender Body Lotion Using Essential Oils

Posted on July 5, 2015 | Labels: Beauty

There is something deeply satisfying about making your own body lotion. Maybe it's the satisfaction of knowing exactly what goes onto your skin, or maybe it's the way a jar of homemade lotion looks sitting on the bathroom counter. Either way, I was hooked the first time I made this recipe.

My grandmother always kept a jar of homemade salve in her kitchen. She used it for everything from chapped hands to minor scrapes. This lavender body lotion is inspired by her approach to natural skincare—simple ingredients, no fillers, and the kind of results that make you wonder why you ever bought lotion from a store.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shea butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup almond oil (or jojoba oil)
  • 20 drops lavender essential oil
  • 10 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (preservative)
  • Glass jars for storage

Instructions

  1. Fill a saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring to a gentle simmer. This will be your double boiler.
  2. Add the shea butter and coconut oil to a heatproof glass bowl set over the simmering water. Stir gently until fully melted.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the almond oil and vitamin E oil. Mix well.
  4. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 30-45 minutes, or until the mixture starts to solidify but is still soft enough to whip.
  5. Using a hand mixer, whip the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
  6. Add the lavender and frankincense essential oils and whip for another 30 seconds to incorporate.
  7. Transfer to glass jars and seal. Store in a cool, dry place.

Tips

The key to a good lotion is whipping it at the right time. If you whip too early while the mixture is still liquid, it won't hold its fluffy texture. If you wait too long, it becomes hard and difficult to work with. Check it every 15 minutes once it's in the fridge. Lavender essential oil is well known for its calming and soothing properties, making this lotion perfect for nighttime use. Apply it to your hands and feet before bed for a relaxing wind-down routine.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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