FTC Disclosure: Delicious Obsessions may receive comissions from purchases made through links in this article. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Read our full terms and conditions here.
Note from Jessica: Today’s post is shared by my sweet friend Mindy. Mindy is a whole food lover with a passion for sharing natural and safe alternatives to conventional beauty products. Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle can seem overwhelming. So at her blog, Simple Pure Beauty, she likes to keep things simple by sharing safe, natural beauty product recipes and remedies using very few ingredients. Stop by Mindy’s blog to learn about natural remedies, simple whole food cooking and creating safe, healthy environments for our families.}
With warmer weather coming, I like to trade in my heavier body butter for more of a lightweight, non-greasy homemade lotion. Because let’s face it, when you’re spending more time outside, you need a lighter lotion that moisturizes without leaving you feeling greasy.
For those with sensitive skin (like myself) using heavier lotions and body butters in hot weather can cause clogged pores and breakouts.
You will find that most body butter and lotion bar recipes call for shea butter or cocoa butter. I find that these butters are too heavy to use when creating a lightweight lotion or lotion bar.
Fractionated Coconut Oil:
- Is easily absorbed into the skin
- Is a light, penetrating oil
- Has a long shelf life
- Is non-greasy
Jojoba Oil:
- Is similar to our natural oils and won’t clog pores
- Is a great moisturizer
- Is non-greasy
If you don’t have fractionated coconut oil, feel free to use virgin or refined coconut oil.
Sweet Almond or Grapeseed Oil can be substituted for the Jojoba oil.
Non-greasy Homemade Lotion can be achieved in several different ways. I am going to share 2 of those ways:
- Homemade Lotion Recipe – Uses emulsification to create a creamy, lightweight lotion.
- Homemade Lotion Bar Recipe – Super easy process that creates lightweight lotion bars that can be applied by rubbing on your skin.
Delicious Obsessions Product Recommendations for Lightweight, Non-Greasy Homemade Lotion
I am always asked about my favorite ingredients and what I use in my own kitchen. I have linked to the products from my affiliate partners that I personally use and recommend. And now, here are the special coupon offers that select affiliate partners are currently offering:
- Thrive Market: If you sign up through this link, you will get 15% OFF your first order.
- Amazon, of course, has everything you need for this recipe. Their prices are often very good, though I love to shop around and sometimes find that Thrive Market has better deals. If you like saving money, it’s good to shop around! 🙂
For more information about the essential oils I use for myself and my family, click here.
Non-Greasy Homemade Lotion Recipe
Make your own non-greasy lotion at home with this simple tutorial!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Distilled Water
- 1/2 cup pure Aloe Vera Gel
- 1/2 cup Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pastilles
- 1/4 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil (can sub virgin coconut oil or refined coconut oil)
- 1/4 cup Jojoba oil (Sweet Almond or Grapeseed Oil also work)
- 1 tsp Vitamin E oil or Rosemary Extract
- 16 drops Essential oils (your choice)
Instructions
- Combine water and aloe vera gel in a separate bowl or measuring cup.
- Place beeswax and oil in a double boiler and heat water on medium until beeswax is melted.
- Bring water mixture to around the same temperature as beeswax mixture. (Either in a double boiler or in the microwave)
- Add beeswax and oil to a food processor and let cool for a few minutes (not too long or it will start to harden)
- Turn on the food processor and VERY slowly pour water/aloe mixture in.
- Continue slowly pouring as the mixture starts to emulsify. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Continue blending and pouring for up to 15 minutes or until you are happy with the consistency of your lotion.
- Add vitamin E oil or Rosemary extract and essential oils and mix well.
- Place finished lotion in containers and use within 3 months.
Notes
If you are short on time or a little intimidated by the creamy lotion recipe, then a homemade lotion bar is a quick and easy alternative. Start to finish, it takes let than 15 minutes and it's really fun to choose different shapes for your lotion bars.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
-
ArtNaturals Organic Aloe Vera Gel - for Face, Hair and Body - 100% Pure Natural and Cold Pressed - for Sun Burn, Eczema, Bug or Insect Bites, Dry Damaged Aging skin, Razor Bumps and Acne - 12 oz. -
Sky Organics USDA Organic White Beeswax Pellets (1lb) Pure Bees Wax No Toxic Pesticides or Chemicals - 3 x Filtered, Easy Melt Pastilles- for DIY, Candles, Skin Care, Lip Balm -
Viva Naturals Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil -
Now Solutions, Organic Jojoba Oil, Moisturizing Multi-Purpose Oil for Face, Hair and Body, 4-Ounce -
Trader Joe's Vitamin Oil E, 4 Ounce -
Herb Pharm Certified Organic Rosemary Liquid Extract - 1 Ounce
Homemade Lotion Bar Recipe
If you're short on time or intimidated to make your own lotion above, these bars are a super simple substitute!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pastilles
- 1/3 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil (can sub virgin coconut oil or refined coconut oil)
- 1/3 cup Jojoba oil (Sweet Almond or Grapeseed Oil)
- 8-10 drops Essential oils (your choice)
Instructions
- Combine beeswax and oil in a double boiler (or glass or bowl in a pan of 1-2 inches of water).
- Heat water on medium heat until the beeswax is melted, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in essential oils.
- Pour into molds immediately as essential oils tend to want to separate.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
-
Sky Organics USDA Organic White Beeswax Pellets (1lb) Pure Bees Wax No Toxic Pesticides or Chemicals - 3 x Filtered, Easy Melt Pastilles- for DIY, Candles, Skin Care, Lip Balm
-
Viva Naturals Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil
-
Now Solutions, Organic Jojoba Oil, Moisturizing Multi-Purpose Oil for Face, Hair and Body, 4-Ounce
Essential Oils for your Lotion Recipes:
Both of these lotion recipes can be left unscented or you can have some fun adding essential oils and fun scents to your lotion or bars. For my lotion, I used Sweet Orange Essential Oil and Vanilla for a creamy orange vanilla scent. Smells Yummy!
Cleaning Up:
I’m not going to lie. Making your own lotion can be quite messy and clean up can be tricky. Believe me, I learned from experience. 🙂
So here are a few tips:
- Wipe out bowls & measuring cups immediately with paper towels before beeswax and oils cool.
- Then wash with REALLY hot soapy water.
I hope you enjoy experimenting with this lightweight non-greasy lotion recipe!
Delicious Obsessions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Read our full terms and conditions here.
I would like to be able to print the recipe/instructions for your lightweight summer lotion..and bar.
I just don’t see how I can without using many pages and ink.
Am I missing a printer friendly key somewhere?
Please help. thanks
Hi Sue! We just added that feature in! You should now see a print button for the recipe portion.
The print button still has many photos that will print with the recipe……Am I missing another button?
Hi Wanna Be – No, you’re not missing anything. I’m sorry, but that is the way that specific recipe format prints. You are welcome to just copy and paste into a notepad doc so that it strips out the images. We’re going to be updating our recipe format this year and hopefully get this all fixed. But with 750+ recipes, it’s a slow process. 🙂
Looks great but a question: could you leave out the water so it last longer…or would it?
Hi Cathy – I am not sure. I am going to ask Mindy to swing by and she can advise! 🙂
Cathy, if you leave out the liquid, it will have a longer shelf life, but you will be left with a lotion bar when your ingredients harden. It won’t have a lotion consistency. Hope that helps!
if you leave out the water you can decrease the amount of beeswax and / or whip it (instead of blending it)
For your solid lotion bar, what kind of vanilla did you use? And what was your ratio of vanilla to orange? I’m trying to come up with the perfect ratio and decide if I should splurge on natural Vanilla oil.
Hi Paisley – I am not 100% sure about this. I’ll see if Mindy can stop by and offer some assistance! 🙂
I actually used vanilla fragrance oil and I believe I did half sweet orange and half vanilla. Just be careful with your citrus essential oils as they are know to cause photo sensitivity. Just something to keep in mind if you will be out in sun. 🙂
Do you use the same tools to make your lotions as the kitchen tools in your kitchen for cooking? Or keep a separate set for lotion making only?
It would be ideal to have a separate set of tools for beauty recipes, but right now I just use the same ones I cook with. I just make sure I clean them really well.
Used this recipe but when I applied to the skin it climbed up and did not go on smoothly. Any ideas which step may have caused this?
Hi Jen – I am not sure why that would have happened. The lotion soaks in quickly to my skin. I will ask Mindy if she can stop by and offer any insight.
What oils did you use? Did you use fractionated coconut oil? Regular coconut oil could make it a little less absorb-able. You could try using Apricot Kernel or Grapeseed Oil as they both absorb really quickly. This could be a better fit for your skin.
How many oz does this recipe yield?
Hi Allison – I’m not sure, as I have never weighed it upon completion! Sorry!
Hello! I have made this lotion twice and I absolutely love it! The first time I followed the recipe exactly and the 2nd time I messed with it a little. Should have left it alone because it is perfect just the way you have it!
So glad you enjoyed it Jennifer! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Hi,
Can I use aloe vera gel straight from the plant?
And if so, how long will it last before it goes bad?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Elsa – I am not really sure, as I have not made it in that manner. I’ll see if I can find out!
When you say “Lotion Bar” Do you just rub the bar over your face to moisturise or on your hands first?
Hi Gillian – I just rub the bar on the area I want to moisturize and then massage it in with my hands.
Hi! I made pain cream using my Young Living oils, coconut oil from trader joes, coco butter, jojoba oil, peppermint, panaway, lavender and valor but I think due to the coco butter it is too greasy…is there anything I can do to lessen the greasiness? Thank you!!
Hi Jessica – I am not sure. Some people find that coconut oil tends to be a little greasy on their skin, so I think it could have been the coconut oil, not the cocoa butter. I don’t have any problems with the coconut oil, but you could try making it with a little less next time you make it. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi! I made this recipe last night. It turned out okay, but I’m wondering if I did something wrong. I followed the directions as best as I could, but hardly any of my water or aloe Vera gel mixed in. The liquids just kept seeping out. I think I ended up dumping about a cup of liquid from the mixture. Anyone else have this issue, or just me? 🙂 The end product is not as “lotiony” as I expected.
Hi Emily – I am not sure why that would have happened. Let me ask Mindy and see if she knows! Sorry it didn’t turn out correctly!
Hi Emily!
I have actually had this happen to me before. Emulsification can be tricky and sometimes it fails and never truly emulsifies. What are you using to mix? You could try a hand mixer or stick blender next time.
This is a great source for lotion making:
http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-youre-new-to-lotion-making.html
Another thing you could try is: Heating and holding both of your mixtures for 20 minutes to ensure they are the same temperature when you are ready to start emulsifying.
I hope this help!
I made this for my daughter. She says it is too thick to use- any way to make it thinner and easier to apply?
Hi Kallie – I am not sure. I will see if Mindy can stop by and offer any suggestions? I would probably add a little extra jojoba oil.
Hmmm, that’s really odd. Did your liquids emulsify ok? You could try adding more liquid or reducing the amount of beeswax until you get a consistency that’s a fit for you.
Can I use Shea butter instead of using coconut oil?
Hi Belle – We’ve never tried it, but you’re welcome to experiment! The shea butter will alter the texture and probably create more of a body butter than a lotion. Have fun! 🙂
I made a homemade cream , by mixing coconut oil , jojoba oil , avocado oil , with vitamin e , lavender EO , tea tree oil … Heated the coconut oil first , then added the rest at room temp . Waited to cool and the mixed with a hand blender … Am happy the way it came out , but a little too greasy for me , advice on how to fix it am make it less greasy . And what preservative Can I add ?
Hi Sally – Some people find that the coconut oil has a tendency to make homemade lotions and butters a bit greasy. Coconut oil sinks into my skin really well, but others it does not. You may try making a batch without the coconut oil and see how you like that texture. As far as preservatives, I don’t use any preservatives in my homemade stuff, so I am not well-versed in that area. I think some people use citric acid or grapefruit seed extract, but I am not certain on that. You might want to do some research on Google. Thanks for stopping by! :P)
Thanks for your reply ! Now that I have made a batch with a coconut base , I would like to use it , is there any way I can add something to fix it ?
Hmmm, I’n not sure Sally. I don’t know what you could do to fix it. You could try experimenting with other oils, but I’d hate for it to mess up and be wasted!
Hi there.
i have been looking to make a lotion for a while and its quite important that it is non greasy so im gonna give yours ago. i did want to make one using witch hazel infused with basil, would i be able to replace the distilled water with a witch hazel herbal infusion?
Amanda xxxx
Hi Amanda – I am not sure if that substitution would work or not. I’ve never tried it. If you do, let us know how it goes!
Hello!
Thank you for this recipe. Living in southwest Florida, with our heat and humidity, heavy and greasy won’t work for me. With water as an ingredient I’m hoping it will be more light weight and non greasy as other recipes I’ve looked at seem they may be. I’m curios though as to what will keep the water and oils from separating,,, or will they?
Does the bees wax prevent it? Too, can jojoba ester be substituted for the bees wax and garner a creamy result?
Thanks!
Hi Summr! Thanks for stopping by! The beeswax is what helps keep things emulsified. I have never used jojoba ester, so I am not sure if it would be a suitable replacement for the beeswax. If you do try it, please let us know, as we are always curious to hear how people modify the recipes to suit their own needs! 🙂
can i substitute the beeswax in your recipe with shea butter and the distilled water with rosewater?
Hi Festa – Shea butter is not a suitable replacement for beeswax. There are other plant-based waxes that you could use for a substitute though if you are wanting to avoid beeswax for vegan reasons. Rosewater should work fine in place of the distilled water. Hope that helps!
Hi!
Love this Lotion bar recipe but my wife is allergic to coconut oil. Is there anything I could use to substitute in for it? Thanks!
Hi Caleb – I have not made it with anything other than coconut oil. Let me see if Mindy can stop by and offer some suggestions! 🙂
Hi Caleb! You can definitely swap out the coconut oil for any other carrier oil like sweet almond, grapeseed, or more jojoba. 🙂
Hello, I was wondering about the consistency of this recipe. I’ve made a lot of lotion recipes using beeswax and this recipe looks like it’s about 50% beeswax. Does this not more appropriately resemble a body butter? Any comments on how is absorbs into the skin?
Hi Rob – This one does have more of a lotion consistency. You could always reduce the beeswax too which would make it thinner.
Just wondering if apricot seed oil would work in place of jojoba oil?
Hi Abby! We have not tried it, but if you do, let us know how it turns out!
Hi! Can you tell me the speed I should set my vitamix to? Thank you
Hi Holly! Low to medium speed should work well! 🙂
I want a lotion made with coconut oil because I love the smell but it’s too darn greasy. I’ve heard about adding baking soda? Cream of tarter? What was it? I can’t remember! Ever heard if that to help with the greasiness.
Also, if you added witch hazel instead of water I wonder if that would prolong the shelf life?
Hi Melissa – Another reader suggested cornstarch. I have seen recipes like that, but I’ve never personally done it so I am not sure of the ratio. I’ll be trying it next time I make a batch! 🙂
I use arrowroot powder to help decrease the oiliness but you can also use cornstarch.
Thank you for the tip Lyn!! 🙂
Cornstarch! I think that’s what I read is added to a coconut oil based lotion to make it non greasy. Is that right??
Hi Melissa – Yes, you can add cornstarch into the recipe though I have personally never made any of my lotions or butters like that so I am not positive what the ratio would be. I will have to give that a try next time I make a batch! 🙂
How long is the shelf life of the lotion?
Is there an all natural preservative that I can use to make it shelf stable for at least a few months? I’ve made body butters and lotion bars, but want something even lighter… Like the lotion. However anything I make with water starts to mold SO FAST.
Does the aloe Vera gel act as the emollient? I’ve made lotion in the past using borax, but that didn’t work so well.
Hi Mik – This will last a couple months. You could probably use citric acid as a preservative, though I have not tried it on this recipe. Yes, the aloe vera is an emollient and has a lot of natural benefits for skin health. Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica,
I tried the lotion bar recipe but it didn’t set. Moreover, it took a long while to get absorbed. I used a combo of 1/3 coconut oil and beeswax each, and in the second 1/3 measure, I used a combo of almond and grape seed. What do you think went wrong? I live in India but it’s not terribly hot here yet.
Hi Annelise! Thanks for stopping by. I am not sure what could have gone wrong. Let me see if Mindy has any suggestions and I will try to report back!
What can I do to make the lotion bar a little more hard? It melts super well. I want it melt slower. Would adding more beeswax help? Thank you.
Hi Tiffany – Adding more beeswax would definitely help! You could also try using a butter (like shea, cocoa, etc.) instead of the coconut oil and that would probably help it stay more firm. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi Jessica
I tried your recipe because I loved that it is lightweight and non greasy. Mine was a disaster and I’m not sure why. Can this recipe be made by adding all the ingredients together in a double boiler and melting it down that way.
Hi Lisa – I’m so sorry the recipe didn’t work for you! Did you follow the instructions exactly? I’d love to try to figure out why it didn’t work. The problem with trying to put all the ingredients together in a double boiler is that you have the beeswax and the oil which will not mix with the water/aloe mixture in just a regular double boiler. Since oil and water do not mix, that is why you have to slowly incorporate the water/aloe mixture into the warm oils in a blender or food processor in order to get it to emulsify properly. I don’t think just trying to combine them all together at once would yield a suitable result. Hope that helps a little!
I tried this recipe over the weekend. It was my first time ever attempting to make homemade lotion. It turned out very well and better than I expected. It does stay a tad greasy for about the first few minutes, but after that, it keeps your hands very silky smooth. I have shared with friends and co-workers and many of them really liked it. I did alter the recipe a little bit based on the comments from this recipe and others. I only put in 1/4 cup of beeswax and 1/4 of distilled water. I cut down on the beeswax because I didn’t want it to be too sticky. I cut down on the water because I was afraid it would be too runny with all of the oil. I also added some arrowroot to get it a little thicker and creamier. Don’t ask me how much – I just put some in a little bit at a time until I liked the consistency.
Hi Becky! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share! We’re so glad it turned out well for you and appreciate the modification suggestions too! Super helpful! 🙂
Hi! I made the recipe but as I was adding the liquids to the oils in the food processor, the mixture started to just fly onto the sides and top of the processor. Then by the time I had added all of the liquids, it stopped emulsifying and just separated. At the end, I was left with a sticky “lotion” and then about 1/2 cup of liquid that did not get mixed in. What did I do wrong? I know I measured everything correctly (I am a pastry chef) and understand emulsification, however it almost seemed like too small of an amount of total lotion for my processor. Thank you!
Hi Dayna! I am not sure why that would have happened! I’m sorry that it did though! 🙁 I will see if I can get ahold of Mindy (the author of this recipe) and see if she can swing by and offer some advice as I really am not sure why it would have done that. Maybe the speed was too high?
Can I use this product on my 2 year old? I don’t see why not, because all the products look safe and organic. But I just wanted to ask you 🙂
Hi Mdmoon – There should be no reason you couldn’t unless your children have known sensitivities to any of the ingredients. I know the recipe author uses it on her kids. The only thing is you need to make sure any of the essential oils you use are safe for children and also not phototoxic (which is most of the citrus family. Google “phototoxic essential oils” for a full list) if used outdoors. Hope that helps!
Hi can I substitute any other oil to almond oil.. Coz I have read that in pregnancy almond oil is not safe to use.
Hi Caroline – You could probably try avocado oil. That should work well! Let me know how it turns out if you try it! 🙂
I made this lotion according to the recipe and I checked on it this morning. It had separated. I’m not sure what went wrong. I’m new to this. I noticed in a prior post that too fast a blending speed could be a problem. Is there anything I can do to make this batch usable?
Hi Jean – Do you have a hand mixer or a stand mixer? You could whip it in there and see if it will emulsify back together. I have not experienced it separating. If you have any butters, like cocoa butter, shea butter, etc., you could melt some of those and add it to the mixture as you whip it and it will turn into more of a body butter texture.
Thank you for your response. I have both but I purchased the hand blender just for my lotions. I will try that instead of the blender. I’m hopeful that I will be able to make a usable lotion.
Hi Jean! Happy to help! Hope it turns out OK! 🙂
Hi Jessica – Please advise!
I have the aloe plant of which I have used to make a cream of coconut oil and vitamin E oil. But this cream seems to cause breakouts as soon as I use it. I have an oily and sensitive skin. What can I use with the aloe gel to moisture my skin without using coconut oil?
I would really appreciate some advise please.
Thank you
Kind regards
Lydia
Hi Lydia! Thanks for stopping by! I am sorry you’re experiencing the breakouts with the coconut oil. You will need to experiment with other oils or butters and see what works for you. Almond, avocado, and olive oils are what come to mind immediately. You can also play around with things like cocoa butter, shea butter, etc. Hope you find something that works! 🙂
I made the non greasy lotion and the liquid later began to seep out of the mixture. I’m new at this, I followed the directions and I can’t figure out what I did wrong. Please advise.
Thanks. Anita
Hi Anita – I am not sure why that would have happened. I can’t seem to get a hold of Mindy, the author of this post and recipe. If I hear back from her about troubleshooting, I’ll post here. My first thought is that the mixture was not properly emulsified and that is what caused the separation.
I have been making lotion for 5 years. And very accustomed to adding water to oil. This recipe is way too heavy on the beeswax. I understand there needs to be a bit more to compensate for the fractionated coconut oil being liquid at room temperature. And my room temperature was at 70. Unfortunately this was a throw away batch. I’m just glad I didn’t waste my essential oils. Apologies for the negative review. Perhaps someone might find it helpful when they attempt this recipe
Thanks for sharing your experience, Katrina! Sorry the recipe didn’t work for you! 🙂
Hi can I replace water with rosewater?
Hi Sharon – Yes, that should work just fine! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
I have made this recipe , I love it , but If I was to add citric acid to this recipe how much would I add?
Hi Kristine! Thanks for stopping by! I don’t know how much citric acid to add. I’ve never used citric acid in any of my homemade lotions/body butters so I don’t even know where to begin guessing. I am sure there is a specific ratio that you could find online somewhere. If I come across that data I’ll make sure to update the recipe! 🙂
I can’t wait to try this recipe! What is the shelf life? I only saw “longer shelf life”
Hi Crystal – I make mine all of my skincare items in smaller batches so I can use it up within a month or so. Otherwise, you may need to store it in the fridge. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi Jessica,
I need to stay away from coconut products. Is it possible to make the lotion bars with jojoba oil and grapeseed oil (or sweet almond oil)?
Hi M – I have never made these without the coconut oil but I think they would still work fine since this recipe is using fractionated coconut oil that would be similar in consistency to the jojoba or grapeseed. If you try it, I would do a very small batch to start and see how they turn out. Let me know if you do give it a go!
Hi!
I am going to try this recipe as a gift for my mum! I am wondering if I can replace half of the jojoba oil for half of rose hip seed oil?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Paula – I’ve never tried that before, but I think it would work OK. If you do try it, let me know how it goes!
Is the non-greasy lotion pumpable? Thank you!
Hi TM – No, it stays pretty thick and I imagine it would clog the pump. I’ve never used it in a pump for that reason. Thanks for stopping by!
could I use an anti bacterial essential oil? like Tea Tree?
Hi Fran! Great question! I never have in this recipe, but I don’t see why not. It should blend right in. Enjoy!
Hello! im thinking about making this recipe, but was wondering if it is able to be pumped out of a lotion bottle? Also, does it leave residue on the processor even after cleaning? thank you!
Hi Winter – This recipe isn’t going to be fluid enough to pump easily. As far as the residue, there should be none left as long as the processor bowl is cleaned with soap and water. Hope you enjoy!
I am not sure if I am wrong. But the recepe for lotion I am not seeing any preservatives. Am I right? Does this lotion doesnot need any preservative?
Hi Echan – We don’t use any in this recipe since we make it in small batches and use it up pretty quick. If we are concerned, we store extras in the fridge. But you are welcome to add a preservative of your choice if you like. Enjoy!
I gave this recipe a go, doubling on the ingredients and substituting jojoba for grapeseed oil. This being a fairly big batch, I did add a preservative. It turned out perfect! Pump-able, non-greasy and absorbs well into skin.
Hi Dee! Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and share! 🙂
Hello I was wondering if you gave advice on what preservative I could use for your lotion recipe? I’m hoping to get a longer shelf life! Thank you!
Hi Crystal – I have not personally played with preservatives, but I know rosemary extract and citric acid are often used in skincare products. I’m sure you can find specifics online on how to use them most effectively. Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks for posting this recipe. Is it necessary to use distilled water?
Hi, yes, you want to use distilled so that there are no possible contaminants in the water that could spoil the end product.
Do you have any lotion/ body butter recipes that do not use coconut oil? I have some sort of sensitivity to it, though it does not seem to be as pronounced using coconut derived MCT oil.
Hi! I am so sorry, but I don’t!
I love the homemade lotion recipe. Haven’t tried the lotion bars. Wanted to add a note for some attempted substitutions that went wrong with the lotion. Tried aloe juice instead of water and instead of aloe gel and it bombed both times. You can’t skip the water or the aloe GEL. Also, I used my kitchen aid mixer with the wire mixer attachment with the most success. I tried the paddle attachment and it also did not work during the emulsification process.
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Anna! So glad you liked the recipe. Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and tips! I appreciate it! 🙂