The Best Homemade Body Lotion Recipe for Soft Skin

Here is a simple yet effective homemade body lotion recipe to keep your skin soft and supple all year long! I’ll walk you through the ingredients and process so you can mix up a batch of this nourishing DIY body moisturizer without any complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.

When it comes to store-bought lotions, you can never be quite sure what questionable chemicals might be in there. But making your own gives you control over what goes on your skin. This recipe uses all-natural oils and butters that your epidermis will drink up like a treat. Best of all, customizing it is as easy as picking your favorite scent.

Ready? Let’s roll in!

Table of Contents

What is Body Lotion?

Body Lotion Recipe/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

Body lotion is a lightweight moisturizer used to hydrate and soften the skin. It’s made with a blend of ingredients, normally including water, oils, emollients, and humectants.

Here’s how body lotion works:

Water and humectants like glycerin attract moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated.
Oils and emollients create a barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing moisture from escaping and leaving it feeling smooth and soft.

Body lotion comes in different formulas for different skin types and needs. Some are designed for dry skin, while others are oil-free and better suited for oily skin. There are also lotions that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin or for use on the face.

Benefits of Using Body Lotion

Hydrates and softens the skin
Helps to prevent dryness, flaking, and irritation.
Can improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
Protects the skin from environmental damage.
Leaves the skin feeling smooth, supple, and healthy.

You can use body lotion on any part of the body, but it’s specifically important for areas that tend to get dry, such as the elbows, knees, and feet.

In addition to above, here are some tips for using body lotion:

Apply body lotion to clean, damp skin.
Use a generous amount and massage it into the skin until it’s absorbed.
Reapply as needed, especially after showering or bathing.

With its numerous benefits, body lotion is an essential part of any skincare routine.

What are the basic ingredients in body lotion recipe?

#1 Carrier oils

Body lotion recipe-Sweet almond oil/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

Choose oils based on your skin type and desired properties. Popular options include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.

#2 Emulsifier

This binds the oil and water phases together. Common emulsifiers include emulsifying wax, cetearyl alcohol, and beeswax.

#3 Distilled water

Distilled water is recommended.

#4 Preservative

Optiphen Plus/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Google Search Photos

This helps prevent the growth of bacteria in your lotion. Popular preservatives include Optiphen Plus and Leucidal SF.

#5 Optional ingredients

Essential oils/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

These can include butters (shea butter, cocoa butter), glycerin, essential oils, and fragrance oils.

How do you make body lotion step by step?

Creating your own body lotion is a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to customize it with your preferred ingredients and scents.

Tools:

Double boiler or two heat-proof bowls and a saucepan
Thermometer (optional)
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk or hand mixer
Storage container
Funnel (optional)

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Prepare the water phase: In a bowl, combine the distilled water and glycerin. Heat the water phase to around 70°C (160°F) using a double boiler or microwave.
Melt the oil and wax: In a separate bowl, combine the carrier oil and emulsifying wax. Heat this oil phase to around 70°C (160°F) using a double boiler or microwave.
Combine the phases: Slowly pour the oil phase into the water phase while continuously blending with a hand blender. Continue blending for several minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
Cool and add additives: Allow the lotion to cool slightly, then add the preservative and any desired essential oils, fragrance oils, or other additives. Stir well to combine.
Store: Transfer the lotion to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place. Your homemade body lotion should last for several months. A funnel can be helpful for this step.

In addition to the above, below are some tips for body lotion recipe:

Use a scale for accuracy: This ensures you use the correct proportions of ingredients, especially for the emulsifier, which is crucial for a stable lotion.
Don’t over-heat: Excessive heat can damage the ingredients and affect the texture of your lotion.
Start with a small batch: This allows you to experiment with different ingredients and find the perfect recipe for your skin.
Adjust the recipe to your preferences: You can change the type and amount of oils, butters, and other ingredients to create a lotion that suits your individual needs and skin type.

By following these steps, you can easily make your own body lotion at home. Enjoy the process of creating a personalized skincare product that nourishes and pampers your skin!

Additional Tips:

Use organic ingredients whenever possible for a more natural product.
Experiment with different combinations of carrier oils and essential oils to create your own unique scent.
If your lotion is too thick, you can thin it out with a little distilled water.
If your lotion is too thin, you can thicken it up by adding a little more emulsifying wax.
Start with a small batch of lotion until you are happy with the consistency and fragrance.
Be sure to label your lotion with the ingredients and date of creation.
Homemade body lotion typically has a shorter shelf life than commercially produced lotions. Use it within a few months for optimal results.
Label your lotion with the ingredients and date of manufacture

What ingredient makes lotion thick?

Several ingredients can thicken lotion, including:

#1 Butters

Body lotion Recipe-Shea butter/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

Shea butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter are all common choices. They add richness and a luxurious feel.

#2 Waxes

Body lotion recipe-Beeswax/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

Beeswax and carnauba wax are popular options. They create a protective barrier and help the lotion hold its shape.

#3 Fatty thickeners

Stearic acid/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

Cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, and cetyl alcohol are all effective thickeners. They also help stabilize the emulsion, preventing the lotion from separating.

#4 Gums

Xanthan gum is a common choice. It adds viscosity without being greasy.

The specific ingredient you choose will depend on the desired texture and properties of your lotion.

Does homemade lotion need a preservative?

Body Lotion Recipe-Vitamin E/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

No, homemade lotion doesn’t necessarily need a preservative if it’s made without water. However, if your recipe includes any water-based ingredients, such as: Aloe vera gel, Witch hazel, Hydrosols, and Floral waters. Then yes, you’ll need to add a preservative to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

Here are some common preservatives used in homemade lotions: Grapefruit seed extract, Vitamin E oil, Rosemary oil, and Leucidal SF Complete. These preservatives can help extend the shelf life of your homemade lotion to several months.

What should a body lotion not contain?

When choosing a body lotion, it’s important to be mindful of the ingredients. While some ingredients are beneficial for your skin, others can be irritating or harmful. Here are some ingredients you should avoid in body lotions:

# 1 Sulfates

Body Lotion Recipe-Sulfates/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

These cleansing agents can be harsh and strip your skin of its natural oils. Dryness, irritation, and redness can result from this.

#2 Parabens

These preservatives are linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

#3 Phthalates

These plasticizers can disrupt hormones and are linked to reproductive problems.

#4 Artificial fragrances

Artificial fragrances/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

These can trigger allergies and irritate the skin.

#5 Alcohol

This drying agent can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

#6 Mineral oil

Mineral oil/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

This petroleum-based product can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing.

#7 Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly/Lifestyle Metro — Image Source: Canva

This occlusive ingredient can trap dirt and bacteria on the skin, leading to breakouts.

By avoiding these ingredients, you can choose a body lotion that is safe and healthy for your skin.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a body lotion:

Check out lotions that are labeled “fragrance-free” or “hypoallergenic.”
Choose lotions that contain natural ingredients, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe vera.
Do a patch test before applying a new lotion to your entire body.

What ingredient makes lotion hydrating?

Humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, are the key ingredients that make lotion hydrating. They draw moisture from the air and into your skin, keeping it feeling soft and smooth.

How do you make Homemade Lotion with 3 Simple Ingredients

Let me introduce to you an extremely simple DIY body lotion recipe using just three nourishing ingredients you likely have on hand already! This dreamy skin-softening cream takes just a jiffy to prepare and blend together, yet it works wonders for soothingly hydrated results.

We’ll start with an all-star emollient like sweet almond or jojoba oil, known for its ability to moisturize without greasiness. Next comes a rich butter such as shea or cocoa, prized for its deep conditioning effects. Then for our thickening agent, reach for everyone’s fridge staple – plain old glycerin.

To get blending, place our oils and butter into a bowl and warm gently until melted and smoothly combined. Once liquefied, gradually stir in the glycerin until fully incorporated. Then simply spoon or pump your homemade lotion goodness into storage containers.

Upon application, this three-ingredient trio magically melts onto skin, seeping hydration deeply down. Best of all, clean and minimal ingredients equate to fewer questionable products touching your epidermis each day. So give it a luxurious lather and feel softness all over for a most simple cream that aims to please!

Body Lotion Recipe Final Thoughts

And voilà! Your very own body lotion is complete. Now, let’s take a moment to admire your creation. Isn’t it beautiful? This luscious, silky-smooth concoction is about to take your skin on a luxurious journey. But before you slather it all over and revel in its moisturizing glory, let’s take a moment to appreciate what you’ve accomplished.

We started with a blank slate, with some ingredients with their own unique properties. Then, through mixing and a little bit of patience, we brought them together into a harmonious blend. Now, you have a personalized lotion tailored specifically to your skin’s needs.

But wait, the fun doesn’t stop here! Now comes the best part – indulging in the fruits of your labor. So grab your jar of freshly made lotion, find a cozy spot, and give your skin the pampering it deserves. You deserve it!

Body Lotion Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between body cream and body lotion?

Hey there! Ever wondered what’s the difference between body cream and body lotion? They both moisturize your skin, but here’s the scoop:

Lotions are lighter and airier than creams. They have more water content and less oil, so they absorb quickly and leave a non-greasy feel. Think of it like a cool summer breeze ️ gently refreshing your skin. Lotions are perfect for normal to slightly dry skin, especially during warmer weather.

Creams, on the other hand, are richer and thicker. They’re packed with more oil, making them more hydrating and long-lasting. Imagine a warm blanket snuggling your skin and protecting it from dryness. Creams are ideal for dry to very dry skin, especially during colder months.