For years I tried various lotions and could not tolerate many of them. After using any one brand for more than a year, it would begin to make my skin sting and turn red. Chemical fragrances burned my eyes. I searched high and low in the “organic” and “natural” care sections of health food stores but kept finding products with ingredients such as sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, and potassium hydroxide. And while there are much worse ingredients than these, I was obviously sensitive to many chemicals that cause allergies and concerns related to immunotoxicity.

I searched for products with pure ingredients, things that I could pronounce that were not from a laboratory. I found some lotions and moisturizers that fit this description but they were tremendously expensive. I knew it was time to make my own.

I searched for a lotion recipe and settled on one I found from Wellness Mama, one of my favorite health bloggers. She has many options for skin care (I like her recipe for lotion bars also). This lotion has easily become one of my favorite health and beauty items. I keep one jar in my medicine cabinet and another in my gym bag.

I have been making this lotion since February 2016 and it is by far the best thing I have ever used on my skin. It is good for both face and body. Once in a while I will use it in my hair overnight for a deep moisturizing treatment if my hair is feeling especially dry.

Here is the recipe and some of my pictures from the process of making it. I tend to make a double batch every two or three months. It’s quick and easy to do. Organic and pure ingredients are definitely the best and if you can obtain any ingredients from a local source, such as beeswax, all the better!

Homemade Lotion Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil (or Almond Oil) – I like California Olive Ranch
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil – I like Dr. Bronner’s
• 1/4 Cup Beeswax – available online or sometimes locally *note: I have noticed some beeswax pellets don’t melt as well as others and seem to make the lotion thick and grainy so I often use just a little bit less than the recipe calls for.
• Optional: 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E Oil (look for pure and natural oil such as from RejuveNaturals and avoid synthetics or blends)
• Optional: 2 Tablespoons of Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter – I like Shea – I love Now Solutions Shea Butter
• Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

How to Make Homemade Lotion

1. Combine ingredients in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I use a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars. You could also reuse a jar from pickles, olives, or other foods.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple of inches of water and place over medium heat.
3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with water.
4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Stir occasionally to incorporate. When all of the ingredients are completely melted, pour into whatever jar or tin you will be using for storage. Small 8 oz. mason jars are great for this. The lotion will not pump well in a lotion pump.
5. Use as you would regular lotion. This has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all of the ingredients are already shelf stable and water is not added. Use within six months for best moisturizing benefits.
6. A little bit goes a long way!