Homemade Body Lotions

by Valerie Gladstone — December 19, 2007

I've been making my own body lotion for a while or at least sort of. All I do is buy a generic-brand baby oil and put in a few drops of perfume and shake. I guess it's cheating because you can concoct much more interesting lotions with just a little more effort.

Creams and lotions are made by combining oil-based--which provide nourishing properties--and water-based ingredients to moisturize the skin. Creams and lotions are the only skin care applications that moisturize and nourish at the same time. Here are some recipes to try that leave your skin feeling silky smooth and smelling delicious. You can find most ingredients at a health food store. Other suggestions are welcome.

Dry Skin Lotion
1/8 tsp borax
1/4 cup distilled water
1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil
1 Tbsp grated beeswax
1 tsp fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice (add slowly and adjust to your taste)
1/8 tsp lecithin
1/2-cup aloe vera gel

1. Combine water and borax, and bring almost to boiling.
2. In a separate pan, mix oil and beeswax and heat until wax is melted.
3. Slowly add borax and water to oil and beeswax, stirring briskly with a small wire whisk or a hand blender.
4. Add essential oil during the whisk process.
5. Let cool to room temp. Then add the aloe vera gel.

Hand and Body Lotion
3 Tbsp safflower oil
1 Tbsp lanolin
1 Tbsp cocoa butter
1/3 cup light mineral oil
1 tsp almond extract

In a pint jar place:
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp glycerin
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp 70% ethanol alcohol
1-drop food color (optional)

• In small pan over water, melt all ingredients (not including those in the pint jar) together.
• When the oils are cool, add to the pint jar and shake.
• Divide into 2 to 6 oz. jars.
• In about 1/2 hour, the lotion will separate into three different layers, each one a different color. Shake, and it becomes an emulsion; let stand and it separates again.

Lavender Body Lotion
1 Tbsp borax
1 cup rosewater
2 Tbsp warm olive oil
A few drops of lavender water

1. Mix borax in rose water.
2. Add mixture to olive oil and beat gently.
3. Leave for 60 minutes and strain well.
4. Shake well before using.