Recently, I have been experimenting with making lotion. It really is very simple! Basically you heat up oils, heat up water, mix them together, and it becomes lotion! Sure, I could go to Walmart and buy some $.99 lotion too, but I like knowing what is in my lotion, and the convenience of being able to make it myself.
I use A LOT of lotion. At work, the soap in the bathrooms just dries out my skin, so I am always applying lotion. Even at home – because I do so much work in the kitchen, it seems I am always washing my hands! Pet the dog, wash my hands, put on lotion, throw the dogs toy, wash my hands, throw it again, wash my hands again, lotion … you see how it goes!
This is from the book “Earthly Bodies, Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Bodycare for Every Body Type”. It really does have more that hair ideas in it! This is the third lotion recipe I have tried, and it is my favorite!
Herbal Infused Lotion
3 oz canola oil
1 oz peanut oil
1 oz St. Johnswort infused oil
3 oz coconut oil
1 oz beeswax
9 oz distilled water
essential oils: ylang ylang (20 drops), lavender (20 drops), lemongrass (10 drops)
First, you will need the herbal infused oil. You can buy it already infused (linked above), or make it yourself. I already had some St. Johnswort infused oil, and I just made the calendula oil.
Take 2 oz of dried calendula and mix with 8 ounces of oil. I used a mix of apricot kernal oil and grapeseed oil. Let sit in a sunny spot for 4-6 weeks.
(You can do the same thing with the St. Johnswort if you want!) As you can see, I was very smart and labeled my jar, including the date I started it! I let mine infuse about 2 months.
When you are ready to use it, just strain out the herbs. I use a piece of cheesecloth, which I think is WAY easier than using paper towels. Just saying.
You will have a lot of extra oil, which is great for so many things! Including other lotions to come!
Now for the lotion! Combine all the liquid oils in a jar or measuring cup.
Add in the coconut oil and beeswax. Heat over a double boiler until all oils are liquid, and the beeswax has melted.
Let cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, heat the water in the double boiler, so it is room temperature (or microwave for a few seconds). You want the oils and the water to be around the same temperature.
Combine the water and oils, and mix with a hand mixer until is comes together in a creamy lotion consistency. Oooo action shot!
Add in the essential oils, and mix again.
Tada! Lotion!
Pour into glass jars and let cool completely.
The lotion will thicken slightly as it cools. I am really loving it! I love the smell, and it really is a thick, luxurious lotion.
As you can see, making lotion really isn’t rocket science. Plus, I bet this would make a really cool Christmas gift! (Did I just say Christmas??)
This is linked to the Weekend Whatever Linkup and Whole Foods Friday.
This is so neat! And you’re right – it would make a really great gift. Just curious – do you have to keep it in the fridge? How long does it last?
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Conservatory & Art Museums
I haven’t been keeping mine in the fridge – just on my bathroom counter! I have had it last a couple months, but obviously it won’t last forever. However, at that point, I am usually at the end of the jar of it, so it hasn’t been a problem for me! If I was going to keep it longer than that, I probably would put it in the fridge though …
A couple of months is longer than I would’ve guessed. How cool!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Protein?
Oh my goodness. How heavenly! Though Jane how do you have time to do all you do? Work, redecorate your house, cook, craft, work out? I wish I had half your energy!!!
haha, thanks, I think? I just have so many interests, I try to fit them all in!
Very nice! I too use a ton of lotion, esp in the winter, as I wash my hands a lot as well and they get pretty dry. I have to have unscented lotion and this would be so easy to do if making at home-it’s more rare to find unscented lotions at the store. And this sounds very healthy for the skin! Thanks!
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This is a keeper my friend! Thank you for sharing the recipe
Maria
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup
You are amazing my friend! How resourceful! I bet your homemade lotion feels better and smells better than anything you could buy at Walmart or even one of those bath and body shops where you pay a lot more than 99 cents. You could also control the amount of scent. I’m very sensitive to smells and because of some health issues I can’t be around heavily perfumed “things”. So I buy free and clear of everything, but do miss the smell of lotion. I like this idea because I could make it “lightly” scented! Thanks!
I use a lot of lotion too – my skin is always dry, never thought to make it though – looks great!
This is lovely and would make special Christmas gifts. I was toying with the idea of home-made gifts this year. Though, I’m afraid I should have started a while back.
kimberly montgomery recently posted..Happy October Friday!
I know! I always think the same thing too!
My mother in law used to make me lotion like this. Homemade lotion is the best!
TastefullyJulie recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Grilled Pizza
It really is! I love how moisturizing it is!
Love the lotion recipe. I make a hard lotion, sort of like this, but I will try the addition of water to soften it up and maybe make applying it easier. I use this type of cream as my daily moisturiser. It is heaps better to use something homemade where you know everything that has gone into it and it can be tailor made to suit your skin.
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Great post! I have made lotion before, but not whipped – for some reason that intimidates me! Lol!
Have you tried adding some vitamin E oil as a natural preservative? I little bit of that in there may give it a longer (non-refrigerated) shelf life!
Loving your blog!
Peace,
Jenny@SmallTownHippies
Jenny@smalltownhippies recently posted..Homemade Vapour Rub
Thank you! Actually I don’t know if I have added vitamin E, but you are right, that would be a great natural preservative! However, this lotion really did last a long time — about 2 1/2 months! Merry Christmas – I love your blog too!