Body lotions are one way to pamper your skin, while also moisturizing and hydrating it. If you are tired of using chemical-laden lotions and want a natural body lotion, try out this simple DIY Body Lotion.
Ingredients
Shea Butter – 1 Cup
Olive Oil – ½ Cup
Beeswax – ¼ Cup
Essential Oil – a few drops
Grapefruit Seed Oil – ½ – 1 Tsp.
Distilled Water – 1 Cup
Instructions
In a double boiler, melt the Shea Butter and Beeswax. If you don’t have a double boiler, just melt it using indirect heat, by placing the butter and wax in a small bowl and placing it in a shallow pan with water. When the water heats up, the butter and wax will melt. Though you can melt them directly on low flame, I don’t prefer that method. You can do that if it works for you.
Let the melted butter and wax cool down and add it to your blender. Now, add in the essential oil (your favorite fragrance), Olive Oil and Grape Seed Oil and whip them.
A vortex is formed when the ingredients blend well. Now, slowly add in the distilled water – you can use boiled water also. Whip till the lotion is emulsified – combining of water and oil thoroughly.
When done, transfer to a sterilized jar and use as needed. The lotion would thicken after a while.
How Long Does it Last?
The ingredients give you 2 ½ Cups of Body Lotion and it would last a good six months. However, if you live in tropical areas, it is a good idea to refrigerate.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can use Coconut Oil instead of Olive Oil in the recipe if you are acne prone.
I prefer Lavender Essential Oil, though you can pick any essential oil. If you use Citrus Essential Oils like Lemon, Lime, Orange or Tangerine, it will improve the shelf life by acting as a preservative. Also, citrus oils make you feel refreshed and ideal since it is used during the day.
You can alter the recipe according to your requirements for specific purposes as follows:
Calendula Oil – Healing / Babies and Kids
Rose Essential Oil – Anti Aging & Calming
Sandalwood Essential Oil – For Scars / Acne prone skin
Rosehip Essential Oil – Scars / Blemishes / Anti-Aging
Evening Primrose Oil – Scars / Anti Aging
Lavender – Calming / Babies / Kids / Soothing / Acne-prone skin
Citrus Essential Oils – Refreshing (They’re photosensitive, so reduce the quantity if you head out in sun).
Geranium / Clary Sage / Chamomile – Calming / Soothing (Helps reduce stress)
You can skip beeswax if you don’t want a creamier/balm-consistency lotion and want a less dense, liquid type lotion. You don’t have to alter other ingredients for this.
If you don’t prefer Grape Seed Extract, you can use Vitamin E Oil instead. I used it as a preservative, so Vitamin E oil works equally good. Grape Seed is lighter oil, so I used that. If you use Vitamin E Oil, you can reduce the quantity or use Argan Oil instead – it is lighter and rich in Vitamin E.
How to Use it?
This body lotion works like any commercial body lotion out there – don’t have any second thoughts about that! As long as you blend enough to emulsify, the ingredients won’t separate. Just apply all your body after a shower. Want to skip the emulsification process? Want a recipe that doesn’t use water? Stay tuned! We will be adding more lotion options and one for each skin type soon. Don’t have time for DIY recipes? We have you covered with a range of skincare products manufactured using high quality ingredients. Check out our skincare range and pick a product that suits your needs!
