Body Lotion: The DIY Way

Make yourself a cost-effective, luxurious lotion! Choose your favorite scent and base to try this fun, anhydrous recipe that produces a simple, ultra-moisturizing body care formula containing no water and lasting for years.

Why This Recipe Works

By omitting water entirely, this anhydrous formulation relies on a rich blend of sweet almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax granules. This creates a deeply conditioning, long-lasting barrier that locks in moisture effortlessly, while natural vitamin E and essential oils nourish and protect the skin.

Ingredients & Preparation Details

Phase A Ingredients

43g Sweet Almond Oil

22g Coconut Oil

22g Beeswax Granules

11g Shea Butter

1g Vitamin-E Oil

1g Lavender Oil

Tools & Packaging

Double boiler or glass bowl

Heating pan with water

Glass jar or metal tin (not for pump bottles)

Optional electric mixer for whipping

Instructions

Phase A: Melt Base Ingredients

Combine the sweet almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a double boiler or a glass bowl.

Fill a pan with water and heat it up to a light simmer.

Place your double boiler in the water.

Stir occasionally until all the ingredients are melted and combined.

Phase B: Add Actives & Package

Remove your double boiler from the water.

Add your Vitamin E oil and the optional essential oil for aroma and extra nourishment.

Stir again and pour into a glass jar or metal tin for storage (note: this lotion is not suitable for a pump bottle).

Allow your lotion to set and cool completely before use.

Customizing Your Lotion

Once you have made the recipe and are happy with the consistency, you can tailor it to suit your specific skin type and scent preferences:

Making Baby Lotions: Avoid essential oils, utilize natural/organic ingredients, and infuse your carrier oil with calendula and chamomile before formulating.

Cool Muscle Rub: Add peppermint, eucalyptus, or arnica oil.

Anti-Aging Face Cream: Add argan or lavender essential oil.

Lavender Lotion: Add a few drops of lavender extract.

Thick, Whipped Lotion: Once the mixture has cooled partially, blend on medium speed for 5-10 minutes until it reaches a whipped, fluffy texture.

Shop the Ingredients

Craft your own custom body care! Refined Naturals offers ingredient bundles featuring sweet almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax granules, shea butter, vitamin E, and essential oils.