Your skin is the ultimate sign of beauty and health. It responds to everything from how much water you drink to your hormones. Even though sometimes your skin can seem to have a mind of its own, there are DIY lotion recipes that can help keep you stay in control so your skin is as soft, smooth, and vibrant as you want it.
It can be hard to deny mainstream lotion brands–with pretty packaging and dazzling commercials often featuring a woman whose skin is seemingly perfect. However, not all is as it seems. Behind those fancy labels often lies a bunch of ingredients that are harmful to your skin and even toxic to your body.
Treat Your Skin Like You Treat Your Heart
Did you know your skin is the largest organ you have? That’s right! It’s an organ just like your lungs, liver, and heart. It’s porous, and functional, and needs your protection. Unfortunately, most standard lotions don’t keep your skins long-term health in mind.
Often times standard lotions include nasty ingredients like:
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) is commonly used in lotions to prolong its shelf life. According to the National Toxicology Program, it’s anticipated to be a human carcinogen. BHA is a preservative found in a ton of make-up products and processed foods and provides no benefits to your skin.
- DMDM Hydantoin, yes, it’s as scary as it sounds. This intimidating ingredient doesn’t directly pose a serious threat beyond being an irritant. Unfortunately, DMDM is often contaminated and contains traces of formaldehyde which is a certified carcinogen–and we all know what formaldehyde is used for. Yikes! Certainly not the thing to make your skin look alive!
- Fragrance/Parfum: I can guarantee your favorite peaches n’ cream scented lotion contains neither fruit nor cream. But it likely contains a toxic mix of mystery chemicals that manufacturers are legally allowed to label as “fragrance”.
- Parabens or more commonly labeled methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben are used as a preservative in standard lotion recipes. But what they can actually do is alter hormones, specifically estrogen. Studies have proven a concentration of parabens is found in breast tumors. All that just so a product can sit on the shelf longer? No, thanks!
BUT, I don’t want to scare you because now you have natural DIY lotion alternatives that will
- Produce the same results, if not better, than standard lotions
- Will not irritate sensitive skin
- No hidden ingredients
- The body can safely metabolize and absorb natural, DIY lotions
- You can make an organic, high-quality lotion for a fraction of the cost
Now, let’s get into some of my favorite DIY lotion recipes to quench normal to dry skin all year round.
Luxury DIY Lotion Recipe for Dry Skin
DIY isn’t just about being healthier and more affordable. Contrary to popular belief, creating your own cosmetics in the comfort of your own kitchen doesn’t mean the end product will be any less luxurious than if you just bought it.
In fact, it can be even more so and this DIY lotion recipe proves it! We are going to play with all sorts of beautiful ingredients, but to make this first lotion, let’s go all out with the softest of them–shea butter.
Ingredients:
- ½ c. pure shea butter
- ¼ c. coconut oil
- ¼ c. almond oil
- 5-7 drops of Neroli essential oil
Instructions:
Warm all ingredients in a double-boiler until combined. Then, let ingredients sit to reach room temperature. Finally, whip the shea butter mixture until stiff, fluffy peaks form and store in a glass jar.
To apply, use a dime-sized amount at a time and massage into skin for a moisturized, dewy finish.
Benefits:
This luxurious DIY lotion recipe is for the dryest of skin and can be used anywhere on the body. This formula isn’t lightweight but will intensely hydrate and lock water into the skin.
The Easiest DIY Lotion Recipe
Looking for something you can whip up in a hurry but still delivers the hydration your skin thirsts for? This DIY lotion recipe is for the girls on the go. No mess, no fuss, just clean ingredients, and lasting results.
Ingredients:
- ¾ c. avocado oil (or olive)
- 3 tbsp beeswax (or beeswax alternative)
- ¾ c. rose water or herbal tea
- 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)
That’s right only three with an optional fourth ingredient to make your own lotion!
Instructions:
Warm all ingredients in double-boiler or microwave, pour into a blender, mix until creamy and smooth, and you’re done! This is one of the easiest DIY lotion recipes and it creates a luscious body moisturizer. Store in a glass container and keep in the fridge for up to three months.
Benefits:
This lotion absorbs quicker than the recipes with shea butter or coconut oil. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and has virtually no fragrance unless you choose to use essential oils. The rose water or tea help alleviate irritation and calm skin prone to redness. Beeswax locks in the fatty acids from the avocado oil, keeping skin smooth all day.
Make Spa Lotion at Home
One of the more therapeutic DIY lotion recipes is perfect for your spa day in or to use every night before bed. Infused with essential oils and nourishing vitamins, this homemade cooling cream is one of my favs.
Plus, if you’re ready to give up the toxic ingredients that come in standard lotions but are finding it hard to part with some of your favorite scents like “Vanilla Dream” or “Orange Summertime Happiness”–I get it! That’s why this final recipe is for those who look forward to the familiar fragrance of their favorite lotion.
Looking for a scent you crave? Check out the natural fragrances of skin-safe essential oils to add to any of these recipes.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz of solid coconut oil
- 6 ounces of liquid jojoba oil
- lavender or chamomile essential oil
- 1 ½ ounces grated beeswax
- 8 ounces of distilled water
- 5 teaspoons Chamomile flowers
- 5 teaspoons lavender buds
You’ll need a few additional tools including
- Double boiler
- Food processor or immersion blender
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Instructions:
- Infuse your jojoba oil by placing it into the double boiler with the flowers and buds. Steep them on low heat for up to 2 hours. Do not overheat
- Strain through mesh or cloth and let oil reduce to room temperature
- Return oils to double boiler to gently melt in the beeswax and coconut oil. Stir occasionally.
- Once melted together, remove from heat and let reduce to room temperature.
- Add essential oils.
- Using your immersion blender or processors, whip ingredients on low speed then reducing to a pulse while slowly adding body temperature distilled water to create a white, fluffy lotion.
Benefits:
This DIY lotion recipe has a few extra steps and ingredients but you’ll know it’s worth it after one use. The gentle aroma of Chamomile and Lavender are calming and scientifically proven to induce relaxation and reduce stress.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these recipes! Let us know how they work out for you 🙂 If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below, we always answer.
If you want to skip out on the DIY and instead look for a superb organic lotion, head over to our post, 6 Best Organic Body Lotions You Will Love Using.
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