Make Lotion

Lotion is simply the emulsification of oil and water by means of some sort of waxy agent. Why pay for something you can make yourself? The end result will be totally and completely you and makes a great gift -- if you don't want it all for yourself! Get creative. Here's your guide!

Ingredients

Quick & Easy Method

  • 2-3 tbsp (30-45 g) distilled water (or aloe vera gel)
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) oil (grapeseed, coconut, jojoba, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) beeswax
  • Vitamin E oil or capsule
  • Essential oil(s)

With All the Ingredients/Fixings

  • 22 oz distilled water or aloe vera gel
  • 1/2 tsp (pinch) cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp (pinch) citric acid
  • 1/2 tsp potassium sorbate (if available)
  • 1 tsp (5 g) each of selected herbs
  • 1 teabag of your choice
  • 5 oz scented oil
  • 5 tbsps (75 g) emulsifying wax or shredded beeswax
  • 1 tbsp (15 g) stearic acid
  • 1 tsp (5 g) honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon (dash) vitamin E oil or rosemary extract

Steps

Quick & Easy Method

  1. Get together your ingredients. Every lotion is a bit different (that's part of the reason there are so many varieties available in stores) and there is no wrong way to go about making it. For this basic concoction, you'll need:
    • 2-3 tbsp (30-45 g) distilled water (or substitute aloe vera gel)
    • 1/2 cup (4 oz) grapeseed oil (or coconut, jojoba, etc.)
    • 2 tbsp (30 g) beeswax
    • Vitamin E oil or capsule
    • Essential oil(s) (a few drops ought to do it)
  2. In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the grapeseed oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil. Do this slowly -- you don't want to scorch your materials. Patience will result in a better product.
    • Some schools of thought suggest using a double boiler -- if you have the means, this is a good, safe method of melting.
  3. When almost entirely melted, remove from the heat. Place the mixture into a large glass bowl. Don't wait to do this -- if your mixture overcooks, it may not form.
    • Your pan will clean with soap and water; don't worry. Soak it now to go easy on your scrubbing elbows (or dishwasher).
  4. Add the water or aloe vera gel. For a thicker, more butter-like consistency, add less water. Mix with a hand mixer until your scented potion becomes thick.
    • Rose water is also a good alternative to distilled water, if that matches the scent you are aiming to produce. It's easy to find in grocery stores, too.
  5. Let sit for 15-20 minutes. It needs time to thicken up and congeal. It does not have to be covered or moved to a cool area -- simply leave it on the counter and walk away.
    • When adequate time has passed and your lotion has formed, scoop 'er into a glass jar or other lotion-worthy container. Throw a tag on it and wrap it up for a personal, thoughtful gift!

With All the Ingredients/Fixings

  1. Select and gather ingredients and equipment as needed. Though the following steps will outline one procedure for making lotion, you can remove/add/substitute ingredients as you see fit. This version will use:
    • 22 oz distilled water or aloe vera gel
    • 1/2 tsp (pinch) cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp (pinch) citric acid
    • 1/2 tsp potassium sorbate (if available)
    • 1 tsp (5 g) each of selected herbs
    • 1 teabag of your choice
    • 5 oz scented oil
    • 5 tbsps (75 g) emulsifying wax or shredded beeswax
    • 1 tbsp (15 g) stearic acid
    • 1 tsp (5 g) honey
    • 1/8 teaspoon (dash) vitamin E oil or rosemary extract
  2. Bring the distilled water or aloe vera juice/gel to a quick boil. Once bubbling adequately, reduce the heat to medium. Add the cinnamon, citric acid and potassium sorbate (if you have it -- it's not imperative that you do).
    • Once dissolved, add 1 teaspoon (5 g) each of the herbs you picked and one teabag of your choice. After everything has simmered for 10 minutes on medium, reduce heat to low and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
  3. Start working on your oil mixture. In a small pot or pan, add 5 oz of your chosen oil combined with 5 tablespoons (75 g) emulsifying wax or shredded beeswax (6 if you don't have stearic acid), 1 tablespoon (15 g) stearic acid (2 if you like it really thick), 1 teaspoon (5 g) honey and approximately 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil or rosemary extract.
    • Don't worry about mixing it yet; that'll come. You have more things to do right now!
  4. Once your herb mixture has finished, start boiling water in a medium pot. Alternatively, use the bottom of your double boiler. Strain the herb mixture into a large mixing bowl, squeezing all the good juice out of the herbs and teabag.
    • You'll be adding all the ingredients into this bowl, so make sure it can contain everything!
  5. Once your water is boiling, carefully set the small pot of oils on top until all the wax is dissolved. Not a second more! The last thing you want is for it to overcook. Stir it often and don't let the oil get too hot -- that's the point of the double boiler. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches this point.
    • Though it may take time and feel like you're watching paint dry, keep an eye on this bowl. You'll want to be there to keep stirring and making sure nothing goes awry.
  6. Start beating the herb mixture while slowly adding the oil mixture. Be careful; this stuff can burn! It's fine to let the mixtures cool down a little, but they do have to be hot to mix. Blend on medium for two minutes.
    • This can be done in a blender, but it's possible your blender won't be the same afterward, so if you're attached to yours, don't use it.
  7. Continue mixing and stirring with a rubber spatula to get all of the air bubbles out. Add up to 1 drop of essential or fragrance oil per two ounces of total mixture. Mixture will be watery until it cools and sets, so don't be alarmed if it seems runny.
    • Wait one or two hours before pouring mixture into the bottles. You don't want it too hot or it will melt the plastic and it will still have many air bubbles. Use a funnel or turkey baster for easy pouring.
  8. Finally, refrigerate your homemade bottles of lotion until you are ready to use them. This recipe will last up to 3 months out of the refrigerator under normal conditions. Don't leave it in the hot sun or direct sunlight. That's a recipe for lotion 911.
    • Lotion recipes are designed to be perfected. If you're not 100% happy with this recipe, keep tweaking it until you have a recipe that's uniquely you.

Tips

  • Use 1 tablespoon emulsifier or wax per ounce of oil. Melt into oil.
  • Keep everything as sterile as possible.
  • Always add either Vitamin E at 0.5% or Rosemary extract at 0.3%, but not both, to the oil mixture to keep the oil from going rancid and turning yellow in your lotion.
  • When infusing herbs into oil, let them simmer for at least 3 hours. When infusing herbs into water, let them simmer at least 30-45 minutes.
  • Potassium sorbate and citric acid work extremely well at 0.3% and in combination with a dash of cinnamon. Dissolve in your boiled water at the beginning.
  • Make sure oil and water are hot but not too hot and approximately the same temperature when mixing.
  • In lotion, never use more than 30% oil unless you like the "shiny" or even greasy after look.
  • The lower the amount of water, the longer your blend will last. Try using a strong antioxidant tea or aloe vera as your water. At the very least use distilled water and bring it to a quick boil before adding to it.
  • Stearic acid, xanthan gum or lecithin powder can be used at 1% - 2% to thicken. These are added to the oil mixture until dissolved.
  • Honey is added to oil at 1% when desired. It's good for the skin and it helps preserve your lotion.
  • When using essential and fragrance oils, you usually won't need more than 1 drop per 2 ounces.
  • Make sure your blend is at room temperature before adding to its containers.
  • Use rose petals, blueberry, raspberry or citrus teas to color or fragrance if you need your lotion to last long. Berries, other flower petals and other teas work well in quick blends that may only last a week or so.

Warnings

  • Don't use the microwave. The microwave changes the molecular structure of your ingredients and they won't be as beneficial to your skin, if at all.
  • Don't use toxic ingredients in your homemade lotion. We are most susceptible to harm through our skin and especially from products like lotion that are designed to sit on and soak into your skin without being washed off. Toxins go straight into our body, bloodstream and cells. It would be better to eat the toxins most of the time!
  • Always be careful with hot liquid; burned skin is never fun.
  • Always test before covering your whole body with anything new. You never know what you'll be allergic to.
  • Don't use crayons or food coloring. They are toxic. Herbs, flowers, berries and tea make excellent, natural colors.
  • Don't use cinnamon oil, it can irritate the skin. Use the powder.

Things You'll Need

Quick & Easy Method

  • Saucepan
  • Double boiler (if desired method)
  • Measuring tools
  • Large glass bowl
  • Mixer
  • Spatula
  • Containers as needed

With All the Ingredients/Fixings

  • Double boiler (or one medium and one small boiling pot)
  • Large boiling pot
  • Large spoon
  • Small spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Glass or stainless steel bowl
  • Hand mixer (preferably a stick mixer)
  • Turkey baster or funnel
  • Mesh strainer
  • Containers as needed

Possible Ingredients

  • Aloe Vera gel or juice
    • You can use distilled water as a base but with aloe your lotion will last 3 times longer and feel better on your skin.
  • Honey
  • Shredded beeswax or emulsifying vegetable wax
  • Oil - one or a combination
    • Some varieties you might want to try are coconut, apricot kernel and/or jojoba. There are many other good oils but they may not be as readily available. Grapeseed oil can go bad fairly quickly. Glycerin leaves the skin feeling greasy and shiny, so make sure that is what you want before you use it. Stay away from avocado oil, it doesn't do well in heat.
    • Smell your oils. Some have a very strong fragrance you won't like to smell on your skin.
  • Herbs and teas that are good for your skin.
    • Green tea, juniper berries, rose hips, red clover blossoms, arrowroot, sandalwood are a few of many good options. Pick a combination that goes well together.
    • Lavender and golden seal will help preserve your lotion. Again, smell the herbs first and make sure you like the smell.
  • Vitamin E oil or rosemary extract (to keep oil from going rancid)
  • Stearic Acid (thickens lotion without the use of more oil) (optional)
  • Cinnamon, citric acid and potassium sorbate (preserve lotions even longer)
  • Your favorite non toxic essential or fragrance oil (optional)

Related Articles

  • Make a Lotion Bar with Apricot Oil

Sources and Citations

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