Easy homemade lotion
that is non greasy and great for sensitive skin
Cracked dry skin from over washing? This recipe for homemade lotion is perfect for use on hands, body and face. It can be used on sensitive skin, and works wonders for those with acne, scarring, or eczema. This easy DIY lotion is made with shea butter and aloe vera, and is without beeswax, heating, coconut oil, or emulsifying. Perfect for use on face and body!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but you will not be charged a penny extra! And mama, I never recommend products I don’t love or believe in)
Do you want to make your own lotion, but just don’t want the hassle of heating things in a double broiler or using emulsifying wax? This easy lotion is for YOU!
I’ve always dealt with very dry and sensitive skin. It has been a journey to find a lotion that doesn’t cause irritation, break me out, or leave me greasy.
Consequently, when you’re a frugal crunchy mama, it is really hard to find a cost-effective and HEALTHY option in stores.
If you are in a similar place as me, this DIY lotion needs to make it onto your to-do list. It has been the answer to my lotion quest.
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Making your own skin care products lets you tweak it perfectly for your own skin needs
My skin is pretty sensitive and I have random allergies and intolerances, so being able to add different essential oils just for me (or not) makes the world of difference.
For instance, I found a great natural store bought lotion that was perfect in every way except for the use of grapefruit essential oil. Guess what I’m allergic to? Yeah. Grapefruit.
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When I first tried to make my own lotion, I just couldn’t find a recipe I loved. Everything I tried just felt heavy and oily on my skin.
And I just hate a thick, greasy lotion. With every homemade lotion I tried, greasy is just what happened. Probably because, well, homemade lotions are pretty much oil-based and oils are…oily…
AKA greasy.
Bleh.
I was so close to buying emulsifying wax because apparently you can add water to oils when you do that, which makes homemade lotions less greasy (from what I read).
However, I wasn’t really looking forward to the mess it looked like it was to make.
Plus, adding water without enough preservatives to a lotion can cause a mold issue.
Here’s why this homemade lotion is the bees knees
BUT THEN I found a recipe that used aloe vera gel and shea butter—two of my favorite things that I practically always have on hand—and I decided to give it a go before embarking down the emulsion path.
The result is seriously amazing.
You’ll LOVE this lotion!
It’s extremely easy to whip up (quite literally, you just whip).
There’s no heating involved. No emulsifying. Just whipping (so a kitchen mixer is definitely going to be your best friend here).
Can you believe it?!
I almost didn’t.
This lotion helps to heal and soothe your skin, even if you have really dry and sensitive skin like me.
Cracked dry skin from over washing? You can use this on those poor dry hands for some much needed relief.
It is gentle enough to use on your face, but is also wonderful at moisturizing all over.
You can even use it in your hair to calm frizzies and help define waves a little bit.
Multi-purpose items are my FAVORITE! Seriously. Who doesn’t like having things that can do more than one job? If I can use something for a couple purposes, it makes me really happy.
So let’s talk about the awesome and simple ingredients in this homemade lotion…
Shea butter
This is a great natural butter that has a low (some argue non) comedogenic rating, meaning it won’t clog pores (which is pretty important when you’re slathering your pores in something!).
Shea butter also…
- Is high in vitamin E, which makes it ideal for those of us who have scarring
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Helps with collagen production, which softens and strengthens skin
- Has a natural SPF of 6
Aloe Vera Gel
It’s important to note that this recipe calls for the gel, not juice. Aloe vera juice contains too much water for the recipe to work.
I remember breaking off pieces from my Nana’s live aloe plants in Arizona whenever I’d get cuts or burns. It was immediately soothing. But if you don’t have your own aloe plant to harvest, check out my favorite aloe vera gel
- Has healing properties that reach the deeper epithelial level of the skin
- Provides a barrier for the skin that is moisturizing but not greasy feeling
- Treats acne and scarring since it contains hormones that are champions at reducing inflammation and stimulating new cell growth
- Is high in antioxidants, vitamin c, and vitamin e which all help with skin elasticity and slowing down the appearance of aging
Grapeseed Oil
This is an extremely light oil and also has a very low comedogenic rating. It’s also multi-purpose in my home since I love to use this oil in my kitchen for baking since it has a subtle flavor. In this lotion, it adds another layer of nourishing properties.
Grapeseed oil also…
- Is high in vitamin e, which evens skin tone and helps remove scarring
- Can accelerate the healing of acne by reducing inflammation and redness, and by helping cells regenerate to replace damaged skin
- Absorbs quickly and easily, meaning it doesn’t leave you greasy
Now that we’ve talked about the why, let’s get to this easy recipe!
Whip it up quick.
Outstanding Homemade Lotion: easy no-heat, no emulsifiers method
A luxurious, creamy, effective homemade lotion with all-natural ingredients. Easy no heat, no emulsifying method.
Materials
Instructions
- In the bowl of a kitchen mixer, fitted with a whipping attachment, add the shea butter and whip until creamy, scraping down the bowl frequently with a silicone spatula.
- Add in the liquid oil and whip it on low for about 1 minute until it is well blended, stopping to scrape the side of the bowl at least twice.
- Optional: Add in any desired essential oils and whip again
- Add in the aloe vera gel in intervals--a little bit at a time! Whip it on high, stop to scrape, whip it again, then repeat, adding a little bit more aloe vera gel. Continue until all of the aloe vera gel is added and the lotion reaches a fluffy consistency
- Scoop lotion into a jar. Keep extra lotion that cannot get used within 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy naturally smooth, moisturized skin!
Notes
- *You MUST clean all of your equipment and containers very well before use to avoid mold and bacteria growth. I keep rubbing alcohol in a fine mist bottle and spray the bowl, attachment, jar, measuring utensils. and spatula before making my lotion.
- *This moisturizing lotion does not use a stabilizer since there is some in the aloe vera gel I use, and I keep the extra in the fridge until needed. If you use fresh aloe gel, I'd suggest looking into a naturally derived preservative like this one
- *If you experience a greasy feeling, rub the lotion in more to your skin. A little really does go a loooooong way! Wait five minutes until your skin absorbs what it needs, and then gently wipe off any excess. If that doesn’t solve it, add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel at a time until the lotion becomes less greasy, whipping and scraping lotion frequently.
Check out my favorite kitchen tools that will make all this DIY lotion stuff a breeze
A really quick cleaning tip (don’t worry about the mess!):
Boil water while you whip up this lotion (you can use a pot or check out this super nifty electric kettle I’m totally in love with). Put the dirty mixing bowl and attachment in the sink and pour the boiling water over it. All the left over oils and butter will come off, making clean up a breeze.
