Last January, we whipped up a super-decadent body butter to help counteract that harsh northern Ohio winter air. It’s a nice thick lotion (similar to lotions you can buy online) that can make even the driest of hands smooth again, and against my better judgment, I even called it body butter for the ladies.
But part of what makes it work so well can also make it a bit of a hassle to use. It contains a lot of coconut oil, which is great for skin, but takes a while to be absorbed. It’s perfect for applying right before bed, but not perfect if you’re trying to knit or practice calligraphy.
So if you’re looking for something a bit lighter for the summer months, or just want to drink your coffee without dropping the mug, here is a great homemade lotion (non-greasy and moisturizing) alternative for you! This one’s made with shea butter and almond and jojoba oils, which are much more easily absorbed. And of course, it doesn’t contain anything you can’t pronounce, unless you’re adding helichrysum or ylang-ylang essential oils, or you’re like me and prefer to say jojoba with a hard “J” sound. (To learn more about the amazing benefits of essential oils, see my Essential Oils page!)
Homemade Lotion Recipe
This homemade lotion recipe is quite simple, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment.
You’re just going to melt some shea butter and a little oil (not coconut; jojoba oil is a moisturizing, quickly absorbed oil). I do this by resting a small metal bowl in a pot of water on the stove, then heating until it’s all melted. This is basically a homemade double boiler, but I don’t own an actual double boiler, and I like to keep pots and pans separated based on whether I use them for food or non-food items.
Let it cool – when the edges are starting to solidify, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and blend on high speed until it’s fairly creamy. I find that it’s easier to mix if it’s too solidified as opposed to too liquidy. If it’s your first time, it may take a try or two to figure out the right time to whip it, but if you mess it up, you can always remelt until it’s soft enough to whip again – no worries!
Scrape into a glass jar and let it cool for a little while longer. I store this at room temp, and it lasts for months with no issues. Your homemade lotion may soften up slightly if it gets really hot out, but is still fine to use.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 2 Tbsp oil (I used 1 Tbsp each of almond oil and jojoba oil)
- 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils (I used lavender and rosemary)
Instructions
- Melt the shea butter and oils together. I make an improvised double-boiler by resting a small stainless steel bowl in a small saucepan of water – this way I don’t have to be pouring stuff back and forth. If you prefer, you can just melt it in a pan over low heat.
- Put the bowl in the fridge to cool for 10-15 minutes, just to the point that the mixture starts to solidify and become translucent. You don’t want it to fully harden or you’ll have to start over.
- Add the essential oils.
- Using a handheld mixer, mix until it becomes creamy (a minute or two).
- Transfer to a small jar.
Whether they’re dealing with a cold winter or playing in the dirt all day, your hands can take a beating. And while it doesn’t feel (or sound) quite as luxurious as the body butter, this non-greasy moisturizing homemade lotion is easy to whip up and will still leave your hands feeling happy regardless of what they go through!
Interested in more homemade goodness? Clean up your entire routine with this toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, shaving soap, and shampoo.
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