I’ve been a lotion making fool these days! It’s been quite sometime since I’ve posted a lotion DIY so in the midst of all the DIYing, I thought I’d share what I was up to! Since summer days are right around the corner, I wanted to create a moisturizer that would not only nourish my skin before I dare to wear shorts but also I wanted to have a lotion on hand for those days where the sun and swimming have left me parched. I bet I’m not the only one in need of a lotion right before summer!
DIY Body Lotion Ingredients:
I mentioned in troubleshooting homemade lotion post that I have discovered a new product that helps thicken lotion and moisturize the skin. Cetyl Alcohol is very much like emulsifying wax which is the ingredient we use to combine oil and water as well as thicken the lotion. Cetyl Alcohol is a plant-derived fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener. While its primary function is emulsification, it also adds softness and conditioning effects to the skin. Cetyl alcohol is not a must, but it’s a nice ingredient to have on hand to add to your lotion recipes.
I’ve also added fragrance-natural fragrance that is! Fragrance is one of the most detrimental ingredients in our products these days but I’ve found a 99.9% natural fragrance that can be added to skin care without the hormonal disruptions! Go HERE to find a list of scents (make sure it is labeled natural).
I’ve used cocoa butter in this recipe for added nourishment. I usually use shea butter so I wanted to mix it up. Plus the cocoa smell contributes to the amazing scent of this lotion! I also used almond oil because it’s so nourishing and corresponds with the fragrance oil. You can use whatever butter or oil you have if you’d prefer to substitute.
In case you’re looking for a face cream recipe, check out my Rosehip Cypress Firming Cream recipe, it’s one of my top recipes!
DIY Almond Cocoa Body Lotion
- 1 heaping tbsp. emulsifying wax (find it HERE)
- 1 tbsp. cetyl alcohol (find it HERE)
- 2 tbsp. cocoa butter (find it HERE)
- 1/4 cup sweet almond oil (find it HERE)
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/4 tsp. neodefend (find it HERE)
- 2 tsp. non-GMO vitamin E oil (find it HERE) *optional*
- 10 drops almond oil fragrance (find it HERE)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil (find it HERE) *optional*
Directions:
- Fill 2 medium sized pots half way full with water and place on the stove top.
- Add water and neodefend to a gas pyrex measuring cup and place in one of the pots.
- Add emulsifying wax, cetyl alcohol, cocoa butter and almond oil to a separate glass pyrex measuring cup and place in the other pot.
- Turn heat on both burners to medium.
- Allow both the “water phase” and the “oil phase” to heat to 170F. You will need to constantly monitor both phases. Remember, water heats slower then the oils, butters and waxes.
- Once both of your phases are around 170F, remove both glass cups from the stove and pour the water phase into the oil phase.
- Immediately begin to mix the combined phases with an immersion blender. DO NOT USE THE WHIP ATTACHMENT.
- Blend for at least 1 minute straight, then periodically continue to blend for the next 30 minutes to 1 hour or until you notice the lotion thickening.
- Mix in vitamin E, lavender oil and almond oil fragrance.
- Transfer to a jar or pump bottle. If you are transferring to a pump, I recommend using a funnel and a chopstick to force lotion into the bottle.
This DIY body lotion recipe makes about 8 oz. With the preservative (neodefend) it should last for 2-3 mos. outside of the fridge. Transferring to a pump will also help prolong the life of your cream. Check out THESE 8 oz. pumps!
This homemade cream turned out so thick and creamy. My pictures do not do it justice! Combining lavender essential oil with the sweet almond scent turned out to be a heavenly combination. My whole family is using and loving this lotion and I think you’ll love it too! If you’re apprehensive about making lotion, read my beginner’s guide to lotion.
Remember there can be so many unwanted ingredients in creams and lotions. I keep my lotion recipes simple and safe. Because water is added to lotions, it acts as a vehicle for the other ingredients. Keep those ingredients natural!
xx, Jenni
Hi Jenni,
I am wondering if there is another place you’d recommend buying
the cetyl alcohol and the almond fragrance besides Noble Roots, they’re
shipping rates are outrageous.
Thanks!
Tammy
Tammy-Shoot-I wasn’t aware their shipping was high. Have you looked into Lotion Crafter? The fragrance is what’s unusual about Noble Roots-it’s 99% natural and that’s hard to find. Cetyl alcohol will be easy-you might even try Amazon.
They wanted $17 to ship a little $5 item 😱
I’ll check out Lotion Crafters.
Thanks!
Tammy 😃
Hi Jenni,
Purchased some fragrances through Noble Roots. The scents are very nice.
One point…………each fragrance oil has a shelf life and is indicated on each oil information page. I purchased seven scents on 5/27/19. One had an expiration date of 3/19/19 – two months prior to purchasing it. Five others had less than than 1/3 of their “life span” left. One was ok. The Cetyl Alcohol has a 3 year shelf life and mine had an expiration date of 1/28/20……..approx. 8 months of life left out of 36. The customer service rep I spoke to was extremely helpful. He checked with the chemists in the back and they said even though there is an expire date (which they are required to put on all products), the oils still maintain their scent and are usable well past that date.
The cetyl alcohol has a 3 year shelf life and my bag expires 1/28/20 in 7 months – they said it would still be “active” and work in recipes past the date indicated.
Anything with less than 3 months of “life” left, go into clearance. None of my oils were purchased here.
They did refund me for three of the oils but not the others. I did get a 20% off coupon for my next order.
Just a heads up when ordering from them.
Gina-Yikes! Did not know this. I’m sorry for that. I’m glad they were somewhat helpful and refunded. Thank you for letting me know.
I love the sweet scent of natural cocoa butter but it’s not easy to apply in it’s natural state, so blending it with almond oil not only gives it a smooth, creamy texture but ads a light almond scent.
Jenni, when I select your links, I get a “security risk,” recommended Go Back. Not sure what’s going on?? Thanks, Sherri