These days, the internet abounds with DIY beauty products, and when it comes to homemade lotion, I've tried so many variations. One of my favorites is whipped body butter, my recipe that smells and feels as decant as it sounds. When I want a lighter, non-greasy homemade lotion, this is the one.
Why make homemade lotion when you can buy it at the store?
Here's the thing. I don't have time for fussy recipes that require odd ingredients, take a ton of time, or make a colossal mess in my kitchen. Luckily, this non-greasy homemade lotion is so simple to make, it's easier than driving to the store.
But the main reason I go to the trouble of making non-greasy homemade lotion and other beauty products is that even the ‘all natural' products you find at the health food store may be loaded with ingredients that are actually quite toxic. Mostly, folks assume that someone is regulating skin care and cosmetics. But unfortunately that's just not the case.
Believe me, I've searched high and low, and there are very few products that are worthy of slathering on your skin. You can find out the rating of everything from lotion to toothpaste with the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.
At the end of the day, making my own homemade lotion is well worth it – cost, convenience, and health all factored in.
Customizing your homemade lotion
I first discovered this non-greasy homemade lotion at Mommypotamus.com, and I love that you can make it with only three ingredients. With such a simple recipe, it's easy to customize it and experiment to find the best ingredients for your skin type and tastes.
If you're going for straight-up cost benefits, choose a high-quality oil that you already have in your pantry. Olive or coconut oils can work well, but use caution if you have acne-prone skin. Avocado oil is great for dry skin. Jojoba is relatively inexpensive, and good for all skin types.
My skin is acne-prone and aging with a combination of both oily and dry. Since this homemade lotion recipe calls for 3/4 cup liquid oil, I just get out that size measuring cup and fill it with a combination of oils to suit my skin. Here's what I use:
Jojoba oil (slightly less than 1/2 cup) – A relatively stable oil, jojoba is good for dry, aging, oily, normal, or acne-prone skin. Get quality organic jojoba oil online here
Argan oil (about 1/4 cup) – Good quality isn't cheap so I use this as a secondary oil known to be great for most skin types. Get quality organic argan oil online here.
Neem oil (a squirt or two) – Because of its distinctive earthy smell (which I actually like), I use this sparingly, but my breakout prone skin loves it's antimicrobial and healing properties. I use this pure organic neem oil. Since 100% neem oil is solid at room temperature, simple let it sit in a cup of hot water to liquefy before using.
Moroccan chamomile essential oil (about 10 drops) – I love both the mild, fresh smell and as a bonus, the benefits include anti-inflammatory (reduces redness), anti-bacterial, and antioxidant qualities (reduces aging). This is the Moroccan chamomile EO that I use. (Oh, and I didn't add the Roman Chamomile to this batch I photographed for this post, because it's intense blue color gives the finished product a slightly less photogenic blue-green tinge).
You can use the same oils as I do, or experiment to see what works best for your skin.
Non-greasy homemade lotion ingredients
- 3/4 cup liquid oil (see above for what I use)
- 3 tablespoons grated beeswax – order beeswax here
- 3/4 cup warm filtered water
- 5-10 drops essential oils
Non-greasy homemade lotion method
- Make a double boiler by placing a larger bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- In your double boiler, melt the beeswax and oil.
- When the beeswax is completely melted, turn off heat.
- Add the ¾ cup warm filtered water to the food processor with the drip attachment on.
- Turn on the food processor and, drop-by-drop add the oil/beeswax liquid. It’s just like making mayonnaise – we are creating an emulsion of the water and oil. The lotion will be completely combined and creamy when finished. Add optional essential oils and pulse until combined through. Transfer to a glass jar for use.
*A note about shelf life
Keep in mind that because this homemade lotion recipe does not contain stabilizers and preservatives, it won't be shelf stable like it's store bought cousins. Your non-greasy homemade lotion will last a few weeks at room temperature.
I've also found that it doesn't refrigerate well because the water and oil separate when brought back to room temperature. You could re-blend it, but in my opinion it's easier to make it in smaller batches more often and enjoy the fragile nature of healthy skin care.
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I don’t have a food processor. Anything else I can use? Blender?
Kim, I shop yard sales a lot and usually find one or two in good shape for about $5.00.
I just use a hand whipper
A hand immersion blender works way better. I use one for making mayonnaise and I never have to drip the oil in drip by drip. Or if you have a small food processor/chopper that has blades that are flat. For some reason normal blenders that have blades that curve or angle upward don’t work unless you drip oil in drop by drop which takes forever, but if the blades are completely straight out it will work just fine.
Can this recipe be used in a pump?
Hi Brittney, thanks so much for your question and yes, you can use it in a pump.
What do you mean by a pump?
Bottle Pump
Tried in pump but didn’t work for me.
I can’t wait to make this! I love your amazingly helpful posts- thank you!
Be well,
Tracy
Is this okay to make in the same food processor you use for food? I’ve been worried that the essential oils don’t wash out well, but havent tried.
Hi Bethany, yes, it is fine to use the same food processor although the beeswax can be challenging to get out. Boiling water works well to make sure you get it completely clean. Hope this helps!
I tried this recipe using magnesium oil instead of water to make magnesium lotion, and it turned out great. I would like it to be a little less thick, though. Would I used less beeswax to allow it to be more creamy and less stiff? Thanks!!
Hi Marisa, thanks for the question. I haven’t tried it this way so I think you’d need to experiment a bit but yes, less beeswax should make it a little less stiff. Good luck and do let us know how it turns out if you try!
I tried it with just 2 TBSP of beeswax, and it worked really well! Less stiff, but still very effective as the emulsifier. Very creamy; just how I wanted it to be. In case anyone is curious, I used only organic olive oil for the liquid oil, and magnesium oil instead of the water. It’s an awesome way to get magnesium transdermally.
Help me Marrisa,
I ask you because made more sence than some of the other posts. How
Somehow my comment disappeared. My question is…how can be labeled a “non-greasy” lotion, but there is mostly oil in the recipe?
any recommendations for a substitute for Argan oil? I’m sure it’s amazing but pricey :/
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi Cate, you could use all Jojoba oil, if you wanted to. Hope this helps!
Love this recipe. Super easy. I just put the water and oil and melted wax in a jug and whizzed it with my stickblender and tadaaaaaaa you have the easiest moisturiser yet:)
Just tried this recipe but instead of using all oil I added Shea butter. Worked well. I used 1 cup liquid oil, 1/2 cup Shea butter, 1 and 1/2 cups of water, 3 tbsp beeswax then used a Emersion blender and blended it together, waited until it cooled a bit and blended again and then put it in containers. Waiting for it to cool again to see how thick it will be when completely cooled.
question for you, i have made a few different lotion recipes, similar to this one, and the moisture is great, however i find it sloughs off dead skin while rubbing it into the skin. Do you have any thoughts?
Thank you
Hi Jenna,
Thank you for your question. The moisture is great, isn’t it? And because these lotions have a lot of moisture, you’ll find that they soften the dead skin quite effectively. Hope that helps!
This happened to me when I placed it on my elbows. They look great now.
Isn’t this when you start using a. Loofa when you bathe before using the lotion?
Hi Emily,
Been searching high ‘n low for a lighter, non greasy (day) face cream. With these simple ingredients, I see no reason it couldn’t be used as such (though I wish it could be without wax). Just wondering if you use it on your face during the day, if it’s light enough for that.
If I try this recipe I’d probably sub the argan oil with some combo of apricot kernel/moringa/rosehips seed oils, with the addition of seabuckthorn. Any thoughts on these?
Too, using only jojoba oil, this might be good for my son with acne. Do you include neem as part of the essential oils measurement?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Jen, you’ll find different oils work for different types of skin so it’s best to experiment a bit till you find the right one. The jojoba oil is counted as part of the liquid oil measurement in this recipe. The essential oils are optional. Let us know how it turns out.
Hello! I just made this lotion and I LOVE it other than when it sets, all the water separates from the lotion. Any reason as to why its so watery?
Thanks!
Hey Ellie, it does depend on your climate but unfortunately, it can separate from the lotion. It’s really all the moisture in the lotion – you can just blend it up again or mix it in again as best you can.
As your first inquiry, I too only have a blender. It’s a vitamix. No food processor. Will that work for this recipe?
Hi Heidi, yes, you could make it in a blender.
Made this today, was so easy I felt I must be doing it wrong used jojoba oil and ran out so I put in rest grape seed oil AWESOME. I probably put too much on my hands is was greasy so rubbed on legs and feet a little of this goes a loooooong way. I will use 2 tbs beeswax next time. You did marvelous my dear thanks for sharing.
Sandra in Texas with armadillo skin no more.
Forgot to ask can I store this in boa free plastic jars?
PET type plastic
BPA
Could you use sweet almond oil as your liquid oil?
I did. I used a combination of sweet almond and jojoba.
How do these essential oils compare to others from Doterra or Young Living? I’d love to branch out from these big companies but I’m always nervous of the safety of other oils especially bc I use on my kids and internally. Thanks for your advice!
Jessica, I normally try to seek out any pure essential oil company and I am satisfied that their oils are safe. I try to stay away from the bigger brands as a lot of it includes so much marketing hype.
I don’t use MLM companies. I use NOW, Aura Cacia and Natures Alchemy which are all fantastic reputable companies 🙂
Eden’s Garden had great quality essential oils.
Have you tried leaving out the water?
Someone mentioned this above, they used Shea
I love this recipe, but I think I would add a preservative and instead of beeswax I would do emulsifying wax. Just a thought.
Oh My Gosh!! I just made a batch of this lotion and it is LoVeLy!! Easy to make and the texture is soft and spreadable which is what I’ve been looking for. Love it!! Thank you so so much for sharing the recipe and how you made it. I will never buy commercial lotion (no matter how good it is) again when I can make something so much better and so much more affordable. Did I say THANK YOU!!
Does this work well under makeup?
I’ve never had a problem with it but feel free to share your experiences with us, Debbie.
I use this daily and what i have found is: 1) it doesnt take much to moisturize your skin (I would start with less than halfthe amount of your regular moistuizer) and 2) allow a few minutes tocompletely absorb before applying makeup and 3) i try to not to use it on my eyelids before my makeup. I like my eyeshadow to stay put! It is great though
I just made this with only almond oil, water, and beeswax. Since I’ve never made lotion like this before, I cut the measurements down to a third in case I messed it up. It feels wonderful! Other lotions I’ve made feel so, so greasy for a long time. This went on easily, and no greasiness! Thank you!
I cannot get the beeswax to melt completely, it looks and feels melted when warm but I always have little tiny grains of wax once it melts. Any suggestions?
Hi Deb, try stirring and keeping it at the same heat. It does eventually all melt but just takes time.
To preserve your lotion, use 1 or 2 capsules of Vitamin E. Just poke a hole in the capsule and squirt it in while the lotion mixes. Vitamin acts as both an emulsifier and a preservative. Your lotion still won’t last indefinitely, but it will last several weeks. You can also add a drop or two of tea tree oil, which is also anti-microbial and helps inhibit mold and fungus. There’s also use potassium sorbate, which can be found online and in specialty baking shops. Despite the name, it is non-toxic and is a fairly common preservative.
Vitamin E is an Antioxidant, not a preservative. It will help prevent the oils from turning rancid, but won’t stop the microbes from growing. Also, you need to use liquid vitamin E, not popping a capsule. You could use distilled water or a hydrosol, but without a preservative, don’t make more than you can use in a week and keep in the fridge. Emulsifying wax will stay together better than beeswax. Some find it easier to add the oil to the processor/blender and add the water slowly while the blender is running. Make sure that the water is very warm/hot to prevent the wax from hardening.
She said it doesn’t do well in the fridge. Not to put it in fridge.
Hello. Can I use aloe Vera instead of the water? Thank you
Hi Maritza, I haven’t tried it but would love to hear how it works out for you if you try it!
Hi! It’s so fun to make beautiful homemade products! If you buy the emulsifying wax and use it in place of bees wax, it will be more stable. Just a helpful hint. I’ve been making many products in my home and use them daily. People love to receive them as well. Blessings ❣????
I LOVE this recipe! The only issue I’m having is separation of oils and water. I added everything to a T, as well as followed the directions. I even added Vitamin E to the last batch! They work wonderfully, but still in a day or two separate. Could I use Emulsifying wax to this recipe? If so, how much. Or could I just replace bees wax with emulsifying wax?
Hi Amanda, I haven’t tried using emulsifying wax. You’re welcome to let us know how it turns out if you try. If your weather has been fluctuating – getting cold and then getting warm straight after – that could be why it keeps separating. You should be able to just blend it or make it in smaller batches. xoxo Emily
Good Day!
I am very excited to try this recipe, as I am all for the holistic lifestyle. Last night I made a lotion with Shea Butter, Almond Oil & Lavender Oil, I was not too pleased with the outcome as it has an extremely greasy feel. I am going to follow your recipe to the “T” but just want to make sure it isn’t too greasy in the end as the products are kind of spendy. Of everyone who has tried this lotion once complete, do you feel as though your skin is oily throughout the day? Thank you so much in advance!
If you used distilled water instead of plain tap water that would help in the preservation of the lotion. That’s what I use when making homemade products like this that have water in them.
I just wanted to tell you that THIS LOTION RECIPE has been the BEST I’ve tried. I go back to it over and over, using my own twist and to fit the consistency of my customers wants. Some want thinner, some thicker. Here are some variations that I’ve used based on this recipe.
Instead of using just water, I pour boiling water over oatmeal, cover and allow it to sit over night, the next a.m. I strain it through a cheesecloth, and have ‘oatwater’. This works great for dry, itchy skin. Another variation is also with the water. I steep a Green Tea Bag in the simmering water. And use that in place of the water. I have found most customers prefer the thickness of : 2/3 c. oat water or Green Tea Water, 2/3 c coconut Oil, Vitamin E, 1 and a half TBS of Bees Wax, and 1 and a half TBS of emulsifying wax. Done the same as above. With just the bees wax I found complaints of it ‘separating’. I also use a natural preservative in it. Young Livings Thieves Blend works well in this as does any essential oil. Thank you so much for this!!!!
What natural preservative do you use, please?
Made the lotion yesterday and my family and friends love it already. Only change I made was adding in 10 Ylang Ylang Essential oil drops and I halved the recipe so as to avoid any issue of shelf life . I used a wire whisk (only used for my DIY lotions) and had a helper pour the distilled water very slowly as I whisked just as you would do while making mayonnaise. Just a little water separated out but not enough to affect the lotion. Don’t forget to warm up the distilled water but don’t have it hot. This might be the problem some people are having because the beeswax needs to cool down quickly to stop the separation. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Now I need to make it again so I have enough for myself.
Can’t wait to try this! Thank you so much for sharing! (And thank you to everyone else for sharing your ideas.)
A quick question.. when adding Vitamin E, should this be included in the oil or water content?
Hi Bee,
Since vitamin E is an oil, it would be included in the oil content.
All the best,
Emily xoxo
This is a great recepie but as a clinical aromatherapist I would like to give some pointers:
Facial blends should contain 1% essential oils maximum. Body blends can contain max 2.5%.
This needs to be carefully calculated so ‘ add 5-10’ drops is not careful enough calculation.
Also roman chamomile essential oil (anthemis nobilis) is not blue. That is german chamomile essential oil (matricaria recutica). Always buy essential oils according to their latin name and the article should also mention the latin name of the oil that was used. The two oils have very different benefits. Roman chamomile is good for skin but german chamomile is for inflammation, muscle pain, fever etc.
To the poster who put ylang ylang 10 drops – cananga odorata lowers blood pressure so if someone with low blood pressure was to apply your body cream all over their body they could feel dizzy and nausea. Same cream would be super for someone who suffers from high blood pressure.
Hope this helps.
I was wondering how long this should set in the containers before using it. I found that the liquid did separate a little. And I even used part beeswax and part emulsifying wax. I live in a decently humid climate. If I add less water will it help to make the mixture bind better?
Hi Nicole,
Adding less liquid could certainly help. You really need to see what works for your climate etc. If you find a solution, please do post it here as we’d all love to hear any tricks you may find.
xoxo
Emily
This question was asked a while back and not answered. How can this not be “oily” lotion when it is all oil?
Hi Brenda, it is less greasy than other lotions due to the types of oils used.
Try adding 1 table spoon 70% isopropyl alcohol or Grain Alcohol, to the mix this will help with separation of the oil and water. You can also add 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E oil for better shelf life. About 2-3 months.
I have been looking for a non – greasy diy body lotion , since all those that I self – made were very sticky … I hope this one solves the problem!
Great recipe and so easy to make! My very first DIY beauty product ever, and I am really happy with it (and quite proud of myself, lol). After using it a couple days though, I find that my face feels quite dehydrated. So tonight I added a little honey to my lotion, and it feels great!
Please what do you mean by Beeswax and how can I get it ? Thank you
Hi Sandra, if you follow the link under the ingredient list, you will be able to purchase Beeswax directly. xxx Emily
I don’t know what I did wrong…I even melted more beeswax and it never did thicken up, i had to strain the water off finally. I don’t think my husband will be a fan of this, i used more mainly scented oils. (5 tbls beeswax, just shy 1/2 cup of johoba 3/4 cup warmed filter water and then about 20 drops of essential oils)
I have a question about the Argan oil you put the link to: It says certified. I am hoping you can find somewhere on the bottle this information. Does it have Ecocert certification, which is the organization that really certifies in Morocco, USDA only verifies that the product is not illegal oil when entering to the USA. I would appreciate your answer as I want to order some oil soon. Thanks, Cynthia
How many oz of this lotion do I get?
Hi Silviana, I didn’t measure exactly but if you make it, feel free to measure and let us know. I usually just make a small batch more often. xoxo Emily
What are your thoughts about castor oil? I bought a bottle of castor oil, but I don’t know what to do with it. Can I use it in this recipe?
Hi Silviana, I haven’t made this recipe with castor oil but don’t see why you couldn’t use it as the liquid oil portion for this recipe. Let us know how it turns out if you try it. xoxo Emily
I’d never made lotion before. This was cool! I used almond oil….it worked great!