How to Make Body Lotion & Cream

Using this easy method, you can make your own body lotion and cream with just a few easily obtainable ingredients. By using the essential oil that's best for your skin type, you can personalize the lotion especially for you. Cocoa butter, lanolin and oil are combined in this recipe to make a lotion for the body, which can also be used as a face cream. This recipe makes approximately 3/4 cup of body lotion and cream.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tbsp. cocoa butter 1 tbsp. lanolin 2/3 cup sweet almond oil 3 tbsp. water 1/2 tsp. borax 6 drops essential oil Glass pans Wire whisk Low tub or jar Labels

Instructions

1. Combine cocoa butter, lanolin and sweet almond oil in a small glass pan. Heat on low flame until the ingredients have melted, stirring occasionally.

2. Heat water in a separate small glass pan. Stir in borax until it has completely dissolved.

3. Remove both pans from the heat, and slowly add the water-and-borax mixture to the cocoa butter and lanolin mixture. The oil will begin to turn white and cloudy as the water is added. Blend with a wire whisk until the body lotion is cool and creamy.

4. Add 6 drops essential oil of choice, and blend again with the whisk. Choose an essential oil that is appropriate for your skin type. Jasmine or lavender oils are good for normal skin. Sandalwood and rose oils are good for dry skin, and peppermint or rosemary oils are good for oily skin.

5. Pour the body lotion and cream into a low tub or jar with a lid. Label with the contents and date. This lotion will store up to 30 days without refrigeration. If not used within this time period, store the jar in the refrigerator where the lotion will keep for an additional 30 days.

Tips & Warnings

• Grapeseed, apricot kernel or jojoba oil can be substituted for the sweet almond oil, if necessary or desired. Jojoba oil is more gentle on sensitive skin than any of the other oils. Purchase the ingredients necessary to make this body lotion and cream at local natural health, craft or hobby stores, or order them online.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Lavender Lane--Herbalware and natural cosmetics supplies