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:

1. Fill 2 medium sized pots half way full with water and place on the stove top.
2. Add water and neodefend to a gas pyrex measuring cup and place in one of the pots.
3. Add emulsifying wax, cetyl alcohol, cocoa butter and almond oil to a separate glass pyrex measuring cup and place in the other pot.
4. Turn heat on both burners to medium.
5. 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.
6. Once both of your phases are around 170F, remove both glass cups from the stove and pour the water phase into the oil phase. 
7. Immediately begin to mix the combined phases with an immersion blender.  DO NOT USE THE WHIP ATTACHMENT.    
8. 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.
9. Mix in vitamin E, lavender oil and almond oil fragrance.
10. 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

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