Homemade Lotion

After many months of contemplating, I finally built up the confidence and made my own homemade lotion.  Ever since I became pregnant I have been in search of a lotion without a lot of chemicals, preferably no chemicals at all.  Unfortunately, this does not exist, or I haven't found one that does exist.  After much research I decided I wanted to make my own.  When I mentioned my thought to Kevin, he was excited as we have this gigantic aloe plant.  He really wanted to find something to do with it, because it is growing out of control.

 

Finally, on Friday I went to the store and got the ingredients. Now I have to tell you, my first mistake was going to the local vitamin store.  If you want to try making your own lotion I would recommend searching and buying on line.  The amount of supplies you get for the money is so much more economical. Don't get me wrong, when  I use all of the supplies, I will have paid $.50 an ounce of lotion.  So its still a good deal.  Now lets make some lotion!! Please excuse the lack of photos.  I was doing this alone and could only snap a pic here and there and missed a few.
In order to make your own lotion you will need to first understand the different oils.  There are carrier oils and solid oils. A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from the seeds, kernels or the nuts. Each carrier oil offers a different combination of therapeutic properties and characteristics. The choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought.  Here are just a few to give you an idea of the therapeutic relief these oils offer.

• Peanut - rich, heavy, strong aroma ~ good for dry, malnourished skin.
• Canola - light, not very nourishing ~ good for most skin types.
• Jojoba - protective, lubricating, some UV protection ~ good for dry, damaged skin.
• Olive - stable, heavy, strong aroma, slower to absorb into skin ~ good for dry skin.
• Apricot kernel - light, odorless, somewhat drying ~ good for oily akin.
• Hemp - rich, nutritive, penetration strong aroma ~ good for all skin types.
• Avocado - rich, heavy, penetrating ~ good for dry, damaged skin.
• Grapeseed - light, odorless, drying ~ good for acne-prone skin.
• Rosehip seed - my favorite, good for dry, mature skin.
• Herbal infused oils - usually made with olive oil and herbs such as calendula, St Johns Wort, comfrey.
• Other good oils to include in small amounts are emu and wheat germ

Solid oils act as an emulsifier and are super rich!

Good solid oils are:

• Coconut oil
• Cocoa butter
• Shea butter 

  Now the at you know the oils we will be working with lets get to how to make lotion.  I will list the ingredients needed and tell you what I chose as my ingredients. 

The oils have be be a combination of 2 parts liquid oil to 1 part solid oil.

Homemade Lotion Recipes

• 3 oz rosehip seed oil
• 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 Tablespoon each hemp seed oil and vitamin E oil
• Add enough jojoba oil to make 6 oz.

OR any combination of the carrier oils to equal 6 oz.

• 3 oz of solid oils( I used 1 oz of coconut oil, 1 oz of shea butter, and 1 oz of cocoa butter)
• 1 oz beeswax
• 9 oz distilled water OR 6 oz distilled water and 3 oz aloe vera gel
• 19 drops grapefruit seed extract (a preservative)
• 40 drops lavender essential oil OR essential oils of choice ( I didn’t use any essential oils.  The scent isn’t bad but if  I had to do it again I would chose rosemary oil).

1. To prep I shredded the beeswax into a bowl, measure the distilled water and squeeze the aloe.  (Sorry I lost the aloe and the water pics by not paying attention when downloading and deleting). 

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2.  Pour your liquid oils into a 16 oz heat proof measuring cup
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4.  Add pieces of solid oils until volume reaches 9 oz mark.
5. Add pieces of beeswax until volume reaches 10 oz mark.
6.  Place measuring cup in a pan of gently simmering water and heat until solid oils are just melted.
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9. Remove measuring cup from water and let sit until oils reach body temperature. Test by placing the measuring cup on wrist. When it feels neither warm nor cold it is body temperature. Stir occasionally as it cools.
10. Make sure distilled water is body temperature. You can simply place the water into another heat proof measuring cup and into the pan of hot water used for heating the oils. 
11.  Pour the water into a blender and add grapefruit seed extract.
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13. They say to Process at high speed. If you have a powerful blender process at low speed. You can use a hand mixer but it will take longer. ( In my experience, the blender didn't work and it was a mess.  So I used the mixer instead and it didn't take long and worked just fine for me.  I think this is a less messier way of mixing it).
14. Slowly add the oil mixture into the water.
15. It will begin to thicken and sputter. In a high powered mixer this can be as quick as 30 seconds. With a hand mixer it will take 15 minutes at highest speed.
     
16. Continue until you have a thick, creamy liquid.
17. Add essential oils and stir in well by hand.

You have lotion.  My quick review,sorry this was a very long post.  In all I am pretty happy with it.  I will tell you that it is very greasy to apply. After a bit it sinks in. Its made out of all edible ( I don't know if aloe is edible).  So there are no chemicals which is a huge plus.  After 2 days of using the lotion it left my skin smooth and moist. Which is a huge plus for Colorado. I apply most lotions and after hours my skin is still dry. I only have to apply it morning and night, regular lotion I have to apply 4 times daily.  I am really happy with how it turned out and will continue to better the recipe.  If I find a non greasy recipe I will post that as well. 

Notes:  Since all ingredients are perishable you must store this in the a cool dark place. By adding grapefruit seed extract it preserves it longer.  If you store in the refrigerator it lasts up to 6 months, in cool dark place 3-4 months, and with out extract take 4-6 weeks off the time.  You have to use distilled water since its purified.  If you use regular water it will not last long as bacteria will cause it to go bad quickly.  It is recommended you use something to scoop the lotion out and not use your fingers will help extend the life of the lotion!