I have made a great discovery thanks to my sister: Coconut oil makes a great body lotion. I keep some in the bathroom and use it straight from the jar. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and “melts” as I rub it into my skin. It is considered a “dry oil” so it doesn't leave a greasy residue. Instead, it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft.
Some people do not like using solid coconut oil. If you fall into that category, you can make Homemade Whipped Coconut Oil Body Butter by following the simple tutorial on The Nourished Life. If the whipped butter gets too cold, it will become solid again. If that happens, you can whip it again.
You can make a more portable lotion, by mixing 1 part lanolin, 1 part aloe vera and 2 parts oil. It has the consistency of a typical hand and body lotion and can be placed in a squeezable plastic container to be easily taken along with you. I have included directions for How to Make Your Own Body Lotion. A recipe and tips are included below.
How to Make Your Own Body Lotion:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oil (olive oil or grapeseed oil)
- 1/4 cup lanolin
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- essential oil (optional)
Directions:
- Place the oil and lanolin a blender safe bowl. Blend until thoroughly combined.
- Slowly add al0e vera gel while blending. If it is too thick, add a little extra aloe and blend again.
- Add a few drops of essential oil and mix well. Add essential oil a few drops at a time until you have achieved the desired scent strength.
- Place lotion in a clean bottle or jar.
More Homemade Personal Care Recipes:
How to Make Lavender Rosemary Shampoo
You can find more Naturally Frugal Tips here.
Great tip on coconut oil!
I just made this and it is wonderful! I slightly reduced the amount of olive oil and made up the difference with some Vitamin E skin oil. I don’t know if this makes a difference at all, better or worse, but it worked. I thought the mixing of lanolin would be a chore because it is so sticky, but it blended wonderfully! I had left over lanonlin from when I nursed my son a few years ago and use it as a lip balm for chapped lips, but never liked messing with it due to it’s stickiness. Thank you for this wonderful recipe and your site!
I absolutely love this lotion. I made the latest batch with Elemi and Cinnamon Bark essential oils. The smell is heavenly. I have been a spinner for years and love working with wool because of the lanolin. Imagine my delight when I learned I could get that wonderful nourished feeling all the time!
hello please what can be substituted with lanolin.
I am doing radiation on my knee and Dr was worried about the olive oil so I left it out and just added the lanolin to some aloe vera and it worked great. I use the full recipe for every where else and Dr was so delighted I made up some recipe cards for his other people. ( Put your website on them)
I love your adaptation for your knee! What a great idea!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. You made my day!
How long can I use this body lotion before going bad. I’m worried about the aloe vera. Can I use fresh aloe vera? Thanks