Simple Lotion Recipes
We’ve had many of you reaching out to us asking for simple lotion and cream recipes. We decided to really take note of this, so we revamped the Lotion Making 101 blog with extra info and easier format recipes, and we also designed some simple fail-proof recipes for lotions in this week’s blog. If you are brand new to lotion making, please do read the Lotion Making 101 blog first as it explains some important information. If you know a little bit about lotions but are looking for some simple recipes then read on below!
Ultra Basic Lotion Formula
This is a very simple lotion recipe that is perfect for beginners to try. It is a really pared down formula, with no fancy ingredients or bells or whistles, but it is easy to make and will give the beginner a great idea of what is what.
We used two different types of oils to give a more nourishing skin effect but if you only have one type of oil you can simply substitute it for the other.
It has a runny lotion consistency that is very light and fast absorbing. Feel free to customise it by adding in your favourite essential oils at the end.
You can choose to use the measurement or the percentage amounts (which can then be converted into your measurement of choice, or used to scale the recipe up).
Heated oil phase
15ml / 8% olive oil or sweet almond oil
15ml / 8% coconut oil
15ml / 8% Eco E wax
Heated aqueous phase
125ml / 72% freshly boiled and slightly cooled distilled water
Cool down phase
2ml / 1% Geogard 221
As always, sterilise all utensils before you use them. Melt the emulsifying wax and the coconut oil gently but thoroughly in a water bath. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond or olive oil. Slowly blend the oil phase into the water using the blend-cool-blend cycle. When the lotion is made and cooled, blend in some essential oils if desired, and the preservative. Pour into a pump bottle or jar and store in a cool place.
Basic Lotion Formula 2
This lotion recipe uses a slightly different formula, but is also great for beginners. It makes use of a humectant and thickener for a more moisturised, richer skin feel and more viscous consistency.
Heated oil phase
10% oil of choice
4% Eco E wax
Heated aqueous phase
80% water
Cool down phase
1% Geogard 221
As always, sterilise all utensils before you use them. Melt the emulsifying wax, cetyl alcohol and the oil gently but thoroughly in a water bath. While the oil phase is warming up, mix the glycerine in with the water and bring that up to a similar temperature as the oils. Once both phases area thoroughly heated and the oil phase has completely melted, slowly blend them together using the blend-cool-blend cycle. When the lotion is made and cooled, blend in some essential oils if desired, and add the preservative. Pour into a pump bottle or jar and store in a cool place.
Additional reading: Lotion Making Part 2
Happy making!
6 comments
Hi there,
I am brand new to this site. So incredibly excited to have found it! I have a beauty therapy background and would like to try my hand at making my own basic skincare to use at home for my daughter and I.
In the first lotion recipe, can you use floral water instead of distilled water and can one use grapeseed oil instead of olive or almond oil?
Thanks so much. (: