25+ DIY Lotion Recipe Ideas For the Most Soft & Nourished Skin

Lotions are skincare staples. But did you know that many lotions manufactured and sold in stores might not suit everyone, especially those who have sensitive skin? Shocking, isn’t it? This is because sometimes commercially made lotions contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can easily irritate skin rather than soothe it.

But here is the catch: you can actually whip your own DIY lotion, and trust me, it can be so much better than anything you’ll find on the shelves. And the best part? It’s easily customizable, meaning it can be modified to fit your skin type and even mood!

So, let’s explore the best DIY lotion recipes. From dreamy body butter to on-the-go lotion bars, you can make anything you want.

So Here Are 25 DIY Lotion Recipes To Try At Home

Basic DIY Lotion Recipes

To help you look through our selection of DIY lotion recipes, we have organized the links into easy-to-follow categories. Each recipe is linked directly, so you can effortlessly transition from inspiration to creation in just a click. Let’s start with the basic and easy ones.

1. DIY Lotion Recipe (Easy & Beginner-Friendly)

This simple DIY lotion is perfect for everyday hydration. With its simple ingredients, it’s very easy to make and great for those just getting started with DIY skincare. The best part is that it’s not heavy, absorbs quickly, and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Sweet almond oil, Beeswax, Distilled water, Vitamin E oil
Who it’s for: For dry skin and eczema flare-ups
Prep time: 15 minutes

2. DIY Lotion Recipe with 3 Ingredients

This DIY lotion recipe is best when you are short on time and looking for something practical. With just three ingredients, such as shea butter, jojoba oil, and a few drops of essential oil, you can whip up a nourishing blend that works wonders on your skin, especially for minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Essential oil
Who it’s for: For stretch marks
Prep time: 1o minutes

3. Shea Butter Cocoa Butter DIY Lotion

If you suffer from dry patches, this rich and nourishing recipe is what you need. Crafted with luxurious ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and essential oils, it delivers an extra boost of hydration. Think of it as a drink for your skin that leaves it soft, supple, and beautifully revitalized!

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut oil
Who it’s for: Those with dry skin and dry patches
Prep time: 15 minutes

4. Coconut Oil DIY Lotion with Bergamot Oil

This coconut oil DIY lotion is wonderfully lightweight yet deeply moisturizing, thanks to the silky power of coconut oil. All you need to make it is just the oil itself, beeswax, and bergamot essential oil. The addition of bergamot elevates it to a heavenly combination, making your skin feel soft and pampered!

Main ingredients: Beeswax, Coconut oil, Bergamot oil
Who it’s for: Those with dry skin or dry patches
Prep time: 5 minutes

5. Aloe Vera Gel DIY Lotion

This aloe vera lotion is super ideal for sensitive skin as it soothes and hydrates without irritation. Aloe vera is known for its healing properties, and when combined with liquid coconut oil, essential oil, and vitamin E, this lotion is a wonderful choice for even calming sunburns or skin flare-ups.

Main ingredients: Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E oil, Essential oil(s)
Who it’s for: Those with oily skin, perfect for summers
Prep time: 5 minutes

DIY Lotion Bars

Now, let’s move on to the DIY lotion bars. These buddies are very convenient and mess-free, making them the best option for travel and busy lifestyles. To make them, you need a mold to shape the bars. Once they are set, simply store them in a jar or wrap them in butter paper.

6. Shea Butter DIY Lotion Bar

Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, one nutrient that instantly nourishes dry skin. And when combined with beeswax, tallow, and essential oils, they provide deep moisture in a compact form.

Main ingredients: Cocoa butter, Shea butter, Tallow, Beeswax, Essential oil(s)
Who it’s for: Those with dry skin and patches
Prep time: 40 minutes

7. Shea & Cocoa Butter Lotion Bars

This DIY bar recipe is a power duo, combining the strengths of shea and cocoa butter to create an incredibly rich formula that your skin will absolutely adore. It delivers intense hydration, leaving your skin feeling soft and luxurious. Adding some other aromatic compounds, like rose petals, can even add to the beauty of this lotion bar.

Main ingredients: Shea butter or Cocoa butter, Coconut Oil, Beeswax
Who it’s for: Those with normal skin
Prep time: 30 minutes

8. DIY Lotion Bars Recipe for Silky Skin

The lotion bar recipe we’ve selected for this category features top-notch ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, essential oils, and the star of the show—lavender buds—to create a heavenly scent. When you apply it, the bar melts effortlessly, delivering deep hydration and leaving your skin feeling smooth and luxuriously soft.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Beeswax, Coconut oil, Essential oil(s), Lavender flower buds
Who it’s for: Those with normal skin
Prep time: 30-40 minutes

9. DIY Lotion Bars Without Beeswax

This DIY lotion bar recipe is a fantastic beeswax-free option that combines plant-based ingredients. Not only is it vegan, but it also caters to every skin type, making it a versatile choice for anyone seeking natural skincare solutions.

Main ingredients: Cupuacu Butter, Macadamia Nut Oil, White Pearl Mica Powder, Vitamin E oil, Essential oil(s), Cetyl Alcohol
Who it’s for: Those with oily skin, perfect for summers
Prep time: 20 minutes

10. Non-Greasy DIY Lotion Bars

If you don’t like that greasy feeling on the body after applying the lotion, then this recipe is just for you. It includes ingredients that hydrate without leaving a heavy residue, making them perfect for quick touch-ups throughout the day.

Main ingredients: Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Peppermint Essential oil
Who it’s for: Those with itchy, dry skin, perfect for winters
Prep time: 30 minutes

DIY Lotions for Specific Skin Concerns

This DIY lotion recipe section is for those with special skin concerns. So come on, let’s see and find out how to make our own skincare elixirs.

11. DIY Lotion for Eczema & Sensitive Skin

The recipe for this gentle and soothing lotion is formulated to calm the redness of the skin. It has some antioxidant-rich ingredients like manuka honey, making it perfect for people with eczema or sensitive skin.

Main ingredients: Mango Butter, Coconut oil, Manuka Honey, Vitamin E oil, Olive Oil
Who it’s for: Suitable for irritated Eczema skin
Prep time: 35 minutes

12. DIY Lotion for Crepey Skin

Since anti-aging skin requires lightweight formulas, the next DIY has only four ingredients on it. This lotion also uses a combination of essential oils to improve skin texture as well as pigmentation, making it an effective solution for nurturing and preserving the youthful appearance of the skin.

Main ingredients: Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Essential Oil(s)
Who it’s for: Anti-aging skin, crepey skin, extremely dry skin
Prep time: 25 minutes

13. DIY Lotion for Extremely Dry Skin

The recipe for this DIY lotion is basically a luxurious blend of shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and essential oils. This ultra-hydrating combination is perfect for addressing stubborn dry patches, such as cracked heels, rough elbows, and calloused hands. It also creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture, ensuring your skin stays soft, smooth, and deeply nourished.

Main ingredients: Shea Butter, Beeswax, Aloe Vera Gel, Coconut Oil, Essential Oil(s)
Who it’s for: Those with extremely dry skin and dry patches
Prep time: 15 minutes

14. DIY Lotion for Sunburn Relief

This recipe is one of the easiest on our list. Infused with essential oils like lavender and chamomile alongside soothing aloe vera gel, it offers gentle relief from sunburn, leaving your skin refreshed and comforted.

Main ingredients: Lotion base, Distilled water, Aloe vera, Lilac infused oil, Allantoin,
Who it’s for: dry or irritated skin
Prep time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

15. DIY Lotion for Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Prevention

Packed with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants, such as rose Damas flower powder, this lotion helps boost collagen and prevent signs of aging. It can undoubtedly be a great addition to your skincare routine for youthful-looking skin!

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Argan oil, Jojoba Oil, Rose damas flower powder, Evening Primrose Oil, Cranberry powder
Who it’s for: Anti-aging skin
Prep time: 20 minutes

DIY Body Butters for Intense Moisture

If you’re craving intense hydration, our body butter recipes are sure to impress!

16. Dry Skin Homemade Body Butter with Chamomile

This body butter is your winter skin savior! Packed with chamomile leaves, jojoba oil, shea butter, and a dash of essential oils, it offers a cozy, calming experience for your skin.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Essential Oil(s), Chamomile flowers
Who it’s for: Those with dry patches and dry skin
Prep time: 30 minutes

17. Body Butters DIY Lotion Recipe

This body butter features a unique blend of versatile ingredients, including shea butter, almond oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, beeswax, and essential oils, along with vitamin E oil. This nourishing formula makes it perfect for every season, providing hydration and protection year-round. Whether it’s summer or winter, your skin will feel soft, smooth, and deeply moisturized!

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Essential Oil(s), Vitamin E Oil:
Who it’s for: Those with dry patches and dry skin, can be used in summers
Prep time: 30 minutes

18. Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Body Butter

This is a very hydrating and supple combination that has carnauba palm, shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil along with essential oils. All these ingredients make it thick and perfect for winter usage.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Essential Oil(s), Vitamin E Oil, Almond Oil
Who it’s for: Those with dry patches and dry skin, can be used in summers
Prep time: 30 minutes

19. Coconut Oil & Essential Oils DIY Body Butter

This DIY recipe is infused with all your favorite essential oils and enriched with coconut oil, pampering your senses while providing essential protection for your skin. The delightful aromas uplift your mood, and the coconut oil adds an extra layer of hydration, making each application a truly luxurious experience.

Main ingredients: Carnauba Wax, Shea butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Essential Oil(s)
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin
Prep time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes

20. Body Butter Recipe with Beeswax

Beeswax endures the properties of locking moisture, making it ideal for dry, cracked skin. Other ingredients include shea butter and some essential oils.

Main ingredients: Shea butter, Beeswax, Coconut Oil
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin
Prep time: 45 minutes

Unique & Fun DIY Lotion Ideas

Now let’s see some unique and fun options to keep your skincare routine exciting!

21. DIY Lotion Stick

It looks like such an innovative idea. These DIY lotion sticks are easy to apply and best for traveling. Just a small twist and glide these lotion sticks over your skin for instant moisture. All you need is these storage molds from Amazon, and you are sorted!

Main ingredients: Beeswax, Shea butter, Virgin Coconut Oil
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin
Prep time: 15 minutes

22. Castor Oil DIY Lotion

While we often use castor oil for hair care, this next DIY project features a special lotion made with it. It includes various ingredients along with castor oil that can be seen when you open the link. Perfect for pampering your feet, this lotion will leave them feeling soft and rejuvenated!

Main ingredients: Castor Oil, Beeswax, Shea butter, Cupuacu butter, Avocado Oil, Emulsifier olivem1000, Distilled water, Xanthum gum, Lemon Balm Essential Oil
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin and feet
Prep time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

23. DIY Lotion Candles

This is a truly unique concept, particularly when it comes to gifting purposes. These candles transform into a warm, moisturizing lotion when lit, providing a unique treat for your skin. It’s a thoughtful blend of ambiance and skincare, making it a perfect gift for anyone who loves a little luxury!

Main ingredients: Soy Wax, Beeswax, Shea butter, Kokum Butter, Castor Oil, Fragrance Oil
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin and dry patches
Prep time: 20 minutes

24. Coconut Oil and Essential Oil Body Lotion

You can easily DIY this all-natural coconut oil lotion and enjoy its calming benefits. Add your favorite essential oils to put your own spin on it, creating a personalized blend that suits your scent preferences and enhances the soothing experience!

Main ingredients: Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Essential Oil,
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin, perfect for summers
Prep time: 20 minutes

25. Almond Oat Emulsified Body Butter

The last DIY on our list is almond oat emulsified butter, perfect for anyone seeking complete luxury. This rich and creamy blend offers deep nourishment, making it an indulgent treat for the skin.

Main ingredients: Distilled Water, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Colloidal Oatmeal, panthenol powder (vitamin B5), Vitamin E
Who it’s for: Those with sensitive, dry skin and dry patches
Prep time: 40 minutes

Handy Amazon Finds and Tools for Luxurious Self-Care

So there we have it! All of these DIY lotions, body butter, and lotion bars can be easily made following the recipes in the link. You can get all the ingredients locally from nearby stores and marts, while molds, jars, and candle wicks can be ordered from Amazon.

And speaking of convenience, I found a handy lotion application stick for those hard-to-reach areas, like your back, where applying lotion can be tricky. It makes self-care even easier!

Summing it Up

Making your own lotion is not only about creativity or saving money. It is a fantastic way to pamper your skin with the best ingredients, that too with the least damage to it. And when you have endless possibilities to customize it, you can experiment with different ingredients and see what works best for you.

So, pick a recipe that intrigues you and try it out. If you try any of our recipes, we would love to know how they turned out. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Also, in cases of extremely dry skin, a lotion alone might not provide relief. Such conditions must be treated immediately to prevent more serious conditions like eczema. We suggest you read our article about Natural ways to Heal Eczema. The article is filled with valuable insights and natural remedies that help you nourish and treat your skin.

Hope you enjoyed this list of DIY lotion recipe ideas!

References

1. Liang, W. (2020). Toxicity and effect of chemicals in skin care products on human health. IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 512(1), 012081. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/512/1/012081.

2. Labban, L., Thallaj, N., Al Jazeera Private University, Labban, L., & Al Jazeera Private University. (2020). The medicinal and pharmacological properties of Damascene Rose (Rosa damascena): A review. In International Journal of Herbal Medicine (Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 33–37) [Journal-article]. https://www.florajournal.com/archives/2020/vol8issue2/PartA/7-4-80-164.pdf

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25+ DIY Lotion Recipe Ideas For the Most Soft & Nourished Skin

So Here Are 25 DIY Lotion Recipes To Try At Home

Basic DIY Lotion Recipes