best natural lotion for dry skin

HOW TO MAKE DIY FLORAL LOTION BARS

Making my own homemade lotion bars means a lot to me because I know exactly where every ingredient comes from. The best part is blending the beautiful scents of natural herbs and flowers into my lotion bars. It allows me to get creative and craft different magical scents that not only smell amazing but also soothe the skin.

If you’ve never made your own lotion bars before, let me guide you through the process! With this recipe, you’ll create a lovely lotion bar to treat yourself or gift to a friend or loved one, no matter the season. This particular recipe features flowers that bloom in spring, but if you’re looking for a winter-inspired option, check out my Homemade Winter Forest Lotion Bars.

BEAUTIFUL FLOWER LOTION BARS

Wildflower season in Southern California is in full swing! This time of year is hands down my favorite time of year here on the west coast. The flowers are popping up everywhere. You can find Calendula, Lavender, Roses, Poppies and all sorts of beauty everywhere you go. I always daydream of going to lay safely in a bed of flowers, yet I don’t because I don’t want to disrupt their beauty.

Ever since I made my Winter Forest Lotion Bars, I’ve been dreaming of making a version inspired by all of the magical flowers. Since I can’t quite go lay in a bed of flowers without disturbing the blooms, the next best thing is to make a lotion bar infused with their scent that magically transports me to this daydream. Every piece of this recipe’s aroma is extracted naturally so you get the full benefit of the flowers.

HOW TO MAKE THE FLOWER-INFUSED OIL BASE

The base of this lotion bar recipe is olive oil, and you have two options: you can use plain olive oil, or you can take it a step further and make your own flower-infused olive oil! I personally love using the flower-infused oil because it brings additional skin-nourishing benefits and a subtle, magical scent.

For this recipe, I’ve created a calendula-infused oil, but you can get creative and use any skin-safe flower to infuse. I’ve made oils with calendula, rose, and lavender, and each one has an incredible fragrance! I believe in using what you already have, so there are plenty of options.

Making your own flower-infused oil is super simple. For this example, I’ll guide you through creating a calendula-infused oil. If you prefer a different flower, simply swap out the calendula for your chosen blooms. Start by placing dried or fresh calendula flowers into a jar, then pour olive oil over the flowers, ensuring they are fully covered. Let the flowers infuse in a dark place for 4-6 weeks, though you can leave them longer if you’d like. A pantry or apothecary works perfectly for this process! Once your infusion is ready, strain out the flowers using a strainer or cheesecloth.

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have the time for infusing, you can always skip the step and just add a few drops of essential oils for your desired aroma. While I believe infusing the whole flower is truly magical, this quick method works too.

For more tips and tricks, check out my instructions on how to make Flower-Infused Body Olive Oil. The secret to consistently making homemade lotion bars or skincare products is to always have a flower-infused oil ready in your apothecary. That way, when inspiration strikes, you’ll be all set!

CREATING YOUR HOMEMADE LOTION BAR

Once your flower-infused oil is steeped and ready, it’s time to create your homemade lotion bars! The best part is that they’re super easy to make, and you can get really creative with the process. Let your imagination run wild and have fun!

Start by melting the beeswax into your infused flower oil. This forms the base of your lotion bar. Once the beeswax is fully melted, turn off the heat and add in the shea butter, mango butter, and essential oils. You don’t want to overheat the butter, so turning off the heat once the beeswax is melted is key. The oil and beeswax will retain enough heat to melt and blend the butters evenly. If it’s taking a little longer to melt, just turn your stove to the lowest setting and stir often.

After the infused oil, shea butter, mango butter, and essential oils have blended with the beeswax, pour the mixture into silicone molds. This is where you can really get creative! I love adding dried flowers to the molds for an extra touch of beauty. The lotion bars will take on the shape of the mold, and the dried flowers will make them even more stunning. Make sure to use silicone molds—this ensures the bars will pop out easily once they’re set.

Let the lotion bars cool and cure completely before using them. In my experience, they take about 20-30 minutes to fully cool and set. Once they’re ready, pop them out of the molds and place them in small containers, like 4 oz push-top tins or wide jars, lined with parchment paper. I recommend storing them in small metal containers or jars. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Now comes the best part—enjoying your beautiful, homemade lotion bars!

BENEFITS FOR YOUR SKIN

There are so many wonderful benefits to using these homemade lotion bars! The natural olive oil and beeswax work together to moisturize and soften the skin, leaving it feeling incredibly nourished and smooth. But that’s not all—the aromatherapy from the flowers helps to ground you and bring a sense of peace and relaxation. Plus, the flowers and essential oils in this recipe provide additional skin benefits.

In this lotion bar, I used Patchouli, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, and Lavender essential oils. When applied to the skin, these oils offer several advantages:

  • Nourish the skin with essential nutrients
  • Energetically grounding, helping you feel centered and balanced
  • Support the lymphatic system, aiding in detoxification
  • Promote healing for wounds and skin irritations
  • Hydrate all skin types, leaving your skin soft and moisturized

These lotion bars not only nurture your skin but also offer a soothing, holistic experience with every use!

HOW TO USE LOTION BARS

Now that we’ve made these beautiful lotion bars and discussed their amazing benefits, you might be wondering how to use them. Fortunately, they’re super easy to apply! All you need to do is take the lotion bar and warm it slightly with the heat of your hand. Once it softens a bit, gently massage the bar into your skin. As you rub it in, the lotion bar will start to melt and absorb, just like any other lotion. Once softened, continue to massage it over your body and feel the moisturizing effects. Let the calming scent and soothing properties transport you to that wildflower field as you pamper yourself!

Here are a few personal tips for using your lotion bar:

  • I recommend applying it right after you shower when your skin is warm and more receptive to absorbing the benefits. Whether it’s a morning or evening shower, your skin is in the perfect state to soak in the nourishment.
  • Make using your lotion bar part of your self-care or self-love ritual. The process of massaging it into your skin is incredibly relaxing and grounding, adding an extra touch of peace to your routine.

conclusion

In conclusion, making and using homemade lotion bars is not only a creative and enjoyable process but also a wonderful way to nourish and pamper your skin naturally. By infusing your own flower oils and choosing the right essential oils, you can customize your lotion bars to suit your needs, whether it’s for hydration, relaxation, or a touch of aromatherapy. The benefits of these lotion bars go beyond just moisturization—they offer grounding, soothing effects while supporting your skin’s health.

So, take time to enjoy this self-care ritual, incorporating it into your daily routine for the ultimate indulgence. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or treating yourself, these lotion bars are a beautiful, natural way to feel pampered and connected to the magic of nature.

DIY LOTION WITH SHEA BUTTER

Do you ever find yourself playing detective, carefully scanning product labels before making a purchase? It can be a bit overwhelming, especially when so many body care products—supposedly natural or organic—are packed with questionable ingredients! That’s one of the reasons I love making my own. I get to control exactly what goes into my products, and it’s such a fun process! Come along with me as I share how to make your own luxurious shea butter lotion.

Non greasy shea butter lotion recipe

In my journey of healing, I became increasingly aware of the massive toxic burden in our modern world, and a big part of that is the products we use on our skin. Did you know that our skin, the largest organ in our body, quickly absorbs whatever we put on it? It’s a sobering thought, especially when we consider just how many commercial personal care products are packed with harmful chemicals.

This lotion is the perfect solution for when you want a light, non-greasy moisturizer made with only the purest, most natural ingredients. I’m excited to share with you how to make lotion with shea butter—I think you’ll love it!

Taking it into my own hands with DIY lotion 

In my quest for the purest, most natural skincare, I decided to try making some products myself. After all, creating things has always been a huge passion of mine.

What I quickly discovered is that making your own organic skincare is not only fun but incredibly rewarding! One of my favorite things to make is lotion. While I love DIY skincare, makeup is one area I don’t usually tackle—check out my review of 100% Pure makeup here for more on that.

I just find it so satisfying to blend ingredients that don’t naturally mix and turn them into a smooth, light, and luxurious lotion. It’s like a little magic every time!

How do you make your own lotion?

When you make lotion, you’re creating an emulsion—essentially forcing two ingredients that don’t naturally mix to combine. It’s similar to the process of making homemade mayonnaise!

My favorite tool for making lotion is a food processor. While a blender works too, I find that the food processor gives the most consistent results.

Cleanliness is crucial when making skincare products, especially when they contain water. I suggest cleaning all your equipment with a weak bleach solution and allowing it to air dry before starting. This helps prevent introducing any bacteria into your recipe.

For the water component, I highly recommend using distilled water. This ensures that the lotion remains as pure as possible, free from any unwanted contaminants that could affect the final product.

How to make lotion with shea butter directions

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4 cup jojoba oil
  • 5 TBSP shea butter
  • 2 TBSP beeswax
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1/2 tsp preservative
  • 96 drops essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Measure the jojoba oil, shea butter, and beeswax into a heat-safe glass container, such as a pitcher.
  2. Create a double boiler by placing the pitcher on a cloth in a pan of water.
  3. Heat the water to a gentle simmer until the shea butter and beeswax are completely melted.
  4. Pour the hot oil mixture into a food processor.
  5. Turn the food processor on, and in a small, slow stream, gradually pour the distilled water into the food processor.
  6. Allow the food processor to run for another minute or so, letting the emulsion form.
  7. Ensure the lotion mixture stays below 176°F (80°C).
  8. Add the preservative and essential oils, if using, and let the food processor run for another minute.
  9. Pour the lotion into glass containers.
  10. Store in a cool, dark place at room temperature.

Enjoy your homemade, luxurious lotion!

Natural preservative for homemade lotion

When making homemade lotions that contain water, it’s crucial to use a preservative.

Hold up, though—don’t we usually try to avoid preservatives in our food?

I had the same hesitation at first. But here’s the thing: when we make something with water and store it at room temperature, we really do need to add something to keep it fresh and prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria or mold.

I’ve found a natural preservative that works great, and it’s one I feel comfortable using—Optiphen Plus. It’s paraben-free and formaldehyde-free, which is exactly why I love it. That’s the preservative I recommend when making lotion with shea butter.

If you prefer to go preservative-free, you can store your homemade lotion in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind, the shelf life will be shorter.

Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s get started on making some beautiful lotion!

Customize your DIY lotion

What’s even more fun is when you get to experiment and play around with ingredients. That’s when things get really exciting!

In this recipe for making lotion with shea butter, I’ve used jojoba oil as the liquid oil and shea butter. But here’s the best part—you can totally swap these out for other oils and butters that suit your preferences! You could try sweet almond oil and cocoa butter, or even avocado oil and coconut oil. The possibilities are endless, and each combination will give your lotion a unique feel and scent!

Make it smell pretty and do even more

Essential oils are such a fun addition to homemade lotions! You can use a single oil, a pre-mixed blend, or even create your own custom blend.

Some essential oils are fantastic for their anti-aging properties, making them perfect for homemade lotions. For example, lavender oil is packed with beneficial ingredients for the skin and has a beautiful scent.

A couple of my favorite pre-mixed blends from Plant Therapy are Soft Skin and Bouquet. Soft Skin is filled with oils that help to soften and renew the skin, offering lovely anti-aging benefits. Bouquet has a gorgeous, floral scent that’s perfect for a soothing lotion. There are so many other beautiful blends to choose from as well.

And of course, you can get creative and mix your own! If you’re looking for natural gift ideas, I’ve shared some essential oil gift ideas here.

If you’re dealing with skin rashes or itchy skin, I’ve got a post with info on which essential oils can help with that too!

Is commercial natural skincare the real deal?

I’ve come to realize just how much our personal care and skincare products truly matter. To reduce our personal toxic load, it’s much better to use pure, natural ingredients and avoid synthetic and artificial substances.

There are plenty of skincare and personal care products on the market that are labeled as “natural” or even “organic,” but are they really the best choice?

Sadly, the answer is often no. Many so-called natural skincare products still contain ingredients that aren’t actually natural, and ones I’d rather avoid.

If you’re looking for some of my favorite non-toxic cleaning products, check out this post here. I also have a great tallow lotion recipe for you here!

Benefits of shea butter

Shea butter is an incredible plant-based ingredient that’s both moisturizing and soothing for the skin. It’s rich in fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and E, and has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great choice for revitalizing and nourishing your skin (source).

When choosing between unrefined and refined shea butter, I recommend going with unrefined if you can. It retains more of its beneficial nutrients compared to the refined version. The only downside is that it has a stronger smell, but in my opinion, the extra benefits make it worth it!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, making your own skincare products, like homemade lotion with shea butter, is not only a fun and rewarding experience but also an empowering way to ensure you’re using the purest, most natural ingredients. By choosing wholesome oils, butters, and essential oils, you can create a personalized lotion that nourishes your skin and keeps it free from harmful chemicals.

Whether you’re experimenting with different oils, blending your own essential oils, or using natural preservatives like Optiphen Plus, the process allows you to have full control over what goes onto your skin. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce your toxic load and embrace a cleaner, more natural skincare routine.

So, get creative and enjoy the process! With a little knowledge and the right ingredients, you can make your own luxurious, non-toxic lotion that’s perfect for your skin.