dollar store face wash

DIY HOMEMADE LAVENDER LOTION RECIPE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

This DIY Lavender Lotion Recipe is Light, Creamy, and Made with Natural Ingredients like Shea Butter and Lavender Essential Oil.

Switching to all-natural skincare can feel expensive, especially when you see the price difference between Burt’s Bees lip balm and regular chapstick. I thought there was no way I could make it work long-term on a budget!

But here’s the good news: making your own beauty products like body butter, lip balm, and even baby wash is super easy—and often cheaper than store-bought versions!

Most commercial lotions are packed with chemicals, fragrances, parabens, and preservatives, which aren’t exactly the ingredients you want soaking into your skin. Making your own lotion with ingredients you know and trust is a much better choice!

I personally struggle with dry hands, especially in the winter (and all year since we don’t have a dishwasher). This lavender lotion has become a key part of my nighttime routine to help me unwind after a long day.

It’s also great for my kids—rubbing it on their legs and backs helps them relax and get ready for sleep, as the calming scent of lavender is perfect for sweet dreams.

Prefer a solid option? Check out my recipe for homemade lavender lotion bars!

What You Need To Make Homemade Lavender Lotion

Ingredients:

  • White Beeswax Pellets – Beeswax helps reduce the greasy feel of your lotion while still locking in moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
  • Shea Butter – Known for its skin-softening, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter is a fantastic choice for homemade skincare. If you prefer, you can substitute it with cocoa butter for a slightly different texture and scent.
  • Almond Oil – This oil has healing properties that make it great for acne and skin blemishes. If you don’t have almond oil, jojoba oil or olive oil are good alternatives.
  • Vitamin E Oil (optional) – A teaspoon of vitamin E oil adds extra healing power to your lotion, making it great for dry or sensitive skin.
  • Lavender Essential Oil – The star of this recipe, lavender essential oil, provides a calming, natural scent perfect for a relaxing lotion. I recommend this particular brand for DIY skincare because it’s both strong and affordable.

Supplies:

  • Electric Mixer – You can use a blender, food processor, stand mixer, or a hand mixer with a bowl to blend the ingredients into a smooth, creamy lotion.
  • Double Boiler – Alternatively, you can create a double boiler by placing a glass bowl on top of a saucepan with an inch or two of water in it. Heat the water over medium heat, and add your ingredients to the glass bowl to melt.
  • Glass Container – Use a glass jar or container to store your finished lotion. Make sure it’s airtight to preserve the freshness of your homemade product.

How To Make This Homemade Lavender Lotion Recipe:

Melt – In a double boiler or a glass bowl placed over a pot with a few inches of water, heat the almond oil, shea butter, beeswax, and vitamin E oil (if using) over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until everything has melted and there are no solid bits left.

Whip – Once the oils have melted and cooled slightly, transfer the mixture to a stand mixer or use electric beaters. Whip the mixture on high speed. Slowly and gradually add in the water, continuing to mix until the lotion becomes light and creamy.

Add the Essential Oils – Once all the water has been incorporated and the mixture turns bright white and fluffy, add 30–50 drops of lavender essential oil. Continue whipping to fully combine the scent into the lotion.

Tips For Success:

To Use: This homemade lavender lotion is safe for most parts of your body, but it’s best to avoid sensitive areas like your face or eyes. If you experience any irritation, discontinue use immediately.

To Store: Store the lotion in a cool place, like the refrigerator, in an airtight glass jar for up to 3 months.

Variations: Lavender pairs beautifully with other essential oils like orange, lemon, vanilla, and grapefruit. You can experiment with a blend of these oils, but make sure the total amount doesn’t exceed 50 drops.

Substitutions: If you don’t have almond oil, you can easily substitute it with jojoba or olive oil in this recipe.

About This Lavender Body Lotion Recipe

All-Natural Ingredients
This lotion is made with completely natural ingredients, making it a great choice for even sensitive skin types. No worrisome chemicals here!

Easy to Make
You can make enough lotion to last your family all winter in just 15 minutes—no complicated steps required!

Super Cheap
The ingredients cost only a few dollars, which is a fraction of the price of store-bought all-natural lavender lotion. And even if it seems a bit pricey the first time, you’ll have plenty of leftover ingredients to make multiple batches.

Plus, leftover beeswax can be repurposed to make baby lotion, beeswax candles, or lip balm!

Moisturizing
Each ingredient in this lotion is naturally hydrating and healing, perfect for dry skin.

Creamy
This homemade lotion is light and creamy, melting into your skin without any greasy residue.

Easy to Customize
Lavender essential oil blends well with many other oils. Try adding a few drops of chamomile, vanilla, lemon, grapefruit, rose, geranium, or orange essential oils to create your own signature scent!

FAQ About This Homemade Lavender Lotion Recipe

How Many Drops of Lavender Oil Should You Put in Lotion?
It’s generally recommended to use 12 drops of lavender essential oil for every ounce of carrier oil, body cream, or lotion. Since this recipe uses about 4 ounces of oils, I typically add between 30 and 50 drops of lavender oil to achieve a pleasant, fragrant scent.

How Should You Store Homemade Lotion?
To extend the shelf life of your homemade lotion, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. When kept in the fridge, it can last up to 3 months. Plus, essential oils should be stored away from direct sunlight to preserve their potency, so the fridge is the perfect place to keep your lavender lotion fresh and aromatic.

Is This Lavender Lotion Safe to Apply to Your Face?
This lavender lotion is made with all-natural ingredients, so it should generally be safe for use on your face, as long as you avoid your eyes and nostrils. However, to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount of lotion to a spot on your cheek, and wait a few minutes to see if any redness or irritation develops before using it more liberally on your face. This will help ensure your skin reacts well to the ingredients.

CONCLUSION


Making your own lavender lotion is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. With ingredients like shea butter, almond oil, and lavender essential oil, you can create a luxurious, moisturizing lotion without the worry of harmful chemicals. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also highly customizable to suit your preferences, whether you want to add other essential oils or create a thicker or lighter texture.

By making this homemade lotion, you’ll save money in the long run, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly what’s in your skincare products. Plus, the soothing lavender scent is perfect for relaxation, making it a great addition to your nightly routine.

Store your lotion in a cool place, and it’ll last up to three months—so you can enjoy soft, nourished skin all season long.

19 DIY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION GIFT BASKETS YOUR GRAD WILL ADORE

With graduation season quickly approaching, finding the perfect gift for your special graduate can be a fun challenge. A gift basket is a fantastic option! With endless possibilities to personalize, you can fill it with anything from college essentials to indulgent snacks, or even relaxing spa products. It’s a thoughtful and affordable way to make your grad feel extra special.

Whether they’re heading to college, trade school, or starting a new job, a DIY high school graduation gift basket wrapped with care will bring a smile to their face! Plus, what’s not to love about a basket filled with hand-picked goodies just for them? Here are 19 creative and thoughtful DIY high school graduation gift basket ideas to inspire you!

For Coffee Lovers

When you’re in college, noon is practically “early!” That’s why most college students become coffee drinkers (even if they swore they never would). Between early mornings and late-night study sessions, coffee is their best friend. Have some fun with this basket idea by including a bag of coffee (of course), along with a few of their favorite snacks, a cute mug or coffee cup, and anything else you think your coffee-loving grad would adore! It’s the perfect pick-me-up for their busy college life!

Late-Night Snack & Study Basket

A college survival kit like this is sure to bring some laughs to your graduating senior! This basket is packed with everything they’ll need for late-night study sessions and snack breaks. Fill it with their favorite snacks and drinks, along with something personal, like a coffee tumbler. Don’t forget to add a few messages of encouragement to help them stay motivated and ace those tests!

DIY College Survival Kit with FREE Printable Card

If your grad is heading off to college, a survival kit gift basket (complete with an adorable FREE printable card) is guaranteed to put a huge smile on their face! Just picture their reaction when you hand them this thoughtful and fun basket packed with all the essentials they’ll need for college life!

The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle Basket

Here’s a festive basket we absolutely love, and we’re sure your grad will too! You can color-coordinate the basket with your grad’s college colors or create a custom theme. Fill it with whatever you think they’ll love! We especially like the “The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle” cup with gold confetti—it’s the perfect fun touch. This gift will definitely stand out on the gift table!

Tiered Cake for Grads

We absolutely love this fun and creative tiered “cake” design for grads! It’s a clever way to stack all their study supplies, along with college essentials like Ramen noodles and an energy drink for those late-night study sessions. Tie each layer with a colorful wide ribbon and use strong double-sided tape to keep everything in place. It’s both practical and playful—your grad will adore it!

“Take Time for YOU “Personalized Basket

Whether your grad is heading to college, taking a gap year to travel, or starting a new job, life transitions can be stressful. This “Take Time for YOU” personalized basket is a perfect reminder for her to prioritize self-care, no matter how busy life gets. Fill it with things she loves, like lavender bar soap, bath salts, lotion, and body spray. Complete the theme with a matching pillow, loofah, candle, and a beautiful bow. Your grad will absolutely LOVE it!

New Beginnings Basket

New beginnings are always exciting! Whether your grad is off to college or starting a new job, they’re going to need a lot of essentials. Celebrate this exciting new chapter in their life by helping them get prepared! This basket is packed with a thoughtful variety of supplies, from laundry detergent and markers to a stapler and Ramen noodles. The chocolate, ribbon, and sunflower add the perfect finishing touches to make it extra special!

New Apartment Supplies Kit

For grads stepping into apartment life, this New Apartment Supplies gift is the ultimate starter kit they’ll appreciate! From toilet paper and paper towels to cleaning supplies and storage bags, this thoughtful and practical gift has everything they need to settle into their new place. Any apartment-bound grad will love this fun and useful gesture!

 Charming Sentiments

We just LOVE the look of this charming grad basket, filled with sweet messages and heartfelt touches. It’s easily adaptable for both girls and guys, and with a little creativity, you can personalize it with a variety of items that carry warm, meaningful sentiments. This thoughtful basket is sure to make your grad feel extra special!

Shower Caddy Gift Basket

Every college-bound student needs a shower caddy! This practical gift is perfect for both girls and guys. Fill it with essential shower and bath products like shampoo, conditioner, razors, shower gel, a brush, a comb, and more. It’s a thoughtful and useful way to help them get ready for dorm life!

Guys Essentials Basket

This cute container (perfect for desk or bath supplies!) holds a little bit of everything your special guy will need. From shaving cream and razors to body wash and laundry detergent, he’ll put all of these essentials to good use, whether he’s heading off to college or starting out on his own! And of course, we’re sure the Oreo cookies will be a huge hit too!

The Ultimate Grad Candy Basket

Add some fun to your grad’s basket by including a selection of candy bars with witty and clever sayings! Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Specialty Basket Just for Guys

Don’t be fooled… guys love a bit of pampering just as much as anyone else! This “just for him” basket is a thoughtful way to remind him that a little relaxation goes a long way when life gets busy. Fill it with his favorite personal care items—like Axe body wash, specialty soap, cologne, and shaving cream—along with a soft face towel. He’ll appreciate this personalized basket made just for him!

College Survival Kit with FREE Printable

This is one of the cutest little baskets we found, and what we absolutely love about it is how easy it is to put together—simple enough for even a younger sibling to make! It’s packed with all sorts of college essentials that any grad will appreciate. Use this as inspiration or personalize it with everything your favorite grad will love!

Dollar Store Grad Basket

DIY high school graduation gift baskets don’t have to be expensive! You can create a thoughtful and affordable graduation basket using finds from your local Dollar Store. For under $15, you can fill it with everything from desk supplies and household essentials to snacks, candy, and cute knick-knacks. Add a personal touch by tying it all together with colorful wrapping, tissue paper, or a festive bow for the perfect finishing touch!

Beach-Bound Basket

Got a grad heading to the beach? Whether they’re off to college in sunny California or Florida, or starting a new job on a coastline across the globe, they’ll love this beach-bound basket! Fill it with seashell-shaped soap, a sea breeze candle, a cute sign, and fragrant “ocean-inspired” hand lotion. It’s the perfect way to send them off with a little coastal charm!

Sorority Basket

If you have a daughter or a special grad heading into sorority life, this could be the perfect basket for her! Get creative by filling it with her favorite spa products, sorority logo items, and even a cozy throw like the grey one shown here. Add a personalized sign or any other thoughtful touches, and this is one basket she’ll treasure and never forget!

Off to College Basket

Make your grad’s transition into college fun and exciting with this vibrant “Off to College” gift basket! Fill it with their favorite snacks, dorm essentials, and all the little necessities they’ll need to settle in. From practical items to fun surprises, the sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing this basket to make it special and memorable!

“Time to Put on Your Big Girl Panties” Basket

When it comes to DIY high school graduation gift baskets, this one takes the cake… literally! Your grad will be thrilled with this fun tower of gifts! Packed with everything from notebooks and pens to Ramen and energy drinks, this tower is a perfect collection of college essentials to help them power through exams. You can use any sign you like, but we think this one really says it all!

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