Complete Guide on How to Make Your Own Lotion With Essential Oils

Only a few feelings are as rewarding as making your own lotion with essential oils. After using, your skin feels soft and hydrated and not to mention it smells so good!

While several ready-made commercial skincare products are available in the cosmetic market, they are often made with synthetic ingredients, filler, and overpriced.  

At MOXĒ, we believe that essential oil-infused lotions should be naturally made, therapeutic and affordable. This is why we are sharing our complete guide on making your own lotion with essential oils. 

Overview

Suppose you’re not sure where to begin or know which essential oils are suitable for lotions. In that case, this guide will teach you everything from the types of lotions you should use to knowing which essential oils to use for your skin type.

We also provided easy step-by-step DIY essential oil-infused lotion recipes to try and tips to help preserve your lotions safely with essential oils. 

While it may seem an impossible task, preparing your essential oil-infused topicals can be an exciting experience with the right ingredients and concentrations. 

Before you begin, make sure you have your favorite essential oils on hand. If you’re out of essential oils or need to find another high-quality essential oil blend, we got you. Check out MOXĒ for an expertly crafted essential oil blend designed to invoke the desired mood.

Let’s get started!

Types of lotions

First up, lotions and lotions!

Let’s keep it simple, body lotions come in two forms - water-based (or aqueous) and oil-based lotions. Let’s quickly discuss the differences.

Water-base vs oil-based lotions

As the name suggests, water-based lotions are a special mixture that includes oil and water. This mixture is known as an oil-in-water emulsion, fancy. This type of emulsion allows oil and water ingredients to mix and remain mixed. 

One primary concern with water-based solutions is their high tendency to attract molds and bacteria. However, a little preservative in the mix should help extend your cream's freshness. 

Tea tree oil, for instance, is a commonly used preservative for homemade essential oil lotions. So, if your recipe already enlists such preserving oils, you won’t be needing some extra preservatives.

Oil-based lotions as known as creams, typically have a higher percentage of oil with water droplets mixed.  These creams are known to be ideal for dry to dehydrated skin. 

Oil-based lotions are thicker and rich thanks to in higher oil content and may help maintain moisture on your skin. However, those with acne-prone skin may benefit from using a water-based lotion since it is less likely to cause clogged pores. 

Most people in warmer climates prefer the water-based options for their light and fluid texture. 

Now that you understand the main differences between water and oil-based lotions, let’s navigate through the boundless world of making essential oil-based lotions.

Benefits of using an essential oil-infused lotion

Still not sure why you should consider using an essential oil-infused lotion? The different essential oils come with their unique benefits, such as geranium’s anxiety-reducing effects. 

Here are the collective benefits of using essential oils in your lotion. 

• Essential oils are 100 percent natural. Zero additives.
• They mix effortlessly with your regular skin lotions
• You can play around the several options to suit your smell and skin type. 
• They suit a wide range of skin types. 
• They deliver both skincare and aromatherapeutic benefits, including sleep, anxiety relief. 

Best essential oils to add in lotion

 Quickly, here's a list of the best essential oils you should consider for your homemade lotions, outlined -- based on individual conditions:

Dry skin - Lavender, Chamomile, Lemongrass, Grapefruit

Oily skin - Bergamot, Mandarin, Geranium, Lime

Itchy skin - Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender

Sensitive skins - Lavender, chamomile, Rosemary

Stretch marks - -Lavender, Frankincense, Jasmine

Pimples/Spots - Tea tree, sweet Orange, Palmarosa

Aging skin - Rose, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Lemon

While it may not be possible to buy each essential oil individually, consider purchasing a premixed blend that includes the oils mentioned above. 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ESSENTIAL OIL LOTION AT HOME

From personal experience, here are easy recommend homemade essential oil lotions recipes

Body Butter recipe

Ingredients

• Macadamia Nut Oil - 7 teaspoons 
• Apricot Kernel Oil - 5 teaspoons
• Essential oils - 5 to 10 drops
• Shea butter - 3 tablespoon
• Cocoa Butter - 2 tablespoon
• BeesWax - 2 1/2 tablespoons
• Jojoba oil - 1 tablespoon

Note: If you don’t have Jojoba oil, you can always substitute it with olive oil or sweet almond.  

Directions

1. Put aside your essential oil and pour in all other ingredients into a low-heat double boiler and site to melt. 
2. Remove from your heat source and leave to cool. 
3. Whip the content until it turns fluffy
4. Now, pour in your preferred essential oils and mix the solution together. 
5. Pour your formula into your choice containers. This recipe may be a good fit for lotion bar tubes. For a viscous lotion, increase the concentrations of cocoa butter and/or beeswax.

Lotion Bar

Ingredients 

• Sweet Almond Oil - 4 tablespoons
• Shea Butter - 3 tablespoons
• BeesWax - 3 tablespoons
• Essential oil - 2 drops
• Cocoa butter - 2 tablespoons
• Essential oils - 10 drops

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a glass mason jar. Pour in a saucepan with 1 inch of water placed over medium heat and allow to melt.
2. Remove from the heat source and allow to cool 
3. Add your choice essential oils
4. Fill into molds and give time to form

Body Balm Lotion

Ingredients 

• Essential oils - 7 to 10 drops ( consider rosemary, bergamot, eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, rose, calendula for skin)
• Shea butter - 4 tablespoon
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoon
• Bees Wax - 1 tablespoon

Directions

1. Place your beeswax, olive oil, and shea butter in a pan and heat over low heat
2. Drop from heat source and give some minutes to cool.
3. Add your preferred essential oils and mix thoroughly.
4. Pour into a clean 4 oz jar and leave to fully cool
5. Expect a firm texture when formed

Easy alternatives for using essential oil in lotion

If DIY isn’t your thing, no worries. You can still make an essential oil lotion in minutes. 

Simply, you can purchase an unscented lotion base of your choice. Then add in a few drops of a pre-made essential oil blend to the lotion base. Slow stir until thoroughly mixed. Do not add more than 3% of essential oil to your lotion total volume. 

This option will save you time when considering what essential oils are best for your lotions.

Here’s a helpful resource on how to infuse essential oil for your daily skincare routine.

Preserving your lotion

While homemade lotions may sound attractive, their short shelf life makes a preservative necessary. 

There are two things to consider when preserving your lotion: microbial growth and oxidation.

Microbial growth

Microbial growth refers to contamination as a result of bacteria and mold. Unfortunately, bacteria and mold resilient and can be found everywhere, especially in the air. 

Although refrigeration may help lengthen shelf life, bacteria and mold may still show up after a few weeks. 

While many commercial lotions include synthetic preservatives like parabens, we suggest using a natural preservative. 

Luckily, you can purchase natural preservatives like Leucidal and Rokonsa. These natural preservatives are great additives to keep your lotion for several months. These preservatives also have a low to no irritation potential on the skin.

Always follow the suggested usage of the preservative you choose to use. Typically, these natural preservatives only require 1% of the total volume to be effective. 

Oxidation 

What is oxidation? It simply refers to the chemical process where sensitive ingredients like essential oils degrade after exposure to air. 

The best way to limit your essential oil lotion from oxidation potential is to use Vitamin E or tocopherol. Specifically, mixed Tocopherols 95% helps prevent oxidation and extend your lotion’s shelf life naturally.

Precautions

Always use a carrier oil for essential oils. Never apply these potent oils directly to your skin.

Carrier oils are necessary to dilute the concentration of essential oils and, in turn, prevent skin irritations. Essential oils can suddenly turn allergens if applied directly. 

Also, ensure to handle your essential oils with care, keep the lotion in an airtight container, and keep them out of reach from children and pets. 

Takeaway

To sum it all up! Yes, you can add essential oils to lotion and it happens to be easily and cost-effective.

For many, homemade essential oil blends can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you can get started with making your own essential oil-infused lotion.

Fact is, making essential oils lotions can be easy as soon as you get the hang of it. After several practices, you’ll find the process fun and exciting.

Making your own essential oil lotions comes with several benefits. They are natural, suit most skin types, and allow you to tweak the mixes to suit your skin and aromatic taste - among others. 

Feel free to experiment when making your own lotion and see what works for you!