How To Make Lotion At Home: 5 Easy Recipes From A Light Slip To Butter-Thick

Slathering yourself in moisturizer as soon as you step out of the shower isn't just a luxurious experience: It's a much-needed one. Velvety textures feel soothing, no doubt, but locking in hydration post-rinse is also the key to a strong skin barrier—those few extra seconds spent rubbing in a cream or oil are the difference between scaly skin and a glowing complexion all over. All the more reason to have a handy bottle of lotion on your bathroom shelf! But if you find yourself blowing through bottle after bottle (it's easy to fly through product, especially if you're dipping into it after each rinse), here's a twist: Make your own vat of lotion.

Whipping up your own concoction is pretty straightforward, whether you're in dire need of a butter-thick confection or a nongreasy veil of moisture.  

"It is so much easier than you would think to make a simple lotion," says Jana Blankenship, product formulator and founder of the natural beauty brand Captain Blankenship. In fact, you only need three measly ingredients: a carrier oil (think jojoba, coconut, almond, etc.), a liquid (rosewater, aloe, or some distilled H₂O), and wax to hold it all together.

Of course, you can chuck in some optional add-ons if you're feeling fancy—scan all the possibilities with these five recipes below:

This is Blankenship's go-to number, a light, basic hydrator that works its magic year-round. Here's what you'll need:

"To make a whip-thick version, you can omit the liquid and use a carrier oil, butter, and wax," says Blankenship. Here's a recipe that piles on the butter:

Sometimes you want a thin moisturizer that nourishes without a slippery seal-like sheen. Totally fair! All you have to do is take out the butter and replace it with aloe. 

For those with sensitive skin, baby lotion is a must—most are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free hydrators that soothe angry skin with ease. Good news: This DIY recipe only features gentle, skin-loving ingredients for your skin barrier. 

For a lightly fragranced moisturizer, you can, of course, use any essential oil blend you please (Blankenship favors chamomile, lavender, and juniper berry for a fresh scent), but a rose-scented lotion is subtle and relaxing. Try this lather below. 

Creating your own lotion is as simple as combining oil-based ingredients and water-based ingredients (that's what all moisturizers are, anyway!). Whether you keep it basic or add in some fun extras, each cream coats your skin with healthy ingredients and keeps water locked in. And if you'd rather skip the DIY and purchase a bottle? Well, these clean body lotions always have you covered.