As soon as the days get shorter and leaves start to change, I know that it means it’s time for the constant challenge of keeping my skin hydrated. Winter means dry, tight skin, there’s no two ways about it. But going into a store, you have to wonder – what’s really in that lotion anyhow? Recently I was in a drug store looking at a “natural” lotion and the ingredients started with petroleum. No thanks! Another contained alcohol, which is actually drying to skin. Who comes up with this stuff? Geez!
Time for another DIY project! If you don’t have time to make this whipped body lotion never fear – literally ANY food grade oil will work as body lotion. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, sesame oil, peanut oil – any quality cooking oil can do double duty. During college, I didn’t want to drop $15.00 on a tiny bottle of organic lotion, so I bought an $8 bottle of olive oil and it worked beautifully! Remember, your skin is the largest organ of your entire body – if you wouldn’t eat something, you may not want to put it on your skin. It’s still being absorbed into you, after all.
But for those who love the soft, frothy experience of slathering on whipped lotion, nothing else will compare. Try this easy recipe and mix up a batch today. It literally takes about 3 minutes to make and contains no mystery chemicals, nothing artificial and is eco-friendlier because you store it in your own jars. Fragrance can be customized based on the essential oils you use and ingredients get cheaper the more you buy, so once you try it and fall in love, consider buying enough to share. This also makes a great holiday gift!
DIY Whipped Body Lotion
1 cup raw, 100% shea butter
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup 100% cocoa butter
2 tsp. vegetable glycerin
1 tsp. sweet almond oil, optional (jojoba oil, sesame oil or even olive oil will work – this is the carrier oil for the fragrance)
10-20 drops essential oil, for fragrance, optional (we used 10 drops rosemary and 6 drops peppermint)
In a medium mixing bowl, combine shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil and vegetable glycerin with electric hand mixer. Whip together for 3 to 5 minutes with beaters on high speed, until light and fluffy, with no lumps. If adding fragrance, stir together sweet almond oil with essential oils in a small dish. Pour into whipped lotion and combine gently.
Store in a sealed jar in a cool place. Apply to skin after showers or whenever your skin is dry! Keeps about 3 months at room temperature or longer in the fridge.
Notes: To find 100% shea butter, 100% cocoa butter and other all natural ingredients, you may need to visit a Whole Foods Market, or go online to Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Apothecary. We buy our essential oils, carrier oils and vegetable glycerin locally at the Vitamin Shoppe, and these ingredients are easy to find at health food stores, Whole Foods or online.
If you have a shea butter allergy, try mango butter instead in this recipe or use more cocoa butter. Cocoa butter and mango butter both have slightly stronger natural scents than shea, but if you find complimentary essential oils, the fragrance can be wonderful. Think cocoa butter with sweet orange essential oil, or even peppermint. Mmm! Using mango butter? Try honeysuckle essential oil or a blend, like the well-known “thieves” blend to compliment the scent. It can be fun to try new combinations and see what you like – and what your skin likes!
the dirty hippie and the bohemian girl
To visit the dirty hippie and the bohemian girl's website, click their byline. To read the rest of their posts on Sister Eden, click their tag at the top of the post.
Latest posts by the dirty hippie and the bohemian girl (see all)
- Verdant Springtime Soup with Cashew-Lavender Drizzle - March 20, 2017
- Mom’s Squash Casserole - July 7, 2016
- Colcannon with Fried Leeks - March 15, 2016