Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion – Recipes

Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion – Recipes

Here are  coconut oil lotion or lotion bar recipes:

Lotion Bars

Since coconut oil naturally is solid at below 76 degrees, it lends itself perfectly to making lotion bars. Lotion bars (used on dry skin) are a way to combine the most nourishing benefits of lotion without the need for a liquid (which can be drying for skin) to create an incredibly moisturizing bar.

These bars are meant to be used on dry skin (not wet like soap!) and are best used after showering on warm skin.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three)
• 1 cup beeswax
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except essential oils if using) in a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a smaller saucepan with 1 inch of water in it. UPDATE: Combine in a quart size glass mason jar with a lid instead and place this in a small saucepan of water until melted. This will save your bowl and you can just designate this jar for these type of projects and not even need to wash it out…
2. Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth:
3. Remove from heat and add the essential oils.
4. Gently stir by hand until essential oils are incorporated.
5. Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in. I used these silicone baking cups, though any mold would work.
6. Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds for different holiday gifts (hearts for valentines, flowers for Mother’s day, etc.) or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.

Note: This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d like. I made with equal 1 cup measurements. The recipe I used made exactly 12 lotion bars with my molds. For a small batch, this recipe could be cut in half or even one fourth.

Luxurious Homemade Lotion

Just as with the lotion bars, this recipe doesn’t use liquid so it is incredibly nourishing and won’t expire. You can customize it to your preference by using essential oils. For a firmer lotion, use more beeswax. For a smoother lotion, use less and add more of a liquid oil like almond oil..

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Almond or olive oil
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Optional: 2 tablespoon Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
• Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives or other foods.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (8 ounce) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
5. Use as you would regular lotion. This has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and not water is added. Use within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.

Note: A little goes a long way! This lotion is incredibly nourishing and is also great for diaper rash on baby, for eczema and for preventing stretch marks!

Magnesium Body Butter

Unfortunately, magnesium oil can sting skin if a person is deficient and can leave skin very dry. The solution to this was making a magnesium infused body butter that packs a punch of magnesium but also moisturizes skin to keep it from getting dry.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup magnesium flakes + 3 Tablespoons boiling water or 1/2 cup pre-made magnesium oil
• 1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil
• 2 Tablespoons emulsifying wax (Can also use beeswax, but it becomes more difficult to mix)
• 3 Tablespoons Shea Butter

Instructions

1. Pour 3 tablespoons of boiling water in to the magnesium flakes in a small container and stir until it dissolves. This will create a thick liquid. Set aside to cool.
2. In a quart size mason jar inside a small pan with 1 inch of water, combine the coconut oil, emulsifying wax and shea butter and turn on medium heat.
3. When melted, remove the jar from the pan and let the mixture cool until room temp and slightly opaque. At this point, put in to a medium bowl or into a blender.
4. If in a bowl, use a hand blender or immersion blender on medium speed and start blending the oil mixture.
5. Slowly (starting with a drop at a time) add the dissolved magnesium mixture to the oil mixture while continuing blending until all of the magnesium mix is added and it is well-mixed.
6. Put in the fridge for 15 minutes and re-blend to get body butter consistency.
7. Store in fridge for a cooling lotion (best consistency) or at room temp for up to two months.