LivingWasteFree

I’ve been making my own lotion for almost a year, and I finally have something I really enjoy using. I have fairly sensitive skin, and many lotions were too heavy and made me break out or just took forever to soak in. But one of the reasons I love making my own products is that I can adjust and personalize any recipe so that I have something that works for me. As far as lotions go, this one is more of a balm than a body butter, and because a major ingredient is coconut oil its consistency depends on the temperature.

All the ingredients in this recipe I can find packaged in glass or not packaged at all with the exception of coco butter. I find that the coco butter provides a richness that really works well with this recipe, but it can be made without it. To make it without the coco butter I just change the proportions: 1 Tablespoons Grated Beeswax (about .25 ounces if you like to measure by weight), 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (1.0 ounce) , and 3 Tablespoons Coconut oil (1.5 ounces). Both of these recipes make around 1/3 cup of lotion.

What you will need:

• 1 Tablespoon Beeswax (about .25 ounces)
• 1 Tablespoon Coco Butter ( about .3 ounces)
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (about .5 ounces)
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (about 1.00 ounce)
• A Double Boiler (Or a Sauce Pan and a Glass or Metal Bowl)
• A Spatula or Spoon
• A Grater
• Measuring Spoons
• A Container to Store Your Finished Lotion

Optional:

• Essential Oils

Step 1: Grate 1 Tablespoon Beeswax

I’m lucky enough to be able to buy local, unpackaged beeswax. If you can’t find beeswax locally, a simple internet search will find tons of places to buy some online. Once your beeswax is grated, place it into your bowl or the top part of your double boiler.

I own two graters: one for beeswax and one for everything else. This is because beeswax is a pain to clean off of a grater and despite my best efforts it never truly gets clean. Usually to clean the beeswax off my grater, I simply pour the hot water from my double boiler over it when I am all done making my lotion. This melts most of the beeswax away quickly and without having to scrub.

Step 2: Grate 1 Tablespoon of Coco Butter

Place your grated coco butter in the bowl with your beeswax.

Unfortunately, I can’t find coco butter unpackaged, so I end up buying it online and it does come in a plastic bag. But I make sure to get a pretty big chunk when I buy it so that it lasts me all year (if not longer).

Step 3: Melt Coco Butter and Beeswax

Place a sauce pan with an inch or two of water in the bottom on low heat, and place your bowl of coco butter and beeswax on top until both have completely melted.

If you are using a bowl like I do, be aware that the bowl will get very hot. Use a towel or an oven mitt when touching it.

Step 4: Add Coconut Oil and Olive Oil

Once the beeswax and coco butter mixture is fully melted, add 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil and 1 Tablespoon olive oil into the bowl.

Step 5: Mix Well

Mix until everything is evenly combined and there are no clumps left.

Step 6: Remove from Heat

Turn off your stove.

If you’d like to add any essential oils to your lotion now is the time to do it. I personally like the scent of coco butter so I generally just leave it plain, but I have a friend who makes her own lotion and she adds peppermint and lavender essential oils to it and it smells incredible.

If I make this lotion without the coco butter I sometimes add in peppermint essential oil and I find that about 10 drops is plenty. Make sure to mix your lotion after you’ve added the oil, but before the lotion can harden.

Step 7: Pour into a Container

Carefully remove your hot mixture from the double boiler and pour it into your container of choice.

Allow to cool (either on the counter or in the fridge) and then use as you would any other lotion.