diy · fun · physical health
DIY Vanilla Lavender Lotion
In the winter my hands always seem to be cracked and dry! I feel like I am constantly washing my hands (maybe it’s because my husband works at a hospital and we have a small baby). In order to solve this problem I decided to make my own lotion using my favorite ingredients. You can make this for yourself or use it as an affordable and unique DIY gift idea.
Ingredients for Vanilla Lavender Lotion
1/4 cup beeswax (I used beeswax pastilles I found on amazon)
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1-2 tablespoons Shea Butter*
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
10-12 drops Lavender Essential Oil
*Add more or less Shea butter to adjust the thickness of the lotion.
I made a lavender vanilla scent, but you can mix and match whatever essential oils you would like to create a unique smell.
Creating Your Lotion
- Combine ingredients in a large glass jar. I used a large mason jar.
- Fill a medium pot with water and place over medium/high heat.
- Place glass jar in the water and occasionally stir to combine all ingredients.
- When ingredients are completely melted together – it took me about 10-15 minutes – pour liquid into the a jar where you can store your lotion.
- Let liquid cool and solidify.
- Enjoy your homemade lotion.
Have you ever tried using fresh beeswax? My grandfather has honeybees for his garden and I’m thinking I may be able to use his beeswax for lotions? I’d love to hear tips from others who have experience making lotions and soaps!
Sounds amazing and very easy. My hands are always dry this time of year, especially after teaching my little ones on Wednesday mornings where I am constantly washing them!!
I hope you like it! It is very easy and I was happy with the way it turned out. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m going to do this! I am a teacher and suffer with dry hands and cuticles on a regular basis. My face is now suffering with dry patches 🙁 Thanks for a hopeful cure!
I understand! Whenever you work with kids (especially in the winter) your hands take a hit. Hope it works for you.
I want to start making my own lotions. This looks easy. I pinned it for later. Thank You.
You are welcome. You will have to let me know how it turns out!
Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be featuring you this week on Simple & Sweet Fridays. New Follower.
Hugs,
Jody
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feature.
This sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
I was just thinking that I wanted to buy a friend some lavender lotion in case she wants something for massages during labor. I might give this a shot! Thanks!
I never thought to use this during labor, but I’m sure it would be comforting. Next time around I’ll have to look into more DIY recipes for labor!
Nurse here with serious hand washing 1,000 times a day until my skin falls off problem! I totally LOVE your recipe. You have done exactly what I was going to do, adding all of my faves to create my own lotion. I love that you’ve done this for me because this is exactly how I would have done it! We’re soul mates! 😉
This is not my link (it’s a wikihow, which I normally hate but this one is actually helpful) but I thought it may apply to you since we’re thinking very much alike here. I was looking into finding an alcohol free vanilla extract recipe so I could make my own for this very reason (lavender vanilla lotion). It turns out that you can buy a vegetable (even food grade) glycerin to use, which would be ideal for lotions such as this. So here’s the link: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Vanilla-Extract-Without-Alcohol
Now the problem with that recipe is the size. Who in the world needs that much extract?! Especially if you can add to it to keep it going. The ratio is 1 bean to 2 oz food grade vegetable glycerin (which iherb sells for about $5.50). You can get 4 organic vanilla beans at Amazon for $11 and you can store the remaining 3 beans indefinitely so long as it’s in a cool dry airtight container (do NOT freeze or refrigerate).
Anyway, just thought that might help you! 🙂 Happy moisturizing!
Thank you so much for sharing these tips! I truly appreciate it 🙂 It’s nice to find others who think like you and share resources. I never made my own Vanilla Extract, but it seems easy enough so I may try it.
What will happen if I don’t use beeswax or almond oil? Thanks 🙂
I’m not sure it will work! The beeswax holds it all together. You probably could substitute the almond oil, but I haven’t tried it without it.