Homemade Skin Care

Homemade Lotion

For the last 6 months I have been using the recipe below for various skin care needs. Since I am very happy with it, I thought I would share for anyone else out there who may be thinking about using less chemicals on their skin.

It started with my body lotion since I cover myself head to toe every day. 

This simple recipe is actually edible (although I imagine it would taste gross). The ingredients are easy to find online.

1 cup coconut oil
1 cup shea butter
4 tablespoons of beeswax pellets
1 teaspoon of lavender oil

Since it is edible there is no need to purchase separate cookware or measuring cups/spoons.

Melt the first 3 ingredients together over a double boiler. The coconut oil becomes liquid quickly, next the shea butter, then the beeswax takes a while. Once all those pellets are completely dissolved it is ready.

Pour into glass jars.  I found these cuties at the dollar store and they look lovely on the bathroom vanity.

Let cool slightly before adding the oil for fragrance. I have since got more creative here and use 50% lavender, 25% frankincense and 25% rosemary. My husband uses this lotion too and it makes a perfect, delicious, unisex scent.

The color is quite vibrant but once it cools it takes on a pleasant tone.

Is it greasy? I would say so when over used. I thought I would hate that but after a couple of days, realizing a little bit goes a long way I got used to it (I over applied at first). It absorbs quickly into the skin so it is only temporary. My skin remains super soft for the 24 hours before my next shower.

It does not work well as a hand lotion because of the oil so I only put it on my hands at night. Knowing that I am no longer covered in crazy chemicals I can not even pronounce makes it very pleasant.

Homemade Deoderant
We have all heard that there are possible links between deodorant and cancer.

After reading many recipes on this I realized that the above body lotion is basically what I needed.  The only difference is I keep a little container of baking soda in the bathroom (an odor fighter). I put a pinch in my palm then scoop up the same amount of lotion and mix them in my palms. 

Then apply. Done! 

Some people don't like the homemade deodorants like this because they have to apply it with their hands. For me I simply apply it before putting the lotion on my body so it is convenient.

Does it work? Shockingly, yes! I think it actually works better than chemical filled ones. The heat of the summer will have to be the true test.

The only drawback is that this it not an antiperspirant. 

After shoveling cement like snow recently though causing a sweat filled shirt (too much info, I know) about 24 hours after applying, there was 0 odor! Deodorants I used to use would not have been able to handle that.

Homemade Sunscreen
I also bought zinc oxide for safe homemade sunscreen. So simple and not stinky like the stuff you purchase in a store. Zinc oxide sits on the skin and does not absorb into it making it safe. It can be added to any lotion or face cream. 

The formula is basically the percentage of zinc oxide being the SPF. So 5% zinc would be 5spf and 20% zinc would be 20spf. With my last batch of lotion I made a portion that is 20spf. I have yet to try its effectiveness but will soon! I will be able to use it on my face and body. 

The above is great for use on children too to cut back on chemicals getting into our bodies.

Anti Aging Face Cream
I am actually using the above wonder cream as the day cream on my face as well as an eye cream! 

The ingredients all have amazing benefits to the skin, doing the things I want an anti-aging cream to do. It is perfect under my makeup although I sometimes need to dab my face with a dry face cloth before applying first if it looks too shiny from the oil.

I also apply a thin layer of jojoba oil on my face under the lotion both day and night.

One would think applying tons of oil to the face would cause breakouts. It has been the opposite for me and my skin is much clearer than it was using chemicals. These ingredients used have amazing anti bacterial properties and jojoba oil actually balances oil on the face (perfect for combination skin).


After reading about the benefits of almond oil, I decided to try something different for my face at night.

My night cream now is as follows:

1/4 cup almond oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons of beeswax
1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
1 tablespoon shea butter

This all gets placed in a jar.

Then in a pot of approximately 3 - 4 inches of water.

Heat until completely melted.

Pour in a glass jar. I saved one of my jars from a previous product and refrigerated the rest. Some say this has a shelf life hence chilling some of it.

This is an oily lotion but as long as only a little is applied, it absorbs well. The first couple of nights I used it my face was funny shiny! Then I learned I did not need to use as much as commercial stuff.


I hope I have not bored you too much with this verbose post! I am just excited to have eliminated a bunch of expensive chemicals from my daily routine and learned that natural really does work.

Thank you for stopping by!  ~Val