DIY Sunscreen Recipe

If you don’t like the commercial products on the market than how about trying your very own DIY sunscreen. Where you get to control the ingredients. It is easy and fun to make, toxin-free, and eco-friendly. See the recipe here.

Thinking about making your own Body Lotion too?

Making lotion requires the use of both water and oil. For an aromatherapy body lotion, essential oils will also be used. These ingredients can be customized for your particular skin type, to give you the most effective natural skin care treatment. The only requirement is that proper proportions are maintained. This recipe cannot be doubled or halved, as the water to oil ratio would be off – resulting in an oily or watery final product.

Water

There are several different ingredients which can be used for the water portion of the recipe. Choose any one, or a combination of the following ingredients for use in your aromatherapy body lotion:

Distilled water
Spring water
Aloe vera juice – softens skin, restores natural pH levels
Rosewater – improved dry or irritated skin, restores natural pH levels
Lavender water – soothes and softens skin

Carrier oil

Choose any one of the following carrier oils to be used in your aromatherapy body lotion. Each has its own beneficial properties.

Sweet almond oil – improves all skin types, emollient
Herbal oil infusion – properties vary depending on type, any can be used
Cocoa butter – fragrant, emollient, improves dry skin
Coconut oil – softens skin, emollient, improves all skin types

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the most important part of aromatherapy body lotion. They provide a large percentage of the healing properties, and should be chosen carefully. Any of the following oils, or a combination of them, can be used.

Carrot seed – improves sensitive skin, tones skin and stimulates elasticity
Chamomile – improves damaged skin, heals, calms inflammation
Geranium – improves oily skin
Jasmine – cleanses and soothes skin, improves all skin types
Juniper – cools, refreshes, soothes
Lavender – soothes skin, improves all skin types
Lemon – evens skin tone, restores natural pH levels, improves oily skin
Orange – soothes skin, emollient, improves dry and sensitive skin
Peppermint – cools and refreshes, improves oily skin
Rose – improves dry or chapped skin, restores natural pH levels
Sandalwood – improves dry skin, disinfects
Tea Tree – heals, cleanses, disinfects, germicidal
Ylang-ylang – lifts spirits, sweet scent, improves dry skin

Other Ingredients and Equipment

In addition to the water and oils mentioned above, aromatherapy body lotion requires the following ingredients and equipment. You will need:

Emulsifying wax – a specially treated wax which stabilizes emulsion when combined with oil and water.
Vegetable glycerin – a clear, liquid humectant that draws in moisture, and is created during the soap making process.
Large, heat safe measuring cup
Blender
Low tubs or jars for storage

Making Aromatherapy Body Lotion

Combine two ounces (60 ml) of the chosen oil(s) with ½ ounce (15 ml) vegetable glycerin, and 1 ½ tablespoons (22 ml) emulsifying wax in a large, heat safe measuring cup.
Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water, and place the measuring cup inside the pan. Heat on medium until the ingredients are thoroughly melted, and then remove from heat. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler instead of the measuring cup and pan.
Pour eight ounces (237 ml) of your chosen water into the blender.
Turn to low speed, and slowly but steadily, pour the melted oil into the water. Once all the oil is blended, you should be left with a thick cream.
Add 30-50 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) to the aromatherapy body lotion.
Blend on low, just long enough to thoroughly incorporate the oil, but be careful not to over-blend.
Pour into storage tubs or jars while the lotion is still warm. Place the lids on the jars after it has completely cooled and thickened, and label with the contents and date.

Aromatherapy Body Lotion Tips

Aromatherapy body lotion will store up to 30 days in a cool dry place. To extend the shelf life, place in the refrigerator for up to 90 days before discarding any unused portion.
The lotion will become thicker as it cools. If using highly saturated carrier oils such as cocoa butter, it will become very thick, but will melt immediately when it comes in contact with the skin.