Bath & Beauty — August 28, 2023

Homemade Lotion with Printable Labels

Bath & Beauty — August 28, 2023

Homemade Lotion with Printable Labels

30min

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“With Lia, you get a ton of beautiful projects from one site. It saves me time searching the web, and the project tutorials and videos are easy to follow. I definitely get my money's worth every month!” Vivian

I love making my own beauty products. Because I have sensitive skin, I have always been conscious of trying to use natural products with as few ingredients as possible. The older I get, the more I realize that so many people can relate with the experience of having all different kinds of skin sensitivities, and how difficult it can be to find the right product for you. My hands always get dry and cracked in the winter. So I needed something that would be mild on my skin but have some serious healing power. My sister recently shared her homemade lotion recipe with me, and it was so wonderful that I couldn’t wait to share it here!

Simple & Sweet

If you saw my post on my favorite uses for coconut oil, you can add this to the list as number 11! To make this homemade lotion, you will need four ingredients: aloe vera, fractionated coconut oil, vitamin c serum, and essential oils. I used Lily of the Desert 99% Aloe Vera Gelly.

I have not tried this recipe using other aloe veras, so I can’t say if you will have success with all aloe vera brands. This aloe works particularly well because the extra 1% includes emulsifiers that will help blend the homemade lotion. When buying your coconut oil, make sure that you are getting fractionated coconut oil for this recipe!

I also added a vitamin C serum to add an anti-aging aspect to the mix. This ingredient is not necessary, but it’s a great option for adding a natural skin toner and spot corrector. Lastly, add some essential oils in your favorite scents to personalize your homemade lotion! Follow the recipe below to mix your concoction.

Mixing Tips

I would recommend mixing the ingredients together in a mixing bowl with a whisk and then scooping the lotion mixture into a plastic sandwich bag. Cut the corner of the bag and then squeeze the mixture into your bottles. I found some 8 oz. glass pump bottles on Amazon that are perfect for putting in my bathroom. And I am definitely going to be getting some small squeeze bottles to stick in my purse!

Below you can also download the PDF for the editable labels to go with your homemade lotion. I made a geranium lotion and a sweet orange lemongrass lotion, but you can use any essential oils that strike your fancy! To edit these labels, you will need to install the free fonts Porter Sans, Arcon, and Learning Curve. Print your labels onto full-sheet label paper, cut them out, and place them directly onto your bottles.

More Ideas

This homemade lotion would be a wonderful gift to give to your bridesmaids for your wedding day or to your mom for Mother’s Day! Make a whole collection of skin and beauty supplies by browsing my recipes for lavender bath salt, whipped body butter, organic castile soap, and homemade deodorant! And take a look at our entire Beauty and Style section for even more DIY beauty inspiration. Enjoy! ~ Lia

Ingredients for Homemade Lotion

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Homemade Lotion Labels PDF Printable

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Discussion

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73 Comments

Skylar July 23, 2021 at 7:31pm

Great recipes but wish you would put what the expiration dates may be before the products made are spoiled! I know vitamin E helps preserve and so does refrigeration. Knowing how long you can use and store would be helpful.

Reply
1. Lia July 24, 2021 at 7:43am
  
  @Skylar
  
  We don’t include that information because we don’t want to give inaccurate information. There are quite a few variables that can determine a homemade product expiration date. Is the ingredient brand new? Is it the same brand that we used? Has it been refrigerated? So our rule of thumb is to use it quickly, and trust your gut to toss it if it doesn’t look/small/feel right.
  
  Reply
Monika April 15, 2021 at 7:28am

What are the measurements for this recipe?

Reply
1. Lia April 15, 2021 at 8:20am
  
  @Monika
  
  The recipe with measurements is at the bottom of the post.
  
  Reply
Genie December 5, 2019 at 9:56am

Is there a link for the labels? I keep getting a prompt to purchase a membership. Is there a link?

Reply
1. Lia December 5, 2019 at 10:19am
  
  @Genie
  
  Hi Genie,
  
  You must be a member to download the lotion labels, if you are a member be sure that you are logged in before downloading. If this issue continues please email hello@liagriffith.com so we can better assist you! 🙂
  
  Reply
Jeannine April 27, 2019 at 1:52pm

I happened to have all the ingredients on hand. I cut recipe down to 2 oz worth as I didn’t want to waste product in case I did not like. WELL, I LOVE IT!! Whipped up nicely. My hands/arms are so soft, NOT greasy at all. I put Lavender EO in, so lovely. I also had Vit E on hand so used that instead of the Vit C. I will be make a big batch now! thanks for the recipe!

Reply
1. Lia April 29, 2019 at 8:13am
  
  @Jeannine
  
  I’m so glad to hear this! It’s one of my favorite lotion recipes I’ve ever made.
  
  Reply
Aureen April 18, 2019 at 1:02pm

Hi
If i use 97% aloe vera will it work???

Reply
1. Lia April 18, 2019 at 1:20pm
  
  @Aureen
  
  I haven’t tried but I would think so!
  
  Reply
Debbie February 25, 2019 at 5:55am

Love this lotion!! Easy to make and very silky

Reply
1. Lia February 25, 2019 at 8:31am
  
  @Debbie
  
  I’m so glad you like it Debbie!
  
  Reply
Carolina December 19, 2018 at 6:49am

I am looking everywhere for the recipe but there is none showing for me. I really want to make this for some xmas gifts, have all ingredients, but no longer a recipe…. please could you look into this? Thanks!

Reply
1. Lia December 19, 2018 at 9:35am
  
  @Carolina
  
  Sorry about that, there was a small glitch with the recipe template we use– check back now!
  
  Reply
  1. Carolina December 19, 2018 at 9:46am
    
    @Lia
    
    fantastic! Is all there now. Thank you so much!
    
    Reply
Lucie December 11, 2017 at 12:26pm

How long would this product last?

Reply
1. Lia December 11, 2017 at 2:37pm
  
  @Lucie
  
  The lotion should stay good as long as the ingredient with the shortest shelf life. To be safe, we suggest using homemade bath & beauty products within 4-6 weeks.
  
  Reply
Lexi July 18, 2017 at 11:32am

I tried making this and it turned out absolutely terrible! We used everything thing that you used and I don’t know why but it feels like failed children’s slime and smells like too much aloe vera!

Reply
1. Lia July 18, 2017 at 1:14pm
  
  @Lexi
  
  Oh no! Is it possible you didn’t mix it enough? As for the smell, you can certainly add more essential oil (we stopped at 10 drops to keep the scent light).
  
  Reply
CamillebDeantonio June 19, 2017 at 2:07am

Hi
I don’t understand how much Aloe to use. It says 99% ?
Thanks Camille

Reply
1. Lia June 19, 2017 at 8:29am
  
  @CamillebDeantonio
  
  The 99% refers to the type of aloe vera gelly. The recipe at the bottom mentions the amount to use, 6 oz 🙂
  
  Reply
C. June 11, 2017 at 9:11pm

Would this work with grape seed oil instead of coconut oil?

Reply
1. Lia June 12, 2017 at 8:14am
  
  @C.
  
  I’ve read that grapeseed oil can be a replacement for coconut oil, but I haven’t tried it. If you do, let us know!
  
  Reply
Lori May 16, 2017 at 8:45am

Do you have to use a GLASS bottle or can you use a plastic one for the lotion ?

Reply
1. Lia May 16, 2017 at 8:49am
  
  @Lori
  
  You can certainly use plastic if you’d like.
  
  Reply
Amelia May 15, 2017 at 10:28am

I LOVE this, easy and wonderful on my dry skin. Whipped some up in no time, put some all over my arms before I could get it in the bottle.

Reply
1. Lia May 15, 2017 at 10:55am
  
  @Amelia
  
  That’s great to hear! I personally love this one.
  
  Reply
vivienne May 8, 2017 at 7:34am

Hi Lia, can I add shea butter or Mango butter to the mix?

Reply
1. Lia May 8, 2017 at 9:00pm
  
  @vivienne
  
  You could try, although it might make the recipe thicker and it would likely store better in a jar vs. a pump bottle.
  
  Reply
Ale May 4, 2017 at 1:58pm

Hi lia, I tried making it with natural freshly cut aloe but it came out to watery. What should I do ?

Reply
1. Lia May 4, 2017 at 2:22pm
  
  @Ale
  
  Bummer! You can try adding aloe vera gelly, or you may have to start over. I used aloe vera gelly which contains other ingredients that assist with the emulsifying process.
  
  Reply
Mary March 5, 2017 at 11:17am

Great recipe! Tried today. Very easy. Follow directions yo get best result. Thank you.
Mary

Reply
1. Lia March 5, 2017 at 6:32pm
  
  @Mary
  
  That’s great to hear! This is one of my favorites, I’m glad it was easy to follow 🙂
  
  Reply
Jessica February 25, 2017 at 8:55am

does it have to be gelly and not gel?

Reply
1. Lia February 26, 2017 at 8:39am
  
  @Jessica
  
  Gel should be fine– some brands aren’t as watery as the gelly we used, so if it ends up too thick you could try adding a small amount of water.
  
  Reply
Kristen January 15, 2017 at 3:49pm

Lia thank you for such a wonderful and easy recipe. I just made this today (unfortunately I do not have any vitamin c serum) but it came out excellent. I used benzoin and frankincense for my essential oils and I could not be more pleased!
Bless you for sharing!!

Reply
1. Lia January 16, 2017 at 9:07am
  
  @Kristen
  
  That’s great! I’m so glad you like the way it turned out 🙂
  
  Reply
Jamie December 19, 2016 at 12:50pm

I have a vitamin c powder. Can I use that instead of the serum?

Reply
1. Lia December 19, 2016 at 12:54pm
  
  @Jamie
  
  Hi Jamie, I would stick with the serum!
  
  Reply
Debra December 11, 2016 at 1:04pm

Absolutely loved making these coupled with the hand soap for gifts. Not only did they turn out beautiful, but the soap is so light and nice. No greasiness, but still is a great moisturizer. Thank you!

Reply
1. Lia December 12, 2016 at 7:59am
  
  @Debra
  
  You’re welcome, I’m happy to hear you love how they turned out!
  
  Reply
Molly November 28, 2016 at 11:27am

Are you measuring your ingredients by weight? I am assuming so since you have a scale shown in the picture. Maybe that’s what people are doing wrong?

Reply
1. Lia December 2, 2016 at 4:54am
  
  @Molly
  
  Yes I weighed the oil and gelly, much easier (and more accurate) to measure on a scale than using measurement cups!
  
  Reply
Becky November 28, 2016 at 10:15am

Hi there! Have you tried this recipe with organic cocout oil instead of FCO? I can’t get the gelly…only the gel and it’s not coming out like your picture no matter how much I mix it. I’m thinking maybe the firmer organic could help? Lovely lotion, though! ? Thanks you!

Reply
1. Lia December 1, 2016 at 12:59pm
  
  @Becky
  
  Hi Becky! No, I haven’t tried organic coconut oil but if you try it, let me know how it turns out!
  
  Reply
candice October 27, 2016 at 2:43pm

hi! I just tried this recipe and it stayed clear. What am I doing wrong?

Reply
1. Lia October 27, 2016 at 2:49pm
  
  @candice
  
  You might need to keep mixing (in a bowl with a wire whisk is the way to do it!)
  
  Reply
Gabby September 3, 2016 at 12:56am

Can i use orange juice to replace vit c serum ?

Reply
1. Lia September 6, 2016 at 2:48pm
  
  @Gabby
  
  No, I wouldn’t use any product that can spoil. Stick to Vitamin C serum if you can 🙂
  
  Reply
Janet August 9, 2016 at 11:52am

I just made this lotion, I’m have a hard time getting it to turn from a gel to a lotion….. What am I doing wrong?

Reply
1. Lia August 10, 2016 at 7:38am
  
  @Janet
  
  Put it in a bowl and use a wire whisk to get the lotion consistency. I know that it works with the brands used, we haven’t tried any other brands.
  
  Reply
Lisa August 4, 2016 at 11:33am

Could you use vitamin E oil in place of the vitamin C serum?

Reply
1. Lia August 5, 2016 at 4:11pm
  
  @Lisa
  
  Yes. That is a great addition.
  
  Reply
Debbie August 2, 2016 at 4:21pm

Hi Lia,
I recently purchased a copy of “Willow and Sage” and saw your article with recipe for hand lotion. I am confused about what vitamin C serum to use. It seems some include a lot of different ingredients and not sure which to purchase. What brand did you use and where do you purchase it?
Thank you!

Reply
1. Lia August 3, 2016 at 8:56am
  
  @Debbie
  
  Hi Debbie! There are links to the various ingredients I used at the bottom of this post, but I use this Vitamin C serum. I’ve tried a few and this is definitely my favorite 🙂
  
  Reply
Kris July 24, 2016 at 1:38pm

What is the shelf life of this lotion?

Reply
1. Lia July 26, 2016 at 10:15am
  
  @Kris
  
  Hi Kris! I use mine up pretty quick but think it would last around 6 months 🙂
  
  Reply
Sue July 16, 2016 at 6:48pm

Hi Lia!
OMG last year I made almost every single crepe paper flower you have. Now I’m finding these! My latest obsession is body and skin care.
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to see what else you have. You are a huge inspiration to me!
Sue

Reply
1. Lia July 22, 2016 at 10:33am
  
  @Sue
  
  So happy you are enjoying working with crepe! We have more exciting crepe projects coming soon. 🙂 We would love to see your flowers, so if you would like to share you can use our #crepepaperrevival hashtag or email us at hello@liagriffith.com
  
  Reply
Melinda July 13, 2016 at 8:26pm

Hi, How did you print your labels and affix them to the bottle? just regular paper and spray glue? special blank labels you purchased? I have found with regular paper it gets that wet look with glue…thanks!

Reply
1. Lia July 14, 2016 at 3:18pm
  
  @Melinda
  
  Hi Melinda, we use label paper! We love the full sheet label paper from http://www.worldlabel.com/
  
  Reply
Erin June 27, 2016 at 9:41am

Just tried this recipe. I love how simple it is. I’m currently infatuated with all things aloe vera during the hot and sunny summer months. This recipe is very light and hydrating vs the heaving oilier coconut hand lotion recipes. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Reply
1. Lia June 28, 2016 at 7:59am
  
  @Erin
  
  Thank you so much! I definitely need to make another batch, I am almost out since I use it all the time:-)
  
  Reply
Rachel May 31, 2016 at 2:21pm

Hi, Lia!

Would you mind sharing what geranium oil that you used? I’m trying to order some, but there seem to be several options (Egyptian, Bourbon…), and I’m confused! Thank you!!

Reply
1. Lia June 1, 2016 at 11:07am
  
  @Rachel
  
  Hi Rachel! I picked up my geranium oil from a local apothecary shop and am not sure what brand it is. Any essential oil in geranium scent should work, but you might want to find a local shop that sells them so you can smell and make sure you love it!
  
  Reply
Kathy May 24, 2016 at 4:17pm

Hi Lia; I made your homemade hand lotion which I love, but it only made enough for 1/2 bottle. Is that right or did I do something wrong?

Reply
1. Lia May 26, 2016 at 10:22am
  
  @Kathy
  
  Hi Kathy! I’m sorry for that confusion. The recipe listed makes 7.5 ounces of lotion in total. This can be translated to any quantity that you want to make, as long as you mix 6 parts of aloe to 1.5 parts of fractionated coconut oil 🙂 Best of luck!
  
  Reply