With the current coronavirus pandemic placing a number of restrictions on our usual hair and skincare routines, it makes sense that many of us are becoming curious about DIY beauty.
Whether it’s the desire to simply get creative while in quarantine, or to have some tools to turn to in case our favourite products run out, it never hurts to have some expert-approved home-made beauty tricks in our arsenals.
And when it comes to body lotions in particular, making your own at home is much easier than you’d think.
How to make your own DIY body lotion at home
To help you learn how to make body lotions at home, we called upon author of Lemons Are a Girl’s Best Friend and Ipsum Skin founder, Janet Hayward.
Keep reading for four easy creams you can make from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Note: All the recipes are best kept in the fridge and if they are stored in a glass jar with a lid that seals them, they should keep for one month.
For dry skin
Almond Butter Body Cream
“This is a great skin-conditioning body treatment cream—and especially great for stretch marks!” explains Hayward.
“With its combination of cocoa butter, high amounts of fatty acids to nourish skin and improve elasticity, alongside the skin-smoothing and protecting vitamin E and deeply nourishing and soothing sweet almond oil, the skin can maintain valuable moisture to look and feel healthy and supple.”
Ingredients:
125gm cocoa butter
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp vitamin E oil (about 3 capsules)
Glass jar with a lid
Method:
- Place all ingredients in a glass bowl and gently heat over a saucepan of hot water.
- Mix slowly and thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
- Allow the cream to cool completely before storing in a glass jar with a lid to seal.

FOR VERY DRY SKIN
Almond and Rosehip Intensive Body Balm
“This intensive skin treatment is rich and nourishing for even the driest skin!” Hayward tells Girlfriend.
“It features omega-rich rosehip oil to help repair and regenerate skin cells, vitamin E to protect and smooth and sweet almond oil—a natural anti-inflammatory to soothe and help skin retain valuable moisture.”
Ingredients:
15gm beeswax pellets
30ml sweet almond oil
30ml coconut oil
1 tsp rosehip oil
1 vitamin E capsule
8 drops lavender oil
Glass jar with lid
Hand blender
Method:
- Place the pellets, sweet almond, coconut and rosehip oils into a glass dish. Break open and add the contents of the vitamin E capsule.
- Melt over a saucepan of hot water, then add the lavender oil.
- Remove from the heat and use a hand blender to mix thoroughly.
- Keep blending the mixture as it cools until it thicken to a light and creamy texture.
- When completely cool, spoon into the glass jar and seal.
- Use anywhere over the body to smooth away rough patches and dryness.
For sensitive and eczema-prone skin
Coconut and Lavender Body Cream
“Nourish all skin, even sensitive types, with this super-hydrating body cream. Lavender oil revitalises the skin with naturally antiseptic properties to help heal any sore patches. Meanwhile, Coconut oil, rich in triglycerides and antioxidant vitamin E, deeply moisturises, hydrates and protects skin,” Hayward says.
Ingredients:
250ml coconut oil
6 drops lavender oil
Glass jar with lid
Hand whisk
Method:
- Melt the coconut oil in a glass bowl over a saucepan of hot water.
- Add the drops of lavender oil and combine thoroughly.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool and firm until almost solid.
- Using the hand whisk, beat the mixture until it becomes light and creamy, spoon into jar and seal.
- Use after showering in the morning and at bed-time (the lavender also helps restful sleep!).

For acne-prone skin
Aloe Vera Moisturiser
“This is a perfect anti-inflammatory and balancing body moisturiser to cool and soothe acne-prone skin,” Hayward tells Girlfriend.
“Aloe Vera gel is cooling and a good source of skin-loving vitamins C and E, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids and when it dries it forms a protective layer to lock in moisture. Combine this with deeply nourishing coconut oil and antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing lavender oil and skin will feel soothed and comfortable.”
Ingredients:
200ml aloe vera gel
100ml coconut oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
Glass jar with lid
Hand blender
Method:
- Place the aloe vera gel and coconut oil in a glass bowl and combine using the hand blender.
- Add the lavender oil and mix thoroughly then pour into the glass jar and seal.
- Store in the fridge for extra cooling, soothing effect.