Often, I get asked how to reduce the ‘greasiness’ of my balm recipes. I almost always reply with ‘use less, about 1/4 of what you’re used to’. The awesome thing about natural balms and lotions, is that they don’t contain multiple chemical ingredients that enhance penetration and create suffocating barriers. The idea is, usually, to use a little less and massage it in well, allowing those delicious natural butters and oils do their thing!
But, sometimes people aren’t keen to take my advice, or they haven’t seen the light yet, so I’ve created a very simple, three-ingredient lotion that is wayyyyyyy less greasy than any other balm or lotion I have made before. Depending on which essential oils you’re using, you could apply this Velvety Moisturising Lotion to your body, face, on children and babies – the possibilities are endless. In fact, I think this could almost be your next ‘everything’ lotion, it’s that versatile and good.
I’ve chosen jojoba oil for this recipe, but I have also made it with olive oil and it worked beautifully. Of course you could make it super luxurious with some rosehip and a touch of vitamin e oil too.ย
So, find yourself 5 minutes, and make this one, you won’t regret it!
VELVETY MOISTURISING LOTION
Makes: 165 g | 5.8 ozย ย Prep time: < 10 min.ย
Ingredientsย
100 g | 3.5 oz carrier oilย (jojoba oil was my choice for this recipe)
5 g | 0.18 oz beeswax
60 g | 2.1 oz arrowroot flourย (cornflour doesn’t seem to work as a substitution)
20-30 drops of essential oils
My choice of essential oils…
My
Method
1. Add carrier oil
2. Add arrowroot flour and essential oils, and mix until combined.
3. Transfer into container of choice.
Thermal Appliance Method
1. Add carrier oil
2. Add arrowroot flour and essential oils, and mix for 5-10 seconds on low/medium speed, or until combined.
3. Transfer into container of choice.
To Use
Massage over body as needed.
Recipe Notes
This lotion should work well in a pump dispenser. If you find it is too thick (perhaps you live in a cold climate), add another 20g of carrier oil and mix in well. This should help the lotion travel up the tube.
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Krissy Ballinger
Author and Advocate for natural living
Krissy wants to see a world where people make conscious, educated decisions that honour both humans and habitat. With a background in education and health promotion, she devotes her time to passionately increase awareness on common and avoidable toxins, in everyday items like washing powder and deodorant, and to educate individuals on how they can easily reduce their daily exposure, through simple and realistic do-it-yourself ideas and recipes.
Krissy has sold over 40,000 copies of her natural DIY recipe books, including her award-winning book, Naturally Inspired - Simple DIY Recipes for Body Care and Cleaning, and her newly-released kids book, Make & Play - Natural DIY Recipes for Kids. She offers honest and gentle guidance, education and 100+ natural DIY recipes on her website.
Hi Krissy, how long will this lotion keep for once bottled? Thanks
Months and months ๐
Even out of the fridge without vitamin e oil as a preservative?
Can you recommend which vitamin e oil type is good to act as an anti-oxidant please?
Annnnd, have you created a body lotion using water before?
Thank you very much Krissy. Just bought your book!
You can add Vitamin E oil, yes, a tsp or two. This recipe will last a while at room temp. I have a magnesium cream that uses some water, but as soon as water is introduced, shelf life goes down so I prefer to stick with only oils/butters in balms and creams. Thanks for buying my book! x
This recipe sounds great. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks Krissy
I’m curious, what are the benefits of using beeswax in a moisturiser?
It gives it some structure (so it isn’t too runny) and provides a protective barrier when applied to skin, locking in moisture without suffocating skin.
Is it imparitive to use the essential oils?
Thank you.
Keep safe
Kathy Deschamps
Absolutely not. You can leave them out ๐
Hi I love seeing all your new recipes and this one I am definitely keen to try!!
I have a question as to where you source your Rose Geranium oils from??
Hi Erin, I have had nothing but positive reviews on this recipe, some coming in the day I posted it, so I am sure you’ll love it! I got mine (Springfields brand) from Go Vita x
Do you have any suggestions for a vegan-friendly alternative to beeswax?
You can use candelilla wax, just halve the amount as it gives a much firmer result.
Could you add zinc oxide to this cream to give it some sunscrean protection?
I haven’t done this myself yet. I don’t knowhow the zinc will distribute through it. You can certainly give it a shot – let me know how you go.
I have just made this, it was so easy and it feels lovely. My question is about the use of Arrowroot flour… does this have any benefits for the skin or is it a thickener?
BTW I accidentally used Tapioca flour ??โโ๏ธ… feels ok but not sure if it has the same benefits?
Thanks so much Krissy, love your book!
Hey, thanks for the feedback! The arrowroot can be substituted with tapioca (they’re so similar) or cornflour, no worries. And it’s added to thicken it and make it less greasy ๐
This is the second time I have made this. I love how it only needs a few ingredients and is simple and does the job. Thank you!
Looking forward to making this one. I love the simplicity. My life has changed so much by using these reciipes. I have gifted a number of books as well. ๐