DIY Body Moisturizers For Tip-To-Toe Hydration

So we ditched the bottle and whipped up our own instead.

These DIY body moisturizers were born from a need for something real: rich, nourishing, and made from natural ingredients you’d actually recognize. No greenwashing, no $35 jars, no fragrance migraines.

Just three beautifully simple recipes—a buttery balm, silky oil, and soft, creamy lotion—that melt into skin, hydrate deeply, and feel like a little luxury you made yourself.

We use all three (at different times and some more than others depending on the season) and have for a long time.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own DIY Shea Body Butter yourself, boy do we have the answer for you!

This rich and creamy raw honey recipe is perfect for dry or sensitive skin. The combination of shea butter and coconut oil provides intense hydration, while the addition of almond oil helps keep your skin soft and smooth all day long.

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter (1/4 cup): Shea butter is a deeply moisturizing ingredient that provides long-lasting hydration and helps to restore the skin’s natural elasticity. It’s great for dry skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Coconut Oil (2 tbsp): Coconut oil helps lock in moisture and has natural antibacterial properties, making it perfect for keeping skin soft and healthy.
• Almond Oil (1 tbsp): Almond oil is rich in vitamins A and E, which promote skin health by improving elasticity and preventing dryness.
• Jojoba Oil (1 tbsp): Jojoba oil closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it easily absorbed and helping to balance hydration levels.
• Raw Honey (½ tbsp): A natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated. It also has antibacterial and soothing properties.
• Essential Oils (5-10 drops, optional): For a natural fragrance and additional skincare benefits, you can add essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or frankincense, all of which have soothing and calming effects.

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the shea butter and coconut oil together until fully liquefied.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the almond oil, jojoba oil, and honey.
3. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before adding your chosen essential oils (if using).
4. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until the mixture starts to solidify around the edges.
5. Once it’s starting to firm up, use a hand mixer to whip the mixture for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes light and fluffy. If you don’t have a hand mixer, whisk vigorously with a whisk or fork. Note that we personally find it helpful to whip the half-hardened formula for a few minutes, place it back in the fridge for another 10 minutes or so, and then continue to whip. This cuts down on the time needed to whip, which is helpful if not using an electric hand mixer.
6. Transfer the whipped body butter into a glass jar or airtight container and store at room temperature.
7. Apply to your skin as needed, especially after a shower or when your skin feels dry.

A soothing homemade oatmeal body lotion recipe may be ideal for you if you struggle with dry, sensitive, or irritated skin. This recipe is especially great in the winter, when harsh weather makes the skin extra sensitive.

We personally love this recipe because it feels so lightweight while still being deeply hydrating, making it an excellent daily moisturizer.

Ingredients:

• Rolled Oats (2 tbsp): Soothes irritation, reduces redness, and hydrates the skin
• Aloe Vera Gel (2 tbsp): Provides lightweight moisture and soothes inflammation
• Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil (2 tbsp): Nourishes and softens without clogging pores. Jojoba oil is the better choice if you have acne prone skin due to its ability to mimic the skin’s natural oils.
• Shea Butter (½ tbsp): Adds extra hydration and helps lock in moisture
• Vitamin E Oil (½ tsp): Preserves freshness and provides antioxidant benefits
• Pure Vanilla Extract (¼ tsp, optional): Provides a warm vanilla scent that complements the sweet almond oil nicely.
• Essential Oils (5 drops, optional): Alternatively, more it more floral or earthy scented with essential oils of your choice.

Instructions:

1. Make oat-infused water by blending 2 tbsp of oats with ¼ cup of warm water until milky, then strain through a cheesecloth to remove the solids.
2. In a double boiler, gently melt the shea butter until liquid. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the oat-infused water, aloe vera gel, sweet almond oil, melted shea butter, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E oil.
4. Using a hand blender or whisk, blend until the mixture thickens into a creamy lotion.
5. Stir in your scent additional of choice (if using).
6. Transfer to a clean, airtight jar or pump bottle and store in the fridge to extend shelf life.

This simple yet luxurious DIY body oil recipe deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and glowing. While this last DIY body moisturizer isn’t non-greasy, the oils we include do absorb super quickly so you can get on with your day shortly after applying.

Ingredients:

• Jojoba Oil (2 tbsp): Lightweight, non-greasy, and mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it great for all skin types
• Sweet almond oil (2 tbsp): Softens and deeply nourishes the skin.
• Rosehip oil (½ tbsp): Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids to promote healthy skin
• Vitamin E Oil (½ tsp): Acts as a natural preservative and helps repair and protect the skin
• Avocado Oil (½ tbsp, optional): Provides deeper hydration benefits for extra dry skin
• Essential Oil (5-10 drops, optional): Adds a natural fragrance and skin benefits (e.g., lavender for relaxation, citrus for energy, sandalwood for grounding, or chamomile for sensitive skin).

Instructions:

1. In a clean glass bottle or dropper bottle, combine all your oils, including the vitamin E and any chosen essential oils (be sure you know your skin isn’t sensitive to your chosen oils).
2. Stir or shake gently to combine all the ingredients.
3. Store in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.
4. Apply to damp skin after a shower for the best absorption, massaging it in for a radiant, healthy glow.

Store-bought body moisturizers can be pricey, especially for those formulated with natural skin care ingredients. You’re looking at anywhere from $20–$40 for a high-quality, hydrating lotion or butter.

And while some of these recipes don’t come with quite as much cost savings as other homemade beauty products we’ve covered, keep in mind that these are all potent, highly concentrated formulas, without any excess of filler. A little goes a long way with each one, so you’ll find you end up using less per application than conventional store-bought alternatives.

1. All Natural Body Butter Recipe

• Shea Butter: $8 for an 8 oz tub (~$2.00 for ¼ cup)
• Coconut Oil: $9 for an 16 fl oz tub (~$0.56 for 2 tbsp)
• Sweet Almond Oil: $7 for an 8 fl oz bottle (~$0.57 for 1 tbsp)
• Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.87 for 1 tbsp)
• Honey: $11 for a 32 oz bottle (if not organic) (~$0.09 for 1/2 tbsp)
• Essential Oils: $7 for 1 fl oz bottle (~$0.05 for 5-10 drops)

Cost per batch: ~$4.59 (recipe makes about 4 fl oz, equivalent to $1.14 per fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$20 for an 8 fl oz jar (e.g., Glimmer Goddess and similar mid-tier natural skincare brands)

Savings per Batch: $5.41

2. DIY Body Lotion

• Rolled Oats: $9 for a 42 oz tub (~$0.09 for 2 tbsp)
• Aloe Vera Gel: $12 for a 12 fl oz bottle (~$1.00 for 2 tbsp)
• Sweet Almond Oil: $7 for an 8 fl oz bottle (~$1.14 for 2 tbsp)
• Shea Butter: $8 for an 8 oz tub (~$0.25 for 1/2 tbsp)
• Vitamin E Oil: $6 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for ½ tsp)
• Pure Vanilla Extract: $7 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for 1/4 tsp) OR
• Essential Oils: $7 for 1 fl oz bottle (~$0.05 for 5-10 drops)

Cost per batch: ~$2.98 (recipe makes about 3 fl oz, equivalent to $0.99 per fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$9 for an 18 fl oz bottle (e.g., Aveeno, Jergins, and similar brands)

Savings per Batch: Technically no cost savings here, but it’s difficult to compare as many store-bought lotions include filler ingredients that will necessitate using more of them than this formula, for which a little goes a long way.

3. DIY Body Oil DIY

• Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$1.74 for 2 tbsp)
• Sweet Almond Oil: $7 for an 8 fl oz bottle (~$1.14 for 2 tbsp)
• Rosehip Oil: $6 for a 1 fl oz bottle (~$1.5 for 1/2 tbsp)
• Vitamin E Oil: $6 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for ½ tsp)
• Avocado Oil: $7 for an 8 fl oz bottle (~$0.43 for ½ tbsp)
• Essential Oils: $7 for 1 fl oz bottle (~$0.05 for 5-10 drops)

Cost per batch: ~$5.11 (recipe makes about 3 fl oz, equivalent to $1.70 per fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$20 for a 4 fl oz bottle (e.g., Saltair and similar natural skincare brands)

Savings per Batch: $13.19

Many conventional body moisturizers are filled with synthetic fragrances (seriously, have you walked past a Bath & Body Works shop?!), preservatives, and other chemicals that can irritate the skin, especially for those with sensitive or dry skin. Here are some harmful ingredients often found in store-bought moisturizers you definitely want to avoid:

• Parabens: These preservatives are known hormone disruptors and can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
• Synthetic Fragrances: Artificial fragrances often contain harmful chemicals that can lead to allergic reactions or skin irritation.
• Phthalates: Used to extend the fragrance life, these chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption and other health concerns.
• Mineral Oil: This petroleum-derived ingredient can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing, leading to potential breakouts and irritation.
• Petroleum (Petrolatum): A crude-oil by-product that can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing. According to the EWG, there is a risk of contamination from carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Alcohols: Some alcohols can dry out your skin and cause irritation, especially in those with sensitive or already dry skin.