This easy, DIY hand moisturizer recipe is going to give you soft, smooth hands. Perfect for those who have dry, cracked, or sensitive skin as well as anyone who wants to try their hand at making their lotion. This recipe is full of natural ingredients that are going to make your hands feel moisturized all year long, especially in the winter months which can be dry and harsh on the skin from using extra hand sanitizer or additional hand washing.
Plus, this recipe really couldn’t be easier to make and will replace any store-bought lotions you may still have. And it truly is one of my favorite things to make at home!
7 Benefits of Making Your Own Hand Lotion
Making your own handmade hand lotion has several benefits, ranging from cost-effectiveness to skin-specific customization. Here are a few good reasons:
1. Customize Your Lotion to Your Skin Type
- You can tailor the lotion to address your specific skin concerns, such as dryness, sensitivity, or aging.
- Adjust the consistency, ingredients, and scent to match your preferences.
2. Use Natural Ingredients that are High Quality
- Homemade lotions allow you to use natural, organic, and chemical-free ingredients, avoiding harmful additives like parabens, synthetic fragrances, and sulfates.
- You have full control over ingredient quality and purity.
3. Avoid Allergens or Irritants
- Regular hand lotions often contain allergens, dyes, artificial fragrances, or synthetic perfumes that can irritate sensitive skin.
- You can leave out ingredients that you’re allergic to or that don’t suit your skin type.
4. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
- Making your own lotion reduces packaging waste, especially if you use reusable or recyclable containers.
- By sourcing ethical and sustainable ingredients, you minimize your environmental footprint.
5. Cost Effective
- While there may be an initial investment in ingredients and tools, but making your own lotion is cheaper in the long run.
- You can produce larger quantities for less than the cost of high-quality store-bought lotions.
6. Express Creativity
- Experimenting with ingredients and creating your unique blends can be a fun, therapeutic, and rewarding activity.
- Add your favorite essential oils to customize scents and benefits.
7. Skin Health Benefits
- Handmade lotions can include healthy, nourishing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera, which deeply moisturize and repair dry, cracked skin.
- You can include therapeutic essential oils for added benefits, such as healing or anti-inflammatory properties.
Natural Ingredients
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural moisturizer with a high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamin A and vitamin E. These vitamins are what make it an antioxidant, which helps with premature aging and fine lines. What makes it really great is that all skin types can use it and it’s especially moisturizing. Shea butter restores dry skin quickly once applied while not being greasy or oily. With this in mind, you are quickly going to become obsessed with this ingredient and add it to your skincare routine.
You may also use mango butter or cocoa butter as alternative options for shea butter in this recipe.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is naturally rich in vitamins A, and E plus has antioxidant properties, while also soothing and nourishing the skin. Not to mention, this lightweight oil perfectly balances out the heavier shea butter for the perfect combination and texture in this recipe.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is amazing for moisturizing the skin, making it a great addition to this homemade lotion recipe. Plus jojoba oil is full of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins E and B that the skin needs making it one of my favorite carrier oils to use.
Alternative carrier oils to use in this recipe are fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and argan oil if you have those on hand. However, I would still recommend using either sweet almond oil or jojoba oil in the recipe and not replacing both of them.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the ingredient that hydrates, soothes, and calms your skin. It may also help with itchy skin or skin irritations as well as help repair damaged skin. Beeswax can also help serve as a protective barrier on the skin and help in thickening skincare recipes.
Honey
Using raw honey, raw manuka honey, or local honey has many beneficial properties for the skin. Honey is known to be a great hydrator of the skin in addition to promoting the healing of dry, cracked skin. And since we’re only using a little in the recipe, the lotion will NOT be sticky!
Essential Oils
Adding in essential oils is technically optional, but for this recipe, they really can take it to another level. Depending on your skin type, there are different essential oil recommendations. I listed my essential oil recommendations below. My favorite essential oils to use in this DIY hand lotion recipe are lavender, frankincense, and orange essential oils!
Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is a great way to minimize any greasiness from this hand lotion.
Supplies Needed for Homemade Lotion Recipe
Here are the supplies needed to make your whipped DIY hand moisturizer.
- 1/4 cup of shea butter
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil
- 1 teaspoon of arrowroot powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon beeswax
- 20-30 drops of essential oils (optional)
- glass measuring cup or large glass bowl
- double boiler or large saucepan
- spoon
- hand mixer
- glass bowl
- small glass jar
DIY Hand Cream Recipe for Smooth Hands
Let’s get to making this whipped hand cream. As with most of my homemade skincare products, this is a simple recipe but does require some planning ahead since there is some waiting time.
STEP ONE: Measure out 1/4 cup of shea butter and break it into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to melt and stir. Then add the shea butter, 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil, 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil, 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax pellets, and 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey into a double boiler on your stovetop.
For mine, I used a large saucepan with water halfway and a 2-cup glass measuring cup to make pouring easier. Heat water to a gentle boil, whisking or stiffing until they start to melt together.
STEP TWO: Continue whisking the mixture until smooth and no pieces are left. Once that happens, remove the measuring cup from the stovetop and dry off the bottom. The measuring cup will be hot, so make sure to have towels and pot holders nearby. Turn off the stove.
STEP THREE: Pour mixture into a glass bowl. This allows the mixture to cool more quickly. Since shea butter tends to have a grainy texture, I recommend putting the bowl into the freezer for 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Alternatively, you can also leave the mixture to cool at room temperature.
STEP FOUR: Remove the mixture from the freezer and bring it back to room temperature. This may vary based on your home temperature, but we are looking for the mixture to be solid but not frozen. It took about 30 minutes for me at my house. Alternatively, if you have the mixture just barely frozen you may only need to wait a few minutes.
STEP FIVE: Using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or immersion blender, beat the mixture for 1-2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Scrap the sides of the bowl and beat again for 20 seconds. Then add 1 teaspoon of arrowroot powder and 20-30 drops of essential oils (see below for scent combinations) to the fluffy mixture. Slowly start to blend the mixture again.
Once they are mixed well, beat again for 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
My personal recipe uses 10 drops of lavender, 10 drops of orange, and 10 drops of frankincense essential oil.
This lotion should have a fluffy and creamy consistency. Make sure not to overmix as this could result in a different texture.
STEP SIX: Finally, store your finished product in a clean jar. This makes about 3 oz of hand cream.
This homemade hand cream recipe can be easily doubled or tripled depending on how much you need.
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Essential Oil Combinations
soothing
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of orange essential oil
- 10 drops of frankincense essential oil
anthro capri
- 8 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 8 drops of northern lights black spruce essential oil
- 8 drops of lime essential oil
- 3 drops of orange essential oil
- 3 drops of lemon essential oil
citrus forest
- 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops of orange essential oil
- 10 drops of cypress essential oil
dry skin
- 12 drops of lavender essential oil
- 12 drops of orange essential oil
- 5 drops of cedarwood or myrrh essential oil
sensitive skin
- 10 drops of copaiba essential oil
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
How to Use & Store Your Homemade Hand Lotion
To use the whipped hand lotion, apply a small amount (as a little can go a long way) to your fingertips and gently rub it into your own hand(s). You can use this as your daily moisturizer, after bathing, or anytime your hands need a little more moisturizer. I would recommend using at least once daily for dry hands or dry skin, preferably right before bed for the lotion to fully absorb into the skin.
Storing your homemade lotion in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid is the best way to store it properly. Also, the glass will keep the moisturizer from absorbing anything from other materials. Plus, using glass containers when using essential oils in your recipes is always a good idea. Store in a cool place in an area of your home, making sure to avoid direct sunlight or warm places. The moisturizer has a long shelf life of around 6-12 months after making it. I love using these smaller glass mason jars for several DIY skincare recipes!
More Easy Lotion Recipes
Hi, I’m Kristin.
I am so glad you are here ready to make some really incredible diy recipes with simple ingredients. Join me in learning how to use essential oils in all of your homemade personal care products and creating a natural home.
Lastly, if you make this diy recipe please share your comments below. I love to hear from everyone who makes these homemade recipes and do my best to respond to all of them!
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