Today I wanted to share a simple DIY using natural aloe vera. I have an aloe vera plant that was gifted to me a few months ago by my sister. I enjoyed watching the plant grow and now has large leaves that I can start using it for some of my favorite personal care products. Aloe vera is great for skin care products given its fantastic natural properties. It not only helps sooth the skin but can also act as a moisturizer. This recipe I am sharing with you today, feels light and cool as it touches the skin giving the skin a refreshing moisturizer. I love using it any time of the year, but it is great in the warm summer days to refresh and moisturize the skin during those hot days.
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Ingredients and materials you will need
- 1/4 cup of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of sweet almond oil
- medium size aloe vera leaf
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil (buy it here)
- 5 drops of frankincense essential oil (buy it here)
- blender
- hand mixer
- set of bowls and measuring cup
- mason jars
How to make a 100% natural and luxurious aloe vera lotion
The first step is to cut and clean the aloe vera. Cut the spines and rinds, this will give you the transparent gelatinous inside. Rinse it under running water to remove some of the sap and strong smell. Then remove the excess water with a paper towel.
Once clean, use the blender and blend into a gel.
Combine the aloe vera gel with the sweet almond oil and the coconut oil and blend using the hand mixer for 8-10 minutes.
I like using the hand mixer to incorporate air in the lotion, this makes the lotion airy and very light.
After the lotion has a light and buttery consistency, add the Lavender and Frankincense essential oils. I used Frankincense and Lavender because they are two of my favorites and have amazing skin benefits and properties.
Blend the oils using the hand mixer for 1 to 2 minutes and package in your favorite air tight container. I like using the glass mason jars for my lotions but a plastic lotion container will work as well.
If the lotion is too thin, place in the refrigerator for a few minutes, this will help solidify the coconut oil and make it easier to blend and have a thicker consistency.
How to keep the natural aloe vera lotion
I like keeping this natural aloe vera lotion in the refrigerator so that when I use it I can get that cooling effect but it can be saved in a cool place in the house and will be good for one to two months (if it lasts that long). With how much I love using mine, it does not last that long in my house. Of course if you need larger quantities you can always double the recipe and use a large aloe vera leave.
This lotion is great to use for face and body.
Preserving the lotion
If you are keeping this lotion for a longer period of time, I recommend adding a preservative. There are some preservatives that are naturally derived. Here is an example of a preservative that can be used if needed.
This all natural aloe vera lotion is wonderful and lovely in the skin. I absolutely love it.
Another lotion that I love, because its so easy to make with only three ingredients is my All Natural Bergamot lotion.
Thanks so much for this! I saw it on Meet Up Mondays and just had to check it out.
Can’t wait to make some and try it out myself!
Thanks Angela, I love this recipe for lotion and is fairly easy to make
I have so many Aloe vera plants that I actually pull them out and throw away the small ones. Silly me. I just started to make products out of them. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Bev
Hi Beverly, I love aloe vera, its great for the skin and I remember my mom used it mixed with lime and honey for sore throat as well. So many possibilities… thanks for stopping by.
I live in Florida and have a back yard full of aloe vera. Love it. Pinned and shared.
Carol, that is awesome, I would love to have more than one plant, I love using it and is so convenient to have in the backyard whenever you need to make a new batch
Thanks for sharing this recipe for a natural lotion. It looks beautiful and silky 🙂 Thanks for linking up at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
Sounds wonderful! I used to have an Aloe vera plant but I’m not all that great at keeping plants alive. thanks for sharing with us at Together on Tuesdays.
I’ve always just cut a piece of my aloe plant and rubbed the gel on burns. I love the idea of making this lotion and having it on hand! Pinning!
Jasmine, this is such a cool recipe. I never thought that I could use my aloe plant to make my own EO recipes but now I’m eager to try this. I loved this post so much that you’re my choice for Featured Blogger on this week’s Over the Moon Link Party. Stop by from Sunday evening through Thursday evening to grab your Featured Blogger badge.
This is fantastic Sandy, I love using my EOs. I love this recipe is very light and great for the skin.
I always have an aloe plant for burns, but never thought of using it this way.
Aloe is fantastic for skin I love using it in my face and lotions.
Wow, I really need to try this! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Jasmine, I’ve never seen the inside of an aloe vera plant, this is really cool. I’ve used it on burns, but that’s it! I’m pinning this cause I’d love to make my own lotion, but first I need to get an aloe vera plant! Thanks!
Thanks Nikki, this is one of my favorite lotions, it leaves the skin so soft, I use it all the time. Its been a hit with family as well.
Hi Jasmine: I have been using fresh aloe this winter, I was pleasant surprised to see a recipe for it. I thought it had went out of style . I love the stuff.
Your recipe looks luxurious, I have to try this.
Thanks Leanna, i love using aloe
I have the ingredients for this too -so guess what I am going to make 🙂 Thanks for sharing Jasmine
Awesome, this is a great lotion. I hope you enjoy it and thank you!
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
What might Ibe doing incorrectly? Mine is rather liquidity.
Hi Tiffany, you can try adding more coconut oil or just place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes until it sets.
Can i use shea butter instead of coconut oil?
Hi Nikki, absolutely. Yes, you can use shea butter but remember that the consistency will be very different. It will be harder and a thicker because of the characteristics of shea butter.
I need to make this to keep at home.
If you find one of your aloe vera plants have sprouted a little baby (pup) on the side, just separate it after it grows a little and you have another plant,. Not all aloe vera plants grow babies, so treat it right..LOL. Be careful when you separate it so it will have enough root to survive. Depending on the variety of your aloe vera, they may sprout quite a few babies. Mine only grow babies two times a year. Hope this was helpful.
Hi Adrienne, thank you so much for sharing this great insight on caring and growing aloe vera!
Thank you for the recipe. I’m wondering just how much aloe Vera is needed? I have some commercial aloe Vera I’d like to use. Would that work? Thanks.
Since I grow my own aloe vera, I’ve never used a commercially available aloe vera, therefore I am not able to say if it will work or not. You want to take a look at the consistency of your purchase product because it will impact the consistency of the lotion. For this formulation I used a medium size leaf weighing about 4 ounces.
I live in MN .. there are no aloe plants here. What substitute would you recommend? Thank you
Hello, you can buy store bought “aloe vera gel” but it will be a very thin compared to the actual plant, you may want to add shea butter, mango butter or something else to make it a bit thicker consistency.
Hi Jasmine, I would like to make this aloe vera lotion to give as gifts. What preservative(s) can used ?
Thank you.
Hi Barb, I recommend Optiphen +, add it as recommended in the packaging for lotion and cream at 1%.