For the shower people out there, I have good news for you:
No longer will your bathing experience be dull and unfulfilling. There is now body oil in your life.
I’m not much of a bath person. When you’re 5’10” and taking a bath in a normal-sized tub, somethings always cold and uncomfortable. So I do everything I can to squish the luxurious bath experience into a shower.
Body oils help exponentially.
So I’m encouraging you to make this for yourself, but I wanted to post it hot on the heels of the body powder recipes because of all the homemade beauty gifts I’ve given, matching body powder and oils have been the biggest hit EVER.
Let me reiterate: Give matching body powder and body oil for Christmas, and you’ll be a hero.
Body oils aren’t cheap, though. They’re luxurious and delightful, but they’re not dime-store moisturizers. They do, however, kick the holy living cheese out of store-bought lotions of any kind.
Like body powder, oils are super easy to make. All you need is a carrier oil or two, an essential oil or two, and maybe a decorative herb or spice to dress up your bottle.
Let’s look at the carrier oils first.
Carrier Oils for Homemade Body Oil
Grapeseed Oil
This is one of the least expensive oils you can use, and it also happens to be one of my favorites. When I make a body oil, I’ll typically use grapeseed oil as at least half of the “base” oil.
Sweet Almond Oil
Another giant favorite of mine, sweet almond oil is more inexpensive than most carrier oils, as well. It’s super light and soaks into your skin rapidly, leaving behind a really silky smooth finish.
Olive Oil
Absolutely THE least expensive oil you can include in your homemade body oil recipes, olive oil is beautifying, detoxifying, and fantastic for your skin health. If I’m running low on other oils (or if I’m running low in the bank account), I’ll beef up my oils with olive oil. Feel free to use it as your main body oil, though – just make sure it’s cold pressed or expeller pressed (this is true for any oil you buy) and extra virgin.
Apricot Kernel Oil
I’ll be honest, apricot kernel oil is kind of on my list of “eh” for body oil. It’s better used in facial oils, because it’s a little costly and very delicate. But if you see some at the store – and if it’s on sale – it’s still a good addition to whatever oil mixture you make. It sinks into your skin very quickly and is nicely softening.
Avocado Oil
Again, a little more costly here, but I do love me some avocado oil. Talk about nourishing! This stuff leaves behind the most silky skin you’ve ever seen. I don’t use much avocado oil in my body oil recipes (maybe a few tablespoons at most), but I do use it constantly to remove eye makeup.
Jojoba Oil
The holy grail of body oils, jojoba’s properties are extremely similar to the oils already present on your skin. This makes it an incredible base for body oil, because it just feels like your skin is ultra hydrated – not at all oily or slick. However, this comes at a price. Jojoba is one of the more expensive carrier oils on the market. However, if cost is no object, make a body oil using only jojoba, a little vitamin E, and some essential oils, and you’ve got yourself some otherworldly skin.
Essential Oils
The important thing to remember in making your body oils is that you don’t want it to be overpowering. In fact, too much essential oil (depending on type), and you could irritate the skin.
In a 1-cup carrier oil recipe, I’ll use somewhere in the range of 50 drops of essential oil. It sounds like a lot, but it’s really not. In fact, I just measured it out, and 50 drops of essential oil equals 1/2 tsp almost exactly.
The best part about using essential oils is you’re also offering the oil-user (whether it’s you or the gift recipient) a hearty dose of aromatherapy. Here are some essential oils and what they can do for your mood.
- Vanilla: Aphrodisiac, balances mood, reduces stress, relaxes
- Ylang-ylang: Antidepressant, relaxant, aphrodisiac, reduces anger
- Lavender: Reduces stress, invigorates, relaxes, eases tension
- Rose: Elevates mood, aphrodisiac, calms, purifies
- Sweet orange: Sedative, relaxant, relieves anxiety
- Peppermint: Invigorates, energizes, stimulates, awakens the mind, eases nausea
- Lemongrass: Stimulates, antidepressant, deodorant
- Grapefruit: Calms the psyche, relaxes, energizes
- Frankincense: Reduces anxiety and tension, encourages a meditative mind and inner peace
- Bergamot: Eases depression, stimulates, encourages mental clarity
- Cinnamon: Alertness, mental clarity, mood lifting (should be used sparingly, as it can irritate the skin in high doses)
You can mix and match fragrances to your liking, but my particular favorite combination at the moment is sweet orange and ylang-ylang. It’s heady, rich, and VERY sexy.
Here’s a nice primer from Aroma Web for blending your own essential oils to create a signature scent: Aromatic Blending of Essential Oils
Body Oil Recipes
Now remember, these are great jumping off points, and you can substitute the essential oils for any others (avoid using high concentrations of cinnamon or eucalyptus essential oils, as they can be irritating to the skin). I’m posting recipes that are complementary to the body powder recipes, as well, to help with your gift giving!
Each of these recipes will make 1 c. body oil – and that’s actually a whole lot. The oil bottle in the top picture of this post? It holds 1/2 c., which I think is the perfect size for gift-giving.
Simply Lavender Body Oil
- 1 c. sweet almond oil
- 1/8 c. jojoba oil (optional)
- 40 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops vanilla essential oil (optional)
- Sprig of lavender (optional)
Combine all oils in a small glass bottle. Shake well. Add the sprig, if you’d like, for decoration. In lieu of the vanilla essential oil, add a vanilla bean to the bottle instead. It’s a beautiful touch, and it will infuse the vanilla into the oil over time!
Cinnamon Spice Body Oil
- 1/2 c. sweet almond oil
- 1/4 c. jojoba oil
- 1/4 c. olive oil
- 15 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 20 drops vanilla essential oil
- 5 drops clove essential oil
- Cinnamon stick (for decoration) (optional)
Combine all oils in a small glass bottle and shake well. Insert the cinnamon stick into the bottle, cap, and you’re done!
Refreshingly Minty Body Oil
- 1 c. grapeseed oil
- 35 drops peppermint essential oil
- 15 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 2 capsules vitamin E (or 1/4 tsp liquid vitamin E)
- Fresh peppermint sprig (for decorative purposes) (optional)
Combine all oils in a small glass bottle. Poke a hole in the vitamin E capsules (or measure out the vitamin E) and pour it into the bottle. Shake well. Add the peppermint sprig, if desired. Alternatively, you could peel a small strip of rind off of a lemon and curl it decoratively, placing it in the bottle instead.
How Much Is this Going to Cost?
I decided to do a price break down on a simple oil recipe – so I would know how much this is costing me, and so you’ll know, too.
The thing is, blending oils can sometimes seem extremely expensive at the beginning, especially when you throw in three bottles of carrier oils and two or three bottles of essential oil.
I felt like it broke down nicely, though. MUCH less expensive (and much cleaner) than a body oil you’d buy in the store.
And do remember, while the initial cost of essential oils may be a little pricey – they last for freakin’ EVER. For example, I use vanilla essential oil in almost everything I do – and it’s taken me a year to run out. So even though you might shell out $16 for a bottle of it, that $16 will give you all sorts of good use for years to come.
ANYWAY, here’s how it worked out:
Sweet Almond Oil 16-oz bottle: $8.50
Grapeseed Oil 16-oz bottle: $7.50
Basic 1-cup Oil Recipe
1 oz jojoba = $1.5o
2 oz sweet almond oil = $1.06
5 oz grapeseed oil = $2.34
Approximate cost essential oils/decorative herbs: $0.10 to $1.75
Grand Total: $5.10 to $6.75 per 1-cup body oil
Not bad, right? Not NEARLY as bad as I thought it would be.
And, if you take into consideration that the perfect gift-giving size of body oil is 1/2 c. (for stocking stuffers, coworkers, etc. … you might want to give a whole cup to people you, um, really like), that brings the grand total to:
$2.55 per 1/2-c. homemade, thoughtful, personalized body oil.
Seriously?
Why wouldn’t you give this as a gift?
Homemade Beauty Gift Idea : Luxurious Body Dusting Powder
My husband has psoriasis on a small portion of his leg. Will any of these irritate his skin? He loves getting a massage and we always forget to buy body oil and I would love to make it natural and homemade.
Hi I have bottles of macadamia, argan, pomegranate & jojoba oils – do you have any suggestions/formulations for a body oil?
Many thanks,
Siobhan
Having just gone ‘organic’ and ‘au natural’ (ahem!) I was on the lookout for blogs to inspire me. Yours is by far the best! Love this article!
Would it be possible to use coconut oil in place of the other oil? Obviously it would solidify but melt as soon as it hits your skin. Just wondering….because I have a lot of it on hand.
If you have a lot of coconut oil you could bake or with it. You can replace oil or butter with equal amounts of coconut oil.
I melt my coconut oil in small container set in a larger container of hot water. Once melted I use it as half of my carrier oil. Works beautifully.
If you melt the coconut oil and add vegetable glycerin to it it will help to keep it in liquid form. I use this technique when making my coffee/coconut/vanilla scrub!
Oh my! I am so happy to have found this post and the wonderful blog! I am a vitamin E addict but now I can pack some punch and try the recipes you have so beautifully provided. Thanks so much.
Where do you source most of ingredients? I can buy them all at the health food store I frequent, but I was wondering if there’s a more economical option online?
This sounds like a wonderful idea. I was just thinking of how I could make bath and body oils, and I am definitely trying this. I just recently made the solid perfume and lotion bar, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Thanks for all the awesomeness that you share!
I loove, love love this!! I made a Sweet Orange and Cinnamon one… for myself hehe One suggestion for places to get supplies, your Co-Op! I bought smaller herb bags of rose, lavender, and calendula for basically a dollar, and about a cup of Sweet Almond Oil for 3 dollars. Bulk stocking is awesome 😀
Hello Betty. I discovered your site and you’ve inspired me to exfoliate with coffee grinds and honey, and create body oils. thank you! I am now mixing perfume (holiday gifts)with essential oils and everclear and am wondering about the ratio of oils to vodka. any experience? advice? i’m using 4 oz glass bottles and i’ve let it sit for a week. smells great in bottle, fleeting smell on skin. btw, your fabo!
I made the lavender oil tonight and LOVE it! I can’t wait until I get some vanilla essential oil to add, I think that would be super delicious.
I poured it in a bottle with a dried lavender sprig and made a tag (for my sister-in-law). It’s pretty 🙂 Thank you for this great idea!
I’m totally doing these for teacher’s gifts this year! Can’t wait to read the powder post!
I’m whipping this up this morning for myself! This is great! Gotta get that body brush though!
Ironicly I was just bellyaching about running out of body oil! What a perfect opportunity to make my own!
Where did you get the oil bottle in the top picture? I can’t wait to try one of these…I’m going to try your idea of sweet orange and ylang ylang.
OK, you convinced me! I will be giving this a try. It just sounds so lovely. I’ve only ever used straight oils like coconut or olive, but never added fragrance. Why not, I don’t know!
Thanks!
I recently found your blog through a post on Simplepoppy and wanted to let you know how much I love your blog.
Any suggestions on where to buy inexpensive glass containers for the body oil?
I haven’t been able to find any websites that sell a 4 oz oil dispenser, but I did stumble upon this website:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/
In their “Glass Bottles & Jars” section there are several bottles that would work as well as metal pour spouts. Just be sure that the bottles you purchase have a 3/4 in. opening, because that’s the size of the metal dispensers. The items usually come in multiples (6-12) so it would be perfect if you’re planning on giving these as gifts!
Hope that helps! 🙂
Curious about the vitamin E: why does only the last recipe use it? isn’t it for anti-oxidizing?
Actually, there’s no reason why you can’t put vitamin E in any of your skin/body/facial oils. It’s an antioxidant, yes, but it’s also (in liquid form) a fantastic moisturizer. It also helps heal scars and things of that nature.
I use it often around the outside of my eyes, where wrinkles are starting to peek out a little. And I use it when my lips get really, really dry. Slather it on your lips and leave it on overnight. All better in the morning!
I have extra dry skin and love rubbing oil on to damp skin that hasn’t been towel dried yet. It leaves my skin super soft and with a delicate sheen that looks great in summer. Ive never made my own and will enjoy having a go!
Ooh yes. Definitely! I’m actually really, really glad you pointed that out, Gina.
Oil is extra moisturizing when you use it on damp skin – helps trap in the moisture. I can’t believe I forgot to mention that important thing.
Making your own is super fun – it makes you feel like it’s “yours,” y’know? Not something someone else came up with. Yours.
Trust me… even 5’5″ in a “normal sized tub” is no picnic. I’m a shower girl too.
Like Sarah (comment above), I’ve never used body oils and while they sound totally decadent, I haven’t a clue how to use ’em. Please clue me in!
Jeezo … I guess I should’ve done a primer on body oils before I got into the recipes!
I gave Sarah the low-down (above) on how to use ’em, but Gina pointed out another excellent, excellent point: Use them on your skin when it’s still damp. Helps lock in the moisture and makes your skin SUPER soft!
this might be a silly question, but as I’m just beginning to start making toiletries, I just plain don’t know. Are ‘body oils’ in lieu of using a regular store-bought lotion, or is this just something different (like a fancy ‘bath crytals’ thing?). That’s the one thing I’m having trouble giving up and going natural on (or making my own) is lotion…I’m a curel girl through and through. It’s been with me for like, a decade! 🙂
The funny thing is I have all of these things (minus apriocot + jojoba oil) in the house…I just need to know (and a good kick in the right direction).
Help!
Sarah M
Oil. Oil, IMHO, is far superior to lotion. I haven’t used lotion in a year, and I don’t miss it at all.
My favorite way to use bath oil is directly after a shower (and it’s extra super fantastic to use it when you’ve used a body brush before the shower – skin is CRAZY smooth). You just put it on all over your body – or just where you want moisturizing – and you’re done.
The oil soaks in within a minute or two – your skin just drinks it up.
Here, the best way to explain is to show you.
Go to your kitchen and grab one of the oils I have listed. Olive oil, alone, is fine.
Take a small amount (no more than a teaspoon) and pour it into your hands. Rub it all over your hands – rub it in well – and wait 2 or 3 minutes.
Your hands shouldn’t feel oily at all anymore, but they should feel soft and moisturized.
Now multiply that by your whole body.
Heaven!
I’m new here and not typically the commenting type, but I really need some HELP!
I’m slowly making my switches to more natural hair/skin care and have been looking forward to ditching the ever-revolving supply of lotions and creams I use to treat my painfully dry skin. I went straight for what I thought would be the most nurishing/moisturizing (also most available to me in my pantry) and started using EVOO as my post/end-of shower moisturizer. It feels nice and promising when it first goes on, but within an hour of being dry and dressed, my entire body is itchy, irritated, and flaking again. It’s the opposite of helpful and healthy. I’m desperate and ready to jump ship.
Please tell me I’ve missed some important step and will not have to return to my myriad of barely-better commercial concoctions.
I have a similar problem. My skin is so dry and flaky and hurts/burns/itches (even in the hottest summer weather) unless I use really dimethicone-rich lotions, but I think these are clogging my pores on my legs, etc. and causing breakouts. Before I used lotion my skin had a cobblestone pattern on my shins that has healed over the past 10 years but I’m nervous to go back to that look. I’ve tried olive based body oils and the “ultra” moisturizing lotion formula from whole foods but so far nothing keeps the flakes, itching and burning at bay for more than a couple of hours. in the forums there are some recipes for shea butter based lotions but I’m worried if I make my own it won’t work and that’s more money down the tubes. Have you found anything since posting here? Another step I took for my dry scalp was BS/ACV and i’m almost at the 6 week point and I think it has a the very least decreased the number of loose flakes and possibly the itchiness. I also don’t know if there is supposed to be a breaking-in period after which your body makes more oil, but after 2 weeks of oil only I have not seen any evidence of this happening and am worried i’ll get terribly old-looking, cobblestone skin if I keep this up, but I don’t want to go back to those old store lotions, either! Can anyone advise us?