Oh yes, this is my DIY Dream Cream recipe inspired by the famous body lotion from LUSH.
This DIY version is not that hard to make, with simple ingredients and not a single wax in sight.
This is the third time I’ve changed this recipe. This tutorial was one of the first recipes I shared on my blog and a lot has changed since I published this four years ago.
I now finally have a completely anhydrous recipe, this means that it’s not a water based formula and doesn’t have water soluble ingredients in it. This means that if you keep all water out of your recipe and take good care of it, it has a longer shelf life of up to 6 months. If you want, you can still add a broad spectrum preservative to this recipe.
In conclusion, this is a very simplified version of the original product. I only kept the main moisturizing ingredients. These few all-natural ingredients are all it takes to give your skin the moisture it deserves.
How To Make a DIY Body Lotion:
(Scroll down for an easy printable version)
What I used:
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
8 tablespoons olive oil
Optional: 1 drop vitamin E oil
Optional: essential oils I used rose geranium, tea tree and lavender – other options include rose absolute and blue chamomile oil
To help you find the ingredients you need for this tutorial I’ve added links in this post to places you can find them online. I’m part of the Amazon affiliate program so I get a small commission when you buy something via these links. For me it’s a win-win and I spend that money to make more bath bomb tutorials for you ? But feel free to Google the ingredients to find your own or buy them from local vendors in your area!
1. Melt your butter
Your cocoa butter. Or another cosmetic grade butter of your choice. Why not go for Shea, avocado or mango butter?
Get your double boiler going. For a double boiler you need a heat proof pot with a few inches of water in. Put it on the stove on low heat. When the water gets hot (not boiling), put a smaller heat proof container inside of it (like a small sauce pan or glass cup). Melt the butter in your double boiler until it’s completely liquid.
You can also melt the cocoa butter in the microwave. Melt on a low setting and check regularly to make sure you don’t overheat the butter.
2. Stir in your olive oil
For once, this cream calls for the easiest option available. No exotic names, no difficult infusions. Just plain ol’ olive oil. But feel free to use whatever carrier oil you like!
Take your butter off the heat and gently stir in the oil.
Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
Let the melted mixture set to room temperature, until it’s no longer transparent and has thickened to a cream like consistency. To speed up the process you can cover the bowl and put in the fridge.
Just a few drops of essential oils
Once your body lotion mixture has thickened, we’re going to add our vitamin E oil and essential oils.
Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant, which helps the oils in your homemade body lotion from going rancid.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. I added 3 drops of rose geranium, 1 drop of tea tree and 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
3. Mixing time!
Now you can whip it into a lotion.
Use an electric whisk that has a low setting. I have one that comes with a lid, which is great for keeping the mixture from flying everywhere.
Here’s a video-tutorial if you want to see how I whip my body lotion into shape!
Tadaa, you now have your very own lotion!
Use it up right after you make it and keep a careful eye out for signs of spoilage!
Also check the expiration date of all your ingredients before you make this cream. If one of the ingredients is about to expire, your lotion is too. I also like to swipe all of the utensils and containers I use with rubbing alcohol, to make everything as sterile as possible.
Keep the cream in a clean, dark and airtight container. Also keep your fingers out as much as possible (yes, even clean ones). And keep all water out! I use a new spoon to scoop out a little product every time I use it.
If kept with care this body lotion can keep up to six months.
How To Use this DIY Body Lotion:
This isn’t the kind of lotion you use after your quick morning shower. It’s what you use after your Sunday, candle lit, rose petalled bath or your relaxing shower before bed.
A little goes a very long way with this DIY body lotion. It doesn’t sink into the skin right away, so make sure to really massage it into your skin. Now it’s time to get some beauty sleep, so it can silently work on your beautiful skin.
Great, now I feel like taking a long, candle lit, rose petalled bath.
Enjoy your beautiful skin cream!
Ina

DIY Body Lotion inspired by Lush Dream Cream
You can make your own DIY Body Lotion using all natural products!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 8 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 drop vitamin E oil
- essential oils, optional
Instructions
- Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler or on a low setting in the microwave.
- Take the melted butter off the heat or out of the microwave and stir in the olive oil.
- Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Let the melted mixture set to room temperature, until it’s no longer transparent and has thickened to a cream like consistency.
- Add vitamin E oil and a few drops of essential oil (optional).
- Use an electric whisk at a low setting to whisk the ingredients into a creamy lotion. Scoop the lotion into a pump up bottle or air tight container.
Notes
Keep all water out of your container! I use a new spoon to scoop out a little product every time I use it. If kept with care this body lotion can keep up to six months.
Alana
Thursday 17th of May 2018
No water but you have water soluble ingredient (aloe vera, oatmeal and glycerin) here which still count as "water" so you still need preservative for this recipe
And again no, you can't use vit e as preservative
Alexander
Saturday 6th of January 2018
This is great, and the first of your recipes I’ll test out. Are you still creating Lushalikes? If so, I’d love to learn how to make their Dreamtime bath melt and the Flying Fox shower gel. Flying Fox was discontinued and is sorely missed at our house. ?
Yadira
Tuesday 4th of July 2017
This is amazing, however, I’ve tried to make this without the emulsifier and it always separates. Could you tell me how much emulsifier I should use for this recipe? How many teaspoons, ounces, whichever?
Thanks!!
Tiff
Wednesday 9th of November 2016
How many ounces does this recipe make?
Penny
Monday 23rd of May 2016
Not sure what happened, but the oatmeal made my batch of Lush Dream Cream too gritty, otherwise I really like this lotion. It's definiltely not a morning work routine lotion as you've said, so I'll probably save it for night cream.