Written by Joanna Rodriguez
This is one of those things that is so simple I almost feel silly sharing it with you. But it’s also too good to keep to myself.
Does winter leave your skin dry and itchy? Have you been constantly reaching for your body and face lotions, hoping to replenish the moisture in your depleted skin? Me too!
Unfortunately, many lotions are brimming with toxins. I’ve used straight coconut oil on my skin before, but then I found out that it can actually be drying to the skin, and that’s not what I wanted! So, I turned to two of my favorite body care ingredients: almond oil and aloe vera gel.
Almond Oil, according to Mountain Rose Herbs, “is great for all skin types as an acting emollient and is best known for its ability to soften, soothe, and re-condition the skin.” In my experience, it is absorbed quickly and easily into the skin, moisturizing effectively without being heavy or greasy.
Anyone who has ever put aloe vera gel on sunburn knows how soothing it can be to the skin. It is also good for minimizing wrinkles, is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, is absorbed easily into the skin, and can lessen the appearance of stretch marks! Make sure you buy a product that is just pure aloe vera gel with minimal added ingredients.
Mixing these two ingredients results in a lotion moisturizing enough for the whole body and light enough for the face, with serious replenishing and anti-itch capabilities! And you can make it yourself in about one minute!
Not interested in making your own? Check out Earthley’s Whipped Body Butter!
2-Ingredient Body Lotion
Ingredients & Supplies:
- Almond Oil
- Aloe Vera Gel
Directions:
Step 1: Combine equal parts almond oil and aloe vera gel in the container you plan to store the lotion in.
Step 2: Shake gently to combine. That’s it, but store it out of direct sunlight.
Can you believe how easy that was? I’m in love.
Note: Since we didn’t create an emulsion, you can see how the oil and aloe sort of stay separate and look like bubbles. Don’t worry; if you shake them before each use, they blend perfectly on your skin. Feel free to alter the proportions: more aloe will produce a thinner, lighter lotion.
Hi,
I loved your new lotion but I can’t find aloe vera gel without any preservatives. The link you have provided lead me to search more about the Potassium Sorbate in your Aloe Vera gel brand. It’s only 0.1% but just wanted to let you know about a research result:
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-potassium-sorbate-bad-for-you/
Thanks!
Merve
Merve, I too have been unable to find any without preservatives. I trust mountain rose herbs as a company, though, and I trust that they have the highest quality product possible and use as little preservative as possible. I choose to compromise here since I value the healing effects of aloe. 🙂
Great post! I was wondering if it’s possible to use aloe gel extractec directly from the leaves (as it is easier to get for me)?
Yes, I’m sure that would be fine.
I saw this recipe on Jillies and I do make my own aloe gel and add 1 drop VITAMIN E OIL but I keep it in the refrig. till I need it as it will last a long time and has many uses. I have even added PURE COC. OIL that is awesome. They both have many benefits and is great for after doing dishes your hands will feel great and not greasy just remember to keep in small jar so you can scoop out a tsp. and back to the refrig. P.S. use a small canning jar for it not plastic.
There are several options for aloe vera gel without preservatives. Here’s one: http://www.lakewoodjuices.com/product_detail/id-73/
I’d also like to add, if you would like to make this an emulsion a small amount of sunflower lecithin is the perfect addition. I don’t recommend soy (of any kind!). For example, if you use 4 oz each of aloe and sweet almond oil, between 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp of lecithin with bind it together, if mixed properly.
Lecithin is an emollient, which is a softening and soothing agent. Its powerful moisturizing properties help to keep the skin hydrated, making it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. As a result, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level.
You can find sunflower lecithin here: http://www.mysunflowerlecithin.com/
Why is coconut oil drying? I’ve never heard that before.
[…] here we have a face lotion (recipe found here: https://modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/04/24/super-simple-diy-face-body-lotion-only-2-ingred…) which I absolutely enjoy. i only use a pea size or smaller portion of it on my face then I rub […]
I love this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great idea! Can you teach us how to make an all natural hair soak? I would really like that. Thanks Again for your great idea! – Kat
[…] recently ran across this DIY Face & Body lotion by Joanna at Modern Alternative Mama and thought I would give it a try. My skin gets SO dry, even to the point of painful cracks on my […]
I am allergic to tree nuts.Is there another oil I can use?
Almost any liquid oil would work. Jojoba oil, olive oil, avocado oil, etc.
I was wondering how long this lotion is good for. Oils tend to go rancid and without any preservatives I’m sure it doesn’t last too long. I’d love to make these as gifts and would like to put an expiration date on the label.
Can you please post a link to the information that states, “coconut oil is doing to the skin”?
“oconut oil is made up of glycerol esters of shorter-chain fatty acids, mostly lauric acid (about 47%). Lauric acid has 12 carbon atoms compared to 18 carbons in stearic acid, a common component of most fats and oils. Other major components are 8, 10, and 14 carbon fatty acids. This makes coconut oil a lot different than most other oils.
Coconut oil obtains some very special benefits for your skin from these shorter-chain fatty acids, very nourishing and healing, in part because they PENETRATE skin very well. What they DO NOT do well is stay on top to form a moisture seal on your skin. Some folks would interpret this as ‘drying.'”
So basically on the inside your skin is moisturized, but the top layer of skin still feels pretty dry, so you would need something emollient like shea butter COMBINED with coconut butter to really feel as though your skin is moisturized.
drying*
I am very anxious to try this lotion recipe, however, before I do I was wondering if it leaves your skin oily or does it just leave nice and smooth especially since this recipe is a oil base???
Would this be safe for babies? Coconut oil has not helped my 6 month old’s dry skin…
Hi just wondering if i could use raw aloe from the actual plant just tryna cut costs anywhere i can…
Thanks
Hi Sammy,
That should work fine, although I have not tried.
[…] here we have a face lotion (recipe found here: https://modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/04/24/super-simple-diy-face-body-lotion-only-2-ingred…) which I absolutely enjoy. i only use a pea size or smaller portion of it on my face then I rub […]
what size plastic bottle should I get?
4 oz. bottles should work well for this.
[…] Super Simple Two-Ingredient Face and Body Lotion […]
Love it! I put some vitamin E and essential oil to mine, and used olive oil instead, I’m very impressed, it absorbed nicely without feeling greasy. Thank you!
Good info all around from everyone!
I love coconut oil but i do feel the slight dryness so i would put more on but my skin would feel dry later.
Mixing it with shea is awesome. If we could add one more thing, vitamins e [100% vitamin e]. I have not tried that yet, but vitamin E is crazy good. I used it when my grand daughter was struggling with leukemia. The chemo was awful but the vitamin e would smooth the burned area of her skin. Her skin would go back to its normal color and feel. People would ask me what are you doing that we are not. If vitamin e can do that i think it would be a great additive for a coconut, aloe vera, almond oil and vitamin e mixture.
Lastly, i love the four ounce bottle idea because it is used up before it can think about going bad.