DIY Herbal Body Oil is a naturally fragrant luxurious moisturiser. It makes the perfect alternative to store-bought body lotions which can contain harmful endocrine disruptors.
What can I use instead of lotion?
If you’ve made the switch to natural beauty products and have trouble giving up body lotion fear not. When I first got started on my natural journey, body lotion was one of the last things to go. But once I learnt how to make an easy 3 ingredient body butter (that’s not greasy) I was sold!
Still, I’m not always organised and there are times when I run out of my homemade body butter. In those times I usually turn to plain and simple – sweet almond oil.
Sweet Almond Oil on its own is fab but I wanted to level up my lotion substitute to ensure it was even more nourishing. Enter these DIY Herbal Body Oils. They give you a spa like experience at home and could not be easier to make. All you need is a carrier oil and dried / fresh herbs.
The Best Carrier Oils for your DIY Herbal Body Oil
The main ingredient for these DIY Herbal Body Oils is a carrier oil. Sweet Almond Oil is my carrier oil of choice in these recipes. I find that its an affordable oil which works well for all skin types. I also really like Sweet Almond because it doesn’t leave a greasy feel on our skin.
Which carrier oil is best for your skin?
- Normal to Dry Skin – Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil
- Dry to Very Dry Skin – Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil
The Best Herbs for your DIY Herbal Body Oil
When choosing an herb for your DIY Herbal Body Oil there are a few points you want to bear in mind.
Dried Herbs vs Fresh Herbs
- Dried herbs : Dried herbs will keep your herbal oil from developing mold and spoiling.
- Fresh Herbs : If using fresh herbs and flowers place them in a shady spot for a few hours and allow them to wilt a little before placing them in your carrier oil to infuse. Never, ever place freshly washed herbs into a carrier oil.
Which part of the plant should I use
The plant part used to make an herbal infused oil depends on the plant you’re using. Usually, the plant part(s) that you would use to make an herbal tea, compress, poultice, or essential oil is the part that you’ll use when making an herbal oil. The main thing you’re after is the plant part that has the constituents / therapeutic effects that are particularly beneficial for the skin. Source https://www.aromaculture.com/blog/infused-oils
I chose both lavender and rose both for their numerous health benefits and for their fragrance. For our Lavender DIY Herbal Body Oil and Rose DIY Herbal Body Oil we’ll be using the flowers.
How to use your DIY Herbal Body Oil
There are quite a few ways you can use your homemade body oils:
- Replace body lotions
- As a base for making homemade body butter
- As a self massage oil
- Before your bath or shower
- Added to your bath water
- After your bath or shower – Tip! Apply when skin is wet to seal in moisture.
I no longer use body lotions these body oils and homemade body butter is all I need.
DIY Herbal Body Oil FAQ
Q. How long do you infuse this DIY Body Oil?
A. I prefer to use the slow method as you retain the full health benefits of the herbs but this means my oil is usually ready in about 4 to 6 weeks
The hardest part of making this DIY Body Oil is waiting for it to infuse. If you’re reading this and thinking I can’t wait that long for my oil to infuse then you can try the stovetop method.
How to make a luxurious DIY Herbal Body Oil
You will need
A Glass jar with a tight fitting lid
Dried lavender flowers or fresh wilted flowers as recommended above
Dried Rose Buds
Sweet Almond Oil
Instructions
Fill the glass jar or bottles until ½ way full with herbs (lavender and rose)
(TIP! Along with the herbs add a vanilla pod for the most indulgent vanilla fragrance, you will literally want to eat your DIY Herbal Body Oil if you do this)
Pour in carrier oil over the herbs until completely covered
Close your jar and place near a sunny window and allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks
After infusion strain herbs out through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Store the infused oil in a sterilized glass jar
DIY Herbal Body Oil
Ingredients
- Glass jar
- Dried Lavender
- Dried Rose Buds
- Sweet Almond Oil
Instructions
- Fill two glass jars or bottles until ½ way full with herbs (lavender and rose)
- Pour in carrier oil over the herbs until completely covered
- Close your jar and place near a sunny window and allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks
- After infusion strain herbs out through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Store the infused oil in a sterilized glass jar
Hello! I was wondering did I HAVE TO use *sweet* almond oil or can I use regular expeller pressed almond oil?
Sure Bri, go for it.
Love these recipes.. going to try the body oil:) Where did you purchase the cute glass bottles? and what is the petals and stems ? I tried the facial and was afraid it would color my skin.. but it rinsed out well..Does it red cast your hair?
Happy you like the recipes Christine. I purchased the glass bottles at a local home goods shop but I have also seen it for sale on Amazon.
Can you tell me why you mentioned to never place freshly washed herbs into the carrier oil? I’m new and I want to try this but your post is the first I saw to mention this. Thanks!
Hi Joanna, putting freshly washed herbs in oil is generally a bad idea as it encourages the growth of mold.
Hey, thanks for this wonderful blog. I am using the natural body oil from the past 2 years and I loved using it as this is pure oil which is made from all-natural ingredients. The Natural Body Oil is a truly nourishing skin oil, which is perfect for everyday use. It should be applied on moist and clean skin, straight out of the shower. It keeps my skin soft and supple. A little oil will go a long way. Also, it is Scented subtly with Magnolia and Frangipani oils which is quite beneficial for the skin. I will highly recommend to use the natural body oil atleast once.
Thanks I enjoyed the ready been wanting to create my own body oils and start a mini business seeing that your name is Krystal like mines just gave me even more confirmation that I’m on the right path. Thank You and once I master the oils I will float to butter butters!
Brilliant! Good luck to you Krystal!