One of the fun parts of having a DIY blog is getting to give away stuff I’ve made. My sister especially loves to take home goodies, and I’m even getting requests (more bath bombs, please). My sister is one of my biggest cheerleaders so I happily gave her this lotion to rub on her growing belly (it’s my stretch mark secret weapon).
Having those supporters is important, isn’t it? People who don’t look at you sideways when you say you write a “blog” or think you’re weird for going home to take pictures of a DIY. I’m thankful for those people in my life who let me do this crazy job.
Anyway, Monday morning reflections aside, this cooling lotion is the bomb. I’ve shouted my love of coconut oil from the rooftops, but this stuff definitely beats digging into an ugly jar every morning. My one jar has been around so long that I’m going to need a Spaddy Daddy soon – my hand won’t fit anymore! And after a day at the beach this lotion is heavenly.
Whipped Coconut Cooling Lotion
Supplies needed:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 12 drops of essential oil (my faves are peppermint, lavender and orange)
- Container with lid
First, whip the coconut oil. It needs to be solid for this so stick it in the fridge for a bit if it’s too runny. Then dump the oil into a bowl and mix for 6-9 minutes with a hand mixer or KitchenAid until it gets fluffy.
Then add a few drops of essential oil and mix in a dollop of aloe vera gel. Mix well. Apply liberally.
This lotion is great for people who don’t like the greasy feel of plain coconut oil. Whipping it makes it feel lighter on the skin, and the aloe vera gel cut the oily feeling even more. The coolness feels amazing on sunburned skin!
Photos by Stephanie Pollard
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How much does this make? A lot or a little? I want to make it to give to my bridesmaids in lil 4oz. Jars. How many 4oz jars will this fill?
Do you used coconut oil that has the coconut smell or one that doesn’t? Also, do you combined all 3 essential oils or just choose one of those? Thanks in advance!
What if I don’t put essential oils to this lotion?
Hi!
Instead of Coconut oil I used Shea Butter, but the lotion was too hard, it want it to be more liquid. How can I do that?
Thank you.
Margot
Shea butter and coconut oil have wildly different textures and melting temperatures. If you want it to be more liquid, you’re going to have use a lot more aloe vera gel or water. With water though, this opens a whole new yummy world for bacteria. Actually, I’m surprised that the recipe does not require an emulsifer and preservative, seeing as aloe vera is water-based. There’s probably some fishy stuff in the store-bought aloe vera gel she’s buying for it to emulsify on its own (water and oil don’t mix) and preserve itself.
Thus, if you are going to add more aloe vera/water, you are definitely going to need an emulsifier and preservative for the lotion to even mix together and stay that way without molding in three days.
can i use aloe cream instead of the gel?
how long does this last fresh? do i need to keep it in the fridge?
Because there is oil and water in this recipe, you will definitely need a preservative. If you store it in the fridge and in a pump-top bottle so you aren’t dipping your dirty fingers into it, it might last about a month or more with preservative. If you are buying store-made aloe vera gel, it appears that it must have other chemicals in it that don’t necessitate an emulsifier and preservative for this recipe. Ideally though, if you’re using raw aloe vera gel, you will definitely need them, otherwise the oil and water won’t mix and won’t last very long before molding.
What is your experience with this creamy lotion in warm -hot weather?? Coconut oil gets very hard in refrigerator and in my Oklahoma June climate I’ve already had a facial moisturizer totally melt. I did switch it from a jar to a glass bottle with a glass dropper.
How much of each ingredient do you use?
Hi!
Just curious if whipped coconut oil would melt if kept out in room temperature? Especially if you live in places with warm climate?
No, it would definitely melt. Coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so it will definitely become liquid if you live in a warm climate. Even at room temperature it will become kinda squishy and not very solid.
Do you need to keep this in the fridge?
I was just wondering if this is a liquid recipe, or if I could mould it into a bar.
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try it!
This is a liquid recipe; all lotions are. If you ever see a recipe that says “Lotion Bars”, it’s a lie because these supposedly “lotion” bars are all oil-based. A true lotion has both oil and water. If you really want it to be in a bar form, I suppose you could freeze it, but other than that, lotions are never solid.
If you keep it in the fridge (to keep it from going moldy), it may actually work well to form it into a bar as it goes quite hard in the fridge and is difficult to scoop out when it’s so hard.
I do pretty pretty much the same thing, just with other EO.
aaaand I also keep it in a Bonne Maman Jam pot.. It’s French ! (I’m French) I didn’t know you can even find it in the US
xx
Kim
http://kimgoesscrimping.weebly.com/
Love the idea! Coconut and Aloe Vera a wonderful combo. But all of the essential oils you have listed should be avoided while pregnant. And if using Citrus Oils during the summer (when most of your skin is exposed while sunning), they can make you photosensitive, Something to keep in mind when suggesting essential oils in homemade products.
Love your blog and the ideas you post. I will have to try some of them. :)
Sounds wonderful, I’m going to try it. How do you come up with all of these great recipes?
Wow…I actually have all the ingredients to mix some up. Thanks for a great post!
What is measurement for coconut oil?
thank you.
Your lotion looks really nice, and I like the info you have provided too.
http://www.karmamist.com
Where do you buy the oils?
This sounds DIVINE!! I bet it smells so gooood! I could always use some homemade sunburn remedies… I tend to need them with my pale skin.
Totally meant glammy not clammy on my comment! :)
(love my ph haha )
Ooh I could have done with some of this on the weekend when I spent a little too much time in the sun. My great book distracted me!
It never fails that I get at least one bad sunburn every summer. :/ This looks like it would be PERFECT. (And why do I feel so tempted to eat that whipped coconut oil? It looks like Cool Whip!)
So simple and perfect. Love this idea. I’ve made 2 types of pregnancy belly butters with a high coconut oil content and use the stuff as eye cream and diaper rash ointment. It really is a great all-around skincare staple.
Wow I started using coconut oil thanks to you and now I can’t wait to try this with peppermint oh LA LA!! You rock with all your clammy tips :) Michelle
This makes a nice summer gift!
Woah, this sounds amazing. I need to motivate myself to make this sometime!
-Becca
Ladyface Blog
Yes, this stuff is great! Easy to cheerlead for you sis since you do so many cool things :)
Ahh, this sounds so nice! It’s going to be another 100 degree day here in Texas. I’m trying to stay cool every way I can. Coconut oil is amazing but like you, I’m not a fan of the greasiness. I like that the other ingredients cut down on it yet it still retains it’s moisturizing benefits. Perfect for sunburn!