Home DIY Intensely Hydrating DIY Lotion ~ with Sea Buckthorn

Intensely Hydrating DIY Lotion ~ with Sea Buckthorn

by Valeria - Beets 'n Bones blog

After a long history of making DIY whipped body butter, and lotion bars, I set out to make a real lotion. One that would be an emulsion of water and oil, and have a light store-bought consistency.

After trying several versions, I learned a couple of things. One is that unless I want to add a preservative to a homemade water-based lotion, its shelf live is pretty limited. It starts to smell funny fairly quickly. The other thing is it doesn’t hydrate as well as body butter.

In the winter, I often use plain glycerin on my hands before bed. I noticed that I would wake up in the morning and still have soft and moisturized hands. Then I realized that glycerin has a water base, and should technically perform as water in an emulsion.

That worked beautifully – I was able to create super luxurious and highly moisturizing lotion using an emulsion of glycerin and my favorite oils. I used beeswax as an emulsifier, and it helped me craft exactly what I wanted – a super hydrating DIY lotion that seals in moisture for a very long time.

SEA BUCKTHORN OIL IS SKIN HEALING AND HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS

Sea buckthorn oil is one of the most prized skin care treatments in Russia. The oil itself is amber-brown, and leaves behind yellowish residue when applied to skin. Its vibrant color is due to high content of carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Sea buckthorn is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B12, C, E, K, and P; flavonoids, lycopene, and phytosterols (source).

It has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It has ability to heal wounds faster, probably because of its high antioxidant activity. Sea buckthorn promotes collagen renewal.

Russian folk medicine believes that sea buckthorn oil improves skin moisture barrier, reverses and prevents photo aging, heals inflammation, smooths skin texture. Folks use it to treat eczema, psoriasis, and even hair loss.

GLYCERIN HELPS SKIN RETAIN MOISTURE

Glycerin is a humectant. It means it attracts and retains moisture from surrounding environment. ‘Hydroscopic’ is another term to describe glycerin – it can absorb moisture from the air. Besides these purely cosmetic qualities, glycerin has therapeutic effects as well – it helps skin grow and mature properly – preventing psoriasis outbreaks and even formation of skin cancer (source). According to this impressive study, glycerin can significantly improve hydration  level and restore dermal barrier function.

SWEET ALMOND OIL IS MILD AND NOURISHING 

Almond oil is very light, and absorbs easily. It’s mild and is suitable even for sensitive skin. It may help prevent damage from sun exposure (source). Almond oil has also has anti-inflammatory properties (source).

CACAO BUTTER IS DEEPLY HYDRATING

Cacao butter is an emolient. It adds a protective layer of moisture to the skin. Cacao butter contains the same protective polyphenols as chocolate, which is beneficial for skin health (source).

BEESWAX IS AN EMULSIFIER

Beeswax is used to give lotions and deodorants solid consistency. The other notable fact is that it is a mild and completely natural emulcifier. It helps blend oil and water based substances without separation.

Even though it doesn’t carry any therapeutic value per se, it compliments the active ingredients (oils and butters) because it helps to lock in moisture. This study shows that using beeswax along with oils is more effective at preventing post burn itch than regular water based creams. According to this, an equal part mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil is very effective at treating diaper dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis, by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, which are strong pathogens.

HOW I USE MY HYDRATING DIY LOTION

I love to use it my on hands, elbows, feet, lower legs and knees. I also apply it to my lips. It’s not my favorite moisturizer for the face, but there was a couple of bitter cold days that it was a real life saver for me.

HOW TO MAKE INTENSELY HYDRATING DIY LOTION

Ingredients
1/4 cup sea buckthorn oil (I get it at a European store at good price, and I have also bought at from Mountain Rose Herbs)
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/2 cup glycerin
1 tablespoon cacao butter
1 tablespoon grated beeswax (I love beeswax from Gentle Breeze Honey Co, I buy it at Whole Foods, it doesn’t have any smell to it)
10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I like vanilla, or lime and bergamot) ~ optional

Instructions
Place all ingredients in a mason jar (I like this one, it keeps accidental splashing contained).
Melt on a double boiler, or a pot of water with a bowl on top (it takes me a while).

hydrating diy lotion
You will see separation of oil and glycerin, it’s normal.

hydrating diy lotion
Once melted, place mixture in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, or until the oil starts to turn opaque color.
Add essential oil, if using.
Mix everything with an immersion blender until lotion is emulsified, it would look like a creamy honey-like lotion.

hydrating diy lotion
Transfer to a pretty jar, or keep in the same container.

Print Recipe
1 from 1 vote

Intensely Hydrating DIY Lotion ~ with Sea Buckthorn

Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Lotion
Servings: 1 pint
Author: Valeria - Beets 'n Bones blog

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sea buckthorn oil I get it at a European store at good price, and I have also bought at from Mountain Rose Herbs
  • 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
  • 1/2 cup glycerin
  • 1 tablespoon cacao butter
  • 1 tablespoon grated beeswax I love beeswax from Gentle Breeze Honey Co, I buy it at Whole Foods, it doesn't have any smell to it
  • 10 drops of your favorite essential oil I like vanilla, or lime and bergamot ~ optional

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a mason jar.
  • Melt on a double boiler, or a pot of water with a bowl on top (it takes me a while). You will see separation of oil and glycerin, it's normal.
  • Once melted, place mixture in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, or until the oil starts to turn opaque color.
  • Add essential oil, if using.
  • Mix everything with an immersion blender until lotion is emulsified, it would look like a creamy honey-like lotion.
  • Transfer to a pretty jar, or keep in the same container.

Notes

  • You can replace sea buckthorn oil with other liquid oils, but the color will change to lighter.
    This lotion has a faint yellow residue but it absorbs very quickly, a lot faster than plain sea buckthorn oil.
  • Sea buckthorn has subtle fragrance to it. Most people find it pleasant but there are some who don't care for it. Before you decide to invest in an expensive bottle, make sure you like the smell.
  • Glycerin has a tacky feel to it. As soon as you apply this lotion, you will get that sensation but it goes away quickly. And the feeling of this deep very satisfying hydration stays around for a long time, even after rinsing hands in water.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

You may also like

10 comments

CINDERELLA S OLSON August 5, 2019 - 4:52 pm

This is very nice. I have made it for myself and for
friends as gifts.

Reply
Daniel September 24, 2019 - 9:13 pm

I read this right after having read your Natto article. FYI Natto mucilage is very good for skin care!

Reply
Christine September 26, 2019 - 2:44 pm

Thank you for the amazing recipe. 2 questions pls:
1. What is the shelf life?
2. What can i replace sea buckthorn oil with?

Thanks a lot

Reply
Keisha April 2, 2020 - 4:59 pm

Hey! Great recipe..thank you!
Just wondering…can I use anything to sub Glycerin ( I haven’t got any and if I can use a sub I would rather do this!)
Thanks

Keisha x

Reply
Joanna Lepe June 19, 2020 - 8:44 pm

Hello!
Love the article. Made the lotion. Did not look quite like yours at the end, but the consistency is good. However, I look like a Oompa Loompa! I’m staining anything and everything I come in contact with. HELP!

Reply
Kathy September 15, 2020 - 11:51 pm

I am interested in making this lotion but like other readers I would like to know the shelf life. Also, one person commented about it staining things. Can you please comment if there is a way to avoid this. Thank you for your reply.

Reply
Martina July 6, 2021 - 12:23 am

1 star
I tried this recipe yesterday and to be honest, I am very disappointed, half an hour after putting it on my body, I was still super greasy and sticky, it didn’t absorb at all. It also stains a lot. I had to wipe it down with a towel after all to be able to go to bed. In the morning I woke up with smooth and hydrated skin, so it works, but rather as a ‘body mask’ that you leave on and then remove. It definitely can’t be used as a body lotion, that you put on and go on with your day. I tried to mix in some arrowroot powder, to make it less greasy, but it didn’t make much difference. Perhaps a different choice of oils that don’t satin and less glycerin would do a trick? not sure…

Reply
Trudy January 11, 2021 - 3:46 pm

It may be suitable for the purpose of your lovely lotion, but beeswax is not an emulsifier as you can read here
https://formulabotanica.com/beeswax-is-not-an-emulsifier/

Reply
Sandra May 2, 2021 - 6:54 am

Beeswax is not a real emulsifier, this is often misunderstood.

Reply
Chad December 16, 2021 - 11:17 am

Beeswax is in no way an emulsifier….. In this recipe it would be the glycerin acting as an emulsifier, with the wax adding to the oil part (since that’s basically what a wax is)

Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating