How to make lotion using coconut oil. This Lotion recipe is wonderful and makes my skin super soft. An easy DIY beauty tutorial idea.
Do you have super dry, itchy skin? It is something that everyone in my family has and I have passed it on to my kids too. My middle daughter has such dry skin that she uses a prescription ointment we use for when it gets really bad.
A while back I wrote a post called The Best Lotion Ever!! In that post, I shared a homemade lotion recipe that I absolutely love. I had been using it for years before I shared it with you, and I even made it for friends and gave it away as gifts. The problem was that one of the ingredients is petroleum jelly. I never gave it a second thought. The lotion worked for my me, it wasn’t too greasy, and I really liked how it smelled.
But boy did I hear it from some of my readers. There are some real petroleum haters out there. I did a little research online and found articles that weighed in on both sides of the story. I can’t say I am completely convinced one way or the other, but I did take a suggestion from my readers to try a different ingredient. Several of the comments on the original post suggested making the same recipe but using coconut oil instead of the petroleum jelly. I thought that was a pretty fantastic idea, and I wanted to give it a try.
The recipe I used is the same recipe as The Best Lotion Ever!!, I just swapped the coconut oil for the petroleum jelly.
There are only 3 ingredients:
- 27 oz Johnson’s baby lotion (any smell)
- Vitamin E Skin Care Cream double pack (4 oz each)
- 1 cup Coconut Oil
How to Make Coconut Oil Lotion
Melt the coconut oil so it is liquid consistency before measuring.
Make sure if you are putting in the microwave to melt, that there is silver lining left from the seal. I must not have removed it completely because it may or may not have caught fire in my microwave.
Use a liquid measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line.
I am not sure if melting is necessary but in my mind, I thought it would mix better if it wasn’t in it’s solid form.
Add all 3 ingredients to a mixing bowl.
With a handheld mixer, mix until well combined with a nice smooth texture.
Feel free to pour into pretty containers. I simply poured the lotion back into the containers I already had.
Now I bet you are dying to hear what my thoughts are with this new lotion concoction. I have been using the lotion for a week now, and I love it! I wouldn’t say it is any more or less greasy than the original version, but the lotion itself does feel softer to me and not quite as thick.
So will I ever go back to petroleum jelly? While I really like this lotion I think the other one works great too. I can’t really say one is better than the other, and if they were sitting next to each other I am not 100% sure I would be able to tell you which was which.
I think it really comes down to this being my favorite lotion, period. If you like coconut oil, use that. If not, use the jelly. Either way, you are going to make a completely awesome batch of homemade(ish) lotion that is amazing and it will make your skin super soft.
What are your thoughts on the coconut oil vs petroleum jelly debate? Share and leave a comment below.
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Mary @Sweetwater Style says
June 19, 2014 at 4:44 amI can’t wait to go to the store and get the ingredients for this! I use coconut oil and baby oil to make bath soak and that really helps my dry skin too.
Great Post!
Lisa says
June 20, 2014 at 10:15 amThanks for sharing this marvelous lotion idea but I’m just loving how cute you decorated the container. LOL.
Deb says
June 21, 2014 at 8:31 amI make this lotion, but never thought to use the containers I have emptied out! Thanks for that idea! I also add a grapefruit scent which really makes it pleasant.
Made from Pinterest says
June 21, 2014 at 11:48 pmThis looks like a great recipe, and only 3 ingredients? I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks!
Amy | The Happy Scraps says
June 23, 2014 at 9:59 amI wasn’t aware that using petroleum jelly is a bad thing for some people….This lotion looks amazing, I may just have to give it a try! Thanks for linking up! 🙂
charlotte says
June 24, 2014 at 7:14 amLove this recipe! Found you through the Tuesday PIN-spiration Party!!
Jen says
June 24, 2014 at 8:12 amI love using coconut oil in my cooking because it smells and tastes fabulous. I bet it makes an awesome skin conditioner too! Definitely trying this out – pinning for future reference.
[email protected] and Spicy Monkey says
June 24, 2014 at 9:35 amI’ve been wanting to try this recipe since I came across it last year and now that you’ve added coconut oil instead of petroleum jelly, it sounds even better!! I can’t wait to try this now. Pinning this!
Terre says
November 1, 2018 at 6:32 amIt is really amazing. I’m part of a ladies group at church and we have made both versions of this lotion. I love the coconut oil one because it has such good healing properties and helps with things you’d never imagine!
Katie says
November 1, 2018 at 10:32 amI am so glad that you love it Terre! Thank you for the testimonial!
Anne says
June 25, 2014 at 12:10 amI’ve been looking for some DIY spa treatments, and this just made the list. I’m glad I found your post through the Your Whims Wednesday link party.
Karen says
June 25, 2014 at 7:41 amI’m casting my vote for the coconut oil! And, you can totally get away from any commercial products if you want to avoid the additives that are in them. I have dry skin too and make my own lotion bars that are totally natural and work great.
Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
October 15, 2015 at 8:13 amUsing Johnsons Baby Lotion won’t get you away from commercial products or avoid additives. I agree, I make lotion bars too, they are great. I’ve made this recipe above and my mom loves it. She doesn’t mind using Johnson’s baby lotion, so it’s great for her. I only use coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, whipped, myself.
Jennifer Johnson says
June 25, 2014 at 9:10 amI love cocount oil for lots of things. I am looking to mix it with some shea butter as well.
Bobbie says
June 25, 2014 at 6:00 pmI am going to be trying this! I featured it on this week’s highlights for the Creative Exchange. Hope to see you tomorrow!
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning says
June 25, 2014 at 9:28 pmStopping by fro the Lou Lou Girls’ party. I absolutely love coconut oil and just melt it and use it when my skin gets really dry. I think it is an excellent idea to add it to your lotion recipe.
Nancherrow says
June 26, 2014 at 12:17 pmGreat recipe! You’re one of the features on this week’s Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Shanice says
June 26, 2014 at 2:20 pmThank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream’s City of Links on Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week 🙂
Katerina says
June 28, 2014 at 10:11 amI love the smell of coconut oil! That cream is perfect for the skin! Again thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. Your post has been pinned to our board! Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on culinaryflavors.gr ! I hope to see you there!
Diane says
August 14, 2014 at 11:34 pmI would definitely choose the coconut oil. If you have very healthy skin you might be able to use the petroleum jelly but I could not use it so I am happy for the coconut oil recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley says
September 20, 2014 at 5:15 pmThis is literally the best lotion I have ever used/ made! I love it, and it took care of my very dry itchy skin in just a couple of applications! I will never be without it again!
Leilani says
November 15, 2014 at 11:15 pmI made both.
splitting 1/2 honey apple lotion with one jar of vitamin E cream & 1 jar of Vaseline. Then using the other 1/2 of honey apple with one jar of vitamin E cream & 4 ounces of coconut oil.
Both made my skin seem soft. The one with the Vaseline seemed thicker and seemed to make my skin feel smoother/silkier. My husband says that the one with Vaseline was more fragrant and he tended to like it more, so it’s more on preference.
I think I would tend to use the Vaseline one more for drier skin areas, heels, winter months. As I can use the coconut oil one more for end of spring/summer time (less greasy).
All in all, I LOVE this mix!!! My son loves it too!!
Has anyone added SPF lotion to this mix?
shannon says
December 31, 2014 at 5:20 pmInstead of using the microwave I would just let it sit in some hot water,then measure it out.
shannon says
December 31, 2014 at 5:21 pmAlso I’m making some tommorow,can’t wait to try it out
christy says
January 7, 2015 at 11:43 pmLove this will have to try.
Helyn Butko says
January 10, 2015 at 10:50 pmI have been making the original lotion you made for several years. All my friends love it. We get together and make big batches. I get the petroleum jelly at the Dollar Tree. It is creamy. I asked my Dermatologist if petroleum jelly is bad for the skin and he said no. He said it is great for the whole body, including the face. I love the smell of the baby lotion, so not sure I would like the coconut oil. Worth a try. Experiment with this. Add essential oils for scent. Argan oil or Vit. E oil are out there. Pretty bottles are found at Ikea. Sometime, mine is too thick and I like to thin it down so I can put it in a squeeze bottle. All in all, I love it.
Bruny says
January 22, 2015 at 10:54 amthe coconut oil container should not be place in the microwave. You measure 1st the amount you think you need and that amount is place in the microwave. Then use it.
sarah says
January 26, 2015 at 1:22 pmIs it ok to use aveeno instead of johnsons baby lotion?
Katie says
February 3, 2015 at 8:14 amI am sure that you could.
lorna says
January 31, 2015 at 8:46 pmHi love it
Grigio14 says
February 7, 2015 at 7:50 amDo you have to use vitamin e cream, or could you use more lotion and use this oil from the pills?
Thank you for sharing this btw!
Katie says
February 7, 2015 at 8:17 amI have never tried that, so I am not sure but it is definately worth a try!
Diana Rambles says
May 24, 2015 at 8:06 amI love coconut oil!
Trish says
June 10, 2015 at 1:20 amI love coconut oil. It is fabulous. So, coconut oil it is for me. Thanks for the recipe.
creativejewishmom/sara says
June 14, 2015 at 1:58 pmThanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday! Nice to “meet” you!
Gail says
October 2, 2015 at 7:46 amI made both and liked both.
Katie says
October 3, 2015 at 7:53 amThank you Gail!
Sharon spicker says
February 14, 2016 at 9:13 pmI’ve used the petroleum jelly recipe for a couple of years and love it. I’m going to try it with the coconut oil next time, though, because I love that, too! Thank you for the idea!
Katie says
February 15, 2016 at 8:36 amYou are so welcome Sharon! I am happy to help.
Debra LeRoy says
July 11, 2016 at 1:10 pmDo you use a total of 8 oz of the vitamin E skin care?
Katie says
July 12, 2016 at 8:14 amGreat question Debra. Yes, each container is 4 ounces and when you use both you use a total of 8 oz of the vitamin E lotion.
mary says
September 6, 2016 at 8:48 amWouldn’t one of the 4 ounces containers of vitamin E cream be enough or does it have to be to?
Katie says
September 7, 2016 at 6:05 amI have always used 2 containers so I don’t know how it would effect the lotion to have only one. Feel free to play around with the recipe, and let me know if you come up with a better mixture!
Wanda says
January 20, 2017 at 9:17 pmI’ve made it with the petroleum jelly for a couple years and love it. I’d like to try it with the coconut oil but won’t the coconut oil solidify the lotion when the weather gets colder and turn the lotion watery when the weather is warmer?
Katie says
January 22, 2017 at 9:24 amI live in Utah where on occasion it does get below freezing and in the summer months above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep the lotion in my home where the temperature is regulated so I have never had a problem with the consistency. Even when I travel with the lotion it keeps the creamy texture very nicely. Great question Wanda!
Sam says
January 25, 2017 at 7:40 pmI had very dry itchy skin after showers. I’ve used goats milk soap for 2 years now and stopped itching,
Can’t wait to try your receipe for added moisturising.
Katie says
January 26, 2017 at 6:39 amI have never heard of goats milk soap, where do you get that? I’d love to know what you think of the coconut Oil lotion after you’ve tried it. Thanks Sam!
Pat Vogel says
May 10, 2017 at 1:39 pmI’ve been making my own night cream with this recipe for almost five years now and I do get compliments on my skin tone (I’m now 67). I use the shea vaseline from the dollar store, and shea baby oil because I like the scent, and add some Porcelana cream to combat age spots. At one time I used coconut oil but in the summer the oil separated and was messy, so I’m back to vaseline. I will never go back to the expensive night creams!
Katie says
May 11, 2017 at 7:31 amThank you for your testimonial pat! I love that you love this recipe! I keep making more too. It is my favorite!!
good parenting says
March 16, 2018 at 12:34 amVery Useful Post!!! It an every mother concern which body lotion is good for the baby. But coconut oil lotion recipe is a safe side for child. Thanks again.
Lynette says
September 12, 2018 at 7:28 amThe best lotion I’ve ever used. Now my daughter and her coworkers are begging for more. I vote for the coconut oil (Not as greasy). I get the baby lotion from Dollar Tree to cut the costs. Add essential oils and soap coloring. Thank you for sharing!!!
Kimberly says
March 18, 2019 at 1:49 pmWell I use the receipe and notice the vitamin E is breaking me out so I will try the recipe without the Vitamin E and go with Coconut oil as a substitute.