DIY Essential Oil Body Lotion & Butter Recipes

Why Make Your Own Essential Oil Body Lotion and Butter?

If you have ever flipped over a store-bought moisturizer and squinted at an ingredient list that reads like a chemistry exam, you are not alone. More and more people are turning to DIY essential oil body lotion and butter recipes as a way to take control of what actually goes onto their skin. The good news? Making your own is far easier than you might think, and the results can be luxuriously rich, beautifully scented, and completely customized to your skin type.

Whether you are a seasoned DIY enthusiast or someone who has never melted a single drop of shea butter, this guide walks you through everything you need — base ingredients, essential oil blending suggestions, step-by-step recipes, and practical tips to get the best results every time.

The Base Ingredients You Need

Before you reach for your essential oils, you need a solid foundation. Most DIY body butters and lotions rely on a handful of natural carrier ingredients that do the heavy lifting for hydration.

Butters and Oils

• Shea butter — the classic base for body butters; rich, creamy, and deeply moisturizing
• Coconut oil — melts at body temperature and absorbs quickly into skin
• Cocoa butter — adds a subtle chocolate scent and a thick, protective layer
• Jojoba oil — lightweight and often recommended for combination or oily skin types
• Sweet almond oil — a gentle, nourishing carrier that works well for sensitive skin

Optional Add-Ins

• Beeswax (for firmer balms and lotions)
• Arrowroot powder (reduces greasiness in body butters)
• Vitamin E oil (helps preserve your product and is popular with many DIYers for skin care)
• Aloe vera gel (adds a lighter, cooling texture to lotions)

Choosing Your Essential Oils

This is where the magic really happens. Essential oils add fragrance, of course, but many people also choose specific oils based on how they make them feel or how their skin responds. Quality matters enormously here — a low-grade oil can contain synthetic fillers that you definitely do not want in a product sitting on your skin all day.

Many DIY enthusiasts trust doTERRA essential oils for their body care recipes because of the brand's CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade) quality standard, which means each batch is tested for purity and potency. Here are some popular choices:

Popular Essential Oils for Body Lotion and Butter

• doTERRA Lavender — one of the most beloved oils in DIY skin care; many people find it calming and gentle on the skin
• doTERRA Frankincense — traditionally associated with promoting the appearance of healthy-looking skin; popular in anti-aging body butter recipes
• doTERRA Wild Orange — adds a bright, uplifting citrus scent that many users love in morning body lotions
• doTERRA Geranium — floral and balancing; many people with combination skin enjoy this one in their DIY recipes
• doTERRA Peppermint — popular in cooling body butters, especially for tired legs and feet after a long day
• doTERRA Roman Chamomile — gentle and soothing; often chosen by those with sensitive or reactive skin

Safety note: always dilute essential oils properly in a carrier before applying to skin. A general guideline for body products is 1–2% dilution — roughly 6 to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier base.

Simple DIY Body Butter Recipe

This whipped body butter is silky, non-greasy, and takes less than 20 minutes to make. It is a favourite among DIY beginners and experienced makers alike.

Ingredients

• ½ cup raw shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (optional, reduces greasiness)
• 20 drops doTERRA Lavender
• 10 drops doTERRA Frankincense
• 10 drops doTERRA Geranium

Instructions

1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil together in a double boiler over low heat, stirring gently.
2. Remove from heat and stir in jojoba oil.
3. Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature until it starts to solidify around the edges (about 30 minutes), then refrigerate for 15–20 minutes until it reaches a soft, semi-solid consistency.
4. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the mixture on medium-high speed for 3–5 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
5. Add arrowroot powder if using, then add your essential oils and whip for another 60 seconds.
6. Scoop into a clean glass jar and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Use within 6–8 weeks.

Lightweight DIY Essential Oil Body Lotion Recipe

Prefer something lighter than a body butter? This simple lotion uses aloe vera for a refreshing, fast-absorbing finish — perfect for warmer months or for those who find heavy butters too rich.

Ingredients

• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 15 drops doTERRA Wild Orange
• 10 drops doTERRA Peppermint
• 5 drops doTERRA Lavender

Instructions

1. Combine aloe vera gel and sweet almond oil in a bowl and whisk until well blended.
2. Add melted coconut oil and vitamin E oil, continuing to whisk.
3. Add your essential oils and stir well.
4. Pour into a pump bottle or jar. Shake before each use as natural lotions without commercial emulsifiers may separate slightly.
5. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or add a natural preservative if you prefer a longer shelf life.

Blending Tips and Safety Reminders

Getting your blends right is part of the fun, but there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Patch test first — always test a small amount of your finished product on your inner arm and wait 24 hours before applying widely
• Citrus oils and sun — some citrus essential oils (like bergamot and lemon) can make skin more sensitive to sunlight; doTERRA Wild Orange is generally considered safe but it is still wise to apply citrus-blended products to areas that will not be exposed to direct sun
• Pregnancy and children — certain oils are not recommended during pregnancy or for young children; always research individual oils and consult your healthcare provider if you are unsure
• Essential oils are not a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a skin condition or health concern, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using essential oil products.

Why doTERRA Oils Make a Difference in DIY Recipes

Many DIYers have noticed a significant difference when switching to high-quality essential oils like those from doTERRA or Young Living. Cheaper oils may smell appealing in the bottle but can behave differently once mixed into a carrier base. doTERRA's sourcing partnerships around the world mean oils like Frankincense (sourced from Oman and Somalia) and Lavender (sourced from high-altitude farms in France and Bulgaria) carry the full aromatic profile you want in a premium skin care product.

Start Saving on doTERRA Oils for Your DIY Recipes

If you are serious about making your own body lotions and butters, buying your essential oils at retail prices can add up quickly. Here is something worth knowing: you can join doTERRA as a Wellness Advocate and immediately unlock wholesale pricing — saving 25% or more on every order. You do not have to sell anything to anyone; the membership simply gives you access to better prices so you can stock your DIY kit without overspending.

Clicking the enrollment link on this page lets you sign up and start saving right away. You will get access to doTERRA's full product range at wholesale prices — including all the oils mentioned in these recipes, plus carrier oils, empty glass jars, and ready-made skin care products for when you want a night off from DIY. It is one of the smartest moves any essential oil enthusiast can make.