DIY Essential Oil Body Lotion & Butter Recipes

Why Make Your Own Essential Oil Body Lotion and Butter?

If you've ever flipped over a store-bought lotion and squinted at a paragraph of unpronounceable ingredients, you're not alone. More and more people are reaching for simple, natural alternatives — and DIY essential oil body lotion and butter recipes are one of the most satisfying places to start. Not only do you get to control exactly what goes on your skin, but you can customize the scent, texture, and purpose of every batch. Plus, homemade body butters make incredible gifts.

Whether you're a complete beginner or you've been dabbling in DIY skincare for years, these recipes are straightforward, affordable, and genuinely effective. Let's dive in.

Essential Ingredients You'll Need

Before we get to the recipes, here's a quick rundown of the base ingredients most DIY body butters and lotions rely on. These are widely available at health food stores and online.

• Shea butter — Rich and deeply moisturizing, shea butter is the backbone of most body butter recipes. It absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue.
• Coconut oil — A popular carrier oil that many people find leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Use refined coconut oil if you want a neutral scent.
• Jojoba oil — Technically a liquid wax, jojoba closely mimics the skin's natural oils and is popular among those with sensitive or combination skin.
• Sweet almond oil — Light, nourishing, and gentle. Great for a lotion-style consistency.
• Beeswax or candelilla wax — Used in thicker balms to create a protective barrier on the skin.
• Essential oils — The star of the show. These add fragrance, and many people choose specific oils for the way they make them feel.

Recipe 1: Classic Whipped Body Butter

This is the recipe most people start with — and for good reason. It's creamy, lightweight, and customizable. You'll need a hand mixer or stand mixer for this one.

Ingredients

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup jojoba oil
• 20–30 drops of your chosen essential oil(s)

Method

1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in a double boiler over low heat. Stir gently until just melted.
2. Remove from heat and add the jojoba oil. Stir to combine.
3. Let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, until it begins to solidify around the edges but is still soft in the middle.
4. Using a hand mixer, whip the mixture on medium-high speed for 3–5 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
5. Add your essential oils and whip for another 30 seconds.
6. Transfer to a clean glass jar and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Suggested essential oil blend: 15 drops doTERRA Lavender + 10 drops doTERRA Wild Orange. This combination is beloved for its calming, uplifting scent — many people apply it before bed and find the aroma helps them unwind beautifully.

Recipe 2: Lightweight DIY Body Lotion

Prefer something that sinks in quickly without the richness of a body butter? This lotion recipe has a thinner consistency and is perfect for everyday use.

Ingredients

• ½ cup sweet almond oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• ½ cup distilled water or rose water
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 20 drops essential oil of your choice

Method

1. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler, then stir in the sweet almond oil and vitamin E oil.
2. In a separate container, gently warm the distilled water.
3. Remove the oil mixture from heat and slowly pour in the water while blending continuously with an immersion blender. This emulsification step is what gives you that classic lotion consistency.
4. Once the mixture begins to cool and thicken, stir in your essential oils.
5. Pour into pump bottles or jars and use within 4–6 weeks. Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested blend: 10 drops doTERRA Frankincense + 10 drops doTERRA Geranium. Frankincense is one of doTERRA's most iconic oils and is widely popular in skincare routines, while geranium has a beautiful floral scent that many users associate with a feeling of balance and wellbeing.

Recipe 3: Energizing Citrus Body Butter

This one is perfect for mornings. The bright, zesty aroma of citrus oils is something many people reach for when they want to feel refreshed and energized.

Ingredients

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 10 drops doTERRA Wild Orange
• 8 drops doTERRA Lemon
• 5 drops doTERRA Peppermint

Follow the same whipping method as Recipe 1. Important safety note: Some citrus oils can increase photosensitivity. Avoid applying products containing cold-pressed citrus oils to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight. doTERRA's steam-distilled lemon is generally considered a safer option for topical use in sunlight, but always patch-test new blends and check individual oil safety guidelines.

Tips for Blending Essential Oils Into Skincare

• Stick to the 1–2% dilution rule for body products — that's roughly 10–20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier. For sensitive skin, aim for 1% or less.
• Always patch-test a new recipe on a small area of skin before applying it all over.
• Use high-quality essential oils. The purity of your oils matters enormously in DIY skincare. Many enthusiasts prefer doTERRA or Young Living oils because of their rigorous testing standards and transparent sourcing — doTERRA's CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade) standard in particular is a benchmark many DIYers look for.
• Store products properly. Natural preservative-free lotions and butters can go rancid. Keep them away from heat, sunlight, and water contamination. A body butter without water content typically lasts 3–6 months.
• Label your creations with the date and ingredient list, especially if you're gifting them.

A Quick Note on Safety

Essential oils are powerful plant extracts and are not a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a skin condition, are pregnant, or are making products for young children, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using essential oils topically. Always dilute properly and never apply undiluted essential oils directly to skin.

Popular doTERRA Oils for DIY Skincare

If you're just building your collection, here are some of the most popular doTERRA oils among DIY skincare enthusiasts:

• doTERRA Lavender — A classic for relaxing blends and a staple in almost every natural skincare routine.
• doTERRA Frankincense — Widely regarded as one of the most prized oils in the doTERRA lineup and popular in anti-aging skincare recipes.
• doTERRA Wild Orange — Uplifting, fresh, and blends beautifully with almost anything.
• doTERRA Rose Touch — A luxurious pre-diluted option already in a roller bottle, perfect for adding a floral note to your creations.
• doTERRA Geranium — Floral and balancing, often used in skincare blends for its beautiful scent profile.

Start Saving on doTERRA Oils Today

If you're making DIY body butters and lotions regularly, the cost of essential oils adds up quickly — which is why so many DIY enthusiasts choose to join doTERRA as a Wellness Advocate. As a Wellness Advocate, you shop at wholesale prices (up to 25% off retail) and gain access to exclusive promotions, product launches, and loyalty rewards. There's no obligation to sell — many members simply join for the savings on the oils they love.

Ready to start saving? Click the link below to enroll as a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and start shopping at wholesale prices immediately. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and you'll have access to your first discounted order right away. Your DIY skincare routine just got a whole lot more affordable.