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 tried to pronounce half the ingredients, you're not alone. More and more people are turning to DIY essential oil body lotion and butter recipes as a way to know exactly what's going onto their skin. The good news? Making your own is surprisingly simple, incredibly satisfying, and often far more effective than anything you'll find on a drugstore shelf. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, these recipes will have your skin feeling silky, nourished, and beautifully scented.

The Base Ingredients You'll Need

Before you dive into the recipes, it helps to understand the building blocks of any great body butter or lotion. These natural ingredients form the foundation of your creation:

• Shea butter – Rich and creamy, shea butter is the gold standard for body butters. It melts on contact with skin and absorbs beautifully without feeling greasy.
• Coconut oil – A versatile carrier oil that adds a light, tropical feel. Use refined coconut oil if you prefer no scent, or unrefined for a subtle coconut aroma.
• Sweet almond oil or jojoba oil – These lighter carrier oils help thin out thick butters and allow your essential oils to spread evenly across the skin.
• Beeswax (optional) – Adds structure to balms and thicker lotions, and creates a light protective barrier on the skin.
• Vitamin E oil – A natural preservative and antioxidant that also supports skin health and extends shelf life.

Essential Oil Safety Tips Before You Start

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, and a little goes a long way. Here are some key safety reminders:

• Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or base before applying to skin. For body products, a safe dilution is typically 1–2% essential oil (about 6–12 drops per ounce of base).
• Avoid using citrus oils like Wild Orange or Lemon in products you'll apply before sun exposure, as they can increase photosensitivity.
• Do a patch test on your inner wrist before using any new blend all over your body.
• Keep products away from eyes and mucous membranes.
• Essential oils are not a substitute for medical treatment. If you have a skin condition or health concern, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Recipe 1: Whipped Lavender and Frankincense Body Butter

This is a classic for good reason. Many people find this combination deeply relaxing and love applying it after a warm shower before bed. doTERRA's Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular oils in the world for a reason — it has a clean, calming floral scent that blends beautifully with the warm, slightly woody aroma of doTERRA Frankincense.

Ingredients

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil
• 15 drops doTERRA Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops doTERRA Frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops Vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil together in a double boiler over low heat, stirring gently until fully liquid.
2. Remove from heat and stir in sweet almond oil and Vitamin E oil.
3. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 30–45 minutes until it starts to solidify around the edges but is still soft in the center.
4. Add your essential oils, then whip with a hand mixer for 3–5 minutes until fluffy and light.
5. Spoon into a glass jar and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Use within 3 months.

Recipe 2: Energizing Citrus and Peppermint Body Lotion

This one is perfect for a morning pick-me-up. Many users love applying this uplifting blend before heading out the door. doTERRA Wild Orange brings a bright, cheerful citrus note, while doTERRA Peppermint adds a cool, invigorating tingle that many people find refreshing on the skin.

Ingredients

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup jojoba oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• ¼ cup aloe vera gel
• 10 drops doTERRA Wild Orange essential oil
• 8 drops doTERRA Peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops Vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Melt shea butter and beeswax together in a double boiler, then stir in jojoba oil.
2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Separately, warm the aloe vera gel to approximately the same temperature.
3. Slowly pour the oil mixture into the aloe gel while whisking or blending continuously to emulsify.
4. Once the mixture cools, stir in essential oils and Vitamin E.
5. Transfer to a jar or pump bottle. This lotion has a lighter texture than the whipped butter — ideal for daytime use.

Note: Because this recipe contains water-based aloe vera, it has a shorter shelf life. Store in the fridge and use within 4–6 weeks, or add a cosmetic preservative if you prefer a longer shelf life.

Recipe 3: Soothing Rose and Geranium Luxury Butter

For those who love a floral, spa-like experience, this rich body butter is a real treat. doTERRA's Geranium essential oil is traditionally associated with skin care and has a soft, rosy scent that pairs perfectly with a few drops of doTERRA Rose Touch roller — yes, you can uncap it and use the oil directly in recipes.

Ingredients

• ½ cup mango butter or shea butter
• ¼ cup rosehip seed oil
• ¼ cup argan oil
• 12 drops doTERRA Geranium essential oil
• 6 drops doTERRA Rose Touch (or 3 drops pure Rose essential oil)
• 5 drops Vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Melt mango or shea butter using a double boiler, then remove from heat.
2. Stir in rosehip and argan oils and allow to cool in the fridge until partially set.
3. Whip until fluffy, then fold in essential oils and Vitamin E.
4. Store in a cool, dry place in a glass jar. This blend is particularly popular among those who enjoy a luxurious nighttime skin care ritual.

Tips for Customizing Your Recipes

One of the best things about DIY body butter is how easy it is to experiment. Here are a few ideas to make these recipes your own:

• Swap shea butter for mango butter for a slightly lighter texture.
• Add a teaspoon of arrowroot powder to reduce any greasy feeling.
• Use doTERRA's HD Clear blend or Immortelle anti-aging blend for targeted skin support.
• For a warming winter blend, try doTERRA Cassia or Cardamom in small amounts — these are potent, so use no more than 3–5 drops per batch.

Why doTERRA Oils Work So Well in DIY Recipes

Not all essential oils are created equal. doTERRA's CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade) standard means every batch is tested rigorously for purity and potency. When you're making something that goes directly onto your skin, quality matters. Using a high-grade oil like doTERRA ensures you're getting the full aromatic and skin-friendly experience — without fillers, synthetics, or diluted formulas.

Start Saving on doTERRA Oils Today

If you're serious about making DIY body butters and lotions a regular part of your routine, buying essential oils at retail prices adds up fast. The smartest move is to join doTERRA as a Wellness Advocate and unlock 25% off wholesale prices on every order. You'll have access to the full product range — from Lavender and Peppermint to Frankincense and Rose — at member pricing, with no minimum monthly order required.

Click the link on this page to enroll as a Wellness Advocate and start saving immediately. It takes just a few minutes to sign up, and your first wholesale order can include everything you need to start whipping up these beautiful body butter recipes at home. Your skin — and your wallet — will thank you.