Light-weight and moisturizing, this Lavender and Aloe Lotion is great for dry facial skin. Made with skin loving ingredients such as DL-Panthenol and Sweet Almond Oil, this lotion helps skin feel soft and hydrated. It can also be used on the rest of the body to give additional moisture and smooth rough skin. If your skin is more on the oily side, you may prefer the Oil-Free Lavender Lotion Tutorial.
What You’ll Need:
16.5 oz. Distilled Water
2.7 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
1.35 oz. Rice Bran Oil
1.2 oz. BTMS-50
.2 oz. Sodium Lactate
.3 oz. Aloe Extract
.9 oz. Glycerin
.4 oz. DL Panthenol
.2 oz Otiphen
3 mL Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
Three 8 oz. Bottles (White Disk Cap)
ONE: Combine the distilled water, Sodium Lactate and Glycerin in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir to combine and then set aside.
TWO: Add DL Panthenol, and whisk until fully dissolved.
THREE: In a second container, combine the Sweet Almond Oil and Rice Bran Oil with the BTMS-50. Don’t worry about melting the BTMS-50 beforehand. Stir to combine and then set aside.
FOUR: Heat the containers with the oils and the distilled water in the microwave on 1 minute bursts until both reach between 150 – 160°F.
FIVE: When the oil and distilled water containers have reached the correct temperature and the BTMS-50 is dissolved, add the oils to the water and stir continually. Blend the mixture for 60 – 90 seconds, making sure the oil and water phases are fully emulsified. Be careful to “burp” your stick blender by tamping it on the bottom of the container to release bubbles — you don’t want bubbles trapped in your lotion! Continue to mix until the lotion drops below 120°F.
SIX: Once the lotion is below 120°F, add the Lavender Essential Oil, Aloe Extract and Optiphen. Using the stick blender, mix for an additional 60 seconds until the mixture is fully incorporated.
SEVEN: Because this is not a very thick lotion, it is easy to pour. When the lotion drops below 110°F, pour it into bottles. Let the bottles sit overnight without a cap (otherwise condensation can form inside the bottle).
Can I substitute the water with goat milk? Also, can I incorporate evening primrose extract, and at what percentage? Thank you!!
Hi Mary!
You can definitely add evening primrose extract! The usage rate is 1-2% of the total weight of your recipe. 🙂
Read more about extracts here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
For the goat milk, we don’t recommend adding it to lotion. Using milk in lotion is very similar to placing milk out on the counter. If you were to leave a carton of milk on the counter, it will go bad eventually. The same will happen to the milk in your lotion. If you do choose to use milk in your lotion, I would recommend storing it in the fridge and expect a shelf life of about 4-8 weeks, even with a preservative. While a preservative in your lotion will prevent mold and bacteria from growing, preservatives do not protect against rancidity, such as spoiled milk.
You can add other liquids in place of water though! Rose water or aloe vera liquid feel really nice, and are a fun twist on traditional water. 🙂
Read more about what liquids you can use in lotion here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Evening primrose: http://www.brambleberry.com/Evening-Primrose-Extract-P4937.aspx
Rose water: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Water-P3840.aspx
Aloe vera liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
Thank you for the information and new ideas. One other question… Do you have any suggestions for sun block or sunscreen that I can add to the lotion? Or is there a recipe for sun block?
We don’t have any sunscreen recipes. Sorry about that! The FDA considers sunscreen a drug. That means it needs to be tested and regulated as a drug. Because we make cosmetics, we don’t have a recipe that’s proven to protect your skin from the sun. You can read more about the difference between drugs and cosmetics here: https://www.soapqueen.com/business/understanding-fda-cosmetic-vs-drug-claims/
That being said, zinc oxide is thought to offer UV protection and can be added to your lotion. Read more about zinc oxide here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Zinc-Oxide-P5046.aspx
If you plan to sell the lotion, make sure to check out the FDA’s website for more information on drug regulations: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/default.htm
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you!
You’re welcome! 🙂
What about powdered Goats milk?
Hi Amanda!
Powdered goat milk will have the same effect as liquid goat milk in lotion. Once it’s added to the recipe, it will rehydrate and shorten the shelf life quite a bit. We don’t recommend adding it to lotion. You can add other ingredients to add creaminess though! Shea or avocado butter feel really nice in lotion. 🙂
Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx
Avocado butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Butter-Solid-P3207.aspx
Read more about what ingredients you can use in lotion here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made this lotion last night and let it set up. When I woke up, I discovered that it had separated. It looks like there is an inch of water at the bottom and lotion on the top. Can I salvage this? I substituted the BTMS-50 with traditional emulsifying wax and the rice bran with avocado oil. I used Brambleberry’s coconut cybilla fragrance oil instead of lavender. I’ve made this lotion once before and it was fine. Please help! 🙂
Thank you – Lindsay
More stick blending should help this lotion emulsify! I would recommend heating the lotion to around 130F (don’t go any higher or the preservative can degrade). Then, stick blend for another 1-2 minutes. Then, I would recommend leaving the lotion in the bowl for 5 minutes and checking back on it. If it’s separating, stick blend for another minute or so and pour into bottles. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I sub Opt+ or Liquid Germall+ for just plain Opt?
Hi Danielle!
You can use Optiphen in lotion! It’s great at preventing mold and bacteria, and is paraben and formaldehyde free. We used it in this recipe with great results. 🙂
Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Optiphen: https://www.brambleberry.com/Optiphen-P3682.aspx
is there an ingredient label template for this recipe and the oil free lavender lotion?
Hi Monique!
We don’t have a label template for those recipes, sorry about that! We do have some fun label templates you can find here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Label-Templates-C306.aspx
Also, we have a really helpful post that talks about how to label your lotion! Learn more here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-label-lotion/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Oil Free Lavender Lotion: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/oil-free-lavender-face-lotion/
This recipe sounds really interesting. I wonder though, is it possible to change the BTMS with other types of emulsifiers like Polisorbate-80 or even cetyl alcohol?
Thank you!
Hi Jin!
You can use another emulsifier, like emulsifying wax. You can also use cetearyl alcohol. We typically use cetearyl alcohol at 2-30% in combination with emulsifying wax for the best results. 🙂
Emulsifying wax: https://www.brambleberry.com/Emulsifying-Wax-P4896.aspx
Cetearyl alcohol: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cetearyl-Alcohol-P5895.aspx
You can also use Polysorbate 80, but we recommend using it at 1-5% in combination with another emulsifier, like emulsifying wax.
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
Because we didn’t test this recipe with those emulsifiers, I would definitely recommend making a small test batch. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Made the recipe exactly other than I used Oat extract because I had some on hand. Turned out very powdery smooth with the BTMS. A customer wanted baby safe with Lavender Essential Oil; she loves it. Kept a bottle for myself too. Lovely recipe. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome, so glad the recipe turned out well for you! You’re welcome Robin, glad you like the recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is this recipe baby safe? I have a customer that asked me to make baby lotion with lavender EO which I know is baby safe. Not sure about Na lactate. I wish you had a baby safe dedicated recipe 😄
Hi Robin!
This recipe has very soothing ingredients that could be used for sensitive baby skin! You can even leave the essential oil out if you like for extra sensitive skin. Also, thanks so much for your suggestion! We’ll definitely keep that in mind. 🙂
You may also like this Buttermilk Bastille Baby Bar recipe, which is specifically made for kids: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/buttermilk-bastille-baby-bar-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you tell me what the percentage of water. I’m too tired to do the math lol. Just trying to figure if it is thin enough to use in a spray bottle as a sprayable lotion. I can edit a bit if you know the percentage of water. I know the sodium lactate glycerin and Dl panthenol is part of the water phase. Thanks.
Hi Robin!
This recipe contains about 70% water. Typically, lotion recipes contain 70-80% water, meaning this recipe is on the thicker side. I’m not sure if it would be thin enough to work in a spray bottle. If not, you can add up to 80% water. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How to Make Lotion From Scratch: http://teachsoap.com/2013/03/27/lotion-from-scratch-2/
You are very close lol. I did the math. It is exactly 68.7% water ☺️ To thick for a spray bottle. But can be modified very easily. I’m going to make the recipe as is. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks.
You’re welcome! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Are these ingredients OK for use on the face?
avocado butter
avocado oil
castor oil
liquid silk
bio-mulsion wax
stearic acid
Optiphen ND
Dark, Rich Chocolate fragrance oil
Rosemary & Mint Essential Oils
Calendula extract
Hi Pam!
Great news, all those products are safe to use on your face! All of our products are skin safe. It is important to follow all the usage and safety guidelines when using our products. You can find those on the product description at brambleberry.com and with our Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Hope that helps! If you have any other questions let me know. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you!
You’re welcome! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could I leave out the Sodium Lactate? I have everything else for the recipe, except for the lactate.
Hi Bronwyn!
We added sodium lactate to this recipe to help thicken the lotion up. You can leave it out, but keep in mind your mixture will be a little thinner. You may want to make a small test batch to be sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m making this right now, but for some reason it is still the consistency of water even after 5+ of stick blending. help please! 🙁
Hi Heidi!
Oh no! Can you tell me a little more about your process, including the temperatures of your oils and water? Did you substitute any ingredients?
Let me know and I’ll help you figure this out! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could you substitute emulsifying wax for the BTMS-50?
Hi Amber!
You can substitute those waxes. Keep in mind BTMS-50 is a conditioning wax, meaning it leaves a soft, powdery feel on your skin. This is not the case with emulsifying wax.
I would recommend making a small test batch to see if you like the results. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Emulsifying wax: https://www.brambleberry.com/Emulsifying-Wax-P4896.aspx
I made this lotion but modified it for mature skin by substituting Carrot Extract for the Aloe Extract and Carrot Seed EO (i love the earthy scent) for the Lavender EO.
Best.face.lotion.ever. My skin hasn’t been this smooth and soft in a long time.
Thanks for the great recipe!!
Hi Sarah!
So glad you like it! Also, thanks for your awesome suggestion. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I forgot to order aloe extract when I ordered my ingredients. Can it be omitted or is there a substitute and still have great results? thank you!
Hi Judy!
Aloe Extract is great for soothing and moisturizing irritated skin. However, you can add other extracts to this recipe.
For instance, Avocado Extract is great for moisturizing dry skin. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Avocado Extract: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Extract-P4931.aspx
Kelsey, this is my first try at making lotions so I have nothing. I do have an aloe plant. Would fresh aloe gel be an option?
Thanks!Judy
Hi Judy!
Aloe Extract is an oil extracted from the Aloe Plant, so it’s different than aloe gel.
We haven’t used fresh aloe gel in this recipe, so I’m not sure how it would react. You may want to make a small test batch to be sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What if I choose not to use the BTMS-50
.2 oz. Sodium Lactate and the DL Panthenol? Will the lotion come out to the same consistency? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Angie!
BTMS-50 is used to emulsify the water and oils together. DL Panthenol helps add moisturizing properties to your recipes, but it won’t emulsify.
If you don’t add the BTMS-50, your lotion will separate, so I would recommend keeping it in this recipe!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do you need to disinfect your lotion bottles and cap also or are the fin to use as is?
Hi N!
Yes, that will keep bacteria from getting into your lotion. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
@Megan, I only use rubbing alcohol to sanitize my containers, equipment and counters. Always the 90% or even 99% if you can find it! The less water you introduce into your containers the better, even if it has bleach in it. I’ve found it’s really hard to get all of the bleach water back out, and the bottle still smells of bleach even when dry. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting bleach on your clothes! I hope that helps!
Luann,
I agree.
We use rubbing alcohol to disinfect at the hospital, not chlorine bleach.
Thanks so much for your advice LuAnn and Marley! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
99% isopropyl alcohol: https://www.brambleberry.com/99-Isopropyl-Alcohol-16-oz-P5682.aspx
This recipe looks so good I’m going to try it soon. I was wondering how can it be modified for oily/ combination skin? Or will there be another tutorial for oily skin lotion?
Hi Marleny!
An oil-free moisturizer for oily skin was posted today that you may like. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Fresh Face Oil Free Lavender Lotion: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/oil-free-lavender-face-lotion/
Is it possible to sterilize with 90% rubbing alcohol instead of a bleach solution?
Hi Megan!
We’ve always had the best luck using bleach, so I’m not entirely sure if alcohol would work. If you do use it, I would recommend using 99% so you have a better chance of killing microbes and bacteria. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry