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Over the years, I’ve purchased and made a number of different body lotions. Most have had varying levels of success but it’s been a rather difficult search to find something soothing and natural while also feeling creamy and not oily. Body balms don’t quite have the feel I was looking for and while they’re super easy to make they don’t quite give me what I needed. I wanted something creamier than a balm and knew I’d need to make something whipped. This Chamomile Lavender Lotion has been just the thing to provide soothing relief to dried skin while also being absorbed quickly without that greasy after feel.

Whip up this healing and comforting Chamomile Lavender Lotion to soothe all that dry skin.

Why Chamomile & Lavender?

Chamomile has amazing anti-inflammatory properties and when applied topically can help with skin regeneration – which dry skin generally needs.

Lavender has numerous skin soothing properties as well as being generally soothing to the mind and body.

The combination seemed as if it would be quite soothing to the body and once I tried it, I knew it would be perfect for me and probably other folks too.

Begin with an Infused Oil

The first step with this lotion begins with infusing oil. This is the longest step, taking about a month, in this lotion process but is very hands-off. In a clean glass jar, place 3 Tablespoons dried chamomile flowers and 1 Tablespoon dried lavender blossoms.  Cover the flowers with 1 inch of oil (any will work, I used olive oil but almond, grapeseed, etc. will be great too).  Put a lid on the jar and place in a sunny window for a month. At the end of the month, strain the flowers from the oil. You’re now ready to make the rest of the lotion.

Make a Strong Lavender Tea

Bring 1/2 Cup of water to a boil.  Remove from heat, add 2 Tablespoons dried lavender blossoms and cover the pot.  Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the blossoms from the water.

Heat the Ingredients

In a double boiler, add 1/2 Cup of the infused oil and 2 Tablespoons of grated beeswax.  Heat just until the beeswax melts.

In a small pot bring the strained lavender tea to a boil.

In a heatproof bowl, sprinkle 1/8 of a teaspoon of borax.  Pour the boiling lavender tea over the borax and stir until dissolved.

Whip the Lotion

Using a food processor, whip the oil and beeswax mixture.  In a steady stream add the lavender tea, borax mixture.  Scrape down the sides occasionally and keep mixing until the lotion is completely emulsified.  It is possible to do this with a wire whisk, it’ll just take longer but move as fast as possible.  If desired, add 10 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil and mix completely.

A note here – if you’re new to making body products, it’s very difficult to get beeswax completely off of everything.  I highly recommend finding something at the thrift store that is only used for body products – a cheap food processor, a few bowls, whisks, etc. so that you’re not using the same things you cook with and trying to get to perfectly clean.

Store & Use

Pour the whipped lotion into containers and allow to cool completely.  To use, simply rub into skin until absorbed. Use up within 1 year.

This chamomile lavender lotion is quite easy to make once the oil is infused.  Make a big batch and use it for some pretty amazing homemade gifts.

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29 Comments

    1. You don’t – I’ve read some lotions require refrigeration but I think the general components of lavender and chamomile keep it from molding.

    1. I think it would be great. It’s expensive though in my experience so I tend to go more frugal but it would be super healing for dry skin.

  1. If I were to use coconut oil for the infuser, would it need to stay liquid? Currently, its not warm enough in my house to keep it from staying liquid without help, but I need to know if that is necessary? Or would coconut oil not work well? Thanks.

    1. You’re going to want it to stay liquid for it to infuse well. I’d go with something other than coconut oil in the cold weather.

    1. There are things like emulsifying waxes you can buy and try but I didn’t test it with anything other than borax so I don’t what amounts would be used or how it would work.

        1. Yes, It is often used as an emulsifier in body products and it’s such a tiny amount in this overall recipe.

  2. I have been making all natural soap for a few years now. What I have learned about Chamomile is that even though it does have a lot of benefits it also has it’s down side. Being a member of the ragweed family it can be toxic to those with allergies or hay-fever. One of my first soaps was a beautiful Chamomile Lavender Soap in which I used both Chamomile oil and the tea and teabag contents. It smelled wonderful but after using it, my legs started becoming very itchy and even swollen and I had no idea what was causing it. I was literally scratching my legs raw until I had a friend tell me that she was allergic to Chamomile and I realized that I was also. Since then I have come across others who have said that they could not tolerate the Chamomile so if you find that you are having the same problem just make your lotion with the Lavender.

    1. It depends on what is being infused… When I do tinctures those are done in the dark. Oils tend to need a little warmth to get everything infused well, so the sunlight helps do that without frying or having to use a double boiler.

  3. If using a double boiler to infuse the oil, how long would i need to keep it in the boiler and at what temp?

    1. Infuse for at least 30 minutes as for an exact temperature, I’ve never really tested it. You want to keep it warm but not frying.

  4. Use fractionated coconut oil. Its already in liquid form and stays in liquid form. It does not have any scent either.

  5. Even if you use distilled water to make the tea infusion, the herbs alone are not enough, you need a preservative. There are several natural ones. If not, make only what you’ll use in a week and keep it refrigerated. HTH

  6. This recipe sounds absolutely divine! However, this is a water based recipe and will only stay fresh for about a month is my understanding? And best refrigerated. By one year (much much sooner!) it would be full of bacteria and mold I think. Have you taken classes in formulating water based lotions? Thanks!

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