Is Winter Drying Out Your Skin? Try These DIY Lotions

Keeping your body hydrated in the winter can seem like a never-ending battle of dry patches, rough heels, and flaky skin. Of course, the first step to quenched skin is to drink water – and lots of it! But the cold months require a bit of backup so to help ease your winter skin struggles, here are five DIY lotion recipes that are sure to keep you supple and smooth.

These DIY lotion recipes are free from harmful chemicals or toxins, made from easy-to-find ingredients, and are incredibly effective in combating dry winter skin.

Keep in mind, since these lotions are free of preservatives and some contain fresh ingredients that can spoil, they are best made in small batches and are meant to be used within seven to ten days.

Lavender Coconut Body Cream from Snail Pace Transformations

Ingredients:

•   1 cup (solid) coconut oil

•   1 tsp Vitamin E

•   15 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions:

Measure ingredients into a mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture has a light, airy whipped consistency. Put it into a glass container with a lid. Enjoy!

Citrus Honey Body Butter from She Wears Many Hats

Ingredients:

•   1 1/2 cups (solid) coconut oil

•   3 tbs honey

•   2 tbs grapefruit, orange or lemon zest

Directions:

Mix ingredients together in a bowl until fluffy. Transfer to a glass jar with lid.

Shea Butter Lotion from Detoxinista

Ingredients:

4 oz raw shea butter

2 tbl extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Melt shea butter slowly using a double broiler. Stir the extra-virgin olive oil into the melted mixture and put in refrigerator and let cool for about 40 minutes or until it has solidified about halfway. Using a hand mixer, beat mixture until creamy (about five minutes). Transfer to a small glass jar. This particular recipe should last for up to six months unrefrigerated!

Whipped Cocoa Butter Body Lotion from Holistic Squid

Ingredients:

•   1 cup cocoa butter

•   1/2 cup coconut oil

•   1/2 cup jojoba oil

Directions:

Melt cocoa butter and coconut oil together slowly using a double broiler. Once melted, pour in jojoba oil and mix until combined. Let harden in refrigerator for several hours. Then, using a hand mixer, beat the combination until it takes on a whipped consistency. Put into a glass jar with a lid and put back in the refrigerator to chill for one hour.

Vanilla Body Butter from The Marathon Mom

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup almond oil
• 2 tbl vanilla extract

Directions:

Melt shea butter and coconut oil together slowly using a double broiler. Once melted, transfer mixture to a bowl and add the almond oil and vanilla extract. Stir well.  Put in freezer for 15 minutes or until mixture is just starting to solidify. Mix on high speed until fluffy and stiff peaks form. *trying to mix before the ingredients have sufficiently cooled will not give you the texture you want!* Store in glass jar with lid.

Making your own bath products can be a fun (and addicting!) hobby. In addition to DIY body lotions like these, you can also make yummy homemade bath salts that also help keep your skin moisturized, soft and smooth all winter long. Of course, while these lotions will easily become part of your own daily showering routine, these luxe little pots can also be a great gift idea for your girlfriends! The scents and oils are easily interchangeable so you can come up with your own customized blend that best suits your skin. Say good-bye to winter skin blues!