If you've ever wanted to make your own lotion but felt intimidated by complicated recipes and long ingredient lists, this project is for you.
Nothing says summer quite like the scent of coconut and pineapple and this easy DIY Coconut Colada Lotion is lightweight, moisturizing, and perfect for keeping skin soft after beach days, gardening, camping trips, and afternoons spent in the sunshine. Best of all, it's beginner-friendly and comes together in less than 30 minutes.
And just to make it even easier, you can find everything you need at our shop in downtown Victoria, BC.
Why Make Your Own Lotion?
Making your own lotion allows you to:
- Choose the oils that work best for your skin
- Customize the scent
- Learn a valuable skincare-making skill
- Create fresh products in small batches
- Enjoy the satisfaction of making something with your own hands
Unlike body butters or balms, lotion contains water, giving it a lighter feel that's perfect for everyday use.
What You'll Need
Heated Water Phase
- 75 g Distilled Water
Heated Oil Phase
- 15 g Sweet Almond Oil
- 8 g Emulsifying Wax NF
- 2 g Stearic Acid
Cool Down Phase
- 1 g Optiphen Plus
- 1 g Creamy Coconut Colada Fragrance Oil or another Fragrance or Essential Oil
Total Batch Size: Approximately 100 g
Equipment
- Digital scale
- Two heat-safe containers
- Small whisk or milk frother
- Thermometer (helpful but optional)
- Clean lotion bottle or jar
Step 1: Heat the Water Phase
Place the distilled water in a heat-safe container.
Step 2: Heat the Oil Phase
In a second container combine:
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Emulsifying Wax NF
- Stearic Acid
Heat both containers in a double boiler until the waxes have completely melted.
Step 3: Combine
Slowly pour the water phase into the oil phase while mixing continuously.
Use a whisk, mini mixer, or milk frother and blend for 1–2 minutes.
The mixture will look thin at first but will thicken as it cools.
Step 4: Cool Down
Once the lotion has cooled to warm room temperature, add:
- Optiphen Plus
- Fragrance or Essential Oil
Mix thoroughly.
Step 5: Package
Transfer your lotion into a clean bottle or jar.
Allow it to sit for several hours before use as it reaches its final thickness.
Customization Ideas
Once you're comfortable with the basic recipe, try:
- Jojoba Oil for a lighter feel
- Rose Hydrosol instead of part of the water
- Lavender Essential Oil for a calming lotion
- Vanilla Fragrance Oil for a sweet everyday moisturizer
- Panthenol for added skin conditioning
Beginner Tips
Weigh Everything
Lotion making is much more accurate when ingredients are weighed instead of measured by volume.
Don't Skip the Preservative
Because lotion contains water, a preservative is essential for safety and shelf life.
Start Small
A 100 g batch is perfect for learning and experimenting.
Want Us to Do the Measuring?
If you'd rather skip weighing ingredients, we carry beginner-friendly DIY supplies and kits that make lotion making easy.
Shop Lotion Making Supplies & Ingredients
Or join one of our hands-on workshops and learn how to create lotions, creams, balms, and other skincare products alongside experienced instructors.