Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (2024)

If you’re trying to avoid harmful chemicals in your beauty products, this homemade glycerin lotion recipe is the solution to many of your problems! Glycerin is an all-natural moisturizer for all skin types, making it the perfect ingredient for this homemade lotion recipe.

Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (1)

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Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe

Reading the ingredient list on a bottle of commercial lotion is scary! Our skin is our largest organ, and it deserves as much care as anything else. Actually, many studies suggest it needs even more attention than some of our other body systems.

Our digestive system can at least partially break down chemicals and toxins that we ingest orally. But substances that enter through our skin enter directly into our bloodstream.

This means it’s super important to make sure that everything we put on our body is as safe, healthy and beneficial as what we putinour body.

What’s In Face and Body Lotion?

But when it comes to skin and beauty products, most of what you’re going to find on store shelves contain harmful additives and preservatives. These includeparabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, to name a few.

In fact, even seemingly harmless ingredients can cause problems. For example, you’ll probably notice that water (aqua) is one of the number one ingredients in most conventional face and body lotions.

Seems harmless, doesn’t it?

But the presence of water means that there are likely preservatives added in order to keep the lotion from growing mold.

So, what’s the solution to ridding your skin and beauty products of harmful ingredients? Make your own glycerin lotion!

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is an organic compound derived from plants and animals.

Animal glycerin comes from animal fats (like lard and tallow) and is typically used in bar soaps. Vegetable glycerin is made from vegetable oils like soy, palm, coconut and corn oils and is typically used in liquid cleansers and lotions like the glycerin lotion recipe I’m about to share with you.

Benefits of Glycerin:

  • It’s an extremely effective skin moisturizer
  • Helps combat both dry and oily skin
  • Helps fight wrinkles and fine lines
  • Is suitable for sensitive skin
  • All-natural product free from harsh, synthetic chemicals

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it’s very effective at drawing in, retaining and preserving moisture. It’s also an emollient, which means it provides a protective, moisturizing layer on the skin.

The combination of these two things makes glycerin an extremely effective skin moisturizer.

Glycerin also has a naturally long shelf life, which means you don’t need to add preservatives. And it doesn’t oxidize easily (which means exposure to air and light will not damage it).

DIY Glycerin Lotion Recipe

It takes just minutes to learn how to make homemade lotion and this glycerin lotion recipe has just four ingredients. It will moisturize and soothe even the driest winter skin, and a little bit goes a very long way!

You can even customize it with your favorite essential oils. Some good essential oils for skincare include lavender (soothing), frankincense (healing andrestorative), and chamomile (calming).

This lotion is even suitable for babies! My daughter has a patch of eczema on her cheek, and this lotion is the only thing that helps it. I love knowing exactly what I’m putting on my baby’s delicate skin.

Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (2)

Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe

(Makes 30 ounces)

* It’s important to use distilled water instead of regular tap water in this recipe because distilled water is less likely to mold and more likely to give your lotion a longer shelf-life.

Keep this lotion in the refrigerator when it’s really warm to keep the coconut oil from liquifying and to help prevent possible mold and degradation.

Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (3)

  1. Combine the coconut oil and the emulsifying wax in a double boiler on the stove (or in a microwave-safe bowl if you prefer) and heat until melted.Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (4)
  2. Add the distilled water, glycerin, and essential oils if using. Stir thoroughly.
  3. Pour into the desired jar(s) or bottle(s). (I divide mine up into a few 4-ounce mason jars, then store the rest in a bigger jar in the cool, dry place.)
  4. Use daily in place of store-bought lotion to help moisturize dry skin!

If you like this Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe, you’ll love these:

Looking for more super easy homemade beauty products? Check out our Coconut Oil Lotion and find a bunch more DIY Health and Beauty Projects here on Little House Living!

If you’re looking for a wonderful source for oils, I highly recommendRocky Mountain Oils. After careful consideration of all the companies selling essential oils, I’m happy to share thatRocky Mountain Oilshas become my main source of oils for many different reasons.

Did you know how to make homemade lotion before today? What else would you like to learn how to make at home? Let meknow in the comments below!

This Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe was originally published on Little House Living in March 2013. It has been updated as of February 2019.

Homemade Glycerin Lotion Recipe for Face & Body (2024)

FAQs

How do you make glycerin body lotion at home? ›

Melt together shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil and sweet almond oil on low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add the glycerin, aloe vera and Vitamin E. Mix well, pour into the container and let it cool overnight.

What can I mix with glycerin for my face? ›

Combine 5 drops of pure glycerin with the juice of 1 lemon and 20 milliliters (mL) of rose water. Pour the mixture into a small bottle or a spray bottle. Apply the liquid to your face daily, using your finger or a cotton swab, or apply as a mist for a healthy glow after applying makeup.

How much glycerin do I add to my body product? ›

Typical usage is lower—I usually use it at 3–30% in lotions. A thick, sticky liquid.

What can I mix with glycerin for my body? ›

Rosewater and Glycerin are a match made in heaven for skincare ingredient combinations! Together, they draw up and lock moisture into the skin, so if you have a little rosewater toner, try adding just a tad of Glycerin to it and see it making your skin smoother!

Is it good to mix glycerin with body lotion? ›

Using an oil or moisturizer in conjunction with a humectant (like glycerine) can help seal in moisture. If you have super dry skin, you can first try glycerin on its own. If you need more moisturizing, add a few drops of a body oil (you don't need a lot), or apply a moisturizer or body lotion on top of the glycerin.

Can you put 100% glycerin on your face? ›

Is Glycerin Good for Your Skin & Face? Glycerin can help moisturize and protect the skin. But, on the face, it may dehydrate and cause blistering, especially if undiluted. Only use glycerin-containing products like soaps or lotions, and stop if irritation occurs.

What happens if we directly apply glycerin on face? ›

You can use glycerin as a moisturizer but keep in mind that using only glycerin on the face might not be a good idea because it is thick. It attracts dust which may lead to acne and pimples. You should always dilute it. You can dilute it with water or a little bit of rose water before applying it to the face.

How do you make hyaluronic acid with glycerin? ›

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  1. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 teaspoon of hyaluronic acid powder (approx. ...
  2. In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
  3. Add the hyaluronic acid mixture to the glycerin mixture and stir well.
Jun 23, 2023

Who should not use glycerin on face? ›

If your skin doesn't experience any allergic reactions, it's safe to be applied onto your face. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to not use glycerin directly on your skin. Always dilute it. Glycerin can cause sun sensitivity.

Can I mix glycerin with Vaseline? ›

The glycerin pulls moisture to the area of dryness while the micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly lock in moisture allowing your skin's natural moisturizing factors to fight the dryness at the source. The combination of these two moisturizing ingredients work hand-in-hand to rejuvenate dry, itchy skin.

When should you not use glycerin? ›

When to avoid using products containing glycerin? If the atmosphere is drier than your hair, the air will draw moisture from your hair, to help balance the moisture in the atmosphere. This is usually in dry climates with low humidity and dew points, and you should avoid using products that contain glycerin.

What percentage of glycerin is good for face? ›

However, those prone to acne should use glycerin sparingly and cautiously, since a heavy hand can leave the skin feeling greasy. Most products contain glycerin at 5 to 10 percent. Concentrations under 50 percent allow glycerin to exhibit emollient properties, which help soften the skin.

What happens if you use too much glycerine? ›

When ingested, vegetable glycerin may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and excessive thirst in some people (13). Since glycerin is a form of sugar alcohol that your body cannot fully absorb, consuming too much — either alone or through foods — may also lead to gas and diarrhea.

Can I mix coconut oil with glycerin for face? ›

Yes, you can use a combination of coconut oil and glycerin overnight, but it's essential to be mindful of your skin type. While coconut oil has moisturizing and antibacterial properties, and glycerin helps attract and retain moisture, both can be comedogenic for some individuals, potentially leading to clogged pores.

What is glycerin ingredients in lotion? ›

What Is Glycerin Used For? In skincare, glycerin's most popular use is as a humectant. Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that work by drawing water from the atmosphere to hydrate and soften the skin (other well-known humectants include hyaluronic acid and d-panthenol).

What does glycerin do in body lotion? ›

Glycerin is a humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper levels of your skin and the air. In skin care products, glycerin is commonly used with occlusives, another type of moisturizing agent, to trap the moisture it draws into the skin.

What percentage of glycerin is in lotion? ›

For this reason, glycerin and humectants are typically used in concentrations of 5% or less and always combined with other ingredients to soften skin. In fact, glycerin combined with other emollients and/or oils is a fundamental cornerstone of most moisturizers.

Can I mix glycerin and coconut oil? ›

Yes, you can use a combination of coconut oil and glycerin overnight, but it's essential to be mindful of your skin type. While coconut oil has moisturizing and antibacterial properties, and glycerin helps attract and retain moisture, both can be comedogenic for some individuals, potentially leading to clogged pores.

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