All-Over Body Oil
As part of my quest to replace all of my store-bought skin care products with me-made versions this year, one of the items on my list to make was an all-over body oil. My skin can be quite dry, especially in the colder months, so keeping it moisturized is necessary. As much as I enjoy working with lotions and creams (and am formulating plenty of them these days), I also really love anhydrous products that do not require the use of preservatives to keep them shelf stable.
This body oil recipe has become my favorite formula as an all-purpose, all-over body oil. For best results, I recommend massaging it into the skin after you have just showered and toweled dry. This will help it to absorb quickly and easily so that you are not left with greasy residue on your skin. (I have been using this trick for over 10 years now – sharing it publicly for almost as many - and have found that it is the best way to keep that greasy feeling away! It seems to be catching on, too, as I have noticed that other people have started recommending it too. It seems so simple but it really does work!)
Ingredients:
4 ounces of sunflower oil (optional: infuse it with calendula or rose first)
2 ounces of tamanu oil
1 ounce of jojoba
½ ounce of sweet almond oil
½ ounce of macadamia nut oil
Click here to watch a video about this recipe.
Instructions:
Combine your carrier oils in an 8-ounce glass bottle with a pump or dropper. Secure the lid of the bottle, then shake well for a minute or so to mix the ingredients together. Store the bottle in an area where it will not be exposed to light, heat or excess moisture.
Massage a small amount into the skin after showering and toweling dry for best results. Wait to put on clothes until after the oil has soaked into the skin to avoid staining fabric. This blend absorbs very quickly, so you will not have to wait long.
Note: I have chosen to leave essential oils out of this recipe because I find them unnecessary, but you could add additional scent to this product by using an herb-infused sunflower seed oil in place of the plain sunflower seed oil (the herb would need to be an aromatic one). Alternatively, you could also add essential oil to your own version. I would recommend a 1-2% total dilution rate for adult use (individual essential oils you choose may require lower dilution rates depending on their safety profiles). A 1-2% dilution rate in 8 ounces of carrier oil would equal about 40 to 96 total drops of essential oil.
Discontinue use if any redness, sensitivity or adverse reaction occurs. Swap out the nut-based carrier oils with carrier oils you know your body can tolerate if you have a known allergy to nuts.
This product is formulated for external use by responsible adults. When formulated without the essential oils, it can also be safe for topical use by children and teens.
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Erin - the main instructor here at Floranella. I am a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and organic gardener based in the Pacific Northwest. Here at Floranella, I teach people how to work with plants safely and effectively from the garden to the still to the apothecary. Thanks for being here! I’m glad you stopped by.
