Homemade Scented Body Lotion, Body Spray, Bath and Shower Gel

For special gift giving occasions such as birthdays, and holidays consider making lotions, sprays and shower gels to add to gift baskets. Be creative with a little food coloring (or leave it white), add a homemade Christmas label or hangtag and some sparkling ribbon, a candle, book, movie and other things you can think of. Family and friends will love something you have made with your own hands and you will enjoy giving your gift even more knowing how much money you saved along the way.

My mother complains of having hot feet most of the time. So I thought why not just whip up some shower gel and body lotion using a peppermint fragrance oil (skin safe of course). Add these to a small basket along with a loofah, and some other feet essentials such as a pair of flip flops and maybe even a toe-ring for a younger person would make a nice gift. Sure to give them "cold feet' so probably not the best gift to be giving any engaged person, if you know what I mean.

Here is a list of some of the fragrance oils I've used when making my lotions and shower/bath gels. (Some are Bath and Body Works types)

Cucumber Melon
Summer Breeze
Lavender Vanilla
Frosted Snow Drops (B & B)
Cool Citrus Basil
Cleopatra (B & B)
Raspberry Blossom

Maybe the men in your life don't like lotions but you can still make the body sprays and shower/bath gels for them in a manly fragrance. Choose the fragrance you like best from something cool and crisp to something more woodsy or spicy.

If you are looking for some 'clean' and simple fun ideas for the kids to make, you might like to try the body lotion and bath gel. You can omit the fragrance oils and just make colored lotion (or leave it white) and do the same with the shower/bath gel. Either way it can still be fun for the kids.

If you have one of those kids (usually boys) who gives you trouble when it comes bath time this could be just the trick to get them excited about taking a bath! The girls will have fun making thier own lotion. *Age appropriate and with adult supervision***

1. Lotion Base (unscented), Body Spray

2. Shower/Bath Gel Base (unscented)

3. Skin Safe Fragrance/Essential Oils

4. Bottles/lids (for packaging)

5. Food coloring (if you want to add a little color - optional)

6. Labels (these will be what you make and use for labeling the product with the name of the fragrance and design of your choice.
*Warning labels for skin irritation and ingredients can be purchased already printed from the website I have stated below)

7. Large glass or plastic bowl for mixing (not to be used for food afterwards)

8. Metal spoon or rubber spatula (not to be used for food afterwards)

9. Kitchen funnel

*** Lotion, Body spray and Shower/Bath Gel bases are sold by the Gallon ***

Begin the mixing process by pouring the amount of lotion, spray or shower gel base into the mixing bowl, add the measured amount of fragrance oil and/or food coloring (optional). Blending well with spoon or spatula. Using the funnel pour your product into bottles. It works best to label your bottles after they are filled to avoid smearing the labels in case of overfilling.

Aroma Haven & Rustic Escentuals has many skin safe fragrance oils to choose from for women, children and men. You can purchase sample sizes of all thier fragrance oils. A great way to get started before making larger quantities.

*** NEVER put fragrance oil directly on the skin. Skin safe oils are SAFE ONLY when mixed with skin products such as soap, lotion or shower/gel. It may cause irritation if direct contact is made with the skin. .

*** The suggested amount of fragrance oil to use per gallon of base (lotion, spray or shower/bath gel) is 1% -3%. Make sure the fragrance oil you chose is 'skin safe'. Although you can use up to 3% on the fragrance its suggested to use the smallest amount possible to avoid skin irritation and to keep from making your lotion or gel too thin or watery. If you choose to add color to your products using the food coloring, go easy on how many drops you use. Remember any liquid added to the lotion base or shower gel base will thin them and its been my experience it will make your finished product not be as good.

* Some fragrance oils will cause the lotion base to turn from white to a light tan (i.e., Vanilla) This happens gradually over time but does not affect the product in anyway except for the color.

I purchased all of my ingredients; lotion base, body spray, shower/bath gel base, bottles/lids, including warning labels, on line from Aroma Haven & Rustic Escentuals. Not only do they have great products but they also give great customer service. They will gladly answer any questions you have about using their products.

*** Remember the utensils, etc. should not be used for regular kitchen use after working with fragrance oils.

1. Be sure when giving or selling your homemade products to have each item labeled with ingredients and possible skin irritation warnings.

2. For filling your bottles, try using a food storage bag with one bottom corner snipped to squeeze the gel and/or lotion into the bottle.

3. By using a label making program already on your computer and printer, you can easily design your own labels to add that special touch to your products.

4. When giving your finished products for gifts try personalizing the bottles by putting the person's name directly on the labels.

5. Be sure to use 'skin safe' fragrance oils.

6. When using food coloring, you only want to use enough to color your products without making them to thin. Your end results will be pastel colors.