You probably have been in the pumpkin spice spirit for a good two months already… fall inspires it in us all. While I’m not personally a fan of the pumpkin spice latte (although I know many of you will think I’m insane) I still love the smell and taste of pumpkin spice. It’s a brilliant blend of spices. And now that smell has become synonymous with autumn.
Well I was inspired to make an all natural pumpkin spice lotion last week. The idea popped in my head when I was trying to think of a new body lotion to put on the site, because I’ve only made one other lotion: my cocoa butter body lotion. And I just knew it was going to be amazing.
I also had fun experimenting with natural colorants for this recipe. This lotion has a nice orange tint to it- courtesy of paprika. Simple and effective- I love it!
So not only is the lotion all natural, has a nice orange hue, and smells like pumpkin spice. What’s not to love?
All the ingredients are great, healthy, and natural. Here is the benefit of each:
- Cocoa butter: high in antioxidants, great emollient (prevents loss of moisture), high concentrations of nutrients our skin needs
- Almond Oil: deep moisturizer, soothes irritation
- Coconut Oil: moisturizes skin more efficiently than water or petroleum based lotions, naturally antibacterial, full of antioxidants and nutrients your skin needs
- Beeswax: locks in moisture, protects skin against damaging elements, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory
- Paprika: gives lotion orange color
- Essential oils (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and clove): For scent, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory
And here is how you make it:
Ingredients:
- heaping 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons almond oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon beeswax
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 7 drops ginger essential oil
- 5 drops nutmeg essential oil
- 2 drops allspice essential oil
- 2 drops clove essential oil
Directions:
- Mix cocoa butter, coconut oil, almond oil, and beeswax and put over a double boiler (a makeshift double boiler of a pot placed on top of a pot of water works well- that’s what I use). Stir until all ingredients are melted and well combined.
- Once ingredients are all melted, add paprika. If you want a brighter color, you can add more. Let paprika seep and give color for about 10 minutes.
- All the paprika may not dissolve. If that is the case, pour the melted lotion into a mixing bowl and stop before you pour the undissolved paprika in the bowl, leaving it in the pot. The paprika is heavier than the oils so this should be easy.
- Place mixing bowl in the fridge.
- When the lotion is almost solid, but not completely solid, remove it from the fridge. Add the essential oils and whip up with a handheld mixer for about a minute. If you aren’t satisfied with the texture of the lotion, you can let it get closer to room temperature so it will be easier to whip.
- Transfer into a jar with a tight fitting lid, and use as you would any body lotion. And try to resist eating!
I am so happy with this lotion. When I showed it to Lars he got super excited and pretty much tried to steal it from me. I wish I had taped his reaction. This stuff is really that good.
I mean just look at it.
So creamy and luxurious. I’m really getting the hang of these homemade beauty products. I don’t feel like a beginner anymore. And it’s pretty exciting. That being said- this one is so easy to make that it’s fine if you are a beginner.
Can’t you smell it already?
The best part about this lotion- you can use it year round! When you’re missing fall, just put a little on and you’ll be dreaming of crunchy leaves and sweaters. It’s truly lovely.
Let me know how making pumpkin spice lotion goes for you!
yara says
I wanna eat it!!!
Susie says
Me too! The smell is so amazing.
Maria says
Do you think you can put it in a pump bottle?
Susie says
No, it’s very thick. More like a body butter.
Maria says
Thank you!
Jalynn says
Any possible way I could make it thinner to be able to put it in a pump bottle? I really want the consistency of a lotion rather than a butter if possible. Thanks!
Susie says
I wish I could say there was a quick easy way to do it but you would have to change the recipe entirely. You would want to add water based ingredients which then requires using an emulsifier and an entirely different and more difficult process. You could always look up a basic lotion recipe and simply use the same blend of essential oils to get the scent.
Megan says
How long approximately do you leave in the fridge before adding EOs and whipping up? My batch did not fluff at all and is like a thick goopy orange blob….
Susie says
About 20 minutes on average. It might depend on your fridge, but 15-20 minutes does the trick for me.
Stephanie says
Will it make a big difference if I use regular spices instead of the oils? LOL I bet is seem stupid but I don’t have any oils. Thanks!
Susie says
The smell will be much more subtle with actual spices rather than essential oils which are concentrated
Alicia VanDuyn says
Could you tell me where you buy your ingredients? Especially the bees wax, essential oils, almond oil, and cocoa butter. Also can you explain in more detail what we do if the paprika doesn’t dissolve? Thank you so much!
Susie says
Hi Alicia- There are links to the ingredient sources in the article. In the section where it lists the benefits of each ingredient, just click the name of any ingredient and it will take you there. If the paprika doesn’t completely dissolve, make sure you let it settle to the bottom of the pot. When pouring into a mixing bowl, go very slowly. The paprika should stay settled at the bottom. Continue to pour slowly, and use a spatula if you like. Before adding the oil and paprika mixed together (from the bottom of the pot), stop pouring, and dispose of the extra oil that contains the paprika.
Alecia says
How much does this recipe yield?! Thank you !
Susie says
About 4 ounces
Kaitlyn says
About how long does it keep before spoiling ?
Susie says
On the safe side I would say 2-4 months but mine has lasted much longer. With just oils and beeswax it should be pretty stable if you avoid contamination and store it well.
Judi says
Would you please tell me how much you sell this for on etsy? I checked and do not see any listed. Not sure I want to try and make this, since I would have to buy all of the ingredients, but I am pretty certain I will love the smell!!
Susie says
I’m so sorry, that’s an outdated link and I no longer sell it. I will remove it from the post.
Melissa says
Do you use refined cocoa butter or does the chocolate smell of natural cocoa butter add nicely to this?
Susie says
Up to you!