Homemade Rose Lotion Recipe

By Jamie
February 8, 2016

Homemade rose lotion recipe - The Herbal Spoon

I’ve been in love with everything rose lately. I’ve been drinking rose tea, inhaling rose essential oil and I just made a rose hydrosol. I decided to put that rose hydrosol to good use and make this rose lotion recipe.

I’ve been hesitant to make a lotion for the longest time since I was afraid of messing it up. One of the first lessons you learn in science class is that oil and water don’t mix, so getting them to combine in a lotion can be a bit tricky. With a good mixer or blender though and a little bit of patience it’s totally doable.

I’ve made mint chocolate whipped body butter before that I love, but sometimes I just need something a little lighter. And while mint chocolate smells divine, sometimes it’s the subtle scents that draw you in. There’s something just so delicate and uplifting about rose.

Unwind and relax with rose

I’ve been super stressed these past few weeks and I’ve really been drawn to rose lately. Dandelions are usually more my thing. I never really liked the prim and proper rose, a flower that was coddled and probably went to the country club for luncheon. Weeds and wildflowers appeal to my intrinsic free spirit, so I was surprised to find my attraction to rose.

Roses are used to balance and strengthen the heart and help reduce feelings of anxiousness and inadequacy.  They are an anti-depressant and a nervine to combat stressful situations. So it makes sense that I would be drawn to rose right now. (source)

“Not only does it enhanced moods, decrease depression, induce sleep, decrease anxiety, and provide some pain relief, but it has also shown anticonvulsant activity and stimulation of nerve growth in dementia patients as well!” – source

I’ve been enjoying using this rose lotion recipe as a full body lotion on my thirsty winter skin. As I rub it in, I think positive, affirming thoughts and inhale the relaxing aroma.

You can buy rose hydrosol for this or make your own. Here’s the tutorial I followed to make my hydrosol. You’ll want to store this in the fridge and use it up in a few days for best results. You can find the lings to where I get my ingredients in the recipe list below, including the scale that I love.

Preserving your lotion

Since this is a lotion, you’ll need something to help extend the shelf life. Even though it’s only for home use, I added vitamin E at .5% for its antioxidant properties that help keep the oils from going rancid. You could also use rosemary antioxidant, though I don’t personally have experience with it. Be sure to store your creation in a cool place!

Given the known toxicity of many broad spectrum preservatives, I’ve chosen not to use them in my homemade products. From what I’ve been told by skincare professionals, adding a preservative does not guarantee it’s in the correct amounts to prevent microbe growth. The only way to be sure is to send the product in for professional lab testing, which most of us don’t have the funds to do.

By using an already preserved hydrosol that typically has a shelf life of 12-18 months, storing this in the fridge, and/or using it up within 2-3 months there really isn’t a concern for microbial growth. If this is meant as a gift, then be sure the recipient knows this information as well.

If you’re just uncomfortable with this idea and prefer to use a preservative, then you can find one online and follow the manufacturers directions for that particular preservative. Keep in mind though that this doesn’t guarantee the product will be as immune to microbe growth as products on store shelves. These have to go through multiple rounds of stability testing.

Homemade rose lotion recipe - The Herbal Spoon

Homemade Rose Lotion Recipe

  1. In a small saucepan combine the coconut oil, sweet almond oil and beeswax. I place the saucepan on my scale and hit the tare button then add my ingredients, hitting tare after each one for easy measuring.
  2. Heat the oils and beeswax over super low heat, as low as it will go. Once it’s completely melted pour the oils into your blender or stand mixer bowl. I used my stand mixer.
  3. Add the vitamin E and essential oils at this point, don’t worry about stirring it in. Pop this in the fridge for about 15 minutes, or until it’s thickened and creamy looking. Don’t let it get solid though.
  4. In a glass measuring cup with a spout, combine the glycerin and water or hydrosol.
  5. If you’re using a mixer, use the whisk attachment and begin to whip the oil mixture on the highest speed. Slooooowly drizzle in the water mixture. You want a very thin stream so you don’t break the emulsion. Continue whipping until it’s thoroughly combined, about 1 minute after adding the water. You’ll want to scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times and mix some more.
  6. If you’re using a blender, turn it on high and then slowly drizzle the water mixture into the middle of the vortex. Blend for 30 more seconds after you’ve added all the water.
  7. Store at room temperature or in the fridge in clean glass jars.
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Join the Conversation

  1. This sounds delightful!!! Thank you for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth!

  2. Hi Jamie,
    I just hopped by from Let’s Get Real to check out your Homemade Rose Lotion recipe and I am so glad I did. I have been reading about the benefits of rose oil. I use DIY natural products for my own personal care so this lotion is perfect for my needs. I can’t wait to make it.

  3. Thank you for sharing this healthy and natural DIY homemade rose lotion at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing this!

  4. Nothing smells better or is more relaxing than rose! <3 Thanks so much for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party! We hope to see you back tonight!

  5. Hi Jamie – Oh, I bet this smells and feels so fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party.

  6. Sounds fancy. 😉 Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays!

  7. This will be my featured post at this week’s Let’s Get Real party.

    1. jamie Author says:

      Thanks for the feature!

  8. O My! This must smell divine. Thanks for sharing at Simply Natural Saturdays.

  9. I’m investigating more homemade personal care products and am delighted to find this recipe. Thanks!
    Blessings, Leigh

  10. I’ve been stressed the past few weeks as well. An exam at work, the baby’s not sleeping, and the lack of good hiking or outdoors weather is getting to me. I’ll have to find some rose essential oils. Thank you for sharing with the Homestead Blog Hop! Hope to see you again next Wednesday.

  11. This is such a lovely way to enjoy roses! Thank you for sharing.

  12. I look forward to making. There is one thing I must point out though, the link for almond oil connects to a company that charges 50 bucks for a 16. ounce bottle of almond oil–no matter how fair, I do feel that’s a turn-ff to the average person trying to make better choices about products they use and support. The average person cannot afford to shell out 50 bucks for such an item.
    I will make the lotion. I, in fact, have saved this post for months and look forward to it; Only with the cheapest, best quality products I could find.
    Thank you for sharing. <3

    1. jamie Author says:

      Hi Ree, thanks for pointing that out. They must have changed the price since I linked to it awhile ago. It’s tough though since conventional almonds are one of the most sprayed crops and are a huge contributor to bee and colony deaths. However I’d be interested to know if you find some more reasonably priced organic almond oil!

      1. Hi Again,

        I found an organic 16. ounce bottle at Whole Foods. I look forward to making this for Mother’s day gifts. I agree with you wholly, we must support products and practices that protect our already threatened bee population.
        I also wonder in the future if you could recommend something like an organic hemp oil in place of almond oil? I know I could get that cheaper. I also know it’s not as stable as almond oil and might require refrigeration of the lotion.

        Thanks so much.

  13. I forgot to add, it was 18 dollars for the almond oil.

    1. Sorry to add again. There are a few on Amazon cheaper claiming to be organic, but I am not familiar with the companies.

      1. jamie Author says:

        I haven’t had luck with Amazon since I’ve seen several companies claim they’re organic, but don’t have the certification to back it up. it sounds like the one you found at Whole Foods is a great option for those who have one nearby! Ours nearest Whole Foods is 1 hour and 15 minutes away though so that’s why I rely on online purchases so much :/

  14. Thank you for the recipe. I am finding here in FL I have to put these types of recipes back in the fridge a day or two later to whip it up as it gets liquidy, it is cool in the house but I think the humidity makes it form a little liquid on top. I love the smell made some for my mom and me. Thanks again.

  15. This was from several years back, so you may not get this comment. If you do, could you tell me if you would have any suggestions about making this without a scale? I can’t spend the money on a scale right now, but I would like to make the cream. I don’t want to waste the ingredients by winging it. Thanks so much.

    1. jamie Author says:

      Hi Sallie, Since all the measurements are by weight this won’t translate to a volume measurement. I wouldn’t wing it since lotions require more precision, but maybe its one to come back to once you have a scale. Or maybe there’s a site where you could calculate the volume of the ingredients based on the weights given? Sorry I can’t be of more help!

  16. Crystal Wright says:

    Hey! Have you had any problems with the water separating? I’ve done so many similar batches but the water always separates after just a few hours. 🙁 I pour the water in extremely slowly so I know it’s not that. I’m afraid to try this recipe for fear I’ll spoil another batch. Any advice would help. Thank you!

    1. jamie Author says:

      Have you had issues with this specific recipe or just other lotions? If the emulsion is breaking and you’re doing it slow it could be because you’re adding too much water and don’t have enough oils and wax. Adding some emulsifying wax in the oil melting stage can also help. Some recipes add oil to the water phase but the trick is to instead add the water to the oil phase. Personally I haven’t had issues with this recipe.

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