Itchy winter skin! What in the world is going on here??? I never had dry skin until I hit my 50s and every year about this time, it rears its ugly head again. Especially my hands. I told my sister-in-law about it over the holidays, and she told me about this recipe that her Doctor recommended. It’s a DIY body lotion recipe with 3 simple Dollar Store ingredients. So, I thought, what do I have to lose? I’m a simple gal and don’t use those fancy designer lotion brands anyway.
This post contains a few affiliate links to help you find the products I use. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make will be used for more amazing DIY projects to share with you! To see my full disclaimer, click here!
The BEST Body Lotion Recipe For Winter Skin
And Gosh, am I glad I did! I love it so much that I made a batch for my Mom, and I plan to give it as a gift to my mature friends. 😉 Here is what’ll you’ll need to make your own DIY body lotion. I got my supplies from the Dollar Store, but you can pick these items up almost anywhere. Even Amazon and have them shipped right to your front door.
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
- Baby Lotion 27.1 FL OZ (I like Johnson & Johnson) It’s the smell… 😊
- Vaseline Petroleum Jelly 3.75 OZ (any brand will work)
- Vitamin E Lotion 4 OZ (I like Fruit Of The Earth)
- Zip Lock Bag 1-2 gallon
- Scissors
- Gift Containers (optional)
Easy Mix – Body Lotion Recipe
Start with adding the whole bottle of baby lotion into the zip lock bag. Yep, we’re mixing it right in the bag. Easy peasy! The pump top will twist off with a good tug. Squeeze all of the lotions out and save the container. We’ll need that to replace the body lotion once it’s mixed and the other containers.
Next, add Vaseline and Vitamin E cream. Now comes the fun part, unless your hands have arthritis—time to call in the grandkids. Seal the zip lock bag closed and make sure it’s sealed tightly, or you’ll have a lotion explosion. 🤣 And you know the rest of that story. Now, this can take some time to mix the 3 dollar store ingredients. Squeeze, squeeze, and squeeze the body lotion recipe mixture in the baggy with your hands until it is thoroughly mixed. You will see chunks of petroleum jelly, but it will mix eventually. I thought about using my electric kitchen mixer, but then I thought about the clean-up. Let me know if you try it.
Easy Refill – Reusable Containers
This is genius, I tell you! Not my idea, but it works. After your body lotion recipe has been thoroughly mixed, use a pair of scissors and snip off about 1/4 inch of the end of the baggy. Just enough to allow the tip to fit inside the baby lotion bottle. This will allow easy refill of the containers you already have on hand. Just squeeze it out of the baggy and back into the containers. I like to reuse the containers, but you don’t have to.
Gift Idea – DIY Body Lotion Recipe PDF
I found these containers on Amazon and filled them with my amazing new lotion. Add a cute label and include the recipe for a quick and thoughtful gift for your friends and family. CLICK HERE to get the downloadable PDF to share with others.
TIP: I like to apply this body lotion recipe right after I get out of the shower. Apply immediately to arms, legs, and feet for the best results. I thought at first that the petroleum would be greasy, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not.
This may not be not my normal DIY project, but I just thought you might need this as much as I do. These (our hands) are the tools of our trade, and we must take care of them.
Endeavor to lead a quiet life and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Until the next project… xo, Do
If arthritic, replace Vaseline with CBD balm
Great tip. Judie. I’ll have to try that. 🙂
What a great idea. I just may have to try this.
Thank you!
Hi Dawn, You’re welcome. 🙂
I have made this lotion, but warmed it up in a pan or you can warm up in a microwave oven to blend the ingredients.
Great idea! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
I have seen many recipes for lotion, but this one seems to be the easiest one to make. Thanks for sharing. I have dry skin, especially my legs, so I am going to give this a try!!!
Hi Sue, That’s is why I tried. It is super easy. Let me know how you like it. Happy New Year! 🙂 xo
I’ve been making this lotion for years. I use a designated hand mixer. It’s the best stuff going.
Hi Eva, I can see why. Love this stuff and I’ll try the mixer on the next batch. 🙂 xo
I’ve received this lotion as a gift. It’s very soothing to my hands. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Do. Blessings!
You’re welcome, Sue! Blessings and Happy New Year. 🙂
Hi Donna
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome idea.
I have so many different body lotions and hand creams now but I am going to give this potion of yours a try.
I found that with dry cracked heels, I massage Vaseline on after, more or less ‘sanding” off my heels with my pumice roller, which works the best for me. My heels are so soft and feels so good.
Take care.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful “Happy New Year”
Hugs from us here
xo
Hi Brenda, I think vaseline is the secret ingredient. Let me know how you like it. 🙂
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! 🙂
You’ve been reading my mind. I live in a desert area, that has almost NO humidity! My hands have been so dry with all the washing and sanitizer. I have tried most of lotions on the market, to no avail. This is something I am going to make as soon as I can get into town and get the vitamin E! Thank you for sharing! You were right! I’ll bet there are a lot of us having this problem! (It’s kind of funny, but it’s supposed to snow today! So, we will finally have some moisture, hopefully, in the air!) Thanks again, Do! Perfect post, perfect timing!
Hi Marilyn, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how good it works for dry skin. I like to apply it all over after my shower. It’s the best I’ve found and easy to make. Let me know if you like it. 🙂 xo
I was thinking of adding some coconut oil?
That sounds like a great idea. Maybe use coconut oil in place of the petroleum jelly? 🙂
Oh Do your timing is perfect. Dry itchy skin is running rampant in this household. Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year!!!
Oh, my goodness! Ours too. I just know you’re going to love this recipe. Happy New Year my friend! xo, Do
I have been making and gifting this lotion for several years. Its the BEST! I have skin psoriasis and its the only lotion that helps my elbows. I use a little hand mixer and it comes out so smooth and creamy. Thanks for posting…..Happy New Year
Thanks for the tip, Shawna! I’m sold on it. My skin has never felt better. Happy New Year!
Do, what a great item. I suffer terribly from dry skin during the winter months. I will have to make some.
Hey Tammy! I think you’re going to love this recipe. I’ve never found anything on the shelf that compares. 🙂
Thank you Do! Love this post. Making some ASAP! And thank you Debra Robinson for the hearing it up idea! Genius. A spatula gets every last drop.
Hi Jackie! So glad you enjoyed this post. I think you’ll love the feel of your skin after using this. Let me know. 🙂 xo
It’s the Vaseline that is the warrior here. Any lotion or cream that claims to be super moisturizing or for extra dry skin has some petrolatum jelly (aka Vaseline) as one of their ingredients.
I love the baby lotion and vitamin E and I’m going to have to make this.mi used to look for “creamy Vaseline” in the baby section at the dollar store but I can’t always find it.
Thank you for sharing.
Oh, Linda! You’re going to love this recipe. And you are 100% correct. The vaseline is the warrior and the baby lotion adds just the right scent. Let me know if you try it. 🙂 xo
Donna, Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for this recipe and I’m definitely going to make it. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you, Lori! We did have an amazing Thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours and Merry Christmas. 🙂 xo
Do, Thanks so much for the recipe. My skin could use some help in the cold, dry Minnesota weather.
Hi Joanne! Dry itchy skin is miserable and ain’t nobody got time for that. I think you’ll love it as much as I do. Let me know what you think. xo 🙂
I love this lotion! I have Graves Disease (thyroid issue) and dry skin is and ongoing problem,especially in the winter. This beats all the lotions I’ve tried. Thank you for sharing. 😊
Yes, It’s the best I’ve tried as well. There’s nothing worse than dry itchy skin in the winter.
Such a great gift idea Do! I have made a similar homemade lotion for a few years – yes, since I entered y 50’s!! Thanks for the recipe! Pinning!
You’re welcome! The 50’s… I wonder what happens in the 60s? LOL
Hi Do, I made this in my stand mixer. No mess and easy clean up! I love this. Not greasy and works really well for my dry, winter skin. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I swear it’s like magic, Jackie! I’m so happy you like it, and I will try using a mixer with my next batch. Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas! 🙂 xo
I have the driest skin and can’t go without lotion after a shower, ever! I’ll have to try your recipe, it’s seems very moisturizing.
Thanks xo
I really like it, wendy, but it may not be vegan. You’ll have to check the ingredients.
Ok, back with my results. I made this shortly after commenting earlier. I used my stand mixer. It cleaned up super easy after help from my trusty spatula. This. stuff. is. life. changing. I have super dry skin on my legs and arms, especially in the winter. I went one step further and bought a EcoTools dry body brush at walmart. $5.
I used that first, then shower, then your lotion. OMG I DON’T HAVE FLAKY SKIN ANYMORE. AT ALL! It’s soft, smooth and supple. I’m 66. Never have I found a better lotion. I know I’m ranting like a crazy person, but I am very serious when I say it is life-changing. Non-greasy, lightly scented, and I am forever grateful Do!
GIRL! I HEAR YOU! I felt the same way after I tried it. I’m beyond happy to hear that this has helped you too. It’s the little things in life that. Especially as we mature. 🙂 xo
Do you think you could use it on your face? Maybe just at night. I’ll give it a try.
Hi Teri! I do and I have had no issues. I would test it out at night using a wee bit at first. If it’s good enough for a baby’s bottom, surely our face will be okay.
Hi Donna! Going to run and get the ingredients. When I have dry skin and it starts to itch and I start to scratch , well, you know what happens to our skin at the age of 58 when you scratch. Your skins tears. Ugh. Getting old is not for sissies for sure. Thank you for sharing.
I hear you, Cheryl! We 59-year-olds need to take good care of what we have left. So many projects and so little time. 🙂 xo