This homemade lotion recipe is one of my favorites.  It has an incredibly luscious smell, it is safe to taste and tastes delicious, and is very simple to make.  This Coconut Balm homemade lotion will melt right into your skin and you can use it head to toe, year-round.

Recommended:  For any skin type with the exception of oily or combination skin.
Usage:  Can be used daily or as desired.
Time to make:  Takes around twenty minutes to prepare and two hours to solidify.
Tools needed to blend:  Just a small spoon
Store finished product:  In a glass or plastic jar (if the weather is cool) or a plastic squeeze bottle if the temperature is above seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit.
Makes:  Around one-half cup.

Ingredients:

Seven tablespoons of coconut base oil that is unrefined, extra-virgin.
One tablespoon of cocoa butter
Forty drops of sweet orange essential oil or vanilla (this is optional)

Over low heat in a small pan (or in a double boiler) warm the coconut oil and cocoa butter until the butter is just melted.  Remove from the head and let stand for 15 minutes.  Then add the essential oil or vanilla and stir to blend.  Pour the homemade lotion into a storage container and put a lid on.  Allow the lotion to sit for two hours.

Note:  If the temperature of the area in which you store your lotion is above seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit the lotion will maintain a liquid consistency.  The reason for this is that coconut oil will turn from a solid to a liquid at seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit.  If the temperature is below seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit the lotion will become firm.

Also remember that coconut oil and cocoa butter will melt on contact with the skin.

You are not required to refrigerate the lotion.  For maximum effectiveness and freshness you should use the lotion within a year.

Tips for using your new homemade lotion:  Use immediately following a shower or bath while your skin is still damp and massage it in.  This lotion is very concentrated so to start with you should only use one teaspoon at a time.

Share this homemade lotion recipe with your friends and family, or even better yet, make a big batch of it and give it out as gifts (people absolutely love this lotion).