Light aloe & green tea day lotion
A true water-based lotion that soaks in under makeup.
Most 'natural' recipes are oil-only balms. This one is a proper emulsion — water phase plus oil phase joined with a plant-derived wax — so it feels like a real lotion. Because it contains water it needs a preservative; we use a broad-spectrum, ECOCERT-approved one you can buy in Australia.
Method
- 1
Sanitise everything with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it air-dry. This is the step that decides whether your lotion lasts.
- 2
Water phase: combine distilled water, aloe, green tea and glycerine in one jug. Oil phase: jojoba, almond and emulsifying wax in the other.
- 3
Heat both jugs in a water bath to 70–75 °C and hold for 15 minutes (this also sanitises the phases).
- 4
Pour the water phase into the oil phase in a thin stream while blending with the stick blender. It will turn milky and thicken.
- 5
Blend in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until cooled to about 40 °C.
- 6
Add preservative at the rate on its label, blend once more, and bottle.
How to use
- One to two pumps morning and night on clean skin.
- Layer sunscreen on top during the day.
Tips
- Label the bottle with the date made. Discard if it separates, smells off or changes colour.
Safety
- Do not skip the preservative if you want to keep it outside the fridge for more than a few days.
- Patch-test first.