Aromatherapy DIY: Soap, Candles, and Moisturizer

By Stephanie C.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making something using Essential Oils? Whether it’s to save money or to create thoughtful handmade gifts for your friends and family, we at Amrita are here to help.

You might enjoy making soaps, candles, or your own moisturizers and adding your favorite Essential Oils to them. There are lots of recipes online you can try.

For most of the Essential Oils, Amrita provides a helpful “Blends With” tab that shows which other Essential Oils each one pairs well with. You’ll also find plenty of recipe suggestions in our “Blend This With This…” section.

Why Make Your Own Moisturizer?

Did you know that many store-bought moisturizers, even natural, scent-free ones, contain mineral oils or synthetic preservatives derived from mineral oil? These harsh chemicals aren’t absorbed well by your skin and can clog your pores. Since they’re mineral-based, they may also contain toxic trace elements. If you want to avoid exposing your skin to these substances, making your own moisturizer might be a good option.

Amrita’s moisturizers don’t contain mineral oils. You might already be using Amrita’s Chamomile Facial Cream, which is great for sensitive skin and contains Helichrysum, or our Myrrh Facial Cream, which is wonderful for mature skin. But, if you need something you can use in larger quantities, especially if your skin specialist has told you to moisturize your skin daily, then making your own may be the way to go! You could also use one of Amrita’s Body Oil blends, but if your skin is very dry, you might find you need something even richer.

Try picking up some Organic Jojoba Oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, then melt them together using a double boiler setup (a small saucepan inside a larger one works just fine). Mix in some Essential Oils, and you’ll have your own custom moisturizer. Jojoba is actually a liquid wax, not a traditional oil, which helps lock in moisture—perfect for dry skin.

Which Essential Oils Are Good for Dry, Aging Skin?

Carrot Seed Essential Oil is a great option as it is rejuvenating and works well for aging skin. However, its scent isn’t for everyone. While it’s fine for use on your face at night, using it all over your body might not be so pleasant. Instead, consider Organic Rose Geranium. It’s known for its skin benefits, especially for dry skin and wrinkles, and has a wonderful scent. If your mother ever grew it in the garden, you might remember how lovely its leaves smell when crushed. The Essential Oil is steam-distilled from the leaves.

You could also add Palmarosa Essential Oil for its sweet, rosy scent and moisturizing properties. Jasmine Essential Oil is another great addition as it’s good for dry skin and smells divine. If you grew up with Jasmine nearby, you may recall how its delicate fragrance drifted through open windows in the summer. This blend isn’t just great for your skin; it also makes a lovely gift.

What Can You Do with What You Make?

Some people choose to sell their handmade creations. Maybe you’ve seen someone like your hairdresser start making soaps or candles as a side hustle. You might even consider giving your creations as gifts, like a beautifully shaped handmade soap for a mother-in-law. While some of the therapeutic benefits of Essential Oils are preserved in soaps (though less so than in other applications), they are less pronounced in candles. Still, using natural Essential Oils is far better than synthetic fragrances (see How to use Essential Oils for more details).

Disclaimer: The statements made in this blog have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or healthcare provider. The information provided is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider and should not be taken as medical advice.

Original Published: 2015-05-28 / Last Modified: 2025-5-20