Do it yourself Shaving Lotion was always a pin that I wanted to try, but my dear old Mother beat me to it. (So I stole her pictures, don’t judge me) She was kind enough to not stop me from stealing some of her shaving lotion to try for myself! I wanted to put this to a true test, so I shaved one of my legs with my (mother’s) shaving lotion and the other leg with my normal shaving cream. (I normally use Skintimate)
The Pros and Cons Of DIY Shaving Lotion:
Pros
- The DIY leg is much softer and has noticeably less stubble (Closer shave)
- You can choose your own scent
- Good for sensitive skin (More control of what is in it)
- Easy to use
- Easy to make
- Basic household ingredients
- Cost
Cons
- It was a little watery
- Not having a dispenser on hand
- Dishes (I hate doing the dishes)
Pin Tested, Husband Approved!
Update on the DIY Shaving lotion:
We have had lots of questions about how to make this shaving lotion thicker. I think that you can make this shaving lotion thicker by using a little less baby oil and maybe using a creamier, thicker lotion. We have had a ton of great ideas listed by readers in the comments below. If you have tested this pin with different ingredients and had better or “thicker” results please feel free to share your experience below.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
I also used it to shave my legs. Loved the silky way they felt afterwards!! I will use it!
just curious if you could use coconut oil instead of baby oil?
Yes! That is one of the great things about this is how much control you have over the ingredients. I saw a pin where someone used coconut oil, shea butter lotion and coconut scented shampoo/conditioner.
I used the baby oil for the first test I batch but I used coco butter with vitamin E lotion and coconut scented shampoo/conditioner. But the next batch I will be using coconut oil.
** I would be careful using coconut oil in the shower. Remember that as it cools it hardens, and this is not ideal for your plumbing! Granted, in this instance the amount per use will be small, but just something to keep in mind
This does not work! Sorry but this is a waste of money and time.
I was curious; did you buy that dispenser or use it from something else?
It was a reused lotion bottle. Or you can buy them.
The whole point is it barely costs money! I had all the ‘ingredients’. Most other people will too!
Love it!!!!!!
There is a great concept behind this diy recipe. However, if you have made it, then you know that it has a very runny consistency and the creaminess drips off your legs before you are even done shaving. There are a few tweaks to this recipe that help that a great deal. First thing I did was cut the amount of shampoo down to only 1/2 cup. Baby oil is very runny, so you can use a thicker oil such as jojoba or coconut oil. The biggest thing that made a difference is the lotion. Avoid runny lotions. Use a lotion that is dense and is usually found in a tub, such as coco butter. Depending on the density of the lotion, you may have trouble mixing it. If this is going to be the case, before you even attempt to mix it, put the oil and the lotion in a saucepan and warm just until lotion melts and you can mix it. Let cool to room temp before adding it to the shampoo and conditioner. These tweaks to the recipe may raise the cost just a tad bit, but it is still a lot more cost effective than store bought shave cream and it yields a much better finished product than the original recipe.
I have found a wonderful, cheap body butter at Dollar Tree…Brand is April Bath and Shower – Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream in Coconut. I used Coconut Oil and Coconut Shampoo (1/2 Cup) and Conditioner (1 Cup). Helps with the cost of normally more expensive body butters. There’s even coconut oil in this bottle. Tube is teal if you’re looking for it!
Another solution to make it less runny could be to use Baby Oil Gel.. It is thicker and may help it ‘stick’ better to your legs.. I don’t believe it costs too much more than a thing of baby oil. Hope that helps! Nichole’s suggestions also work too!
Shaving cream irritates my skin, so this is just what I needed. I used the things I had on hand, which included very thick lotion and thick conditioner. It turned out perfect. Thanks!
I am glad that you like it Lori. I know I do! The nest time I make it I will use thicker lotion to I think, just to see how it works?
I wounder how it would work if you put the “shave lotion” in one of the foaming soap dispensers. That may help with consistency a bit…
I am not sure Toni. I honestly never even thought about using one.
If you try it be sure and let us know how it works out for you! 
I know I am soooo late, but…I tried the foamind dispencer, it didn’t work.
If you make a lot of DIY cleaners or beauty products, it’s a good idea to repurpose glass/plastic store-bought containers such as soap bottles. No need to buy what you already have at home!
I just made some of this using the suggestion to put only 1/2 cup of shampoo (then of course I just had to shave afterwards to see how it worked!)
1. This is a great way to use up random travel-sized shampoos/conditions (I had several from free samples and giveaways)
2. I used a mix of Dove, Pantene, Britney Spears Curious (body souffle), almond oil-1 tablespoon, and aloe vera gel (instead of baby oil-4 TBS)
3. It is watery like others have said (even with the more expensive/thicker products I used. However, I’m a quick shaver so that doesn’t bother me at all.
4. My skin was VERY soft and smooth after. I had slight razor burn-but I tend to have that no matter what I use (I just apply a little jojoba on the skin afterward and only pat it dry).
5. I used a repurposed BBW soap bottle and still had about a cup leftover.
Love it! Shaving cream for women is so expensive, so I usually purchase mens. I am excited to try this and i’ll try using the coconut scented products for some girly smelling lotion
If you use a mason jar to mix it up and store it, then you shouldn’t have any dirty dishes! The jars have measurements on the side. I used a tablespoon to scoop my coconut oil and melt it. Then I just added the ingredents using the measurements on the side… (ok, so I had one dirty measuring spoon). I used a 1/2 batch and ended up with 2 oz of the coconut oil, 2 oz of the lotion. Then just added 1/2 c of the remaining ingredients. Worked like a charm! Trying to think of something else to add to make it a bit thicker. Also, has anyone tried adding Eucerine Hand Cream (or healing stufff) instead of the lotion? Do you think that it would work???
Thanks!
I tried the foaming dispenser. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work very well.
Thank you for letting us know Angela! I use mine from a used empty (non-foaming) soap pump, and it works really well.
I made this using products from Dollar Tree and some lotion I had at home. I used VO5 moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, lavender scented baby oil, and some Bath and Bodyworks black amethyst body lotion. I also found a hand soap container at Dollar Tree that was the perfect size for this recipe. It came out this lovely peachy pink color and smelled amazing. I tried it and even though it is a bit runny, I don’t mind because it works great and my legs felt so soft. The ingredients cost me 3 dollars plus 1 dollar for the reusable container. I have enough ingredients left to make it again once I run out. Love this!
How about trying baby lotion??? its a thick formula and great for sensitive skin =)
That is what is so great about this recipe Ana…you can use what ever you want.
I am sure that baby lotion would work GREAT!!!
…or you could just use conditioner by itself. It works well, leaves my legs soft and smooth, and costs practically nothing.
I have been just using plain old conditioner by itself for years and it works great!
i made this tonight i used coconut oil tummy butter and herbal essence shampoo and conditioner and i cut the shampoo in half and added a little more conditioner and heated the coconut oil and tummy butter on the stove then let it cool and then mixed it all and added about a 1/2 a cup of baking soda i figured it might help thicken it a bit and it did all of it mixed it was almost just like shaving cream so i doubled the recipe and made enough to just about fill the empty pump shampoo bottle i have oh yeah and i added 3 pumps of my favorite lotion just for a little more scent i hope this helps yall i’m gonna try it out in the morning
<3
I just made this and thought it was very thin. After reading all these comments I’m going to try melting some bees wax I have and add that to thicken mine.
Where did you find your pump bottle? I’ve been searching Pinterest and the internet and can’t find anything over 8 oz. Thanks!
Hello Brenda! We used an old soap dispenser, and it is only about 8 ounces to. I just keep refilling it. You could use an old pump shampoo or lotion dispenser too! I hope that you find something to use. Thanks, Cassie from PintriedIt
The only bottle i had on hand after making this was a new plastic yellow mustard bottle HA…worked good tho and easy to find them. Im still looking for empty bottles to use but this worked in a pinch!
I made this and also experienced the runny situation. I added corn starch to thicken it, just added about a tablespoon and stired it in. Worked like a charm for me!!!!!!
I made a half batch because I didn’t have a big enough bottle for a whole one, and it came out very watery! Is it supposed to be like that? I’m wondering if I used too much oil or something. Help!
No Kendra, you didn’t do it wrong. My Shaving lotion was runny and watery also. It works very well, and I am still using this same batch. Maybe I will try something different in it the next time to thicken it up. I will post my results when I make it again.
Hey I was wondering if you could also use this for a mans face?! Maybe try all the tips and tricks to thicken it up?! Anyone tried this yet
I don’t see why you couldn’t use it on a man’s face? If you try it let us know how it turned out.
I love this lotion and am still using it!!! Just have to shake it up! I may try making it thicker next time, but really love the way my legs feel after shaving with this! BTW- I am the “dear Old Mother”!!! Thanks for that label Cassie! LOL
If you use just the cheap, basic suave shampoo and conditioner…once you mix it all up (makes a double batch) it will fit right back into the bottles. Then you have a bottle to share or a bottle to store for later.
That’s with making it with the original recipe. Not the 1/2c shampoo. Mine is still sitting out…so we’ll see how it goes!
Next time I might try some of the ideas to thicken it a little.
will like to try these.
I made this but tweaked the recipe.. This is what I did
6 tablespoons of coconut oil, use mixer and whip it to look like whipped cream
add 1/3 cup of conditioner
1 4 oz jar of vitamin E lotion
Do not use the shampoo it makes it liquid..
It ends up being thick like a whip cream consistency and works great.
I have my ingredients ready, however I am going to add some Aquaphor to mine and see if that thickens it up a tad!
Ok just used shaving lotion. Goes on like u were using baby oil. Nice easy shaving. Smooth after and look hydrated. Legs feel soft. I don’t mind it runny , I usually just use soap anyways. I just exact recipe using a realy thick thick hand cream. Only thing ill change is switching baby oil out for baby oil gel next time. Just put it in a old lotion bottle I’ve been saving for this
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