11 Essential Oil DIY Recipes for the Winter

By Dr. Josh Axe

Essential oils are most often used in a diffuser in homes but there are many other uses, including during wintertime.

Here’s a collection of essential oil DIY recipes for winter, including body butter and face cream. Of course, you should always read and follow label instructions and directions for use. Whether you’re active outdoors or want to warm up indoors, you’re sure to find a few recipes that will help your winter go a little more smoothly!

Three common essential oils that appear in many of these recipes are tea tree, lavender and peppermint. Ancient Nutrition offers all three, and they’re all USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO. 

Peppermint essential oil is valued for its natural cooling effect and its ability to help soothe muscles when applied topically. Lavender essential oil is favored for its calming, relaxing and clean scent. It is commonly used in DIY recipes. Tea tree oil offers an earthy, invigorating scent and can be used for cleansing and freshening applications.

1. Air Freshener

Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its powerful ability to help “clear the air” with its invigorating scent. Add a few drops into steaming hot water or diffuser. Inhale to experience its amazing scent!

2. Body Butter

Mix coconut oil, shea butter, magnesium oil and essential oils for a moisturizing body lotion.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ⅛ cup jojoba oil
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 20 drops essential oil (lavender oil or tea tree oil are good choices)

Directions:

1. Put shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil in glass bowl, then place that bowl in a sauce pan that is filled with water. Do not allow any water to get into the bowl.
2. Heat stove to medium and mix oils together. Whisk until completely melted.
3. Remove the glass bowl from the stove and let it cool for 30 minutes. Add the essential oils and whisk again.
4. Once mixed, put in refrigerator for an hour or until solid.
5. Hand mix and put into a small glass jar.

3. Comforting Feet Reliever

Adding 10 drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of Epsom salt makes for a warm-water foot bath.

4. Dry Feet Soother

Add three drops of lavender oil to two tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix well. Apply to the feet at night and put on some socks.

5. Face Cream

Nurture your face against that harsh winter cold and wind. Make your own face cream with natural ingredients.

Ingredients:

• ⅛ cup almond oil
• ⅛ cup jojoba oil
• ½ teaspoon ginseng extract
• 1 teaspoon rosehip seed oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1 tablespoon shea butter

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, add the almond oil and the jojoba oil.
2. Add the ginseng extract, rosehip seed oil and frankincense and blend well.
3. Place the beeswax in a heat-safe bowl. Then place the bowl in a pan of very hot water. Once the beeswax softens, add to other ingredients and blend.
4. Add the coconut oil. Blend well.
5. Combine the shea butter and vitamin E oil.
6. Store the remaining product in the refrigerator or a dark, cool place for up to 2–3 weeks. 

6. Facial Scrub

Mix one-fourth cup yogurt, one-fourth cup cornmeal, and five drops of lavender, grapefruit and patchouli oils. Apply to face, massaging carefully and wash off.

7. Lip Balm

Combine coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter and essential oils for an amazing soothing balm for chapped lips.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops peppermint essential oil
• Small glass jar

Directions:

1. In a small pot over medium low heat melt beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter.
2. Remove from heat and add lavender and peppermint oils. Whisk well to distribute oil throughout the mixture.
3. Pour quickly into lip balm container, such as a small glass jar. Let cool on counter till hard.

8. Muscle Rub

Mix coconut oil, beeswax, cayenne, ginger or turmeric with two essential oils and apply to muscles.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup grated beeswax
• 2 teaspoons cayenne powder
• 2 teaspoons ginger or turmeric powder (Note: While turmeric is an outstanding muscle and joint soother, be aware that it will cause some temporary skin discoloration)
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• glass jar

Directions:

1. Pour all oils (except essential oils) into a jar. Place a saucepan with 2 inches of water over medium-low heat.
2. Place jar in saucepan and allow contents to melt. Stir to combine. Add the cayenne and ginger/turmeric.
3. Once combined, allow to cool slightly and then add in essential oils. Mix well.
4. Pour mixture into metal tins or storage containers and allow to set.

9. Nail Rub

Mix 10 drops of frankincense, myrrh and lemon oils into two tablespoons of vitamin E oil, then rub on cuticles.

10. Sauna Therapy

Add five drops of your favorite essential oil into two cups of water in a sauna.

11. Sunburn Soother

Too much time on the slopes? Or shoveling snow?! Combine a few drops of chamomile oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to the skin with a cotton ball for a soothing experience.