Quick Summary:
An essential oil base is a simple, non-toxic blend of carrier oils that helps you safely dilute and apply essential oils to the skin. This homemade version uses coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to create a deeply moisturizing, budget-friendly base you can use in dozens of DIY beauty and wellness recipes. It absorbs well, supports healthy skin, and replaces expensive store-bought products with a clean, family-safe option.
When I first started swapping out conventional products for natural alternatives, I quickly learned that the secret to great DIY skincare is having one reliable essential oil base you can trust. Back when I was pregnant with our oldest daughter, I needed something safe, affordable, and truly clean for my changing skin. But every “natural” product I checked came with a long ingredient list, hidden fillers, and a price tag that made me cringe.
So I did what most natural living mamas eventually learn to do: I made my own. And to my surprise, the simple blend I created worked better than anything I had ever bought at the store. Over the years it has become the foundation for nearly every DIY we make in our home: massage oils, salves, roll-ons, body butters, skincare remedies, even kids’ blends.
Today, we call it Mama Z’s Oil Base because this essential oil base is everything that I wanted (and more): it’s moisturizing without being greasy, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and strong enough to support dozens of therapeutic essential oil recipes. It’s one of those “once you make it, you’ll never go back” staples that saves money, reduces toxins, and keeps your wellness routine simple and effective.
If you’ve been wanting a trustworthy, do-it-all carrier oil blend to build your natural living toolbox, this is the one I recommend over and over again.
Table of Contents:
Essential Oil Base How-To Video
If you walked into our home today, you’d see this essential oil base in more than one dispenser. It’s the blend we reach for constantly because it works for everything from daily moisturizers to DIY roll-ons.
As a general guide, add 6–12 drops of essential oils per ounce of the base, depending on the recipe and who will be using it. You can also plug this base straight into any of our DIY body care tutorials—it’s designed to blend smoothly and absorb easily.
The video below walks you through exactly how we melt, mix, and store the recipe. It makes a generous batch, so pull out a few glass jars before you start. Once you have it on hand, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Mama Z’s Oil Base Ingredients
This recipe uses only four deeply moisturizing, skin-loving ingredients, and that’s one of the reasons it has become a staple in our home.
It’s simple, affordable, and versatile enough to work in dozens of DIY preparations: from body oils and lotions to roll-ons and after-bath blends.
And, because it makes multiple jars at once, you get a long-lasting base without the cost or toxins of store bought products. Whether you’re off-grid or an urban homesteader like me, this is a must-have for any natural home.
Here’s why I chose each ingredient for my essential oil base and how they support healthier, more nourished skin…
- Coconut Oil: I’m sure you know of coconut oil’s many abilities. Coconut oil is deeply nourishing, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and high in antioxidants. This silky moisturizer makes up the bulk of this recipe. Because this recipe includes coconut oil, we recommend that you not use it near your sink, as it hardens and can cause clogs.
- Sweet Almond Oil: This carrier oil is perfect in our essential oil base because the scent isn’t overpowering. Sweet almond oil is one of my favorite carrier oils because of its versatility. It’s high in vitamins and quickly sinks into the skin.
- Jojoba Oil: This oil deeply penetrates the skin and smells fantastic. Jojoba oil is excellent for hair and the body, making it a great addition to your DIY stash.
- Vitamin E: All-natural products don’t have a very long shelf life, so you need a preservative to help them stay shelf-stable. We don’t use chemical preservatives and instead turn to this fantastic oil. Vitamin E oil has been so beneficial in my life. It even healed a horrendous chemical burn on my face!
The result is a clean, effective essential oil base that supports healthier skin and simplifies all your future DIY creations.
Step-By-Step Instructions & Recipe Card
This essential oil base comes together in just a few minutes and stays shelf-stable for years when stored properly. It’s one of those foundational DIY blends that saves time, money, and overwhelm because you can use it for so many things: body care, rollers, massage oils, kids’ remedies, and even certain cleaning recipes.
It’s gentle enough for the whole family yet effective enough for any natural living routine, which is why we always keep several jars ready to go. Once you make it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Mama Z's Essential Oil Base & Recipe Video
Quantity
Ingredients
- 54 ounces coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined (melted)
- 16 ounces sweet almond oil
- 8 ounces jojoba oil
- 4 ounces vitamin E oil
Supplies
- Wire whisk OR immersion blender
Instructions
- Be sure to preserve the coconut oil’s healing properties by using indirect heat instead of heating it on the stove. We’ve even placed a glass measuring cup with coconut oil on a space heater or oven while baking. You can also immerse a jar of coconut oil in a bowl or saucepan or warm (not boiling) water for a few minutes until the oil liquefies.
- Combine all ingredients in a large glass bowl or cooking pot and mix using a wire whisk or an immersion blender to create a smoother “whipped” consistency if desired.
- Pour into quart or pint-sized mason jars or other glass containers. Store in a cool, dark place where it will last for 1-2 years.
Step One: Liquefy the Coconut Oil
Your coconut oil needs to be in a liquid state to ensure your ingredients are well blended. My favorite way to do this is to fill a bowl with warm (never boiling!) water and place the jar in it.
You can also put it on top of the stove when baking something. You never want to use direct heat, though, because that kills the coconut oil’s antibacterial properties.
Step Two: Mix the Ingredients
Once your coconut oil is liquified, place it in a large glass bowl and stir in the jojoba, sweet almond, and vitamin E oil. Mix until well blended.
If you prefer a “whipped” consistency, you can achieve that by using an immersion blender or a wire whisk.
Step Three: Store Your Essential Oil Base
Pour the essential oil base into glass jars. You can use mason jars or reuse old glass jars from around the house. You must store this mixture in a dark, cool place away from the light. Sweet almond oil can get stale!
If stored properly, this mixture will last 1-2 years.
Pro Tip: If you live in cooler climates, this essential oil base will harden so simply put it in a warm-to-hot water bath (in your sink) and it’ll soften in just minutes.
Index of DIY Recipes Using Mama Z’s Oil Base
You can use this customized oil base mixture in almost any DIY or remedy that calls for carrier oils.
If you want a simple way to start using my essential oil base right away, here’s an easy go-to blend we keep on hand at home:
Everyday Nourishing Body Oil
- 1 ounce Mama Z’s Essential Oil Base
- 6–12 drops essential oils of your choice (lavender for calming, peppermint for cooling, or a seasonal blend you love)
Add the oils to a glass jar, shake gently, and use after showers, before bed, or anytime your skin needs a little extra love.
This simple recipe gives you a feel for how versatile the base can be. And once you try it, you’ll see why we use it in so many of our DIY preparations.
Here are more recipe ideas that you may want to try that use my essential oil base:
- DIY Lotion Bar or Salve Base– A thicker base for lotions and salves.
- Homemade Hand Soap – A gentle liquid hand soap made with essential oils.
- Homemade Shave Cream – Make your own shave balm and eliminate many toxic ingredients.
- DIY Body Wash – This kid-friendly body wash can replace carcinogenic ingredients in many bath products.
- Essential Oil Sugar Scrub DIY – A great way to bring a healthy glow to your skin!
- DIY Lip Balm– Make your own lip balm with essential oils.
- Homemade Body Butter– Perfect for dry, irritated skin.
- Mama Z’s Hand Cream – Moisturizing hand cream to soothe dry skin.
- Homemade Perfumes or Colognes – Eliminate artificial fragrances with these DIY perfumes.
- Dusting Spray – An excellent wood polish to nourish and protect your natural furniture.
- Fibromyalgia Massage Blend– Great for general pain relief as well.
- DIY Muscle Rub Pain Relief Salve – Wonderful for after a workout.
- Natural Pain Relief Massage Oil – Great for chronic pain.
- Neuropathy Body Oil – Use it for nerve or muscle pain.
- Night-Time Detox Bath– Perfect for helping you release the day.
- Precise and Peaceful Roll-On Blend – Great for thyroid support.
- Stomach Ache Roll-On Blend – Use these essential oils to ease tummy discomfort.
- Mama Z’s Joyful Blend – Great for postpartum depression, seasonal mood swings, and more.
- ADD/ADHD Relief Roll-On – A perfect blend to help focus and mental alertness.
- Kid’s Remedies Roll-Ons – Sleepytime, anxiety, focus, itch relief, and more!
- Homemade Dog Shampoos – Help control fleas and ticks with this recipe.
Creating your own essential oil base is one of the simplest steps you can take toward a cleaner, more intentional natural living routine. This blend has carried our family through pregnancies, newborn seasons, long work days, and everything in between because it’s dependable, affordable, and truly non-toxic.
When you have a high-quality base like this on hand, you’re no longer at the mercy of expensive products or questionable labels, you’re empowered to care for your skin and your home with ingredients you trust.
Whether you’re new to essential oils or ready to expand your DIY toolbox, Mama Z’s Essential Oil Base gives you a safe, effective foundation for every blend you create. Once you experience how well it works, it becomes a staple you reach for again and again.
If you’re building a healthier home one small swap at a time, this is one of the best places to start. Let it simplify your routines, stretch your budget, and support your family’s wellness for years to come.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17651080/
