This Dry oil body spray is made with a few simple ingredients. Use it in the winter for dry skin, and in the summer for an after tanning treatment.
Back when my sister and I ran the herbal gift shop we used to sell many herbal related bath and body products. One company, Thymes®, had a fantastic dry oil body spray that I loved and I still have, though it’s virtually empty.
Instead of buying a new bottle of spray I wondered if this was something I could make. After a little research, I found that the main ingredient in many dry oil sprays is Cyclomethicone, a silicone found in cosmetics.
This ingredient is what gives the spray its silky feel. From what I read, the Cyclomethicone does not enter into your pores but stays on top allowing the other oils to penetrate into the skin. The result is a silky, not slick, feeling.
So I bought some Cyclomethicone and experimented by adding some of calendula infused olive oil and some fractionated coconut oil. For fragrance, I added lavender and rosemary essential oil, mainly because I love this combination, but you can use any essential oil or fragrance oil combination.
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Disclaimer/Safety Note: This information is for educational purposes only. Essential oils have a range of safety issues such as warnings about use during pregnancy and keeping out of reach from children. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns or a qualified and expert practitioner. As with anything you put on your skin you should test a small patch first to make sure you don’t have any irritation or reactions. Keep it away from your eyes.
How to Make Dry Body Oil
Into a 4-ounce fine mist spray bottle combine:
(4T) Cyclomethicone
(4T) Calendula oil
(4T) Fractionated Coconut oil
(60 drops) Essential Oils
Variations
Change the carrier oil – Sweet almond is readily available and is a good multi-purpose carrier oil. Grapeseed oil is extremely lightweight. Jojoba oil is actually a wax and has a high shelf life.
Use different essential oils – Lavender is a great multi-purpose oil but if you prefer different scents don’t be afraid to experiment. Check out this post about making your own perfume that gives a little detail about mixing scents. Or, here’s a nice list from Aura Cacia about essential oils for DIY lotions.
NOTE: This spray though non-greasy when applied to the skin may make the floor slippery. I usually spray my hands and rub it onto my arms and legs.
Try experimenting by making your oil dry body oil using different oils and scents.
Give some as gifts or have the girls over for a night of crafting and creative fun.
P.S. You may also enjoy making your own Herbal Bath Salts or this pretty Blush Pink Sugar Scrub. You can find these and many more fun projects on my DIY Projects Page.
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Betty Neary says
July 20, 2017 at 12:47 pmWhere can I buy the cyclometicone please xx
Betty
Patti Estep says
July 21, 2017 at 6:25 amHi Betty,
Many places sell it but I bought mine at Wholesale Supplies Plus.
Here’s the link: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/products/cyclomethicone-nf-sprayable-silky-perfume.aspx
Holly says
June 11, 2019 at 6:30 pmAmazon sells it!
Alyssa says
June 6, 2017 at 2:39 pmI want to know how to make a dry body oil without cyclomethicone. Have you tried?
Patti Estep says
June 6, 2017 at 3:14 pmHi Alyssa,
This is the only body oil I have made. However I did write a post about making your own perfume oil. It’s basically essential oils and a carrier oil like almond oil etc… Much more greasy but no chemicals.
Have a great week!
Patti
Sky says
June 2, 2019 at 9:08 amBergaCare FG 5 is a natural alternative to cyclomethicone in skin care preparations. It offers the benefits of similar or even better absorption properties and a smooth, silky skin feel. It is biodegradable and contains no preservatives.
Patti Estep says
June 2, 2019 at 9:19 amThat’s good to know Sky. Thanks for sharing.
Sky says
June 2, 2019 at 12:56 pmI just found this as a healthier replacement: Benzoate Ester
I buy my products at Essential Wholesale and Labs. 🌿
Patti Estep says
June 3, 2019 at 6:59 amThanks for the info.
Suzi Fatigante says
June 5, 2017 at 10:02 pmI see many variations of calendula oil. Which brand do you use? The price varies so much per ounce that I wonder if the less expensive ones are basically olive oil with a couple drops of calendula.
Patti Estep says
June 6, 2017 at 7:54 amHi Suzi,
I have never bought calendula oil. Instead I’ve made it using dried calendula flowers and infuse them in light olive oil for about 2 weeks in a large mason jar. You can dry your own flower petals or buy them from a good herbal company such as Mountain Rose Herbs or Frontier.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Theresa says
January 5, 2017 at 1:41 pmThanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & Shared.
Ashley says
January 4, 2017 at 2:40 amI can’t wait to try this. I’ve done something similar in the past but never added calendula. I’ve recently started an herbalist training program….I think I will be back to visit you a lot!
Missy Burson says
January 2, 2017 at 10:49 amI LOVE this! I used to buy Nuxe gold dry oil but it is kind of expensive. I want to try making this and adding a little micro-glitter to see if I can get the same effect!
Patti Estep says
January 2, 2017 at 11:02 amHi Missy,
Micro glitter sounds like a great addition. I’ve never tried it but would love to know if it works. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Heidi says
January 1, 2017 at 9:24 pmSounds like a great body spray and would make a fun gift for a friend. Thanks for sharing on Funtastic Friday!
Hil says
December 29, 2016 at 2:43 pmI love finding out you can make your own stuff instead of buying it!
Josh says
December 27, 2016 at 9:41 pmVery helpful and article. If I wanted to make my spray using only cyclomethicone and essential oil, what would be the correct ratio?
Patti Estep says
December 28, 2016 at 8:59 amHi Josh,
I’m no expert but I believe you can skip the carrier oil although I have not done that in my experience. I did find this website that has a few different combinations that may be helpful.
http://www.chemistrystore.com/cyclomethiconetutorial.pdf
Hope it helps,
Patti
Debbie says
November 17, 2016 at 10:25 amDo you have to use the calendula oil or can you sub something else in? I have every ingredient but that
Debbie
11/18/16.
Patti Estep says
November 17, 2016 at 10:54 amHi Debbie,
No you definitely do not need to use calendula oil. Any carrier oil works. Some have a longer shelf life than others and some have a little scent but usually the essential oils cover the scent. Carrier oils are almond, safflower, apricot, jojoba, even olive oil.
Hope that helps,
Patti
Janet says
February 4, 2016 at 11:23 pmCan you tell me where you bought the cute clear spray bottles?
Patti says
February 5, 2016 at 6:38 amHi Janet,
I bought them and some of the other supplies here: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/
Kim says
December 11, 2015 at 6:52 pmIf I’m allergic to silicones (e.g. Cyclomethicone), can you recommend a good alternative? Thank you!
Patti says
December 12, 2015 at 6:53 amKim,
I’m sorry, I really don’t know of any alternatives. Of course you can make it without but then it will be more greasy and less “dry.”
Vicki says
January 26, 2015 at 4:55 pmI would like to to try this however, does the T mean teaspoon or tablespoon?
Patti says
January 26, 2015 at 6:44 pmHi Vicki,
The big T is for tablespoon. You can experiment a little but that is what seemed to work for me.
I hope you enjoy it.
Patti
Leriza says
April 8, 2019 at 1:48 pmHi Patti
Thank you for sharing. Very helpful.
Leriza
Denise Wright says
January 25, 2015 at 8:36 amI can’t wait to try this! I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time!
Patti says
January 25, 2015 at 8:47 amThanks. I hope you like it.