• The antioxidants in olive oil neutralize the free radicals in our environment that damage skin and cause aging.Bottle of Olive Oil on Table image by kellykramer from Fotolia.com
  
  Nutritionists have touted the benefits of adding olive oil to a healthy diet, but using it as a moisturizer for the body also provides natural, moisturizing and anti-aging benefits to the skin. According to natural-skin-care-info.com, olive oil has long been used by Mediterranean women to bring antioxidant protection to the skin. Rich in vitamin E and omega-3, the antioxidants in olive oil combat damaging free radicals and promote smooth, elastic, radiant skin.
  
  Most homemade recipes for lotions and skin products, notes Best-Home-Remedies.com, don't have preservatives. That means they should be kept refrigerated to preserve them longer and will only last about a week. Natural recipes can easily grow bacteria so always wash hands and use an applicator to remove from the container.
  
  

Sonoma Lotion

• Any homemade lotions should be thoroughly cooled before applying to the skin.woman's hand rubbing lotion on leg image by Tracy Martinez from Fotolia.com
  
  The A Sonoma Garden website suggests a hand lotion recipe that works great as a body lotion. Start with 1/4 cup of emulsifying wax, heated in microwave until melted, and add 1 1/4 cup of hot water, 1/4 cup of olive oil and 24 to 36 drops of your favorite essential oil, and mix. Store in a glass canning jar. Let the lotion cool overnight before using.
  
  

Three-Oil Lotion

• Preserve the homemade lotion in a glass jar with a lid for daily use.blue jar image by IKO from Fotolia.com
  
  An alternative recipe from natural-skin-care-info.com combines 2 tbsp. of grated beeswax and 2 tsp. of water melted over low heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of cocoa butter, 1 tbsp. of olive oil, 2 tbsp. of coconut oil and 3 tbsp. of sesame oil. Pour the warm mixture into a glass jar to cool before applying.
  
  

Orange Lotion

• Lotions made with olive oil may separate or turn to a solid in the refrigerator, but may be mixed for use again at room temperature.Square glass bottle with cork, filled with olive oil image by SBB from Fotolia.com
  
  An orange-scented lotion recipe from Best-Home-Remedies.com mixes 1/2 oz. of melted cocoa butter, with 1 oz. of warmed olive oil and 1 oz. of orange juice. Blend the three ingredients and add two drops of your favorite essential oil. Cool the mixture in a glass jar and apply as needed.