17 Personal Care Products You Will Never Have To Buy Again
Homemade Hand Cream
August 13, 2012 by Jami
The following is a post from contributing writer Jami.
I have pretty dry hands and during the gardening season they get even worse from the rough scrubbing needed to remove all the resulting dirt. They quickly become chapped, especially around the cuticles. I’ve tried many different brands of hand creams, but I have never found one that I liked both the scent of and had the power to keep my hands looking good. Plus, the ingredient lists on these creams were SO long…surely a hand cream could be simpler, couldn’t it?
Yes, I’ve found, it can. When you make your own Lavender Hand Cream you’ll get simpler ingredients, a foolproof method (no worries about separation), a wonderful light scent, and a cream rich enough to not only keep your hands and cuticles looking good, but also work wonders on your elbows and dry heels as well.
Since it’s made with real oils and beeswax, it is, well…oily, so I wouldn’t apply it right before working on the computer or reading a book. It’s perfect, however, for applying before putting on gardening gloves and before going to bed at night, where it has a chance to soak in – protecting and replenishing the skin we can be so rough on during the day.
Lavender hand cream also makes a terrific gift and can be adapted to use different scents or even be thinned to use with a pump.
Supplies Needed (to make about 3/4 c. or 6 oz.)
- 1/3 cup Sweet Almond Oil
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons grated beeswax (about 1-1/2 oz.)
- 30-35 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine the oils in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat just until warm, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the grated beeswax, stirring until the was is completely melted.
- Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes to start the oils cooling, then stir in the essential oil (30 drops for less scent, 35 for more).
- At this point, the cream can be poured into a container (or two containers, if desired) to cool completely.
Note: Since this method doesn’t use water, there is no need to use a blender or processor and you won’t have to worry about the cream separating. It will be softer in warmer weather and harder in cooler, but still be spreadable either way. It can be stored at room temperature (storing in the refrigerator will result in a stiffer cream).
Variations:
- For a thinner consistency to use with a pump, use only 2 Tablespoons beeswax.
- For a thicker, salve-like consistency, use up to 4 Tablespoons beeswax.
- Replace lavender with the essential oil of your choice like lemon, orange, or another floral scent.
- Since a little goes a long way, this can be packaged in small tins to give as gifts.
- See more at: http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/homemade-hand-cream/#sthash.hlkjurDI.dpuf
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