Hand Lotions

I know that the 25th is technically over for me, but I had a busy busy day, and so much is swirling around in my head, I have been unable to sleep..  So I thought I would come in and post today's yesterday's post.   Hopefully I will be able to find some time to tell you about my day that I just had.  But I will probably do that tomorrow on a post of its own.

Anyway, a lot of us need hand lotion, people who often use the bacterial pump at hospitals, doctor's offices etc.; the elderly, the young, the germaphobes and the list could go on and on.  But the one ingredient that seams to be in most of those solutions is alcohol, which can smell very strong.  Our hands are drying out and using a quick and easy lather of lotion will have your hands nice and soft like a baby's bum.

Here are a few recipes to try out.    

Easy Lotion

1 1/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup emulsifying wax (don't use beeswax)

1/4 cup olive oil

24-36 drops of essential oil

In a Pyrex/glass measuring glass, combine the olive oil and emulsifying wax and microwave on high for 1 minutes until it is all melted.  The temperature should read about 155 degrees.

While that is heating up , add the essential oil into the melted wax/olive oil mixture.  Then pour hot water into the mixture and watch it turn a milky white.  At this point the temperature is about 125 degrees.  Pour the hot lotion into a wide mouth pint jar and let it cool overnight.  The next morning you'll have a fresh jar of homemade natural hand lotion.

Oooops.  I fell asleep writing this post the other night and its been super busy since.  Sorry about that everyone.

Herbal Moisturizing Cream 1

1 ounce vitamin E oil

4 ounces sweet almond oil

1 ounce beeswax

1 ounce jojoba oil

1 ounce coconut oil

1 tsp. oil of calendula

1/8 tsp. oil of chamomile

1/8 tsp. oil of rose geranium

Combine the vitamin E and sweet almond oils in a nonreactive saucepan.  Heat over low heat (do NOT boil).  Gradually add the beeswax, stirring constantly.  Add the jojoba oil, a little at a time, and stir until well blended.  Slowly stir in the coconut oil.

Remove the saucepan from the heat.  Add the calendula, chamomile, and rose geranium oils, stirring the mixture until it is smooth.

When the mixture has cooled, pour into colored glass jars and seal them tightly.  Keep refrigerated

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Herbal Moisturizing Cream 2

*makes 2 cups*

*to add a fragrance to this, use essential oils of your choice, the following were recommended scents.  A few drops of rose, jasmine, or lotus oil, and for men the sandalwood or mint*

1 cup fresh rosemary leaves

1 1/2 cup fresh comfrey leaves

3/4 cup fresh lavender or patchouli leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

16 ounces anhydrous lanolin

Aloe vera gel (optional)

With a mortar and pestle, bruise the herbs with a small amount of olive oil.  In a nonreactive saucepan over low heat, melt the lanolin with the remaining olive oil.  Remove the pan from the heat.  Let the mixture cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then stir in the herbs and aloe vera gel.  (Heat breaks down the allantoin in the comfrey, a substance that promotes new cell growth, and destroys the healing properties in aloe vera.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and pour it immediately into heat-resistant jars.  Thick blue, green or brown glass jars protect the mixture from light and make attractive gifts.  Store in the refrigerator.

What are your favorite scents used in hand cream?  Have you ever attempted to make a homemade version?