HOMEMADE LOTION - Don't Buy Lotion, Make It Yourself!

Lotions found in stores can be filled with so many ingredients that do not need to be there that, as with additives to food products, can be bad for you and your skin. It is so very quick and easy to make your own lotions, I don't know why more people are not making lotions for themselves. Lotions made at home can be made perfectly to your liking, with scents you enjoy, that are not heavy, perfumey or fake. All the ingredients for lotion are simple to come by, can be totally organic and just a few ingredients makes a 16 oz. batch or a few small different batches. If you are looking for a perfect lotion and cannot find one at the grocery store that isn't filled with synthetic, strange ingredients, look no further...with a little time, a few ingredients and things found in your own kitchen, you can have your very own healthy, sweet smelling lotion(s).

What you will need before you begin to make your own lotion:

EQUIPMENT:

Double Boiler

Immersion Blender

Pound/Ounce Kitchen Scale

Empty Lotion or Soap Container or small jars

Bowl

Measuring Cup

INGREDIENTS:

3 oz. Organic Coconut Oil

6 oz. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 1/2 oz. natural Beeswax,very small chunks or grated

8 oz. purified or distilled water

20 to 30 drops of essential oil (your choice)

Place the coconut oil, olive oil and beeswax into the top part of your double boiler. Melt these three ingredients together over medium heat. Remove the mixed oils off the heat as soon as the last bit of wax is melted into the oils. Cool this mixture to a warm temperature, but is still liquid in form.

Microwave the water to a warm temperature, not hot, just enough so that when you touch it with your fingertip, it feels warm - about 20 seconds on high. Pour the water into a tall-sided medium sized mixing bowl. Place your immersion blender into the water and while blending, slowly pour the melted oil/wax mixture into the water, blending until all the oil/wax mixture is incorporated into the water. The mixture will go from looking like you are making homemade butter, when the butter begins to separate from the liquid, to a smooth, creamy lotion. Do not overmix, but make sure that all oil/wax mixture is evenly incorporated with the water to make a smooth lotion, scraping the sides and mixing anything that is not smooth.

Add your choice of essential oils, stirring to incorporate a fresh scent throughout, making it as strong or subtle, as to your liking.

Pour the lotion into a container with a dispenser or into individual jars. (You may need a funnel) You can divide up the lotion prior to adding essential oil to make a couple of different scents in smaller sizes.

This lotion makes great teacher and hostess gifts or gifts for friends and family.

If you have trouble finding an empty soap or lotion container around your house, I have found that Hobby Lobby carries many, many different size jars and containers. They also have a small supply of essential oils. For a better supply of essential oils, I have found that The Vitamin Shoppe and health food stores tend to have many more choices on hand.

I keep my lotion right next to my kitchen sink. I do not use a dishwasher, only my two hands, so when the weather gets cooler and dry and after washing a lot of dishes, my skin gets very dry and cracked. My homemade lotion is the perfect moisturizer for my hands after a load of dinner dishes or after coming in from shoveling snow.

I have also found that after being on my feet all day, rubbing my feet with the peppermint version of my homemade lotion helps to revive and rejuvenate them. The peppermint is also nice when the weather gets hot and steamy, creating a cooling effect on the skin.

I would like to thank fellow hubber, Faith Reaper, for suggesting that I do a hub on homemade lotion. I hope you enjoy this hub and making your own lotion, Faith!