Vanilla and Coconut Body Moisturizer

Whoever decided vanilla and coconut would make a sensual warming combination deserves a place in history. It has been jumped on by the commercial market and is commonly found in many types of products from perfume to body scrubs with a large range of price tags.

They are a combination I love and this recipe really pays homage to their wonderful aromatic notes by keeping other scents to a minimum so as not to overpower.

Both these ingredients are frequently used in cooking for their wonderful flavor and here I kick them up a notch to show how easy making your own body moisturizer is. Nourishing, protecting, softening, moisturizing and luscious. What more do you need?

I decided to utilize vanilla beans and infuse them in jojoba oil. Check out the method on my vanilla bean body scrub.

I started this awhile ago as it takes at least a month to get it infused with the gorgeous beans and seeds.Trust me though, it is worth it!

Your other option is to buy Vanilla Absolute and not infuse the oil.

This is extremely costly and going the organic route can set you back $60 for 1/2 oz bottle.

Absolute is the best to use in Vanilla for skin care and fragrance and “buyers beware” is important saying to remember when purchasing vanilla.

If you see vanilla essential oil, walk on. There is no such thing.

47g coconut oil

22 g infused vanilla jojoba oil

10g castor oil

15 g beeswax

Double boiler (saucepan and measuring jug or glass bowl)

Small container 3-4 oz (pot, salve pot, jar or lip balm)

Spoon/spatula

Method:

• Add the beeswax, coconut oil, castor oil and vanilla infused jojoba oil into the double boiler on the stove at low heat to melt. Stir occasionally.
• When completely melted, remove from heat.
• Pour into your container or containers carefully.
• Allow to cool and set.
• Pop on lid when solidified and store in a cool dark cupboard or the fridge. Remove from fridge 10 minutes before using to give it time to soften at room temperature.
• This will last months if needed, approximately 4-6 months.

To Apply:

This is best applied when the skin is warm, just after a shower or bath.

Remove a small amount with a plastic spatula, cocktail stick or teaspoon. NEVER fingers!

What is gorgeous about this recipe is it is suitable for the hands, cuticles, feet, legs body, face and even the hair!

• Instead of using infused oil you can easily use:

22 g jojoba oil or oil of choice

20 drops vanilla absolute

• Instead of jojoba you can use sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil or any carrier oil you feel will work. Use one low in fragrance.
• Use the infused oil on its own as a body oil, massage oil or oil based perfume all in one delicious application.
• Apart from this multi-functional moisturizer, if this is a combination you can’t get enough of why not make a selection of products? Lip balm, whipped body butter, perfume, body scrub, body oil and massage oil. It makes a perfect gift idea and is economical to make.

The history of perfume is as old as the human race.

The past has unlocked such a wealth of knowledge that we use today. Perfumes and use of ingredients is one huge area. The Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs in fact many cultures around the world all have their own discoveries and uses of plants. It was through the centuries and more modern day technology that we started interfering with natures best and added chemicals and synthetic fragrance.

This recipe brings us back to basics with oils beeswax and vanilla beans which make up a beautiful fragrant moisturizer that can be made for less than $4 using organic ingredients.

"Creating health awareness through homemade beauty solutions"

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