Make Your Own: Body Lotion!

Make Your Own: Body Lotion!

Dry, itchy and flaky skin are quite common to most people once the cold and dry winter weather sets in.  The cold and dry air robs moisture content from your skin.  There are ways to alleviate or prevent the dreaded winter skin.  Shorten your hot showers, and switch to a moisturizing soap (handmade soaps contain glycerin, which attracts moisture). One other way to combat this?  Lotion up! (And yes, this goes for  you men out there, too!)

Of course, the first step to protecting your skin from the cold is to bundle up, which pretty much goes without saying.  But to pre-protect your skin, a barrier cream applied to your skin will go a long way.  Applying a thick moisturizing cream before heading out the door is well worth the minimal effort that it takes.  

And what a better way to lotion up than with a homemade lotion!

A homemade lotion can give you the moisturizing benefits you require to protect your skin.  You can customize it to suit your needs and add your desired scents.  It also gives you peace of mind knowing that what you are putting into your lotion is natural.  Also, just the satisfaction of making it yourself is a wonderful feeling!  

A good homemade lotion will have a three to six month shelf life, since most natural recipes do not have any anti-fungal preservatives.  Therefore, when making and using it, please ensure that all your utensils are completely clean, and watch that you only dip into it with clean hands.  A little precaution goes a long way!

(Basic recipe courtesy of http://wellnessmama.com/3765/homemade-lotion-recipe/)

Organic Homemade Lotion Basic Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup beeswax
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
• Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

Note: All ingredients and many essential oils are available here.

How to Make Lotion:

1. Combine ingredients in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives or other foods.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.
3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.
4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (8 ounce) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
5. Use as you would regular lotion. This has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added. Use within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.

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