Written by Shilo Urban
Many commercial lotions and creams claim to soften and improve the skin, but they are really full of toxic chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can irritate the body. Finding a skin-softening product that you like that doesn't contain a laundry list of unpronounceable ingredients can be difficult and expensive.
Save your skin -- and your money -- by making your own natural body lotion, a thick and luxurious cream that will work from your face to your hands and toes. What you put into your body has a huge effect on your health, and what you put onto your body can too. A good lotion can also uplift your spirits with the help of aromatherapy; customize your own recipe with the essential oils that you like the best.
While some of the ingredients for this natural body lotion may not be familiar, you'll be able to find them all in your local health store or Whole Foods. Be sure to buy pure beeswax only, as all other types are made with petroleum byproducts. Sweet almond oil works best, but you can also use coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, wheat germ or avocado oil -- or a combination.
Different essential oils have different healing properties; choose a fragrance to soothe your symptoms or just pick your favorite aroma. You'll also need a small jar for storing the lotion -- you can probably repurpose something you already have to do the trick.
Ingredients
1 cup rose water at room temperature (or green tea)
¾ cup pure sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons plain beeswax, shaved
35 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender, clary sage, rosemary, orange or ylang ylang
Method
1. Add the sweet almond oil and shaved beeswax to a Pyrex measuring cup.
2. Set the cup in a saucepan of water that reaches halfway up the side and heat on low just until the beeswax melts. Remove the mixture from the heat, and let it cool for one or two minutes only.
3. Pour the rose water into your blender and turn it on high. Using the hole in the lid, slowly add your beeswax mixture to the water. It will begin to thicken and become creamy and rich as you add the last drops.
4. Once well blended, add your drops of essential oil and mix everything together very well.
5. Pour your new natural lotion into a small jar, using a plastic spatula to get the blender as clean as possible, cleaning off the rest with your hands (you don't want to put beeswax down your kitchen sink).
Your new lotion will last up to six months stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. You can experiment using different combinations of essential oils, and these natural lotions are ideal for gift giving during the holidays.
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