Basic Lotion Recipe
1-2 T beeswax
¼ c coconut oil
¼ c light cooking oil
1/8 tsp borax
¼ c distilled water
½ tsp favorite cooking extract, or 5 drops essential oil

• Grate the beeswax into small bits. Don’t worry if your beeswax is colored, this is generally natural and won’t irritate your skin as a chemical colorant will.
• Place the beeswax in the coconut oil in a double boiler on the stove (or the microwave) and melt the wax into the coconut oil. Cocoa Butter can be substituted for coconut oil.
• Mix the water with the borax (you may substitute baking soda) and heat the mixture until is boils.
• Pour the wax mixture into a blender and slowly add boiling water to the mixture as you blend on high. You may also use a wisk if you do not wish to use a blender.
• Mix the wax and water until they have combined together. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
• If you wish to add colorant, you can do so now.
• Allow the mixture to cool completely before adding scent.

What type of ‘cooking’ oil you use should depend on your skin type. If you have dry skin, use extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil is wonderful for skin and will not only moisturize, but also help prevent blemishes. For oily skin, use Grape Seed oil. Grape seed oil is very light and will absorb quickly into the skin leaving no residue. It is wonderful for sensitive skin as well.

If you want extra moisturizer in your lotion, try adding 1-3 capsules of Vitamin E. You can also try adding pureed avocado to the mixture. (But, if you add fruit/vegetable, store your lotion in the fridge.) If you have very oily skin, try adding an oatmeal wash to the lotion. (To make an oatmeal wash, run water over fresh, non-instant oatmeal, use the milky water produced instead of the regular water above.)

If you wish to add astringent properties to your lotion, try adding a tablespoon of witch hazel or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. You can even add cucumber juice to the lotion to help with rashes, acne and blackheads. Add these to the lotion after it has cooled.

For smell, you can use rosewater instead of essential oil. Replace the rosewater with the regular water since rosewater has less fragrance than essential oil. You can use your lotion as an aromatherapy base. Experiment with it.

Posted by Utopia at December 14, 2005 08:40 AM

Comments

Posted by: Seraphim at December 15, 2005 06:23 PM

Posted by: Utopia at December 15, 2005 07:02 PM

Posted by: Amy at June 4, 2006 11:33 PM

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