Are your hands worn out, tired and often looks dry? Try this DIY Hand and Body Cream for soft hands.
Our hands do a lot of work like tending to the garden, home chores, cleaning, etc. With time, they tend to look worn out and rather “old”! Don’t you think? It is just a lack of moisture and nourishment, considering we don’t give a lot of time for hands like we do for – say our face!
That’s why they look dry and chapped up, especially after hard work like tending the garden, or cleaning around the house. Of course, there are lotions and moisturizers, but sometimes, they don’t really work for hardworking hands. So, this is what I did for my hands!
Ingredients
Shea Butter – 4 Tbsp.
Beeswax – 1 Tsp.
Olive Oil – 4 Tbsp.
Helichrysum Essential Oil – 5 – 7 Drops
Frankincense Essential Oil – 15 Drops
Instructions
In your double boiler, melt together Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Beeswax.
When the mixture melts fully, remove from heat and set aside for a few minutes.
Once the temperature comes down, add the Essential Oils and stir to combine.
Refrigerate the mixture for a few minutes and then, whip it using a hand blender till fluffy.
Transfer to a sterilized jar and set aside.
Tips to Tweak the Recipe
You can skip whipping, if you are ok with a slightly balmy texture. I prefer it fluffy, so it is easier to apply and takes lesser than I would need when I don’t whip it. If you are not whipping, just transfer mixture to a sterilized jar and wait for it to set. It takes 2 – 3 hours or more, depending on where you live.
For a lighter cream, you can more oil and reduce the butter quantity. For example, if you are cutting down Shea Butter by 1 Tbsp. add 1 Tbsp. Oil instead.
I added less Beeswax to keep the cream light and suitable for all seasons, though you can increase the Beeswax to get a thicker and more healing and protective variation – especially if your hands are already dry and chapped or rough.
Since I am not using this for my face and more so for my hands, and wanted something nourishing and richly moisturizing, I chose Olive Oil. If you don’t want to use it, you can substitute it with Jojoba oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, etc.
Why These Ingredients?
Shea Butter is nourishing and moisturizing, besides the many skin benefits it has to offer.
Beeswax not only keeps the recipe together and tight, it is a great protectant for the skin. Dry and chapped skin will benefit a lot from using Beeswax, as it aids with healing and prevents further damage. That’s one reason why I use Beeswax more during winter.
Also, I wanted soothing and nourishing Essential Oils, so chose Lavender and Frankincense. You can choose any of your favorite essential oil that works for you, or go with healing and soothing oils like Chamomile, Geranium, Sage, etc.
How to Use it?
You can use it anytime, though if you are using it as a protective, you can use it during the nights.
Shelf Life
Since these ingredients are oils and butters, this lasts as long as the ingredient with the shortest shelf life! You don’t have to refrigerate this recipe. However, if you are living in a tropical country and this turns runny due to heat, you can refrigerate.
Don’t have time for DIY Recipes? Try Aya Naturals Skin Care products instead. They’re natural, made with organic and virgin olive oil from Israel along with skin nourishing and healing herbs for best results.
