After I made my first batch of lotion, I've been experimenting with different ingredients for different aliments. For example, using colloidal oatmeal as an anti-itch relief. It's super fun and easy to make your own lotion. It takes just a few minutes to mix the ingredients together and there you have it. Today I'm sharing another variation for the dry/eczema prone skin. I keep everything raw when making lotion. I never heat the ingredients, which I feel is very important. This batch includes shea butter as the base, with coconut oil, calendula oil, jojoba oil and a dash of eucalyptus (for its healing properties and fragrance). Raw shea butter has a very interesting smell, almost smokey, and in the many batches I've purchased (on amazon) they have all varied in color and smell. This is to be expected. So have fun and experiment with essential oils!
Ingredients:
-4.5 ounces raw organic unrefined shea butter here or here
-1/4 cup raw, organic coconut oil
-3 tablespoons jojoba oil
-1 tablespoon calendula oil
-3/4 teaspoon eucalyptus oil*
Purchase the glass amber jars HERE
Purchase the glass amber jars HERE
How To:
1. Mix ingredients in bowl, initially by hand, then with electric mixer.
2. Fill small glass jars and use within 2 months.
3. Final product can be stored at room temperature during use, as it has great self life! Store remaining unused shea butter in the refrigerator, or you could also store leftover lotion in the fridge if you won't be using it right away (it will keep for months in the fridge). This stuff is resilient and you're good either way, no matter where you keep it.
Notes
*Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory essential oil that can help control eczema flare-ups. Eucalyptus oil works by stimulating blood circulation and has a calming and cooling effect on irritated skin. And like echinacea, eucalyptus also stimulates your immune function. Before applying eucalyptus oil (or any essential oil) to the skin, the oil should be diluted in a carrier oil (i.e. sweet almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.) to avoid further irritation and burning. Eucalyptus can be applied throughout the day as needed for itch relief. Eucalyptus is also great for treating a baby eczema rash.
*
Use hand mixer OR food processor. Both work well. I tend to use a hand mixer with soft ingredients. When I make lotion with cocoa butter, I always use a food processor. It's difficult to incorporate cocoa butter with a hand mixer. Something else that's important to consider is that the heat from the friction (from running the food processor a while) will help melt the small chunks of cocoa butter and incorporate all the ingredients nicely.
Additional Homemade Lotions from The Tasty Alternative:
1. Jojoba Shea Butter Lotion
2. Cocoa and Shea Body Butter
3. Shea Cocoa Avocado Oil Body Butter
______________________________________________________________________
{affiliate links in post}
2. Cocoa and Shea Body Butter
3. Shea Cocoa Avocado Oil Body Butter
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{affiliate links in post}
Shared on: Healthy Second Wednesday
If we could buy these ingredients easily and a bit cheaper in the UK I'd be whipping up a batch today! Sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteHi There Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI've also heard this from a few other readers. Too bad things are so expensive for you in the UK. I can imagine this is very frustrating!!
Be Well,
--Amber
Ahh Amber this lotion sounds heavenly! My hands get dry this time of year in the Rocky Mountains and this lotion sounds perfect for them. I love the combination of coconut and shea butter you used.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura!
DeleteDoes the finished lotion need to be refrigerated? Or can it stay in my bathroom?
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteGreat question!
This can stay out at room temp for weeks, perhaps months. It has a great shelf life. We keep a jar in my son's room, one in our bedroom, some in my bag, and a jar in the kitchen.
Be Well,
--Amber
Awesome! Thanks for such an awesome recipe! I have been using straight coconut oil on my skin, but wanted something more true to an actual lotion with the great benefits of coconut oil. I will be ordering some shea butter online soon! Any particular brand or site you recommend?
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteFor sure, I ordered mine from Amazon. It's a great price and goes a long way! You'll get a TON of lotion. If you're making just a little bit, purchase the smallest quantity you can. But this link will get you started and you can browse through different options.
Have fun and play around with the ingredients. You might want to add in more shea, or more coconut, etc. Either way, this combination of ingredients is very healing and really helps my son's skin!
link: http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Organic-West-African-Butter/dp/B0009JQFF6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1331919531&sr=8-7
Let me know how it goes for you.
P.S. I just bought some raw cocoa butter (from amazon), oh my, it smells soooo good. I'm making some lotion with this next. Recipe coming soon! :-)
I'm not a mixtress...yet, I guess. I'd usually see others mixing shea with just an EO. But never with coconut oil. The benefits for the skin are definitely increased. Great recipe. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteIt it oily on the skin? Does it absorb quickly?
ReplyDeleteHello anonymous,
DeleteGood question. I can tell you that this doesn't stay oily. It does eventually soak in the skin. I would not use it as a facial lotion, however. :-)
A reader left me a comment on this post, and it came through my email, but it's not showing up here? So here is the question:
ReplyDeleteHi Amber,
Thanx for your wonderful recipe. One question.., should the lotion be stored in glass containers only?? If yes, why? --Anu
My Answer:
Good question, Anu. I firmly believe that glass containers are the best for oily and high fat ingredients (such as coconut oil and shea butter). Fats and oils leach out toxins in plastic, and you just don't want to take the risk. This lotion can last months and months (very long shelf life) so I really recommend storing in a glass container. I use old glass bottles from the store (from previous lotions) or ask friends if they have any around. You can also find little glass lotion containers at most stores. Thanks, --Amber
Hi Amber,
ReplyDeleteI saw this recipe and will try it tonight! I have eczema as well and have become more conscious of what I put on my skin. I'm crossing my fingers that this recipe will work for me! Have you ever experimented with Neem? I've done a little research and it seems that neem may be very beneficial for people with eczema. I might try adding a few drops of neem oil into your recipe and see how it works. Thanks for sharing this!
Hello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your note.
I just want to add a few things about healing and eczema. First, not every lotion is going to work and overtime they seem to sort of lose their benefit. I recommend making different lotions throughout the year and finding which ingredients(s) work the best (overall). It's trial and error. For my husband, currently, the best combo for his eczema is shea butter, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerine, and coconut oil. I mix all three of these together and it heals the cracked, bleeding skin. It's still red, but it's getting better.
In addition, and this is very important, I recommend modifying any diet with eczema. Food is a big trigger, so lotions aren't going to work as well if skin is always contending with the aggravating affects of food. lastly, add in fish oils and other healing supplements to the diet.
I truly believe a holistic approach to eating and remedies can dramatically improve eczema. It's been 3 years, but for the FIRST time my son's eczema is in remission! We never gave up on the diet, the supplements and lotions.
Good luck to you on your healing journey.
P.S. We've never tried Neem, but I certainly recommend this oil! Very healing and I've heard great things.
Hi Amber,
DeleteThank you for the response! I was actually just looking through your recipes. I've been trying to adjust my diet but it's been harder than I thought. I think your recipes will give me a great selection to choose from and help with my attempt at a healthier diet.
I'm so glad to hear that your son's eczema is doing better! That's really great. I hope the trend continues!
Thanks again, reading your blog has been very inspiring!