How to Make Dry Skin Cream

Routine moisturizing is the key to healthy, supple skin. The better hydrated your skin, the more youthful and healthy it will look. This dry skin cream recipe is great for use in the hot summer months when skin is exposed to the sun and is more susceptible to flaking due to dehydration. The aloe vera content makes this cream especially great for use immediately after sun bathing. With vitamin E extracts, cocoa butter and witch hazel, this recipe will help soothe irritated or bruised skin and decrease the look of scars. It also works to increase the skin's ability to self repair.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup organic rose petals
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup avocado oil
• 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/3 cup emulsifying wax
• 3 tbsp. vegetable glycerin
• 2 tbsp vitamin E
• 1 tbsp. witch hazel
• 1 tbsp. cocoa butter
• 1 tsp. citric acid
• 20 drops vanilla essential oil
• Airtight lotion bottles
• Airtight wide-mouthed jars (optional)
• Microwave
• Stove
• Pot
• Electric beater
• Towel
• Strainer
• Kettle
• Assorted mixing bowls
• Whisk

Instructions

Make Your Rose Water

1. Boil the water for the rose water solution in a kettle over high heat.

2. Prepare your rose basin. While the water is boiling, place your rose petals into a large bowl that can hold all of the water.

3. Make your rose water. Once the water has boiled, pour it over the rose petals and cover the bowl with a towel. Let the mixture sit for up to 24 hours; 8 hours at the very least.

4. Strain the rose water. Once the rose water has cured, strain the petals from the water using a large strainer and a clean bowl. Set the clear rose water aside.

Make Your Lotion

1. Combine the wax, avocado oil, cocoa butter and vegetable glycerin in a pot over low to medium heat. Stir constantly to fully combine the ingredients and melt slowly. You only need to heat the mixture until it is just melted (do not boil). Set aside.

2. Combine aloe vera gel, vitamin E, witch hazel and your prepared rose water in a separate bowl. Stir briskly with a whisk. Set aside.

3. Combine the liquid from Step 5 with the liquid from Step 6. Blend these ingredients together with an electric beater on high for 1 minute. The mixture should thicken rather quickly.

4. Add your fragrance. Once the lotion is of a desired consistency, you may add the essential oil. Mix quickly with a wooden spoon. The fragrance will disperse quickly and doesn’t need to be mixed extensively into the lotion.

5. Store your mixture. Using a funnel, pour the lotion into your lotion bottle(s). If the lotion is too thick to pour through a funnel, try using a small spoon or spatula. For very thick lotions and creams, you should store the mixture in wide-mouthed jars, because getting thick cream into small-mouthed lotion bottles may be difficult.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the lotion at or below room temperature and shake vigorously before each use.

• You may use jojoba, olive or almond oil in place of the avocado oil if you wish.

• You can substitute the vanilla essence for any other essential oil, according to preference.

• You can make the rose water in advance and store in a plastic bottle in the refrigerator.