How to Make Natural Lotion

Hand-made natural lotion is great for skin!

Lotion made by hand with all-natural ingredients is a luxury item most don't realize is quite easy to make! All-natural lotion is better for skin and cheaper to make than costly department store brands. And while not a medical cure, using this lotion recipe has helped to alleviate my daughter's excema.

Things You'll Need

• beeswax
• distilled water
• grape seed oil
• essential oil of your choice
• borax (optional)
• water bath
• a separate pan
• a bowl
• hand mixer
• bowl of cold water

Instructions

1. Start the hot water bath by placing about an inch of water in one pan and turning the heat on the stove to about medium-low. Place another pan immediately over the other pan to form a tight seal. This way the water inside the first pan will boil and the second pan will not get too hot. Place 1/2 cup grape seed oil and 1 tablespoon grated up beeswax into the hot water bath. Add a few drops of essential oil of your choice to scent the lotion. Cook gently until the beeswax is melted.

2. Meanwhile, place 1/4 cup water into a separate pan and heat until very hot, but not quite boiling. You can add 1/8 teaspoon borax to the water before heating if you want so that the water and borax are heated together. The borax acts as a preservative for the lotion, increasing the shelf life. When using borax the shelf life is doubled.

3. Combine the oil/beeswax mixture and the water in a bowl. Mix with a hand mixer until completely blended and the lotion begins to thicken.

4. Cool the lotion by placing the bowl with the lotion into another bowl filled with very cold water, being sure not to let any water get into the lotion. Wait at least two hours.

5. When the lotion is set, take it out and place the lotion into an airtight glass jar with a lid for storage. Lotion made without borax will last about two weeks. Lotion made with borax will last about 4 weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• To increase storage time by about a week, store lotion in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

• Be careful when handling hot oil and water, as they can burn.