How to Make Oatmeal Lotion
Oatmeal lotion is easy to make at home with ingredients that are readily available. It requires no special equipment other that what you probably already own. Homemade oatmeal lotion is also inexpensive to prepare, and the entire family can use it. Oatmeal is known for providing relief to dry, itchy skin, and the lotion also helps to make skin smooth. This particular lotion, if placed in an attractive jar, makes a unique gift for many different kinds of people. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rolled Oats
- Unscented lotion
- Blender
- Medium bowl
- Wire whisk
- Large spoon
- Small wide mouth jars with lids or bottles
- Funnel
Instructions
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Purchase all of the supplies you will need. Decide if you want to add a fragrance or a color to the lotion. If so, you will need essential oil in the fragrance of your choice and food coloring. Purchase the base lotion you will be using in a store that sells soap and candle supplies or in a pharmacy. You should buy the most pure unscented lotion that you can find. With respect to oatmeal, purchase old fashioned rolled oats and not quick, or processed, oatmeal.
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Gather all of your supplies and equipment. Check to make sure that your work area and equipment are clean, and that the jars have been carefully washed in warm, soapy water. Cleanliness is crucial when preparing body lotions, in order to discourage the spread of bacteria, particularly when the lotions contain food products and have no preservatives.
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Make colloidal oatmeal, which is simply oatmeal that has been ground to a fine consistency. Place about one-half cup of the rolled oats in the blender. Blend it on the highest setting, stopping every 30 seconds to stir it and scrape the sides. Keep grinding the oatmeal until it becomes like a powder.
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Pour the lotion into a bowl. Add the essential oil, one drop at a time, until you have the fragrance that suits you. The oil is extremely concentrated, so put it in carefully. If you use too much, your lotion will smell too strong. At this point, you can also add a few drops of food coloring. If you decide to color your lotion, it is usually a good idea to choose a color that matches the fragrance. For instance, if you used lavender essence, purple would be a good choice. The next thing you do is mix in about one part colloidal oatmeal to five parts lotion. Use the wire whisk to thoroughly mix the ingredients.
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Cover the bowl with the oatmeal mixture and let it rest for at least 12 hours. The oatmeal will thicken it. If it is too thick, add more lotion. Transfer the lotion to the containers. If you are using wide mouth jars, you can use a spoon. However, if you have chosen bottles, it is best to use a funnel. Once you have placed the lotion into the containers, replace the lids, and you are finished.
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References
- Photo Credit not enough time in our hands image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
