This hand cream is very rich and spectacular for reviving hands that have been washed too many times. Emulsifying Wax NF is a safe, commercially manufactured product that can be purchased online.
The process of making hand cream or lotion involves heating and combining oil and water with an emulsifier, and then cooling the mixture while continuing to blend. You make this recipe richer by adding a little shea butter or lighter by choosing grape seed oil for your base. You can apply the final cream to your face or body and scent it however you wish, taking care to avoid essential oils that can be irritating such as tea tree, citrus and cinnamon essential oils. Rose, geranium, lavender, chamomile and rosemary essential oils are safe for most people, but there are always exceptions. You can also choose not to add any scent at all.
I discourage readers from adding herbal teas, aloe vera juice or any other minimally processed plant material to your lotion, since these ingredients will encourage bacteria and mold to grow. If you are really determined, make a very small batch that can be used up in less than a week and keep it in the refrigerator.
This recipe calls for a double boiler. You can substitute with saucepan, a heat safe bowl that will fit in the pan and canning rings to prevent to bowl from touching the bottom of the sauce pan. The photos below show this method.
Ingredients
1 cup of purified or distilled water
½ cup of oil. Good options include olive, avocado, jojoba, almond or grape seed oil.
1 tablespoon of coconut oil, shea, mango or cocoa butter (optional)
¼ teaspoon of vitamin E oil (protects from rancidity)
12 drops of grapefruit seed extract (antimicrobial)
6-10 drops of essential oil of your choice. Good options include lavender, geranium or rose.
3 tablespoons of emulsifying wax NF (E wax)
Tools
All of the following should be very clean, and should be thoroughly washed with soap before they are used with food.
double boiler
1-cup Pyrex measuring cup
1 metal spoon
Measuring spoons
Electric mixer
Zip lock plastic bag that can hold at least 2 cups
Tea kettle
Small, clean containers with lids for cream.
Large bowl of ice water
Directions
- In the top of the saucepan, combine the oil, optional fat and the emulsifying wax. Fill the bottom half of the double boiler with 2-3″ of water and place the double boiler on medium heat. Stir occasionally with metal spoon until all of the wax and fat have melted.
- Heat water in a kettle and measure one cup. Remove the top half of the double boiler from the stove and blend with an electric mixer. Slowly pour the hot water into the oil while continuing to mix. Continue to mix for two minutes.
- Turn off the mixer and prepare a large bowl of ice water. Carefully place the top of the double boiler into the bowl of ice water, taking care that the water doesn’t get into the boiler. Mix the contents of double boiler again for 2-3 minutes. Let the mixture continue to cool for a few more minutes, adding more ice as it melts.
- The mixture should become opaque and thick like frosting as it reaches room temperature. At this point add 12 drops of grapefruit seed extract, Vitamin E oil and optional essential oil. These ingredients will help protect your cream from bacteria and rancidity.
- Once your hand cream is completely cool, use a silicone spatula to scoop it into a zip lock bag. Push as much air out of the bag as you can and seal it closed. Open your hand cream containers and cut a tiny corner off the filled bag. Place the clipped corner over a container, and gently squeeze the bag to fill it. You may need to stir the containers with a toothpick to release any trapped air pockets. You can also cap the container and tap the bottom on the counter to help the lotion settle to the bottom. Continue filling your containers until the are full and place the lids on top. You can print out sticker labels for your cream or write directly on the bottle with a sharpie marker.
- Enjoy your cream and share your with friends and family!