Does anyone make their own hand/face lotion

[rockymtngirl]

Lotions in retail stores are so expensive - does anyone make their own?

[Saoirse]

Here is a really great website if you want to try to make your own lotion, bath salts, cleaning supplies, etc. This is a very girly and fun site! Some of it requires special supplies, but many things can be made from things in your kitchen:

http://www.makeyourowncosmetics.com/

[rockymtngirl]

Cool - thanks for the link!

[lsg]

I have a simple recipe that everyone loves. I will be glad to share it with you. The only difference in making a cream or lotion is the amount of liquid you use in the formula. If you want a lotion, just up the water content.

Smooth & Silky Skin Cream

74 grams apricot oil
74 grams sweet almond oil
57.5 grams cocoa butter
1/4 tsp. lanolin
25 grams bees wax
Heat oils together until lanolin and beeswax has melted. Pour into blender and blend together.

Add:
229 grams distilled water
115 grams aloe gel
2.8 grams Optiphen Plus (preservative)
3/4 tsp. fragrance oil

Put lid on blender and mix until mixture is the consistency of buttercream frosting. Put into sterilized containers.

[ohara1000]

I make a hand and body lotion that works well for dry cracked hands as well as dry skin. I haven't used it on my face but it works well for chapped lips. All the ingredients I buy at the General Dollar Store. I use the store brand because it turns out better.

1-- 8 oz. jar petroleum jelly.
1--jar of Vitamin E cream
1--bottle of baby lotion

Mix all ingredients with spoon or you may use hand held mixer. i save the container the Vitamin E cream comes in and any other small jars and put the finisned cream/lotion in. The mixture will be thick. You can also add scent such as body spray if you like. This works well on dry heels. I like to apply to hands and feet before bed. Hope this helps you.
Sarah :)

[Dayzee]

A great aunt of mine used nothing but glycerin and rosewater. Pretty much equal parts, I think. I also believe she bought the ingredients at a pharmacy.

She had nice skin. :cool:

[NCLee]

Glycerin is still available at the drug store. At least it was the last time I bought some. Expensive, if memory serves.

IMHO, it all depends on what you want in a cream or lotion. Plain old vasoline, rubbed on heels, right after a bath, does just as good a job, as a high priced tiny jar of xyz.

Olive oil is another one. Or a vegetable oil.

The primary purpose of most of these is simply to apply a protective layer that keeps the natural oils and moisture underneath the skin from drying out.

That said, a flavored Chap Stick sure tastes better than mineral oil (another alternative).

Just a half cent or so.

Lee