{This is my very first lotion post from way back. Click here for a more recent recipe.}

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 ounces blended oils
• 1 1/2 ounces coconut oil or cocoa butter
• 1/2 ounce beeswax
• 4 ounces distilled water
• 30 drops grapefruit seed extract
• 1/4 tsp. borax
• essential oils, optional

Method

1. Weigh the oils and beeswax. Melt over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove the melted oils and beeswax from the stove and add the water and borax.
3. Mix with hand blender or mixer until creamy & thick.
4. Stir in grapefruit seed extract and essential oils (if using).
5. Store in jars with screw-on tops.

Notes

Suggested blended oils: almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, olive oil - on their own or infused with calendula (great for skin) cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, jojoba, Shea butter, wheat germ oil

This cream should last for 4 months or so, but if you see mold growing, discard. If you pour it into several containers you can keep some in the fridge until you need them.

Making kitchen cosmetics requires cleanliness to inhibit bacterial growth. Purified or distilled water is used for this purpose. Also, thoroughly clean utensils and counter surfaces before weighing and mixing.

Borax helps mixture not separate.

Lotion goes on greasy but dries nice and is very softening & moisturizing especially during winter.

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Post-Production Notes

I wasn't as pleased with this batch of moisturizer as my first. I forgot the borax, big mistake, the lotion is already starting to separate just one week after making it. I can't remember the exact proportion of ingredients I used the first time but I liked it better.

I do know I used calendula infused olive oil and quite a bit of cocoa butter. The smell was wonderful - like chocolate. Brienne always thought I'd been raiding some secret stash of chocolate after I'd put it on.

Wondering where to buy supplies? Check out Mountain Rose Herbs.

If you have questions or concerns about Borax or GSE please see this post for a thorough discussion.