Stir the shea butter as it’s melting to help it heat evenly. You can usually purchase raw shea butter at health food and organic grocery stores, as well as beauty supply stores. A variety of online sites also sell it.
If you prefer, you can substitute almond or avocado oil for the olive oil.
If you don’t have a hand or immersion blender, you can blend the lotion by hand. Use a whisk to whip the mixture until it has a creamy consistency.
Mason jars make an ideal storage container for the lotion.
You can substitute distilled water or herbal tea for the aloe vera gel if you prefer. The essential oils are mainly to scent the lotion, so you can use any combination that you prefer. Lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, grapefruit, patchouli, rose, and jasmine are good options to consider. Some essential oils are effective for the skin. For example, rosemary and tea tree oil are anti-inflammatory. Cedarwood reduces irritation, ylang-ylang is an effective cleanser, and pomegranate seed oil has anti-aging qualities. The best herbs for lotions are chamomile and calendula. They are good for dry skin and promote anti-aging. The aloe vera gel mixture needs to come to room temperature. You may want to place the bowl in a larger pot with some warm water. That will help raise the temperature of the mixture so it will be closer to the temperature of the beeswax mixture that you’ll eventually add it to so it will blend easier.
Stir the beeswax occasionally as it’s melting to ensure that it heats evenly. You can usually purchase beeswax at local farmers’ markets, health food stores, and organic grocery stores. It’s also available at a wide range of online retailers.
You may need to stop the blender periodically as you’re blending the lotion to scrape down the sides of the pitcher with a spatula so all of the ingredients are incorporated. If liquid pools at the top of the lotion mixture, stop the blender and push it into the cream with the spatula before blending again.
If you don’t plan to use the lotion within 2 to 3 months, store it in the refrigerator. That can help prolong its life for another 2 to 3 months.
To keep the lotion from solidifying after you mix it, it’s best to use raw shea butter. Stir the mixture as it’s melting to ensure that it’s heating evenly.
You can substitute jojoba oil for the almond oil if you prefer. You can use any combination of essential oils that you prefer, but it’s a good idea to include oils that target the skin issues that you wish to treat. If you have dry or aging skin, geranium and rose essential oils are good options. For skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis, jasmine, rose, chamomile, lavender, and sandalwood essential oils work well. If you want to create an energizing lotion,use grapefruit or lemon essential oil. If you want to prevent stretch marks, mix in lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, and/or geranium essential oils.
Small canning jars make excellent containers for the lotion. While the lotion will keep for up to 2 months at room temperature, refrigerating it can prolong its life for an additional couple of months.
Stir the shea butter periodically as it’s melting to ensure that it heats evenly. You can substitute another nourishing oil for the almond oil. Jojoba, avocado, and apricot oils are all good options.
While you want the mixture to solidify slightly, avoid freezing it. Don’t keep it in the freezer for more than 20 minutes.
You may find it easier to whip the lotion mixture using the whisk attachment on a stand mixer.
The lotion can be used on your body and face. It isn’t necessary to store the lotion in the refrigerator, but doing so can help prolong its life for several months.
