Another beekeeper's winter thing-to-do: make hand cream. I still don't have the process down but here's currently what I am doing.
The recipe I used (always in revision):
1 3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup + 1 T cocoa butter
7 oz coconut oil
4 oz beeswax
2 T lanolin oil
2 T honey
1/2 cup or so of water
Melt the first seven ingredients together. Pour into a blender container. Blend until it starts to thicken. Gradually blend in 1/2 cup water. Blend for 20 minute increments and stop blender and cool mixture for about 5 minutes. Continue until the lotion is thick enough to put into containers. (This takes 4 to 4 1/2 hours).
If you simply pour the mix into the containers, it will be hard as a rock. The blending is necessary, but I haven't figured out how to simplify this process. Let me know what you try and what works for you.
The finished product can't be slathered onto your hands or they will remain rather greasy. As in Brylcream, a "little dab'll do ya." I use a fingertip's worth to lotion my two hands.
Meanwhile, here's the slide show (click to see it full sized and read the captions):
The recipe I used (always in revision):
1 3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup + 1 T cocoa butter
7 oz coconut oil
4 oz beeswax
2 T lanolin oil
2 T honey
1/2 cup or so of water
Melt the first seven ingredients together. Pour into a blender container. Blend until it starts to thicken. Gradually blend in 1/2 cup water. Blend for 20 minute increments and stop blender and cool mixture for about 5 minutes. Continue until the lotion is thick enough to put into containers. (This takes 4 to 4 1/2 hours).
If you simply pour the mix into the containers, it will be hard as a rock. The blending is necessary, but I haven't figured out how to simplify this process. Let me know what you try and what works for you.
The finished product can't be slathered onto your hands or they will remain rather greasy. As in Brylcream, a "little dab'll do ya." I use a fingertip's worth to lotion my two hands.
Meanwhile, here's the slide show (click to see it full sized and read the captions):
Are you going to sell some of these? What a neat idea.
ReplyDeleteHow long does this last in the container?
ReplyDeleteI've still got and am using some that is two years old. The essential oil scent goes away but it is still good as lotion.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a great idea,
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the first recipe that was truthful and helplful on how to get a creamy lotion. I know know why my lotion just hardens and doesn't turn creamy. I am 4.5 hours short of the end product. Thanks and love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteQuestion-As far as adding the honey, can you add it after everything is melted to save the medicinal/healing properties of the honey instead of cooking it out?
ReplyDeleteKaren from NY
The problem is that honey separates out. You can try adding it last, but I don't know how that will work. Heating it seems to help it blend in just right.
ReplyDelete