Best Household Lotion

Today is one of those grey grey days. So odd for Alberta Prairies. But it has inspired me to share a favorite recipe. for something that has become a household staple for me. Its one of those I-don't-know-what-I-would-do-without things.

Body Butter/ Diaper Cream/ Baby Balm/ Super Dry Hands Cream/ Everything Cream!

This recipe lathers so nice. It is made from pure ingredients. Once you have tried this you will hardly be able to use store bought lotions because you will realize that most store bought lotions are overpriced and totally unhydrating. Even if the label boasts "Shea Butter" or "Natural" or "Soothing" look at the actual ingredients. You will likely find it to be a partial truth. Water is usually the first ingredients...for me it needs to be oil-something hydrating and soothing. Also, you will likely find words you can't say i.e. chemicals, perfumes, which doesn't take a rocket appliance to understand that this is just not healthy for your skin to soak up.

The best part about making your own body butter is it is EASY. The recipe can be as complicated or simple as you want.

It is so pure you could eat this and it wouldn't harm you AT ALL.

We have all been there: spending more then we want on that lotion that either smells delicious or is going to sooth our skin issues or whatever. At the end of the day you go through a bottle in no time that cost too much. I stopped this madness when I was expecting my little girl. I couldn't bear the thought of putting those store bought lotions on my babies pure, unadulterated skin. So I looked into it on Google of course and found many other moms in the same boat. Here is a blog that inspired me:

This is not complicated to make and you can't mess it up.

For every 1/4 cup Oil- coconut oil (my fav!), olive oil, avocado oil, castor oil, apricot oil

use

1/2-3/4 cup (lotion or a balm) of a hardening ingredient - Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax

Then, add a few drops essential oils, or infuse oil with petals and flowers.

Be Creative. And if it doesn't pan out. Just melt it down and add more hardener or more oil. You can't wreck it

Today I started with Chamomile flowers and Calendula petals because I use my balm for diaper cream and I need the soothing properties these plants hold.

Place the petals and flowers(if you are choosing to infuse) and oil in a saucepan with a thick bottom or in a double boiler. Heat on low for 1 hour.

Then strain petals and flowers from oil into a bowl or food processor. Allow oil to cool.

Now you add your hardening ingredient to the blender. I used Shea butter. And essential oils. Then whip it! - don't use a kitchen aid. It will splatter everywhere!

Pour into container-use a recycled jar or old candle container...just something with a relatively wide neck.

Let sit uncovered and undisturbed for about 24 hours at room temperature. It should harden to a nice whipped texture. Something like stiff whip cream you may just want to dive into.

Note: This batch turned out more lotiony as I put less hardening ingredient in.