{"id":128814,"date":"2020-04-02T11:43:19","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T10:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/?p=128814"},"modified":"2024-11-12T02:23:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T02:23:15","slug":"shea-butter-benzoin-hand-lotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/shea-butter-benzoin-hand-lotion\/","title":{"rendered":"Shea and benzoin soothing hand cream for dry skin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The subject of hand care has been a hot topic of late, and due to everyone washing and sanitizing their hands more now we know many people will be experiencing dry skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is really important that you keep up with washing hands and don\u2019t avoid doing so.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What we can do to help is offer you some hand care solutions that will help you to maintain soft, nourished and healthy skin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wrote an article all about <\/span>hand soap that doesn\u2019t dry the skin<\/span><\/a> which you might like to read.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple answer is to wash your hands regularly using soap and water and use a cream or lotion to help repair any damage and keep the skin on your hands soft, supple and well-nourished.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creams and lotions are significantly better than balms and butter, and to find out why, read our article, \u201c<\/span>Why dry skin needs creams and lotions more than balms and butters: what you need to know to soften and nourish dry skin<\/span><\/a>\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hand cream formula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soothing Hand Lotion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is our favourite hand lotion and we use it every day throughout the winter. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very nourishing and moisturizing while also being light and quickly absorbed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We used to spend a fortune on expensive hand creams because hands can get so dry \u2013 now we make our own and we love it! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benzoin is wonderful for chapped, dry skin, lavender is super healing and orange is a natural antiseptic and gentle disinfectant.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil phase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

5g Xyliance emulsifier (learn more about Xyliance and alternative options here<\/a>)
<\/span>7g shea butter
<\/span>4g sunflower oil
<\/span>4g avocado oil (we use the green unrefined version in this recipe because we find it much more nourishing for our skin. You could replace this with refined if you wish)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water phase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

75.1g distilled\/deionized water
<\/span>2.5g glycerin
<\/span>0.3g xanthan gum<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooling phase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1g preservative (or according to manufacturer’s instructions. Some options are here<\/a>)
0.1g Vitamin E
<\/span>0.4g orange essential oil
<\/span>0.3g benzoin essential oil
<\/span>0.3g lavender essential oil <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To vary the scent you can replace the benzoin with frankincense, cedarwood, or ylang ylang essential oil. You can also substitute the carrier oils for others if you wish.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method for making creams and lotions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Click the arrows to see step-by-step how to make the cream<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First weigh your water phase ingredients. It\u2019s easier to disperse the xanthan gum in the glycerin first so sprinkle the xanthan gum onto the water and blend with a stick blender or mix thoroughly with a spoon or whisk.<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pour the the glycerin and xanthan gum mixture into the water.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mix thoroughly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prepare your oil phase by weighing out the oil-phase ingredients.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Combine the oil phase ingredients in a beaker.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prepare two water baths\/bain-maries.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 7 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heat both the water phase and oil phase containers in a water bath\/bain-marie until both reach the same temperature (70\u00b0C  or 158\u00b0F), measuring the temperature with a thermometer. You can choose to follow the \u201c<\/span>heat and hold<\/span><\/a>\u201d method if you like.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once both phases have reached the same temperature, carefully remove them from the water bath.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 9 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pour the water phase into the oil phase. You can also pour the oil into the water however some oil always gets left behind if you pour it that way around!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blend with a stick blender with a few minutes to emulsify.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The warm emulsion will still be very fluid.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 12 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cool the emulsion down by placing the beaker in a cold water bath (sink or saucepan filled with cold water) and mixing until cool.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 13<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the temperature has reached 40\u00b0C (104\u00b0F) add cooling phase and mix until uniform.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Step 14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this point you can check the pH of your product if you wish. If your preservative isn\u2019t too pH dependant then you can likely skip this step. The easiest way to check the pH as a beginner is to <\/span>spread a small amount of the emulsion on a pH strip and wait 1-2 minutes for the strip to show the pH. Then you can adjust the pH if needed. We give much more information on how to test and adjust pH in our <\/span>courses<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 15<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Transfer to your packaging of choice and once cooled to room temperature place the lid on.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If you would like to learn how to make your own creams and lotions for a fraction the price of shop-bought brands, then we have a few resources that will help.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our <\/span>Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products<\/span><\/a> has a module dedicated to making your creams and lotions using natural and organic ingredients. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this course, you\u2019ll learn the key ingredients to include, important steps to forming a successful emulsion and discover a range of natural emulsifiers to use. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also provide an invaluable troubleshooting guide helping you fix any issues that might arise (such as creams separating) and a guide to adapting cream and lotion recipes, so you can have a go at adapting recipes to suit your preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Includes recipes for:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n