Make Your Own AntiAging Hand Lotion with 3 Ingredients
Hand creams and lotions are necessary when the skin’s natural oil barrier is compromised, which can happen due to a number of factors such as age, type of skin (dry, sensitive), and occupation (i.e. gardening). Hand creams can help your skin moisturize, soften and will nourishes dry skin.
Hand creams that you buy at the grocery store can have harmful chemicals such as preservatives. You can visit a herbal store and purchase a hand cream from an organic brand (I recommend Neal’s Yard). But even in the organic cosmetic world, not all cosmetics are created equally. Many can still contain ingredients that are harmful to your health when used on a regular basis.
On the other hand, you can easily create a plant-based recipe for hand cream at home. In fact, with only 3 ingredients, this recipe will not only deliver the moisture and skincare benefits you need during harsh winter months or when the weather is really dry but will do so without irritating your skin. It is easy to make and requires no special tools. Just a bowl and a spoon for mixing.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you whatsoever when you make a purchase using my link.
Aloe Vera Hand Lotion – DIY Recipe
The recipe below makes around 50 ml of hand lotion. If you do not need that much, simply make a smaller amount.
The ingredients are:
- 2 tablespoons Organic Aloe Vera Gel – get here
- 1 tablespoon Organic Baobab Seed Oil – get here
- 2 Vitamin E capsules – get here
NOTE: If you have never used Aloe vera for skin before you will need to test for allergies first. Simply take a little bit of the Aloe vera gel and test on a small part of your skin such as your forearm. Wait 24 hours and if you do not notice any irritation or allergic reaction you can use it safely.
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix the organic Aloe vera gel and organic baobab oil.
- Open the Vitamin E capsules and add the liquid to the above mix
- Beat thoroughly, try to make an emulsion from the beating
- When combined, store inside an appropriate container
Tips
- Check the Aloe vera gel expiry date. The mix should last you as long.
- Finish your lotion before preparing a new batch
- You can add 5 few drops of frankincense essential oil for a lovely scent and also because of the essential oil properties (antiinflammatory and relaxing)
- Use as often as needed
- Store in fridge if you want it to last longer or if it is very hot where you live
- Pass the recipe around if you’re happy with the results
How the Ingredients Work for AntiAging
Below is a short breakdown of each ingredient and what it does for you:
I’ve been making my own skincare for a few years now. I always try new things, and as time goes by I very much prefer simple formulas that use basic but powerful ingredients. There are many sophisticated hand cream and hand lotion formulas out there, but, in my books, nothing beats the simplicity of a recipe like the one on this post.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe vera is an antioxidant that will combat free radicals. This helps to slow the ageing process. Studies have shown that it can provide anti-ageing effects by improving skin elasticity and collagen production. It also provides protection against UV rays. Aloe has healing properties speeding up wound recovery.
The gel is obtained from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. It contains amino acids, enzymes and vitamins and is excellent for moisturising skin.
INFO: Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties. It stimulates fibroblasts which produce collagen and elastin fibres making the skin appear with fewer wrinkles as a result.
- Increases collagen production
- Helps skin elasticity
- Anti-inflammatory
- UV protection
- Fast regeneration of the fibroblast cells
NOTE: Aloe gel is a FANTASTIC moisturizer. I use it every day on my skin and I get compliments about my skin all the time. I grow my own Aloe vera and make my own gel, but the gel I recommended on this post is as good as (organic and with a natural preservative approved by Cosmos).
I couldn’t recommend Aloe vera more. I absolutely love it and sell it at the market. People keep coming back for more, the results they get are better than what they’ve been buying at chemists or local stores.
Baobab Seed Oil (Adansonia digitata)
Although baobab seed oil can sound like a luxury item, it is in fact quite inexpensive.
This oil is very rich and nourishing for the skin. It is high in Vitamin A and Vitamin F, which are key to the rejuvenation of the skin as well as anti-ageing.
The seed comes from the Baobab tree, or “Tree of Life”.
The oil is uniquely profiled with antioxidants, Vitamin A, D, E & F as well as Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fatty acids. Baobab oil is highly penetrating, making it perfect for intensive skin use, instantly softening dry skin.
Naturally Thinking
I have used baobab seed oil in the past for many formulations. I very much recommend this oil. Below are the fatty acid and natural contents’ profiles.
Fatty Acids
Palmitic acid (C16:0): 15-30
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1): <1
Stearic acid (C18:10): 1-8
Oleic acid (C18:1): 25-40
Linoleic acid (C18:2): 20-36
Natural Contents
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Proteins and minerals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E will slow down the rancidity of the baobab oil (oils won’t go rancid as quickly when using vitamin E) but it also has other benefits as an antiaging ingredient.
Vitamin E is a very effective skincare vitamin. It can prevent signs of premature aging. Being a powerful antioxidant, it is very effective in fighting off free radicals as well as reducing UV damage.
INFO: Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins for the skin, being crucial for collagen synthesis and cell growth. It reduces capillary fragility and fights free radicals in the skin.
Antioxidant
- Prevents and treats fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves general appearance of skin
- Moisturising
- Antiinflammatory
- Reduces skin itching and eczema
- Repairs, soothes and heals the skin
Did You Like the Recipe?
TIP: I use Aloe vera for almost everything, and when rubbing it on my face I also apply on my hair and hands.
How about you? Have you ever made your own hand lotion or cream? What are the ingredients that you like to use for natural skincare? I’m always also learning so would love to hear how you use natural ingredients.
Please leave your comments below. I would love to know what do you think about this simple but effective recipe for homemade hand lotion.
Resources
https://formulabotanica.com/how-to-make-a-vitamin-c-anti-ageing-hand-cream/
https://www.pokocbd.co.uk/blogs/beauty/baobab-oil
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1355132/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14799483/