Ladies (and some gentlemen), I have a confession: I am allergic to a lot of ‘products’ out there. While I know I don’t live alone in my plight with extremely sensitive skin, it’s a real pain in the a^^ when I buy nice things only to use them and break out in massive hives, rashes, and other unpleasant side effects. Things that should be enjoyable, like a massage, are less so because whatever creams those great folks use I’m allergic too. However, I know this when I make the appointments and immediately shower when I get home. One area of my life that is a pain is also easy. Since I’m allergic to soaps, lotions, detergents, anything from Bath & Body Works, cheap stuff, expensive stuff, and air freshener anything, shopping is super easy. Even things labeled “hypoallergenic” are no match for my largest organ, my dermis. I have no future as a make up tester unless I get really awesome health insurance. On the flip side, it takes me a long time to find things that do work or don’t make me explode. I started this journey as a child when my whole body swelled up and eyes closed, later in college when I found out I was allergic to laundry detergent when my throat closed and I had to visit the ER, and as I continue to age. I keep a running prescription of epi-pens, steroid creams, pills, and other things in my personal arsenal. I have found products that work through trial and error and if anyone reading this wants a bunch of really nice bottles of lotions, please let me know. PIC doesn’t use lotion, but he is the proud recipient of shampoos, body washes, and other products that I boot off my personal beauty island. He also smells real good ;~).
Lotion is something I have been trying to catch like a herd of cats for years. I find one that doesn’t bother me and about a year later, the ‘chemicals’ change and my skin explodes yet again. I have resorted to homemade lotion out of necessity at this point and this one is a winner. It’s thick, making it good to apply at night before bed, and I added some essential oils for my own benefit. The best part: I’m not allergic to it. I have bombed batches of homemade lotion but was not ready to throw in the towel. I also had all of the ingredients for this batch, having to only go purchase some more olive oil, a regular cooking ingredient in the house.
I followed the recipe posted by A Sonoma Garden and said a secret prayer for better results this time around. What’s the worst that could happen? More trial and error?
You’ll need:
- 1 c. olive oil
- 1/2 c. coconut oil
- 1/2 c. beeswax (I buy mine at the local organic shop. if using solid beeswax use 2 oz.)
- 1/2 t. Vitamin E oil (or about 5 capsules cut open and squeezed out)(optional)
- 20 drops (approximately) essential oil (optional) i chose citrus
- Combine olive oil, coconut oil and beeswax pastilles into a pint sized canning jar.
- Put this jar into a saucepan and fill the saucepan with water until it comes 3/4 of the way up the canning jar, being careful not to get water into the oil mixture.
- Put on the stove over medium/low heat. Heat and stir occasionally until melted.
- Let cool to room temperature either by leaving out or quicken the process by putting into the refrigerator.
- During the cooling process, put a fork into the jar and stir vigorously every 15 minutes or so.
- Once at room temperature, add in the Vitamin E and essential oil. That’s it. You have lotion!
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My husband also has a chemical allergy. Mostly detergents, steroids, metals and preservatives that are found in everything. Started making my own products, lotion is one that I am trying to make now. Sorry about your allergy but nice to see I’m not the only one out there.
thanks for the note. good luck!