The Problem
I struggle with dry hands! It seems like every time I put on my luxurious hand creme, I need to wash my hands seconds later because a toddler needed help in the bathroom or a baby’s diaper needed changed, or it’s time to make another meal! And then my hands are left feeling chapped, cracked, and dry again.
The Plan
I needed to come up with a way to be able to wash my hands without leaving them dried out. I knew it would have to be cleansing so I wasn’t spreading germs. Essential oils have many fantastic properties some of them being antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. Some of my favorites are lemon, peppermint, lavender, and frankincense. (For more ideas you can get my Essentials on Essential Oils printable!) For this hand wash to work, it would also have to have serious moisturizing power! Olive oil is high in vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids. It can also tighten the skin by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. Olive oil is high in antioxidants which protect the skin against sun damage. Shea butter is also rich in vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids which are protecting and nourishing for the skin. And finally, if I had an exfoliant, I would be able to enhance both the cleansing and moisturizing effects. Salt was my answer. I love himalayan pink salt because it contains so many awesome minerals. But you could use any fine grain salt or sugar. And so my moisturizing and cleansing hand scrub was born!
The Process
This is about the right consistency.
Ingredients:
½ cup fine grain sea salt or sugar ( I love himalayan pink salt)
1 oz softened shea butter (organic if possible)
2 oz olive oil (organic if possible)
14 drops of pure essential oil (see note below)
Clean 8 oz closable jar or container
Pour the salt into a bowl. Add the shea butter and olive oil. Mix until well combined and all the shea butter is blended. The consistency should be thick but pourable. If it is too thick, add a little olive oil. If it is too runny, add a little salt. Finally, add your essential oils. Give it another mix and then pour it into your jar or container. Set it by your most-used hand washing spot and enjoy! My hands are loving me!
I had a friend who works with clay and suffers from dry, cracked hands try some of my scrub. She loved it and wanted to stock her gallery with it for her pottery classes!
A note about your essential oil choices:
I used 6 drops of lavender because it helps heal the skin and is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. I used 6 drops of palmarosa because it is a cell regenerator, moisturizer, and is also antiseptic. Finally, I used 2 drops of patchouli because it is a tissue regenerator and helps heal cracked and chapped skin. It is also antifungal. Whatever oils you choose, make sure to use pure essential oils for their medicinal value and make sure to choose oils with cleansing properties.
Have fun and enjoy this wonderful hand scrub! You might even find you end up using it on more than just your hands!
Want to try it before you make it? Click here! But hurry! This is only available while supplies last.
Yours in Health,
