Hand and Face Cream
from John, 11/25/02:
HAND AND FACE CREAM
Take a quantity of pure beeswax, weigh it and weigh out about 3 times as much weight of olive oil. Gently melt the wax and oil together, and add herb(s) of choice. Try calendula chamomile or lavender flowers. Simmer very gently for about half an hour. Strain mixture, stir in essential oil(s) of choice.
Leave to set, whisking from time to time until a creamy consistency is reached. Transfer to a suitable container. This cream is soothing to the skin and excellent for chapped hands. It is also good when used as a lip balm.
Katherine replied, 11/25/02:
I made up a small batch--about 5 oz total using light olive oil and adding about 1/2 dram lavendar essential oil after I turned off the heat. Sat there whisking it while it cooled and it's wonderful!
I have very rough chapped hands with thickend callouses on my fingers. In the winter I get terrible cracks on my finger tips. This stuff makes my hands totally smooth, it doesn't itch at all. Also put it on my feet which are always very dry--they feel really good.
I highly recommend it. DS2 wants to make up a batch with peppermint or cinnamon in it to give to friends (of the female persuasion).
I'm planning to try a small batch with a higher proportion of beeswax to put in tiny pots as lip balm.
I may make a really bit batch to give for presents. It smells truly wonderful without any additional herbs or essential oils added--the beeswax gives it a beautiful honey smell. This lingers long after the lavendar fades.
I'm also thinking that for really dry skin adding some sweet almond oil and some castor oil in place of some of the olive would be good. I love how almond oil smells and it should go very well with the honey scent of the beeswax.
Now I need to find some nice containers for it.