So I have been going coconut oil crazy for the last 2 weeks now. I mean....there are no words. I'm glad I bought 2 big tubs of this stuff, cause at the rate I'm going I'll be out before Halloween! That would be scary. See what I did there?
Ok, lets get on with it...
You may or may not know that there are a million and one ways to use coconut oil, and I'm saying that pretty literally....its kind of insane. I've used in cooking in the past, put it on my toast instead of butter, even tried it as a leave in conditioner(which failed miserably), but I hadn't tried it as a skin moisturizer oddly enough. So I, like many others, have recently discovered the value in making my own products. So far my lotion and shampoo are amazing....and if I may go out on a limb, working better than the store bought stuff.
TAKE THAT nasty cancer causing chemicals.
This particular lotion I found on Pintrest from Freebie Finding Mom and originally I didn't have shea butter but I had everything else, so I decided to give it a whirl! I have played around with the recipe to suit my needs and....I can't even explain how amazing it is. I use it on my face, my body, and a friend who is testing it out used it as a shaving lotion in a pinch wants to buy this by the barrels! haha So, without further ado, here is the recipe! FYI, I recently had my first shipment of Shea butter come in and I will play around with that and post when I make something that works!
Coconut oil (I use organic refined)
A carrier oil, I used Apricot Kernel oil
a bowl
Electric mixer (I guess you don't NEED this but it makes the whipping a heck of a lot easier!)
Optional: -Essential oils of your choice. I love the way the Jasmine and Sweet Orange work with this!
-Coconut milk - Recently I added this thinking I had forgotten to write it down that I used it, then realized I hadn't. I actually like the way it came out a little better. I feel like its easier to grab, if that makes sense. But the original recipe is still divine.
Recipe:
3/4 cup Coconut oil
1 Tablespoon of carrier oil of your choice
1 Tablespoon of coconut milk
First Step:
*If you melted down the oils cause you're whipping by hand, skip to the third step.
Second Step:
Bust out you're electric mixer, and start whipping it up. I start on the low setting for a minute or so, then kick it up to high for about 2 or 3 minutes. It should look about like this, smooth and glassy.
Now I put it in the fridge to let it harden up a little, roughly 10 minutes. Basically, if you test it, it should feel hard, but your finger can break the surface easily.
I'll be honest, I'm not sure why this makes a difference, as I'm just delving into this world, but it makes a big difference in the consistency.
Fourth Step:
After its set, pull it out of the fridge and get your electric mixer ready again.
*Here's a little tip: I just eject the mixers and let them sit in the bowl, that way I don't lose any mixture to the paper towel, and most importantly, not clean up a mess.*
I follow the same pattern once I start mixing again, low setting, then high setting. This is where it starts whipping up so pretty! Once it starts looking light and fluffy, I'll stop to add my essential oils.
But thats it, YOU'RE DONE!
Spoon it into some pretty containers...give them as gifts! But be sure to keep one for yourself as a reward! (wink, wink)
Would love to hear how this turned out everyone! Like I mention earlier, I will play around with the recipe adding the shea butter and post when I get something I like!
Happy creating friends!
-SFH