Softening hand balm recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tsp coconut oil or butter
• 1/2 tsp wheat germ (or almond) oil
• 1 tbl sp cocoa butter
• 1 natural vitamin E capsule (optional)
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops geranium essential oil

Melt the coconut, wheat germ and cocoa butter in a bowl and gently heat over a pan of boiling water. When all ingredients are thoroughly melted, remove from heat. Pierce the vitamin E capsule and whisk into the oils. Leave to cool until mixture just starts to thicken. Add essential oils and pour into a sterilised low wide mouthed jar and leave to cool completely before covering with lid.

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Use as required to soften and smooth your hands and elbows. It is also gentle enough to use on the face. However, it is a rich treatment so use only a small amount per application, otherwise your skin will feel oily.

If stored away in a dry place and away from sunlight, your balm will keep for about 9-10 months.

Properties of ingredients used:

Coconut butter has protective and skin softening properties;

Wheatgerm oil is useful in the treatment of premature ageing;

Cocoa butter is very mild and superb for dry skin conditions as it helps to nourish, protect and soothe;

Vitamin E protects against the destruction of the connective tissue caused by free radicals;

Lavender essential oil helps the skin by stimulating cells to regenerate more quickly;

Geranium essential oil balances sebum to keep skin supple;