Homemade Moisturizer

This 2-in-1 moisturizer can be used on dry hair or skin. It is extremely beneficial for dry feet and frequently washed hands. It is moisturizing and does not leave a residue or greasy feeling once absorbed.

I can honestly say I will never buy lotion or hair moisturizer again. I may change up the recipe a little every now in then, if I feel the need to, but this has definitely become a keeper for me.



Yield: Makes approx. 5-6 oz.
Cost per bottle: Less than $1.50 (Cost may vary. This is an approximation.)
Shelf Life: Keep refrigerated when not in use for up to 1 month
Time: Less than 5 minutes
Benefits: Cost effective, organic (if you choose organic ingredients), safe for children and babies, simple and easy to obtain ingredients, for use as a hair and skin moisturizer

Materials:
2-3 oz tap water
3 tbsp lecithin granules
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp raw unrefined shea butter

5-6 oz reusable container

Glass measuring cup
Measuring spoon (tbsp)
Stick blender (optional, but highly recommended) OR whisk
If using a whisk, you may also needed a small mixing bowl.

Instructions:

1. Measure 2 oz tap water in a glass measuring cup.
2. Warm in microwave for 1 minute or until very hot or boiling.
3. Carefully remove the measuring cup and add 3 tbsp lecithin granules.
4. Blend for 3 seconds or whisk for about 30 seconds, until the water begins to thicken.
5. Pour in olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
6. Blend/whisk until smooth and no lecithin granules remain. (Stick blender: approx. 30-60 sec; Whisk: a few minutes)
7. Pour into your storage container and let chill in refrigerator overnight to obtain correct consistency OR you can use immediately if necessary.

Where to Buy:

Soy Lecithin Granules (see notes below)

• your local Vitamin Shoppe
• Mountain Rose Herbs (powder)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (any brand)

• Any local grocer

Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (any brand of virgin oil is fine)

• Most local grocers
• Walmart
• Amazon

Raw Unrefined Shea Butter

• Simply Shea Butter (5-lbs) 
• Mountain Rose Herbs 
• Amazon (Referred to as "yellow" shea, but is not from the same tree, yet many shared beneficial properties to "real" or "ivory" shea)

Airless Pump Bottle

I recommend using an airless pump bottle because it keeps the air (oxygen) and germs from your hands out of your preservative-free product, making it safer against mold and bacteria growth.

• Soapies Supplies 5 oz (highly recommended)
• Or reuse an old BPA-free bottle

Recipe Notes:

My skin and hair are dry. If you have oily skin, you may need to use lighter oils such as but not limited to: jojoba, peanut, sunflower, or grapeseed. 

Shea butter may be substituted for cocoa butter if you plan to only use this recipe as lotion for the skin. The shea butter or cocoa butter are not only great for skin and/or hair, but they are used as the thickener in this recipe. Since the moisturizer will be refrigerated, the coconut oil will also help thicken it because coconut oil turns to solid in temperatures below 76 degrees. If you would like to omit shea or cocoa butter, you may need to increase the coconut oil or you may need to find a thickener. Otherwise your moisturizer may be runny, which is perfectly fine and doesn't effect the product's quality.

Comments:

Due to the many sources of genetically modified soy floating around, soy lecithin is not so highly looked upon. However, the lecithin powder sold from Mountain Rose Herbs is listed as non-GMO. For experimental purpose, I started with a low-grade generic brand lecithin from Vitamin Shoppe. I plan to use the rest of what I have before A) purchasing an organic or non-GMO lecithin or B) substituting it for Guar Gum as an "holistic" alternative.

Guar gum is said to be an emulsifier and thickener, thus a viable replacement for my current emulsifier, lecithin. Guar gum is obtained from the seed of guar beans that have been dehusked, milled, screened, then ground into powder. I would like to use guar gum instead of lecithin because lecithin, although itself is natural, is usually extracted chemically with the use of hexane.

CAUTION:
This product can and will mold if not kept in the proper storing conditions. Do not leave out overnight, in your purse, car, etc. The beginning microbes are microscopic; therefore, once mold can be seen by the naked eye, it has already been present for possibly a day or so.

I have successfully kept a mold-free product if I return it back to the refrigerator once I am done using it. It is okay if it is left out a couple hours for usage during hairstyling, but must be returned to the fridge immediately after.

I have also successfully, yet unfortunately, experienced mold within 3-4 days of making a fresh product by leaving it on my nightstand. I believe that mold was also caused by using a jar, which involved dipping my hands in the product. I must say my hands were usually freshly washed, though, so I don't think "dirty" hands had anything to do with it.

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