Multipurpose Baby Cream

I did it!  After a couple of experimental rounds I have finally created my own baby cream recipe!  This cream can be used as a diaper cream, dry spot/eczema treatment and/or all over moisturizer!  It's pretty thick, so how you use it would be up to you and your specific needs.  I do have to brag...little M has been using it for about a week now, plus a different variation for about two weeks before that, and (no kidding) no eczema patches are present on his skin!  His case isn't sever by any means, but he seriously has "normal" smooth and even baby skin all over since using this!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp beeswax

1 tbsp coca butter

2 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp water

1/2 tbsp grapefruit seed extract

2 tbsp sweet almond oil

1 tbsp jojoba oil

2 tbsp vegetable glycerine

1/8 tsp vitamin E oil

1/2 tsp calendula oil (in olive oil base)

Directions:

In a double boiler, melt together the first three ingredients.  In a second double boiler, melt together the second set of ingredients.  I don't have a double boiler, so I use 2 pots with boiling water inside and place large glass bowls over them.  It's not fancy, but it works for me!  Once each is fully melted/incorporated, pour each into one cool mixing bowl. Stir.   Add last 2 ingredients.  Continue stirring until cooled.  This step is important, as you want to make sure your liquids and solids fully combine and end up in a creamy consistency.  

It's seriously that easy!  The hardest part is finding all of the ingredients.  The startup cost seems high, but in time this will pay for itself compared to buying natural creams for my guy.  I actually like it for myself too!  It's a great intensive moisturizer for dry winter weather.  I have sensitive skin and have to stay moisturized, or else I end up itchy all over.  This even makes a great lip moisturizer...it even tasted sweet!  It smells delicious, too!  Like a subtle white chocolate and honey.  I've been experimenting with adding essential oils, but haven't yet been completely satisfied.  I guess that's my next step!

Natural Lotion!

This past week I made my first attempt at creating a homemade lotion, specifically targeted at little M's eczema.  This time of year is hard on it, and he needs something great to keep him soft and itch-free.  I have tried lots of OTC eczema formulas with less than satisfying results.  I've had the most success with this formula from Burt's Bees and a not-yet-released sample of a new cream by My True Nature.  But nothing has ever been quite good enough for my guy.  So after tons of research I ordered several ingredients to start experimenting with my own eczema relief lotion.  Call me a control freak, but there's just something great about actually having the ability to know exactly what is in a product that's going on his skin!
I'm not 100% satisfied with my first attempt, but I believe we're on the right track!  Here's what I used:

1/2 oz beeswax

1 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp cocoa butter

1 tbsp sweet almond oil

1 tbsp vegetable glycerin

I simply melted it all together using a double boiler setup, then poured it into a repurposed baby food jar.  I allowed it to cool and found that the oil seperated back out from the wax and butters, so I needed to give it a good stir.  It was great that night, but became too solid by the next night.  After a few days I decided to add a couple more liquid ingredients and see if I could soften it up a bit.  I added:

1 tsp sweet almond oil

1 tsp glycerin

1 tsp jojoba oil

You'd think I would learn from round 1, but no.  Again I allowed it to cool and the oil separated out.  I mixed it all up and was rewarded with a slightly creamier result.  It's pretty firm after a night, but softer than before.  Can I tell you that it smells absolutely delicious?!  The wax I purchased had a distinct honey fragrance, and my cocoa butter smells like white chocolate.  It even tastes sweet!  (I used a little as a lip balm, just as an experiment!)

I still have a lot to learn, but I am quite happy with my first round of lotion-making!

Update...

Round 1 of my green laundry was only a semi-success.  Note to self: there are different sizes of graters!  I needed to get my bar of soap grated into a much finer substance instead of looking like shredded cheese.  Oops!  Live and learn, right?  When I used this first batch I could see little bits of the bar soap floating around as the washer ran.  I went ahead and set it for a second rinse...just in case!  The laundry came out fresh & clean, so I was very happy with the recipe. 

The natural bar soap I purchased here was super soft, so I unwrapped the second bar to allow it to dry out and harden a bit before I make batch #2.  (Can I tell you hat this soap had an absolutely beautiful, herbal smell.  It's not strong enough to stick to the clothes, but still delightful!)

Going back to batch #1: Some changes were needed to make this the laundry soap I was wanting.  (Who wants to have to waste all that water running a second rinse every time?)   I allowed it a couple of days to dry the shredded soap particles to dry a bit.  Then I put it through my trusty Magic Bullet (one of the best inventions ever, IMHO.)  Out came the fine powdered detergent I was hoping for int he beginning.  It's running through my washer as we speak!

Next project: Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent.  I found a recipe that I am going to try on DIY Natural.  Since I just made laundry detergent, I already have almost all of the ingredients on hand!  Now I just need to order some citric acid and pick up some kosher salt next time I'm at the grocery store.e   I'm not low on detergent yet, so this project may be on hold for a little while.  I am looking forward to it, though.

There's just something so great about knowing exactly what you are putting on your clothing and dishes, as well as what you are sending out into the environment.  Add huge savings to that, and it's an all around win!

Green Laundry!

So I tried something new today...I made my own laundry detergent!  Or at least I started the process.  I didn't want to use the Fels Naptha soap that so many use, because it isn't really as natural a product as I'd like.  I was going to use Dr. Bronner's, but it was $5 a bar, and really messed up the ability for my detergent to be all around green (saving me money as well as being natural and nontoxic.)  So, being an Amazon.com lover like I am, I shopped around and found what I hope will be a suitable alternative.

The recipe I am using comes from Tipnut.  I used recipe #9, but cut down the amount I was making.  Right now I have mixed 1.5 cups of Borax with 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of washing soda.  When my soap arrives I will grate 1 bar down and throw it into the tub with the rest of the mix.

I'm not really a math person, but I have estimated that this recipe would end up costing less than 10 cents a load!   So it's easy to make, saves money and is natural and nontoxic.  I can't wait for my bar soap to come so I can give this stuff a try!  I will report back on how it goes!