Make Your Own Honey Whipped Hand Cream
Do you have sore cracked heels, elbows, and dry skin? This honey-whipped homemade hand cream may help you! Here in Southern Utah the air is dry and makes my elbows, heels, and knuckles super dry and cracked. It works great for any dry area of your body. I have really dry skin and so I decided to do a little research on making my own hand and body cream.
I called a friend in California who has been making her own hand cream and soap products for many years. She gave me several tips to start with and then I ordered the products she suggested. There is really something amazing if you are thinking about making your own skincare products.
Dermatologist Samples
When I go to the dermatologist twice a year he typically hands out samples for us to try. Sometimes he has lip balm or hand cream. It’s nice to be able to see which one works before you spend the money for a container that might not work, right?
One thing about this recipe is that it only has four ingredients. I love that we can choose the fragrance with our own essential oils. We all know some oils smell wonderful and others have a healing power to them. You get to choose the one you want to use.
Ingredients To Make Hand Cream
- Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Unrefined Organic Shea Butter
- Raw Honey
- Pure Vanilla Extract or Essential Oils
Kitchen Tools We Need
- Double Boiler
- Hand or Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Glass Containers for Storage (I used my 4-Ounce Mason Jars)
- Ball White Lids (optional-easier to open and close)
- Scale (optional)
What Is Organic Shea Butter?
If you are wondering what it is, you are not alone. I had to look online to read all about it. This is what I learned. It is one of the most versatile raw ingredients that can be used in making home skin products.
The brand of shea butter I purchased is made up of the finest nuts of the African Shea Tree ( Vitellaria Paradoxa). Shea butter is rich in Vitamins A, E, and F, according to the package. It also states it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients to promote collagen production.
How To Make Hand Cream
1. Melt Coconut Oil and Shea Butter
I used a double boiler over medium heat to melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and honey together.
2. Place Mixture In Refrigerator To Solidify
After the mixture melts, place the pan in the refrigerator to solidify the ingredients. It takes about 4-5 hours and lots of patience. I kept checking it and it seemed like it took forever!
3. After It Solidifies Scoop It Into A Mixer Bowl
You will see the honey at the bottom of the pan, that’s totally normal.
4. Use A Mixer To Whip The Hand Cream
I used my 6-quart Kitchen Aid to whip this mixture with the flat beater.
5. Whip The Hand Cream Until Fluffy-Add Vanilla or Essential Oils
It doesn’t take very long to whip this hand cream! This is so easy to make and so fun! You can add essential oils when you open a new jar. If the temperature gets too warm in your home, place the jars in the refrigerator. Place a ribbon around them and share them with friends.
6. Place The Whipped Hand Cream In Glass Jars
This recipe will fill ten-1/2 pint mason jars. You can see I used the Ball White Lids listed above.
Honey-Whipped Hand Cream Recipe
- 16 -ounces Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- 16 -ounces Organic Unrefined Shea Butter
- 3/4 cup Raw Honey
- 3 tablespoons Organic Pure Vanilla Extract
- Essential Oils (optional)
-
Combine the coconut oil, shea butter, and honey in a double boiler. Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly. Depending on your stove it may take 10-20 minutes to totally melt the ingredients. After it melts, remove from heat and place in the refrigerator to solidify the mixture. It will take about 4-5 hours. Once the mixture is ready, scoop pieces into your stand mixer bowl. I used my Kitchen Aid flat beater attachment to "whip" the mixture. You can use a heavy-duty hand mixer if desired. Now, add the vanilla, and or essential oils of choice. This recipe will fill ten-4-ounce mason jars. Place a lid on and screw tight. Place jars in the refrigerator, if desired.
Final Word
Here is one more way to be prepared for the unexpected. We can sell or barter this hand cream when needed. Please keep prepping and storing what you will eat. May God bless this world, Linda
I have been making my own skin care products for several years now. My skin is so dry that sometimes I wonder how I could possibly still have skin!!
When I started making my own products, I told my doctor that I had 17 bottles or tubes of hand/body lotions and not one worked for me! He gave me samples as well but those were not enough to really see if they worked or not.
Then, I learned how to make lip balm and thought, why not bars? I used the basic recipe for lip balm but made lotion bars instead and added tea tree oil. Within 3 days of using my homemade bars, a particularly tough area of cracked, peeling skin was completely healed. I was sold!
I haven’t made body butters to date for the simple reason that I don’t have a large stand mixer and learned from a couple of websites that a hand mixer will not work well and possibly the motor would burn out before the butter was whipped.
Hi Leanne, oh my gosh, I love hearing this! I got the giggles over the 17 bottles, and they are not cheap!! Oh, I want to learn how to make lip balm, that will be my next project! I love it! Linda
Hi, Linda! I’ve been making cream like this for years and it works far better than anything you can find in the store. I never thought of putting vanilla extract in it, though. I love the aroma of vanilla, so I’ll have to try that, next time I make it. As a side note, if you have dry or frizzy hair, after you rub the cream into your hands, run your fingers through your hair, especially the ends. It will tame it right down.
I hope all is well with you and Mark. Take care and big hugs, Mare
Hi Mare, oh my gosh, I love hearing this! There is something so rewarding making your own stuff, right? Hand cream, etc. It’s good to hear from you! Stay safe and well! Big hugs, Linda
Are the 16 Oz of coconut oil and Shea butter measured by weight?
Hi Tina, I just used the jars that I purchased that were 16 ounces of shea butter. I measured out the coconut butter with a measuring cup. I hope that helps. Linda
How long will this keep in the jar?
Hi Beth, I would think it’s similar to any hand cream you buy. BUT there are no preservatives. I know coconut oil lasts longer than olive oil. I think we will use it up before we have to worry about it. It all depends on how dry our skin is, I guess. Not sure on shelf-life. Linda
Thanks Linda! A couple of years ago I discovered I was allergic to amtibacterials and all forms of formaldehyde (surprisingly in nearly everything!). Thanks so much for this fabulous recipe!!!! Can’t wait to make it!
This recipe looks great! How long does it keep for?
Should it be refrigerated or no need? Thankyou!
Hi Donna, I’m not sure how long it keeps because there are no preservatives but if it softens I place it in the frig. I live in the desert and the humidity is very dry here. My family and friends love it, Linda
I loved making this but while it moisturises wonderfully it is leaving my hands sticky, any idea what I got wrong?
Hi Chloe, I’m not sure. Everyone that makes it loves it. My friends ask me to make some for them all the time. I wonder if it’s the brands you are using? I wish I knew. My recipe is not sticky. I’m so sorry. Linda
I love this recipe but I am having the same issue with it being too sticky. Is there something I can add at this point to lessen this? Thank you
Hi Rachel, I wish I knew how to fix it. Mine is not sticky. Mine is like coconut oil in a jar and I use very little of it. I’m so sorry, my family uses it all the time to remove their makeup and soften their skin. Darn, I wish I could help. Linda
Can I ask a question on the amount of honey. Is it 3 quarters of a cup or 3 or 4 cups? I really want to try it. Love if you can let me know.
Hi Nora, it is 3/4 three-quarters of a cup. Linda
This recipe looks really promising! Could I use hemp oil instead of coconut oil? Also do you know for sure if an electric hand mixer would work for whipping this?
Hi Carina, I have never used hemp oil. If you have a heavy-duty hand mixer it may work. You can use a spoon if you are worried. It will just take longer. It all depends on your hand mixer. Please don’t use it if you are worried. Linda
You said this recipe would fill 10 1/2 pint mason jars, but yours look like the 4 ounce jars which are a 1/4 pint.
Hi Tina, the link to buy them shows the 4-ounce jars. I call them tiny jars, thanks for catching the error. Linda
I finally made this. However, I wanted to make it non comedogenic, so I used Organic Sunflower Oil (which has the highest amount of Plant derived Vitamin E). I was concerned about the consistency, but it is Marvelous! In fact, after I allowed the Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil to cool down a bit, I poured the honey in and stirred every few minutes until it reached close to room temperature before I refrigerated it, stirring with a whisk every so often. When I took it out of the fridge the next morning it was pretty solid with very little separation of the honey from the oils. I allowed it to warm a bit at room temperature for a couple hours, used the hand whisk, scraped bowl with a spatula, then used my electric hand mixer to whip it, scraping the bowl occasionally. It didn’t take long to have a gorgeous creme that is the consistency of buttercream frosting. After jarring snd putting in silicone tubes as well, I have allowed it to stay at room temperature for several hours and it has still stayed fluffy with no separation. Thank you SO much for this recipe! It was fun to experiment with it!
Hi Tina, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I’m going to try the Organic Sunflower oil, I can’t wait to make a new batch! Thank you for this tip! I Love it! Linda
Just so you know exactly what I used:
Raw Shea Butter – Natural Skin Care for Face, Hair and Body (5 LB), Unrefined Grade A, 100% Pure, African, Handmade, Organic & Fair-Trade Principles //a.co/d/h36Vsoo
Sprouts Organic Sunflower Oil (High Heat)
Nate’s 100% Pure Organic Raw and Unfiltered Honey from Sam’s Club
Vanilla Extract
Small amount of Peppermint Extract
I measured the Shea and Sunflower oil by weight (ounces) on this scale: Precision Scale Auto Data-Hold Tomiba 3000g 0.01oz/0.1g Small Cooking Mini Food Scale Portable Electronic Jewelry Scale Batteries Included //a.co/d/9Bpg3EH (because it can hold more weight)
I measured the honey in fluid ounces (3/4 cup, per your recipe)
Let me know how yours turns out! I am excited by the outcome. Because I only had a 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup, my honey amount might not have been exact?
I might use 1/2 refined coconut oil (can Not handle the smell of coconut) and half Sunflower Oil next time just to experiment
Note, another reason for using Sunflower oil besides it being non comedogenic was that I was concerned about only having a hand mixer (although it is pretty high powered) with the thickness of coconut oil.
Tina
Hi Tina, oh thank you for sharing this information! It feels so good on my skin, but I want to try the Sunflower Oil next time. Linda
Hi, I was wondering if i could add almond extract to the recipe as an “essential oil”
Hi Allise, I have never tried almond extract, I would start with a very small batch and see if you like it. Linda