Softer

Where would you be without your hands? Think of the countless things they help you do each day. Yet, your hardworking hands are probably the most neglected when it comes to beauty and skin regimens.

Have your hands aged prematurely? Famous and wealthy people may try cosmetic surgery on their face, neck, and body to disguise the effects of time, but there’s a limit to what can be done for their hands. When we try to lie about our age, the wrinkled skin on our hands will usually tell the truth.

You needn’t pay a fortune on hand care products from the department store, that may contain artificial colors, scents, and preservatives. Instead, why not do as your grandma did and use natural ingredients straight from your pantry? You can create luxurious creamy lotions to battle wrinkled skin and for softening dry, irritated skin.

Common Ingredients For DIY Hand Care Remedies

While some ingredients vary according to recipes, DIY hand cream, and lotions all contain natural moisturizes. These usually include oils pressed from plants or nuts, loaded with essential fatty acids that nourish your skin. Natural beeswax keeps the product more solid instead of runny.

Another beneficial ingredient you’ll notice is Vitamin E oil, which you can buy inexpensively in the skincare aisle. Vitamin E helps repair damaged skin and fight free radicals that can hurt your body’s cells. Other hand healing ingredients may include pure aloe vera gel and organic honey.

You can also give your DIY hand lotions a mood-lifting boost by adding your favorite food-grade quality essential oils. These are naturally antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. If you have sensitive skin, the creams will work just as well without the essential oils.

Storing Your Hand Cream

Unlike the lotions and creams, your purchase in the department store homemade versions don’t contain preservatives and have a short shelf life. Make DIY creams in small batches, so you use them up before they expire. Small glass mason jars are ideal storage containers for your lotions, and they should be kept in a cool, dry place.

If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe skin disorder, talk to a dermatologist before using any homemade remedy on your hands. Read the ingredient list carefully and note anything that may cause you an allergic reaction. Some essential oils aren’t recommended for expecting or nursing mothers, so talk to your healthcare provider about which ones are safe.

Organic DIY Creams

Are you tired of fighting dry, itchy hands due to environment, eczema, or other skin issues? Pamper your hardworking hands regularly with a rich, fluffy lotion you made in your kitchen. Here are ten easy DIY hand lotions for you to try.

1. Hand Cream for Rough, Dry Hands

•Ingredients

·1/2 cup organic shea butter
·3 tablespoons olive oil
·2 tablespoons cornstarch
·10 drops of pure essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium-high speed, add shea butter and whip until fluffy like icing. Add cornstarch and mix again. While still mixing, drizzle in the olive oil, then stop and scrape down the sides.

Add essential oil and continue whipping until light and creamy. Spoon into a sealed container and store in a dry, cool place for up to six months. Rub generously on your hands when they feel dry, chapped, and sore.

2. Honey & Lavender Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·Quarter cup of sweet almond oil
·1/4 cup olive oil
·1/4 cup coconut oil
·1 tablespoon shea butter
·2 tablespoons honey
·1/2 cup organic beeswax pastilles
·5-10 drops pure essential lavender oil

Directions:

In a medium-size microwavable bowl, add oils, wax, and butter. Heat in the microwave for 1-2-minute intervals until the wax is melted. Stir until everything is incorporated.

Place in the freezer until slightly firm but still liquid in the center, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in honey and lavender until smooth. Spoon into a resealable container and keep up to three months, remembering to stir each time it’s used completely.

3. Light Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup shea butter
·1/4 cup coconut oil
·1 tablespoon pure aloe juice
·1 tablespoon olive oil
·5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

In a small saucepan over low heat, add shea butter and coconut oil and stir until melted and well-combined. Remove from heat.

Stir in aloe juice, olive oil, and essential oil. Pour into a sealed container and allow the mixture to solidify. Store up to three months.

4. Sunflower Hand Lotion

•Ingredients

·1 cup pure sunflower oil
·1/2 cup shea butter
·1/4 cup beeswax
·10-20 drops of essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In a double boiler over medium heat, add beeswax and stir until melted. Stir in shea butter and sunflower oil and continue stirring until incorporated. Remove from heat.

Add essential oil and stir until combined. Pour into a sealable glass jar and allow the lotion to come to room temperature. Cover and store up to 6-8 weeks.

5. Lemon-Fresh Lotion for Softening Hands

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup coconut oil, liquid form
·1/2 cup shea butter, liquid form
·1 tablespoon Vitamin E oil
·10-15 drops pure lemon essential oil
·2 tablespoon witch hazel

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium-high speed, blend oil, butter, and Vitamin E oil until smooth and fluffy. Add essential oil and witch hazel and beat until incorporated. Spoon into a sealable glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to three months.

6. Mint to Be Beautiful Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup beeswax, grated
·1/2 cup organic coconut oil
·1/2 cup pure aloe gel
·10-15 drops pure essential peppermint or wintergreen oil

Directions:

In a small saucepan over low heat, add beeswax and coconut and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Add aloe gel and essential oil. With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, whip mixture until combined. Set aside and cool for 2-4 hours, then beat again with the mixer until light and fluffy. Store in a sealed glass container for up to three months.

7. Soothing Orange Hand Balm

•Ingredients

·1/8 cup beeswax, grated
·Quarter cup of olive oil
·2 tablespoons shea butter
·20-30 drops pure essential orange oil

Directions:

In a double-boiler over low heat, add beeswax, oil, and shea butter and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, add orange oil and beat until smooth and creamy. Store in a sealed glass jar up to two months.

8. Vanilla Clouds Hand Lotion

•Ingredients

·1/2 cup sweet almond oil, in liquid form
·Quarter cup of organic coconut oil
·1/4 cup beeswax, grated
·1/4 cup shea butter
·2 tablespoons Vitamin E oil
·10-20 drops pure vanilla extract

Directions:

In a double boiler over low heat, add almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter and stir until melted and combined. Remove from heat.

Stir in Vitamin E oil and vanilla extract until smooth and combined. Pour into a sealable glass container. This lotion is shelf-stable for up to six months.

9. Old-Fashioned Oats & Honey Hand Cream

•Ingredients

·1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
·1 cup filtered water
·1/2 cup olive oil
·1/8 cup beeswax pastilles
·2 tablespoons Vitamin E oil
·2 Tablespoons organic raw honey
·10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine oats and water, cover, and set aside on the counter overnight. Drain and reserve water and save oats for another use. Save ¼ cup of oat water and set aside.

In a microwavable glass bowl, add olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and honey. Microwave at 1-2 intervals until completely melted. Stir and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, add reserved oatmeal water and essential oil and whip until smooth and creamy. Place in a sealed glass jar and keep in the refrigerator for up to six weeks.

10. Cozy Spice Hand Butter

•Ingredients

·1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
·2 teaspoons organic shea butter
·1/3 cup sweet almond oil
·15-20 drops pure Vitamin E oil
·1/2 cup distilled water
·3 drops pure essential ginger oil
·4 drops pure essential clove oil
·4 drops pure essential cinnamon leaf oil, not bark oil.

Directions:

In a double boiler over low heat, add almond oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir gently, until combined, and remove from heat. Set aside to cool, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in Vitamin E oil and essential oils.

In the pitcher of a blender, pour the mixture and refrigerate until thickened but not solid, about 20 minutes. Attach pitcher to a mixer and set at low-medium speed. Slowly drizzle in water then increase speed to high for up to 20 seconds. Pour into a sealable glass jar and keep in a cool, dark place. Use within six months.

Final Thoughts on Making DIY Hand Cream for Softer, Ageless Hands

Show your hands how much you appreciate them and moisturize them generously with these simple DIY creams and lotions. These recipes also make the perfect homemade gift for friends and family. Instead of dry, flaky hands, enjoy the soft, healthy ones you deserve.

Say No to Frizz: 10 Tips for Softer, Smoother Hair

Did you know that most women spend nearly 2 hours to wash and style their hair every week? This number can definitely be bigger if you have to go to various events or parties. This happens because all women want to have shiny and soft hair and at the end of the day, beauty takes a lot of time!

But how to get smooth hair? What should you do to improve the appearance of your hair without compromising its health? This article will give you a few tips, so keep reading.

1. Dry Your Hair Using a t-Shirt, Not a Towel

This is probably new to you, but if you hear the logic behind it, it will make sense. Rubbing your hair with a towel after you have washed it can damage the soft ends of your hair. On the other hand, if you simply use a t-shirt made from cotton, it will not affect its appearance or development. When you dry your hair, make sure that you simply dab it with the t-shirt and don’t try to rub the water out of it.

2. Rinse With Cold Water, Even In Cold Seasons

This might sound a bit scary, especially during winter times, but it’s a proven and effective technique to make your hair look shinier and smoother. As you probably already know, warm or hot water will eventually make the out layers of your hairs get dilated while cold water makes your hair shrink up. Using cold water will “close” your individual hairs and make them look flat, giving the impression of a smoother hair.

3. Trim On a Regular Basis

Trimming your hair is like trimming your lawn. It makes it look beautiful and it ensures a smooth and balanced growth. Even if you want to grow your hair longer, make sure that you trim it on a regular basis. Most women trim it once every week or every two weeks, but you can find your own trimming routine. This prevents split ends and gives the impression of a smoother, shinier hair.

4. Use a Silk Pillow Cover

There’s nothing wrong with a cotton cover, nit this type of material tends to draw moisture from your hair. The human hair has natural oils that protect it from dust and impurities. Removing these natural oils also makes the hair lose its shininess and smoothness. By switching to a silk cover, you avoid this, not to mention that silk covers are also very comfortable on any pillow.

5. Take Omega-3 Supplements

This is basically helping your hair from the inside, not from outside. Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for the human brain and other organs in the body. You can get omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids from fish, but you can also take it as a supplement. These healthy fats help the heart and make your hair look more beautiful and attractive. They also offer great benefits for your nails and skin too.

6. Massage Your Scalp From Time To Time

Keep in mind that there are a lot of tiny blood vessels in your scalp and they are responsible for keeping your hair healthy and beautiful. By massaging your scalp from time to time, you’re basically stimulating the circulatory system in your scalp. This helps to bring more nutrients and oxygen to each and every one of your individual hairs. As a result, your hair will look more attractive because it’s better nourished.

7. Use a Comb For Wet Hair, Not a Brush

Wet hair is very sensitive, so make sure that you are careful when combing. It’s not advisable to use a brush because it might damage the individual hairs. Instead, make sure that you use a comb with wide teeth and start from the end of your hairs working upwards. Carefully de-tangle your hair going vertically and use a brush only when your hair is completely dry.

8. Use Aloe Vera To Nourish Your Hair

Aloe vera is a plant with numerous benefits for your hair and body. You can find it in many lotions and creams because it has nourishing properties. For example, its composition is similar to keratin and this is the building block of every human hair. You can put a small amount of aloe vera gel in a cup with warm water. Apply this mixture on your hair with a comb and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. Rinse with cold water in the end and make sure that the gel doesn’t contain alcohol, as it can damage your hairs.

9. Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

Washing your hair daily seems like a good idea to -eliminate impurities and making it look fantastic. However, too much washing can actually remove the natural oils your hair produces. We talked about these natural oils earlier when it was mentioned to use a silk pillow cover. Some women prefer to wash their hair every other day, but you can experiment on your own and find your unique washing schedule that does the most good to your hair. Make sure that you read this article to find out more information on washing your hair.

10. Don’t Use Heat Tools Unless Absolutely Necessary

The curling iron and blow dryer are the heat tools. These are great when you need to go somewhere and you need to dry and style your hair as soon as possible. However, they also seriously damage your hair in the long run and make it lose its natural sheen and smoothness. Refrain from using heat tools unless it’s absolutely necessary and you’ll preserve the natural beauty of your hair for longer.

Now You Know Exactly How To Get Smooth Hair!

As you can see, how to get smooth hair is not complicated. You just have to pay attention to a few aspects and be willing to dedicate a small amount of time to caring for your hair every day.

For more information on how to improve the appearance of your hair and exploring other lifestyle topics in general, make sure that you read the other articles in our blog!