Gift: Aloe & Lavender Soothing Handing, Foot, and Body Cream

As promised, I bring to you a recipe for an Aloe & Lavender Soothing Hand, Foot, and Body Cream to go along with your Almond-Lavender Body Scrub. This cream is an intense moisturizer, as are most creams/lotions with a butter base. Why? Butters are typically derived from the fatty oil of the seed or nut of a plant (think of coconut oil and how it solidifies in room temperature). Of course, not all butters are made this way. Some, like aloe and lavender, are simply highly concentrated extracts mixed with a fatty oil (usually almond, coconut, or vegetable). While they may not be “pure” from the plant, they still contain all of the skin benefits of the plant, along with the nutrients from whichever oil they've been mixed with.

As I previously mentioned, lavender is renowned for its relaxing aroma. Aloe, on the other hand (no pun intended), is equally famous as a skin soother and healer. Its many uses range from healing burns to softening hair (when used as a styling gel), and is often kept in plant form within houses. Fun fact: aloe is actually edible, and can make a quite refreshing and delicious beverage. And without further ado, here’s how you make this luxurious cream:

The Shopping List

2 oz Lavender Butter

2 oz AloeButter

2 tsp Apricot Oil

1-2 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil (optional)

Aloe butter has a hard consistency, so start by melting it. You can do this either by microwave (watching to stop when butter melts), or by using a double-boiler.

Once melted, remove from heat/microwave and stir in lavender butter. The lavender butter should melt in the heat of the aloe butter.

Add your apricot oil and eucalyptus essential oil and stir. I like to add a small amount of eucalyptus essential oil to products with lavender because I find it brightens the smell of the flower, but it is otherwise unnecessary; so if you don’t have it, don’t buy it.

Allow your cream to cool, stirring occasionally. Once you have a nice, creamy consistency, scoop into container(s), decorate, and you’re finished! Simple stuff. I’m using small plastic containers so that this cream can be thrown into a bag and used on-the-go as a repairing hand cream, but you could use any ol’ container your heart desires. =)

9 Days Until Christmas!