DIY Hand Care Products Using Essential Oils

Keep your hands in great shape with homemade hand care products that contain essential oils. Here's what in this article:

• Aromatherapy Hand Lotion
• Hand Soaks
• Arthritis Rub
• Hand Scrubs
• Dry Hand Ointment
• Hand and Nail Butter
• Hand Sanitizers

Aromatherapy Hand Care Lotion

Possibly the simplest thing you can do is to make an aromatherapy hand lotion. Buy a bottle of natural, unscented lotion and add essential oils that you like or that have an effect you desire. Add 20 to 28 drops of essential oil to each 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of lotion.

For example, to stimulate mental performance, add 12 drops ginger and 8 drops basil. To improve memory, add 12 drops lemon and 8 drops clove. Another great choice is lavender, which is a good skin conditioner and also good for stress relief.

To make lotion from scratch, see essential oil body lotion for three recipes.

Hand Soaks

For a warming hand (or foot) soak:

• 2 drops ginger essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 drops juniper essential oil
  

Mix essential oils in a basin of comfortably hot water and then soak hands or feet for at least five minutes.

For achy hands, 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy recommends:

• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops thyme essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops marjoram essential oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

1. Blend the oils.
2. Add the blend to a basin of warm water.
3. Soak your hands for 20 to 30 minutes.

Arthritis Hand Care Rub

If you have arthritis in your hands, add a few drops of one or two of the following essential oils to about 4 teaspoons of carrier oil and gently massage your hands and lower arms:

• Black pepper
• German chamomile
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Essential Oil Hand Scrubs

Exfoliant Essential Oil Hand Scrub

Makes 4 ounces.

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 4 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops patchouli essential oil
• 8 drops orange essential oil
• 6 tablespoons combined turbinado and white sugar (for sensitive skin, more white sugar is a better choice)

1. Blend all the ingredients.
2. Use a small amount to scrub your hands.
3. Remove the scrub with a warm, moist towel or rinse off with warm water.
4. Gently massage your hands with a hand lotion or cream.

Source: Kelly Holland Azzaro, NAHA Aromatherapy Journal 2008.1, p. 4.

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 6 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 tablespoons almond oil

1. Stir all ingredients together until well mixed.
2. Pour mixture into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.

To use, wash your hands, and then massage 1 to 2 teaspoons of the scrub into your hands. Rinse well with warm water and pat hands dry.

Source: EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs

Dry Hand Care Ointment

Dry hands need strong hand care products. Use this ointment for dry hands with pigmentation spots:

• 25 grams (5/6 ounce or 5 teaspoons) shea butter
• 3 grams (0.1 ounce or 3/5 teaspoon) beeswax
• 2 teaspoons castor oil
• 2 teaspoons comfrey-infused oil
• 20 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 25 drops celery essential oil

1. Melt the shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler.
2. Stir in castor oil and comfrey infused oil.
3. Immediately remove from heat.
4. Let mixture start to cool and thicken slightly.
5. Stir in carrot and celery essential oils.
6. Pour the mixture into a small, dark-tinted glass jar.
7. Let ointment cool completely and solidify before using it.

Source: The Essential Guide to Natural Skin Care

Hand and Nail Butter

Use the following butter as desired, within one year of making it. Consistency may vary depending on room temperature.

• 4 tablespoons almond oil
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1 tablespoon anhydrous lanolin
• 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons beeswax (depending on the consistency you want)
• 50 drops of one or a combination of these essential oils: peppermint, carrot seed, rosemary, geranium, lemon, grapefruit

1. In a double boiler, heat all the ingredients except the essential oils until the cocoa butter and beeswax are just melted.
2. Remove from heat and stir to blend ingredients.
3. Stir in the essential oils.
4. Pour into clean containers.
5. Let set for 12 hours before using.

Hand Sanitizers

One of the common hand care products you can replace with essential oils is sanitizers.

Option 1:

• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) aloe vera gel
• 4 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 8 drops tea tree essential oil
• 8 drops orange essential oil
  

Combine all ingredients in a four-ounce spray, squeeze, or pump bottle. Use as needed.

Option 2:

• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) aloe vera gel
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 12 drops ravintsara essential oil
• 14 drops orange essential oil
  

Combine all ingredients in a two-ounce spray, squeeze, or pump bottle. Use as needed.

Source: Aromahead

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