Why the need to spend hundreds of dollars on high priced face and body lotions when nature can provide the same advantages. A selection of natural alternatives to maintain your skin looking healthy and feeling smooth is provided below.
1. COCONUT OIL
This is a well-known, inexpensive option that may be obtained at your local grocery shop. Coconut oil is high in antioxidants and vitamins, which help keep your skin hydrated. Many people are concerned about feeling sticky after using coconut oil, but it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated and smooth. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that can minimize symptoms of ageing, hydrate dry skin, and can also assist with other skin issues such as stretch marks, scars, cellulite, or even diaper rash. It could also be used as an organic SPF sunscreen because it filters 20% of UV rays.
2. ALMOND OIL
This is another excellent option! Almond oil includes vitamins A, D, and E, which nourish your skin. A few drops applied beneath your eyes might help minimize puffiness. Because almond oil penetrates multiple layers of your skin, it provides deeper moisture than coconut oil, which may be a better option for people with dry skin.
3. ALOE VERA GEL
Aloe Vera gel is a natural anti-inflammatory derived from the Aloe Vera plant that is widely recognized for soothing sunburned skin. Aloe Vera gel aids in the healing of blemished or irritated skin, as well as the reduction of stretch marks and wrinkles. It reduces pigmentation, brightens your skin, fights age, and may even be used on your hair! If you’re looking for Aloe Vera Gel, be sure it doesn’t include any additives; otherwise, it won’t be much better than conventional lotion.
4. SHEA BUTTER
This natural butter is made from the nut of the karite tree, often known as the Shea tree. Shea butter is recognized for encouraging cell regeneration, which aids in wound healing and the appearance of youthful skin. It is a natural fat high in antioxidants and fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, E, F, and K.
5. COCOA BUTTER
If you have dry elbows, knees, and feet, cocoa butter is an excellent option. Cocoa butter is a moisturizing butter derived from the fat in cocoa beans. It instantly dissolves into your skin, leaving it smooth and smelling wonderful. Cocoa butter helps scars disappear and is suitable for persons with extremely sensitive skin.
6. OLIVE OIL
Olive oil has numerous culinary applications, but did you know it can be used as a cosmetic product? Olive oil includes vitamin E, which acts as a skin moisturizer. It also stimulates collagen formation, which helps to decrease the appearance of scars while keeping your skin looking youthful. Olive oil may also be used in place of shaving cream to make your shave even smoother. The best thing is that it’s there in your own kitchen.
Basically, lotions are lighter because they include more water and less oil. Creams have thicker consistency with more oil and less water.
What Harmful Substances Can Be Found in Body Lotions?
Though it’s not a complete list, the following are some of the most frequent harmful compounds and other components present in traditional body lotions and moisturizers.
The following are the most hazardous compounds found in lotions:
Sulfates: Sulfates, a petrochemical byproduct, can cause skin irritation and allergic responses.
Parabens: Parabens are preservatives that are endocrine disruptors which means they can interfere with vital hormonal activities in the body and can create chronic diseases with time. They are usually found in body lotions.
Phthalates: Used to help scents attach to the skin, phthalates are included in many body lotions and can be endocrine disruptors.
Polyethene glycol: A solvent, this component, and other PEG compounds depending on how they are handled, maybe carcinogenic.
Synthetic Fragrance: To preserve “trade secrets,” corporations are still not allowed by federal law to reveal what is really in their fragrance— which might possibly contain many of the harmful compounds that can trigger allergic responses and other problems.
Benzalkonium Chloride: Benzalkonium chloride, a preservative, has been linked to skin, retinal, and respiratory irritation.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): As a binding agent, EDTA has the potential to induce organ damage.
Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are synthetic antioxidants that are potentially carcinogenic and may cause liver damage.
Why Should You Use Chemical-Free Body Lotions?
Small quantities of the above-mentioned substances may not cause visible harm, but toxins of all types are aplenty in our beauty products, food, surroundings, air, and emotional or relational lives, and it all makes a huge difference!
We do not have any control over everything, however, there are a few things we can do, and picking a body lotion free of dangerous chemicals may be simple.
With so many commercial body lotions containing potentially hazardous substances, why would you take the chance when nature provides similar or slightly better beneficial properties?
There are several companies that use nutritious, plant-based components in their body lotions that deliver intense moisturization to your skin without putting your health in danger.
What are the finest components for organic body lotion?
Butters: Shea, Mango, Cacao.
Shea Butter is used in the formulas of several non-toxic body lotion products. Shea butter is an extremely potent natural product that has been utilized ever since the 14th century or maybe even before that. It has antibacterial characteristics due to catechins, it includes oleic acid, which is anti-inflammatory that has high quantities of Vitamin E that helps moisturize your skin, and it contains cinnamic acid esters that can assist with irritation and redness, among other things. Shea butter is a true game-changer as it is widely used for skin health, so this is no surprise that it is the main component in so many organic body lotion products.
Another healthy component is mango butter, which includes vitamins A, C, and E, which mostly aid in the battle against free radicals and hence, wrinkles.
Cacao Butter includes cocoa mass polyphenols, which have been shown in certain studies to diminish indications of ageing.
It, like Shea Butter, includes polyphenols, which aid in providing deep hydration. It also has antioxidants.
Oils: Coconut, Olive, Argan, Jojoba, Avocado, and Sunflower Seed.
Argan, Coconut, Olive, Jojoba, Avocado, and Sunflower Seed oils are all available.
Natural oils, like Argan, include squalene that helps to trap moisture into your skin and enhance elasticity.
Coconut and jojoba oil may be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including lowering inflammation, inhibiting bacteria development, treating acne, and assisting in wound healing.
Avocado oil may be used to repair burnt skin, strengthen nails, and enhance scalp health.
Herbs: Calendula, Lavender, Chamomile, Green Tea
Herbs can give a plethora of skin advantages. Lavender and chamomile offer relaxing properties. Calendula’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics can aid in the healing of wounds, scars, and lines. Green tea has a lot of antioxidants, and caffeine can help brighten up your dull skin.
Prepare a simple homemade lotion with Coconut Oil Lotion
This vegetarian and simple lotion is created using coconut oil, the second oil of your choice, essential oils, Shea Butter, and (optionally) corn starch.
This is a simple homemade lotion prepared with coconut oil that is ideal for aspiring DIY-ers.
Only coconut oil, almond, avocado, jojoba oil, Shea Butter, corn starch, and (optional) essential oil are used in this handmade lotion. Most of these items are available in wholesale markets, so if you have access to them, you might be able to make this a waste-free lotion recipe.
This gluten-free lotion’s components are reasonably priced. You might use olive oil for avocado oil if you want.
Supplies and Ingredients for Homemade Lotion
Ingredients:
Shea Butter (1/2 cup)
Coconut oil (1/4 cup)
Avocado oil (1/4 cup) you can also use almond, jojoba, or even olive oil.
3 tbsp non-GMO Corn starch or Arrowroot powder
OPTIONAL: 2 teaspoons distilled water (must be distilled; delete if you do not have distilled water)
10 drops of essential oil (optional) (like lavender essential oil)
Supplies:
Boiling pot and a spoon for mild stirring
Utensils for measuring
1 lotion container (glass is preferred)
How to Make Homemade Lotion
This is a super simple vegan homemade lotion with only a few steps.
1. First, in a saucepan, blend the coconut oil, avocado oil, and Shea butter.
You can either measure out precise numbers or measure in parts for this stage. This homemade lotion recipe calls for 1/2 cup Shea butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup avocado oil, or any other oil, however, you may make a smaller or bigger quantity of lotion by following the 2:1:1 ratio for the Shea Butter, coconut oil, and second oil.
Avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are all possible choices for the second oil.
Each has its own set of advantages, and here avocado oil is used since it is high in nutrients that rejuvenate the skin. You can even add 1/2 tbsp of Vitamin E + optional: a few drops of essential oil that is safe for your skin.
2. Heat the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat until the mix is liquefied.
Depending on your cooktop, it should only take a few minutes for the coconut oil to liquefy.
3. Stir in the essential oils and place the mixture in the refrigerator.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly before placing it in a bowl. Pour in 10 drops of essential oil. In this lavender essential oil is used. You may also use more or less than 10 drops, depending on how strong you want the aroma to be in your lotion. Then, place the bowl in the refrigerator for an hour to solidify.
4. Mix in the corn starch and water.
Add the two tablespoons of water and three teaspoons of non-GMO corn starch at this point. If you don’t want to use corn starch, you may use arrowroot powder. This is not an absolutely required component, so you can still create this lotion if you don’t have it, but it does make the lotion less oily.
5. Accomplished! Simply place the lotion in a container.
Simply place the lotion in a container. Glass is preferable, but make the most of what you have, so if you just have a plastic container, that will do.
Try it yourself and see what works for you best. Please share your experiences in our comments section.
