Care for your Hands
Many people suffer from chapped, dry hands - often as a result of having them in water a lot, or exposed to harsh detergents, gardening or DIY jobs. Wearing rubber gloves as much as possible certainly helps, but you can give them a treat afterwards, too.
Palmarosa oil is one of the finest aromatherapy hand care ingredients. As well as being gently antiseptic, hydrating and soothing to inflamed akin, as essential oils go it is relatively inexpensive and has a long lasting fragrance.
Massage Oil for Hands and Wrists
An excellent blend for healing chapped skin, improving circulation and relaxing overworked hands. Massage into hands, wrists and arms to alleviate keyboard stress, too.
2 tsp sweet almond oil
1 drop palmarosa essential oil
1 drop chamomile essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
Light and Easy Hand Lotion
A great daytime hand cream, which is quickly absorbed. Use regularly to prevent dryness.
25ml base or unperfumed body lotion
2 evening primrose oil capsules
4 drops palmarosa essential oil
6 drops sandalwood essential oil
Put the lotion into a small glass pot with a screw top or use a recycled cosmetic container. Pierce the oil capsules with a pin and squeeze the contents into the lotion. Add the essential oils to the mixture and stir well with the handle of a teaspoon. Store in a cool, dry, dark place and use within four weeks.
Protective Hand Cream
Use as an overnight treatment.
The honey is excellent for drawing moisture into the skin and soothing inflammation. Beeswax forms a protective film which helps prevent moisture loss. Whilst the sweet almond and evening primrose oils nourish the skin. The essential oils help stimulate new, healthy skin cells.
15ml beeswax, grated
1 tsp clear honey
160ml sweet almond oil
4 evening primrose oil capsules
350ml distilled water
5 drops palmarosa essential oil
5 drops neroli essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
Melt the beeswax, honey and sweet almond oil in a heat-proof basin over a pan of simmering water. Pierce the oil capsules with a pin and squeeze the contents into the melted mixture.
Add the distilled water, drop by drop at first, beating with a rotary whisk or an electric mixer on lowest speed. After mixing in about 2 tsp water, remove from the heat and beat in the remainder, as little at a time. Add the essential oils, beating continuously until the mixture thickens.
Spoon into a glass jar with a screw top or use a recycled cosmetic container. The cream will set fairly firm but melts on contact with the skin. Keep in the fridge and use within 6 months.