Cynthia's Recipes [home]
Hair Lotion
Since Cynthia works in construction, she was having a very hard time protecting her hair from dust and grit. The products that she purchased tended to dry her hair out even more. Her hair became dry and brittle and broke off easily. She developed this recipe to control her curly hair from the harsh environment and to keep it soft and manageable. This recipe can also be used as a body lotion.
The Basic Recipe:
2 parts purified water
(boil water and let cool)1 part oil
(this includes vegetable butters and oils)
Emulsifier
(Since water and oil don't mix, an emulsifier is needed.
I use Vegetable Emusyfying Wax. (Veg em wax).
Veg em wax should be 20% of the oil weight)Vitamin C
(used as a preservative)Optional Essential Oils for fragrance
A Sample recipe
6 oz purified water (distilled or filtered)
pinch Vitamin C (Sold in Vitamin Shoppe as Ascorbic Acid in powder form) used as a preservative
3 oz of Vegetable Butters and oils
You can try any combination of the following:1/2 oz Shea butter
1/2 oz Cocoa butter
1/2 oz Avocado oil
1/2 oz Olive oil
1/2 oz Jojoba oil
1/2 oz Veg em wax
1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E ( Natural preservative )
This formula may need adjusted for your hair type. You can substitute any oil or vegetable butter as long as the basic ratio of 1 part (oil or butter) to 2 parts water is kept.
Melt the Oils
If you have a double boiler, use it to warm the oil. If not, bring a pot of water to a boil, turn off heat. In a separate heat proof container, combine shea, cocoa and veg em wax. Place this heat-proof container in the pot of boiling water. This allows butters to gently melt. Once melted, leave alone for 1/2 hour to ensure that the butters are thouroughly melted. Remove the container from the pot of water. Add oil and Vitamin E. Stir.
Heat the Water
Heat purified water separately till warm and add a pinch of Vitamin C. Stir until disolved.
The Oil and Water should be about the same temperature. Using a stick blender slowly add the water to the oils and mix thouroughly. A white lotion should start to form. Mix for 2 minutes then let cool for 5 minutes. Repeat about 3 times. Let sit 1/2 hour then blend again before pouring it into containers.
Essentials oils can be added as a last step to lotions just before placing into containers. 30 drops per 8oz.
CAUTIONS:
1. All containers and utensils must be sterilized. Boil your equipment in a giant pot or use a dishwasher that reaches over 150F. You can also use a bleach and water solution to sterilize (20% bleach and 80% water)
2. PET plastic or glass bottles and jars must be used for final storage if essential oils are added.
3. Since the preservatives are natural, place your lotions in a cool place, (refrigerate if necessary) and use within 1 month.