COCOA BUTTER CREAM

50 grams almond oil
35 grams cocoa butter
10 grams beeswax
45 grams distilled or flower water
25 drops essential oil(s) of your choice.

This is a rich cream and is very good for dry, cracked or chapped skin. It can be used as a handcream for people who work outdoors or in any job that is damaging to the hands. You can also add a blend of Marigold, Myrrh, Lavender and Lemon oils to this for their healing properties.

Method:

Weigh all ingredients accurately. (Shred beeswax with a very sharp knife before weighing.) Put the almond and/or other oils in a bowl, which should be either stainless steel or Pyrex, and add the beeswax. Put the water or flower water in another bowl, and place both bowls in a large shallow pan of water over a gentle heat. Stir the bowl containing the oil(s) and wax until all ingredients are melted, then turn off heat.

Start adding the water to the oil mixture, a drop or two at a time, while beating with a rotary whisk. Continue to add the water very gradually, beating all the time, in the same manner as making a mayonnaise. When all the water has been absorbed into the oil/wax mixture, stop beating at once. If using an electric mixer, set it on the lowest speed, as over-beating can make the cream separate.

Finally, stir in the essential oil and put into a jar or jars. Leave in a cool place or fridge until set. Alternatively, divide the cream into several small jars before adding the essential oil, in which case you can use a variety of different oils in each jar.

These amounts make a relatively small amount of cream. Once you have mastered the technique, you can double or treble the quantities to make larger batches. These creams will keep for quite a number of weeks as the essential oils act as natural preservatives, but if making large batches, keep in the fridge until needed, and then dispense small amounts into individual jars.