Several years ago I posted this recipe and it still gets comments. The funniest to me was a reader who was really frustrated with me because she thought I should not be calling this “home made” because all I did was open three ingredients . . which I didn’t make, and mix them together. It made me wonder if she considered a cake homemade if she started with flour that she didn’t grow and grind the wheat, but simply bought the flour at the store, or if she used eggs from chickens she didn’t raise or if she bought them at the store, or if she used milk from a carton or if she went out back and milked the cow.
So, consider this homemade or not homemade but it’s wonderful hand cream. It is a bit greasy when first applied but once absorbed by the skin, it feels amazing. It’s inexpensive to make and makes great little small gifts.
The recipe I was given and have used through the years calls for Vaseline but some don’t like using Vaseline due to it being a petroleum product. Just use the ingredient list as a guide. Swap out anything you want to swap for whatever you want to use. I just made two batches . . one with Vaseline with cocoa butter, and one with with coconut oil.
Dollar Store, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree . . whatever you have near you probably has Vitamin E cream.
The basic recipe is this:
- 16 oz. baby lotion (doesn’t matter what flavor you use)
- 8 oz. Vaseline
- 8 oz. Vitamin E cream
Hand Cream
The little containers came from whatever Dollar store I went to . . don’t even know which one it was.
These days, what used to be 8 oz. is now 7.5 oz. but it doesn’t really matter.
Simply dump the three ingredients in the mix, blend well and fill the containers.
Hand Cream
I filled all the little containers for gifts and then filled the larger containers for my own use.
Hand Cream
Red lids have the coconut oil mixture. White lids (and the empty Vitamin E cream container) have Vaseline mixture.
Dottie N. says
I’ve made this same recipe for several years now (got it from an embroidery group more than 15 years ago, LOL). Everyone who has used it has requested the recipe and makes their own (yep, even if it is with multiple ingredients, LOL).
One friend gave some to her BIL to use on some burns that were healing (he had fallen in a fire pit). He told her it was the BEST thing in the world to help with the healing as opposed to other things he had been given (by a doctor).
Her husband used it after working in his wood shop and was amazed at how much better his hands felt after using it.
It is GREAT stuff!
Sue H says
I have given this as a gift to a lot of friends. One couldn’t wait to tell how it was the only thing that soothed her husband’s shingles. It is the BEST for winter-induced dry skin. Love it! I’ve only made the original recipe with Vaseline.
Evelyn Starfishy says
This is the best lotion! I use it when I have painful flare-ups with psoriasis… and I used to use steroid creams that did not give as much relief and had harmful side effects anyway. DH’s feet used to split very deeply and painfully in the winter until I gave him some to try and now he doesn’t have that problem. And my son – he gets bad hangnails unless he uses it. So, we use this lots and all are happy with it! Yes, the Vasaline makes it feel a bit “greasy”, but we just plan our use around that fact. I hope someone else is reading your blog post Judy and tries this one out because it is a great recipe! Cheers! Evelyn
Sherrill says
I made your ‘homemade’ recipe awhile back & like it, except for the greasy feeling. Usually I only put it on when I’m going to bed cause I figure I’ll fall asleep pretty soon and the greasy feeling won’t bother me!! HA Thanks for sharing your recipe!!
Dottie N. says
I found out the first time I used this I used TOO much and didn’t think I’d ever get it all rubbed in….Found out that a “little dab’l do you” (taking a phrase from the old Brylcream commercial, LOL).
Susan says
Boy, are you ever timely! Just this very day, my son showed me his hands which are cracking from the cold an the work he does. I’m going to get ingredients this week and make him a large container. Thank you!
Carol says
I made this not long after you posted the recipe the first time several years ago and L.O.V.E. it! My hands especially get so very dry in winter and I use during the day, but always always massage in at bedtime so my hands get at least 8 hours of this moisturizing treatment overnight. Feet, elbows, whatever needs it. I don’t really feel the “greasy” feel as described, guess because my skin is so dry it soaks right in! But I massage well. Did not know about using coconut oil in place of Vaseline but the Vaseline works for me. I think I used cucumber melon baby lotion. mmmmmmm, fresh scent! I always take it on retreats as well, since I am sewing nonstop for several days and handling fabric seems to dry my hands out quickly.
NancyB in AZ says
thank you for this recipe. I meant to make some last time you spoke about it. I have saved it, and will be shopping for the ingredients tomorrow. Interesting that one mentioned using for psoriasis.
Martha says
Love this body lotion. I have been making it for a couple of years and apply from head to toe every morning. Upstate NY cold makes my skin very dry! Each time I make it I have to search for the recipe! I should just print it out and tape it inside my bathroom cupboard!
Prima Donna says
You mean I don’t make homemade quilts because I don’t grow the cotton? Dang!
Diana from SC says
I hae made this in the past. I really like how it makes your hands feel. I added some lavendar
fragance to it….which I like. Thanks for the receipe.
MaryAnn says
I really like this lotion, and everyone I have given it to has asked for the recipe. Since I make the “original” version, what is different about using coconut oil?
Julianne says
We add a few drops of emu oil to ours.
Gale says
Yep, we use it here in the desert too. It is great stuff. Had not thought of using coconut oil instead of the Vaseline. I will try that next time. I always add different essential oils depending on whether it is for me or for Joe. His dry diabetic feet really love this stuff.
Wendy Johnson says
Love, love, love this stuff! I use it not only on my hands, but under my eyes and beside them at night, elbows, heels, even on my eczema. My husband uses it on his diabetic skin. Didn’t know I could use coconnut oil or cocoa butter but will try that. And I’ll add some lavendar oil next time. Thanks so much for posting the recipe some time back Judy!
Subee says
You have given me a good idea for some small homemade gifts as stocking stuffers. I added them to my shopping list.
Thanks for all your great stories and quilt patterns.
XOXOXOXO Subee
Robin says
I’ve been making my own version ever since you first posted your recipe. I’ve changed it a little bit but it’s still a very popular gift. My biggest fan is my husband. He has a lot of trouble with his skin and this is the best thing he’s ever found that helps. Thank you for posting this way back when. I love it.
Verna says
I’ve made this recipe several times and love it. The batch with vanilla oatmeal baby lotion and cocoa butter Vaseline was the best! Thanks Judy!
Teri Jordan says
I love it also…..I made some because my husbands hands were cracking…..he has a little container next to his chair…..and puts it on when needs it….I gave it to a friend and she loved and she told other people about it so the recipe is going around our little town….we live in the mountains of California and during the winter we all have very dry skin…..
Brandy M. says
I’ve made a batch one time and loved it! I need to make another batch…. Maybe that’s what I’ll give my coworkers for Christmas this year!
Thank you for sharing again! I love this cream!
Pat says
I am another one who loves this. I also love how it makes such a nice-sized batch from those 3 simple ingredients.
Paula.thequilter says
The last timei made this, I used Bag Balm instead of the Vaseline. My skin just loved this substitution. Thank you for this recipe, Judy.
Judy says
This is the most amazing hand cream. I make it and give it away. I am down to a tiny tub. Guess that is on my list to do this week. Thanks for sharing!
Freda Henderson says
My SIL makes this and sends it to me. It is great used on surgical scars to keep them moist and from pulling. If scar was glued it works that off too. I have used it on both knees and two shoulder surgeries.
Amy says
Ooo, I just whipped up a batch & it feels (& smells) great! I couldn’t find just the right ingredients so mine is probably “fluffier” than it should be but it works. Looking at your photo, I think I got the same Vaseline with cocoa butter. I used lavendar scented baby lotion but couldn’t find the vitamin e cream so I used a combo of a cocoa butter cream & some vitamin e lotion (also cocoa butter). My favorite “as is” lotion is the Palmer’s cocoa butter, maybe I’ll add that to the next batch, lol. I needed some inexpensive holiday gifts so this is perfect, thank you!
Linda P says
I have been making this since you first posted the “recipe”. It makes wonderful gifts and people think you’ve gone all out! My grandsons call it “Grammie’s Magic Potion Lotion” so I’ve made up little cards that I attach when gifting. The last time I needed a little something extra to put into gift bags and used baby food containers. Thanks so much for all you do for us!!
I’d love have some other ideas for packaging, I’ve used small canning jars too, but that gets a bit pricey..anyone have other ideas? Thanks again!
terri says
Hi Judy,
I couldnt find an email contact, but wanted to let you know that I shared your site/recipe on my blog with a little twist to the recipe. I hope thats ok. Stop by and let me know what you think http://simpletreasures2u.blogspot.com/2014/01/winter-skin-cream.html
I just love this stuff!! Thanks for sharing.
Amy says
Hahaha I never paid attention that you specified sizes of the items in this. I used 27oz baby lotion, 13oz Vaseline and 8oz of Vitamin E cream. Then I added a small tube of Aquaphor and 1 oz of liquid lanolin. They both add extra emollients and deep moisture. I love it!