It was about 8 years ago when I was teaching a class and a lady gave me a little bottle of this “homemade” hand cream and the recipe. It was so amazing . . as good, if not better than anything I ever buy, no matter how much I pay. I’ve given this cream as gifts through the years and everyone always loves it and most end up making their own and giving it for gifts.
I did a blog post in March, 2010 with the recipe and you can see it here. I’m always a bit apprehensive about posting this recipe because someone got really offended that I called this “homemade” when I bought the ingredients and stirred them together. I wonder if that person grows the flour and makes the butter when she makes a “homemade” cake, or if she grows cotton and weaves the fabric before making a “homemade” quilt! So . . homemade or not, I love this hand cream.
Also, through the years, I’ve had people get a little testing about using vaseline which is petroleum jelly. If that’s a concern for you, please read this Good Housekeeping article. If you’re not comfortable using it, then . . this recipe isn’t for you.
During cold weather, my feet crack and bleed. Going out with flip flops on when it’s 15° is not smart and I know cracked feet will appear about three days after I’ve done it. In Missouri, my feet cracked, bled and hurt so bad that I went to a dermatologist. She gave me an Rx cream to use and told me after my feet were better, to rub them with Vaseline several times a day and put on socks. I had forgotten about that and several years ago, when I was at the doctor here for something else, I showed the doctor my feet and he said “use Vaseline”.
Ingredients for Hand Cream
The ingredients cost me $10 at Dollar General. Actually, it was $12 but that’s because there were two containers of Vitamin E cream and I only needed one. Next time, I won’t have to buy Vitamin E cream. The supplies may have been less at Walmart but I was passing by Dollar General.
Ingredients
I simply dump the three ingredients in the mixer and whip it til it’s smooth. Then, if the cream is for my own use, I refill the Vaseline and Vitamin E cream jars and whatever else I can find.
Hand cream
The little one in the front stays in my car. I keep a jar in the kitchen, a jar by my chair where I sit and knit . . there’s nothing worse than a rough spot on my hands when I’m knitting! I keep a jar in the bathroom and slather it on after a shower. I keep a jar by the bed and that goes on my feet, with a pair of socks. I don’t sleep with the socks on. I read for a while when I get in bed and then I fall asleep and probably within 10 minutes of falling asleep, I remove the socks without ever knowing I’m doing it.
This all started because Monday my left foot was hurting. I thought I had a grass burr in it but when I took my socks off, was surprised to see a big crack in my foot. I had about one teaspoon of hand cream left so I knew I had to make more quickly.
Empty Bowl
Now . . here’s the funny part. I always leave the residue in the mixer bowl and, with my fingers, swipe it out of there until I’ve used it all.
Vince came home and said “Did you make a cake?” Before I could even answer, and I wasn’t thinking about what was in the bowl, he had a finger full and was just fixing to lick it. I said NO!!! He stopped and I said “It’s hand cream.” Vaseline may be safe for your skin but I haven’t researched how safe it is to ingest. So .. use it on your skin but do not eat it! 🙂
wanda j says
Well it can’t be any worst on your gut than Vick Sav. Remember back in the 50’s and 60’s when they cave us that to eat for colds , sore throat and etc.A big old wad of it yuck… Well my parents and grand parents and everyone I knew eat the stuff. Yes it was nasty but we got better. I can see VInce’s fave when you told him what it really was. Just disappointment no cake! More memories of days gone by.
Jeanie in MO says
I got this recipe from your blog several yrs ago. I put on my feet every morning after shower as my feet also crack/bleed. I’ve given to others and they love it also. thanks.
Carolyn says
Judy, we’re twins! I go to bed and read every night with socks on and most mornings they are not on my feet when I wake up. Sometimes I knowingly take them off, but mostly I take them off in my sleep. My husband can’t understand how I do it! I could use a good hand cream. I printed off the recipe back in 2010. Maybe I should make it this time! Thanks!
danielle nabozny says
my socks come off during the night when I get too warm! But I wear them to bed when it is cold and my feet are cold – otherwise I get cramps! My husband laughs at me when he sees the pile of socks at my bedside (I leave them there to wear the next night but then I forget they are there and get another pair out and put them on before I go to bed!)
Dottie says
I got this recipe years ago and started making it because it is ABSOLUTELY the best (I got the recipe in the late 90’s), One friend I gave it to made it and her hubby (who did woodworking) said that it was the best thing ever for his dried/chapped hands. A bit later, a relative of theirs had gotten burned really bad when he fell into a firepit (trying to get up). This cream (according to him) was so much better than other things he had used (when the burns were healing).
Jane K says
I’ve made this since your original post and now my grand babies use it….I’m always making a new batch for them when I’m out…which reminds me…………
Joyce says
I made some the last time you gave the recipe. I will say I had a hard time finding the Vitamin E cream around here. I ended up ordering it on Amazon. My skin is so dry this time of year, but for some reason I never think to use any kind of lotion except on my hands and face. I need to work harder at this! I do like how the homemade hand cream feels and works, though.
Patti Tappel says
I made a double batch, week before last! It’s the best.
Liz says
I’ll have to try this since I have skin issues. But, sometimes, what I eat impacts my skin. My hands and feet always seem to improve when I eat a bit more good fats, such as avocados. My vitamin D level was also very low, so I’ve increased that intake and I have seen some improvement. I am actually taking 50,000 mg per week for 8 weeks per doctor’s instructions and then I’ll be retested.
Since I will get cracks on my hands, I buy white cotton gloves in bulk (check Amazon). I’ll cut off the tips so I can use my tablet. I wash them, but since the cost per glove is cheap, I have no problem with tossing them if they get too messy. The glove helps when I put the cream on and then have to do something – the glove absorbs some of the “greasiness”. I also found some fingerless, compression gloves that I use during the winter – they feel great if you have joint pain.
patti says
yep i too made “your” lotion years ago and it is the only one that i’ve been faithful to. my dollar store has ‘creamy vasoline’ and a friend uses the regular, hers seems just a tad more greasy to me. vitamin e from walmart and lavendar scented lotion. ahhhhhh. i’ve saved a few pump bottles to reuse especially because i don’t like the feel of anything on my face and i can control the amount coming out easier. i love that it soaks into my skin readily with no residue that might get on my fabric. THE best lotion ever! so glad you shared it way back then and happy to see it appear again for any new readers.
Sue S says
I made your recipe last year in the fall and gave some of it to my family and close friends. It’s the best stuff I’ve ever used! I made another batch with something other than baby lotion so the scent was more ‘manly’ and gave it to a guy at church who was having trouble with cracking skin and now HE”S a convert too! Thank you for sharing.
danielle nabozny says
Funny – I was just thinking recently that I hadnt seen you post about making your hand cream. I made it one year and gave it out to coworkers for Christmas – they still talk about it!
Kathy Wilson says
Love this “recipe”. Have been using it for 5 years now. Thanks Judy!
Carol Williamson says
I love this recipe. I found it when you first posted it back in 2010. I also use it as a face cream and it has helped my lines and wrinkles, You can tell when I haven’t used it in a while. Thank you Judy for this!!!!
Sherry says
Judy, does this cream have to be mixed with a mixer just for non-food items or can it still be used for food after cleaning?
Nelle Coursey says
OK, you know I am going to have to try this! This year my heels have cracks in them! I think it is due to the cold weather but not sure. I will have to get this soon!!! My hands and body could use it as well! Sometimes my legs itch and hurt so bad and it is because I have varicose veins and the skin is very dry there!
Debra says
I guess Vaseline is edible, at least in small amounts, because I used to give my cat a wad of it on the back of her tongue monthly to help with fur balls!,
Teri says
What is the best way to get it off the beaters? Or is that not a problem? Thanks
Becky says
I made some last year and gave some away and kept some for myself. I love it. For some reason I substituted cocoanut oil for the Vaseline. Next time I will use Vaseline because the cocoanut oil does not blend as well as Vaseline would. Great recipe, thanks, but don’t think I’ll eat it?
Diana Edwards says
Mixed up a batch of lotion today. Forgot how nice it is. Already lotioned down and ready for bed. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Fixed a small bottle for my Mom to try.
April Reeves says
I was in a twirling group growing up and they would occasionally put vasoline on our teeth to keep us smiling. I would just eat it off. I’m still alive.
Beth in AZ says
I thought was the only one who woke up with no socks on. My husband thinks I am crazy! Thanks for reposting the lotion recipe.
jennifer says
good morning! I’m ready to jump on the bandwagon- excited to try this. but: quick question! I got exactly what you have pictured, (from DG) and looked up the previous blog post to get the recipe. my vitamin E cream (and yours) is 8 oz. total. your 2010 recipe calls for 8 oz, but in this blog post you said you’d only be using half of your vit. E (which would be 4oz.) can you clarify? thanks so much!!!