It’s about this time every year, almost to the day, when folks start asking for the homemade hand cream. Here’s a repost of last year’s repost! 🙂
It was about 8 9 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.
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
Sally says
I’ve made this for all my friends and we love it.
carolyn says
I made it last year and I still have a few small bottles left…great stuff! It has eased my husbands dry hands like nothing else ever has! I think of you everytime I use it…thanks so much for sharing it!
Teresa F. says
Please be aware that Johnson & Johnson has changed the formula of all their products. They claim it’s because consumers asked for less additives, etc. Their baby lotion is no longer pink. J & J says that’s because they took out the coloring and also say that’s the only thing they changed but what they really did is add coconut oil. That probably won’t affect your ‘recipe’ but wanted you and your readers to know. They’ve changed their baby powder also and there are complaints about that with some saying it is causing painful rashes.
Nelle Coursey says
How funny! He sure would have been in for a surprise! But you were a good wife and told him before he did it. I may have to try this. My feet have been almost that bad this year!!
Judy Laquidara says
Good grief! Why did they have to do that? I actually usually use the off brands so hopefully some of them will still be the same. Thanks for the heads up!
Kathy Wilson says
I make a batch every 12-15 months. Love it! Thanks Judy
dezertsuz says
I noticed that in the original recipe post, you showed it in pump bottles. It’s lotion enough to pump out? Because I have some nearing empty and that would be perfect! And can you double the recipe, if you want to give away a lot?
patti says
i have made and used her cream for several years, and yes it easily comes out of the pump bottles. i do use the “creamy vaseline” found in dollar tree, but i doubt it would make that much difference in consistency.
Janice says
Is it greasy or does it completely soak in?
Pam C says
I just made a batch and it is greasy for me. I gave some to my husband to try and will get his opinion later. I think I will only use it at night. I think if I make it again I will eliminate some of the vaseline. That is probably what helps so much with the healing but is also what probably leaves the greasy feel. I have very dry skin and use lotion frequently and can’t work with the greasy residue on my hands.
Judy Laquidara says
I suppose everyone’s skin is different but I put just a little on my hands and within a few minutes, I’m back to knitting and I am careful because I don’t want to leave any greasy residue on my knitting. When I get out of the shower, I rub it on my legs, arms, feet, torso, and by the time my hair is dry, it all seems to be absorbed.
patti says
my skin is very dry too, and i don’t like ‘things’ on my skin so use it kinda sparingly with no feeling of greasiness. i do use the ‘creamy vaseline’ from dollar tree, not sure if that might make a little difference in the way it absorbs.
Rhonda Roberts says
I love this stuff. It is great for rough heels. I buy the clear plastic ketchup/mustard squeeze bottles from Dollar Tree (2 for $1!) and just squeeze out what I need. Works great and no contamination from dipping.