How to Make a Beautiful + Nourishing Homemade Hand Cream

If you’re new to DIY skincare, this homemade hand cream recipe is a great starting point.

This recipe will be super easy for all you seasoned soap makers out there. You’ll likely find that you already have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your arsenal. You’ll love the thick, luxurious, and skin loving results.

mason jar of thick white DIY hand cream.

Homemade Hand Cream for Winter

A rich, moisturizing hand cream for those drying winter days.  Whips up in just a few minutes!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 1 half pint

Equipment

  • Electric Mixer
  • microwavable bowl

Ingredients 

Optional

  • fragrance oil or essential oil

Instructions 

  • Melt solids. Melt the oil, butter, and beeswax in a double boiler set over low heat.  
    melted oil in glass bowl.
  • Add liquids. Remove from the heat and add the fragrance oil and essential oil, if using.  Add the olive oil. Stir well until fully combined.
  • Cool. Set on the counter to cool at room temperature until solidified, at least 4 hours, or overnight.
    melted and cooled oils in bowl.
  • Whip. Whip until white fluffy using electric mixer, about ten minutes.  If consistency does not change after whipping, place the oils in the fridge for 15 minutes and try again.
    oils before and after whipping.
  • Store. Store in clean container at room temperature.  May melt if stored above 80 degrees.  
    finished homemade. body cream in glass jar.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have a double boiler, just use a glass on stainless bowl set over a pan with one inch of water.
If your house is very warm, you can store this in the fridge.
If you just want a moisturizing balm, there is no need to whip.  Simply melt, mix, and store!
 

What makes this hand cream stand out is its rich, balm-like consistency. It melts on your skin and absorbs, leaving your hands soft and moisturized.

Please note that the finished product is very rich and thick If you want a softer cream more like a traditional store-bought cream, you will need to add emulsifiers and preservatives. My favorite body cream recipe can be found here.

You can adjust the ingredients to suit your needs, making it a great DIY project. Whether you have hard-working hands, dry skin, or sensitive skin, you can tailor this recipe to create your ideal hand cream.

glass jar of DIY hand cream.

Homemade Hand Cream Tips

  • Use a Stand Mixer If You Have One: It’s much easier
  • If You Don’t Have an “Official” Double Boiler: A bowl set over a pan of simmering water is all you need.
  • This Recipe Can Also Be Simply Melted and Cooled: It can be used like a balm without the whipped consistency.
  • Choosing Carrier Oils: For this DIY hand cream recipe, feel free to experiment with different carrier oils. Sweet almond oil and jojoba oil are great options as they offer essential fatty acids and are suitable for various skin types. If you have sensitive skin, these oils are gentle and hypoallergenic, making them perfect for homemade hand lotion.
  • Using Different Kinds of Butter: While this recipe calls for mango butter, you can substitute with cocoa butter or unrefined shea butter. Both options provide excellent moisturizing properties and are ideal for dry skin and cracked skin. They also add a lovely texture to your hand cream.

Unlike soap, this recipe is somewhat flexible. You can substitute other butters as long as you keep the “bigger” ingredients the same.

  • Olive oil. Any kind will work. Don’t waste an expensive extra-virgin olive oil on this recipe.
  • Coconut oil. If you make a lot of soap or other bath and body products, get a variety that’s not food-safe. It’s much less expensive. (You can get well-priced bulk oils at Nurture Soap.)
  • Beeswax. You will want to get the little beads, which are easier to measure out. Beeswax is very hard and difficult to work with in big pieces. (I use this kind of beeswax.)
  • Mango butter: This tropical butter melts beautifully into your skin, leaving it feeling nourished and supple. If you can’t find it, shea butter is a good substitute, but it might be slightly heavier.
  • A hand mixer or stand mixer. It’s nearly impossible to whip this by hand!
  • A digital scale. You won’t regret having one. I use mine daily for soap, bread, and other kitchen projects. Here’s the one I have.
  • A clean storage container. You can buy special tins for body butter and hand cream, or use a shallow mason jar.
  • Essential Oils. Customize your hand cream by adding your favorite essential oils. Lavender essential oil is a popular choice due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. You can also use essential oils like sweet orange, tea tree, or peppermint based on your preferences.

For those interested in extra benefits, consider adding a natural preservative or a few drops of Vitamin C. These can help increase the shelf life and provide additional skincare benefits.

Gya Labs Sweet Orange Essential Oil for Diffuser - 100% Natural Citrus Essential Oils for Skin - Sweet Orange Oil Essential Oil for Aromatherapy (0.34 fl oz)Gya Labs Sweet Orange Essential Oil for Diffuser – 100% Natural Citrus Essential Oils for Skin – Sweet Orange Oil Essential Oil for Aromatherapy (0.34 fl oz)Beeswax Pellets 2 lb, White, Pure, Bees Wax Pastilles, Triple Filtered, Great for DIY Projects, Lip Balms, LotionsBeeswax Pellets 2 lb, White, Pure, Bees Wax Pastilles, Triple Filtered, Great for DIY Projects, Lip Balms, LotionsYellow Brick Road Raw Mango Butter 8ozYellow Brick Road Raw Mango Butter 8oz

 

Storage Instructions

If your house gets very warm (above 80 degrees), it may melt and need to be re-whipped.

FAQs

Can I leave out the beeswax?

No, the cream will be too thin and won’t have any “body” to it.

What if I don’t have beeswax?

If you don’t have beeswax, you can use candelilla wax as a vegan alternative. It works similarly to beeswax and helps maintain the consistency of your cream.

Why no preservatives? Won’t it grow mold?

Nope, since there is no water in this recipe, you don’t need to worry about mold growing. It’s almost like a whipped chapstick!

Can I substitute some of the other oils and butters in the recipe?

You can make tweaks and substitutions, but the consistency will change. That doesn’t mean it won’t work, just that it will be different. I would recommend not increasing the amount of olive oil or beeswax, as they dramatically affect the finished product.

Can I add Vitamin E oil?

Yes, adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil can help extend the shelf life of your hand cream and provide additional nourishing benefits for your skin.

How do I store my hand cream?

Store your hand cream in glass jars away from direct sunlight to prevent it from melting or spoiling. If your home is very warm, consider storing it in the fridge.

Skincare Formulations

Combining Oils and Butters

When making your own hand cream, using equal parts of different carrier oils and butters can create a balanced and effective moisturizer. For example, combining sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, and cocoa butter can yield a rich and nourishing product.

Adding Water

If you prefer a lighter, more conventional lotion, you can experiment with adding distilled water to your recipe. Just remember that adding water will require a broad-spectrum preservative to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Expert Advice

  • Making Small Batches. When trying a new homemade lotion recipe for the first time, it’s best to make small batches. This way, you can tweak the recipe to your liking without wasting ingredients.
  • Experiment with Your Own Recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own recipe. Mix and match different oils, butters, and essential oils to find the perfect blend for your skin type.
  • Join a Forum Community. For more tips and advice, consider joining a forum community dedicated to DIY beauty products. You can find older threads and discussions that offer valuable insights and ideas for your next time making homemade skincare products.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own hand cream with natural ingredients is not only rewarding but also allows you to avoid synthetic fragrances and other potentially harmful chemicals found in commercial hand creams. Plus, it’s a great DIY project that can be done in small batches, ensuring your cream is always fresh and effective.

open jar of thick homemade white hand cream
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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44 Comments

  1. I’ve made this using shea butter instead of mango but it’s not thickening. Is it because I didn’t used enough beeswax maybe?

  2. Is the bee wax converted to grams.? I’m trying to make 3x amount is 375 oz correct or grams.