Exposure to the elements can quickly dehydrate your skin, especially if you're living off the grid. If you want to protect your skin and retain its moisture, you should regularly apply a soothing skin moisturizer. However, most commercial lotions and moisturizers are often laden with synthetic chemicals that can be easily absorbed into your body. The only way to be sure that your lotion is free from any of these potentially harmful chemicals is to make your own natural DIY skin moisturizer. The best part is that it is made completely out of ingredients that you can eat. It might not taste appetizing, but if you ever find yourself starving in the middle of a survival situation, it wouldn't hurt to use a little bit of your very own edible moisturizer to ward off hunger pangs. (h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com)
It's important to note that for your moisturizer to be considered truly edible, it must consist entirely of food-grade ingredients. The three main ingredients for your natural moisturizer include shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil. Shea butter is a naturally rich source of essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. Cocoa butter is also high in fatty acids but it smells much sweeter than shea butter. It also has a richer, denser consistency. Coconut oil can provide a protective layer for the skin to help it retain its moisture. All these ingredients can be useful in the kitchen, but together, they can also make for an excellent all-natural skin moisturizer. (Related: 3 Best Homemade Moisturizer Recipes for Oily Skin.)
How to make your own DIY skin moisturizer
Before purchasing any of the items below, be sure to make a skin test for each ingredient. All you have to do is rub a small amount of the ingredient on your forearm to see how your skin will react. Chances are you probably won't be allergic to any of them, but your skin might be sensitive to certain substances. Ideally, you should get the ingredients in their rawest possible form. The less they have been processed, the better.
Items needed:
1 cup of unrefined shea butter
1 cup of organic cocoa butter
½ cup of coconut oil
Essential oils, as preferred
Large bowl
Balloon whisk or food processor
Empty glass jars
Procedure:
Add the shea butter, the cocoa butter, and the coconut oil together in a large bowl.
Melt the butter mixture until it is warm enough to reach its liquid form. You may do this by setting it over a pan of boiling water.
Once the butter mixture has become entirely liquid, use your whisk or food processor to thoroughly combine both ingredients together. Using a whisk to mix by hand allows you more control over the consistency, but if there are tiny solid chunks that make the mixture feel too gritty, you can use the food processor to produce a smoother consistency.
Set your mixture aside and allow it to cool to room temperature. You'll know when it's done cooling by its yellow color and gooey texture.
Once it has cooled, whip the mixture with your whisk or food processor until it reaches a light and creamy texture.
If you want to give your moisturizer a fragrant aroma, you can add a few drops of your preferred essential oil while whipping the mixture.
Once the mixture's yellowish color has turned into a creamy white, scoop your moisturizer into your empty glass jars.
Store your moisturizer in a cool, dark place until it is ready to be used.
Learn to make other DIY projects for all your prepping needs by going to Preparedness.news.