Making a simple lotion with just three key ingredients is achievable by combining beeswax, oil, and water in the correct way. This basic recipe focuses on providing moisture and creating a stable, albeit short-lived without preservatives, blend.
Essential 3 Ingredients
Based on the reference provided, here are the three ingredients you will need:
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons grated beeswax
These three components serve distinct roles in creating the lotion:
- Water: Forms the base of the lotion, providing hydration.
- Olive Oil: Acts as an emollient, moisturizing and softening the skin.
- Beeswax: Serves as a thickener and emulsifier, helping to bind the oil and water together and giving the lotion its structure.
Step-by-Step Process
Creating lotion from these three ingredients involves carefully combining the oil/wax phase with the water phase to form an emulsion.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, ensure you have clean equipment:
- Two heat-safe containers or double boiler setup
- Stirring utensil (like a whisk or spoon)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Clean jar or container for the finished lotion
Melting Phase
- Combine the 3/4 cup olive oil and 3 tablespoons grated beeswax in one heat-safe container.
- Gently heat this mixture using a double boiler or by placing the container in a pot of simmering water.
- Heat just until the beeswax is completely melted and combined with the olive oil. Do not overheat.
- In a separate container, gently heat the 1 cup water until it is warm, ideally around the same temperature as the melted oil/wax mixture. Avoid boiling.
Combining Phase (Emulsification)
- Carefully remove both heated mixtures from the heat source.
- Slowly begin to pour the warm water into the melted oil and beeswax mixture.
- Continuously and vigorously whisk or blend the mixture as you pour the water. This rapid agitation is crucial for the oil and water to emulsify and form a creamy lotion rather than separating.
- Continue stirring until the mixture starts to thicken and take on a creamy consistency.
Cooling & Finishing
- Once emulsified, pour the lotion into a clean storage jar or container.
- Let the lotion cool completely at room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Once cool, seal the container.
Tips for Your Homemade Lotion
- Cleanliness is Key: Use sterilized equipment and containers to minimize potential contamination, especially since this recipe does not include preservatives.
- Storage: Store the lotion in a cool, dark place. Due to the lack of preservatives and the presence of water, this lotion will have a shorter shelf life than commercial lotions. Consider making smaller batches or storing it in the refrigerator to extend its usability.
- Consistency: The amount of beeswax affects the thickness. For a thicker lotion, you could experiment with slightly more beeswax (though stick to the recipe's 3 tablespoons for this specific 3-ingredient version).
By following these steps with the specified 1 cup water, 3/4 cup olive oil, and 3 tablespoons grated beeswax, you can create a simple, hydrating lotion.
