I just made another batch last wk! I use it all the time!
Was it Sandy who told us about this?

Donna (^_^)

I don't remember where the recipe came from. Donna, what are your favorite ingredients? Are yours from the dollar store?

Moni

Can you buy unscented baby lotion? I don't like the smell of baby products at all.

I made this some years back and ran across a jar of it I still have. I don't use much lotion or hand cream but it is okay. All from the dollar store for the ingredients.

Sue

I've always read that petroleum products end up drying the skin, actually creating a need for more cream. I know that's true about chapped lip products containing petrolatum, but I'm only guessing on the hand cream.

Baby lotions that contain benzyl alcohol will dry out skin. And many baby lotions use this ingredient.

I agree with alisande. I think if you do some research, you may find that petroleum does more harm than good if skin softening is what you are after.

Actually I plan to use Bag Balm instead of petroleum jelly. I don't quite like the bag balm by itself for hand cream, and hope it will feel fine with the other ingredients mixed in.

Moni

I've been using olive oil after my shower and again later in the day after I wash my hands. It has kept my hands softer so far this winter.

Is this the Bag Balm you're talking about...I never heard of it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Bag Balm

My Grandma used to use solid Crisco as both hand and face cream. This recipe sounds okay to me, but I might add something with fragrance. Maybe a little solid perfume?

It was Jenni_CA that mentioned this recipe on a thread a few years ago when I asked what people used for hand lotion. I have made it, and it is great for over night lotion.

Kalie (DD) asked Jackson's dermatologist about her very dry hands...since Jack has a terrible diaper rash and Kalie is changing him so often and washing her hands so often. The Dr. said you want to make sure you use CREAM, nothing that is pumped...if it is pumped, it has alcohol in it to be able to be pumped easier. He also recommended Crisco and gloves on at night. (Just FYI)

Yes, Carla, that is the bag balm. It just doesn't feel right on the hands... sort of sticky to me. I do use it in the nether region, while riding my bike, and it is GREAT for that.

Thought I sub it for petroleum jelly.

I like the baby lotion smell, and hope it will do the trick.

Moni

I'm sorry, I need MORE measurements. I'll go buy the stuff today. What size container of each do you use? Equal sizes?

I still think O'Keefe's Hand stuff Connie suggested is wonderful.
It works better than anything I have ever used.

I agree, Carol. O'Keefe sells Working Hands in hardware stores. I found some in the Lowe's paint department. It is not greasy and soaks right in. People who suffer from cracked hands and feet swear by it. The clerk said it is flying off the shelves. It has done wonders for my feet and elbows. It is in a jar and it hard. You rub a thin coat of it on at bedtime and after your shower. It soaks right in. Someone said that they did not like the form of it that comes in a tube as well as the more solid stuff in the jar.

I am with you Kathy, I was hoping for more info too. Amounts would be really good.

I truly have some cream I like, but I am needing to cut back expenses. Thus, I thought I make my own.

Soooo, anyone have the amounts?

Moni

Actually I plan to use Bag Balm instead of petroleum jelly.

Ummmm. You all do know that petroleum jelly is the main component of Bag Balm. Bag Balm also used to contain mercury as a disinfectant. Apparently they don't use mercury any longer.

Ingredients:

* 8-Hydroxy Quinoline Sulfate 0.3%
* Petrolatum
* Lanolin base

Moni-I think you would just use equal amounts of each ingredient.If anyone is hesitant about using the petroleum jelly try olive,sunflower or coconut oil instead.You might even substitute Crisco for the petroleum jelly.Pure coconut oil is semi solid and melts when it comes in contact with heat so that might work well.I have used it in other skin care concoctions and alone as a cleanser and nightime moisturizer.Smells good too.
Speaking of Crisco......I knew a lady in her 70's a few years back who had beautiful,almost translucent skin and very few wrinkles.I asked what her secret was and she said she used Crisco as a cleanser,gently washed off with a warm washcloth,and Crisco as a moisturizer every night.

I bought several cans of the Working Hands last week for the stocking suffers for the men. I hope they like it. I bought mine at Lowe's. In the paint department, right up front at the paint mixing counter. The man asked how I heard about it and I told him on line and then I had seen their ad in Woman's Day magazine. He wondered because they have really been selling a lot of it.

Sue

A funny story about using Crisco......when my sister was in her early 60's (she is now almost 83) someone told her to use Crisco on her face before going to bed.
She said she tried it once and when her cat woke her up out of a sound sleep licking the Crisco off her face, she decided she would rather have wrinkles. She has always had beautiful skin and still does....without the Crisco.
I use the O'Keefe's stuff that comes in a round can. I just ordered more on line....no shipping if you buy three and it is cheaper than in the hardware stores.