Zero Waste Hand Cream

This vegan zero waste hand cream recipe only requires four ingredients and is not greasy (if applied correctly of course). It's also a great tattoo aftercare moisturizer by the way. 🙃

For almost seven years, my zero waste skin care routine has been based around using organic cooking oils. My favorite mix is a blend of canola, coconut, and a splash of olive oil. It's all-natural, in my case organic, simple, and what I'd call "clean" skin care. I use this blend on my face every morning and before I go to bed, and on my body after I get out of the shower.

Frankly, I just eyeball the measurements... If I had to guess I'd say it's ¼ cup of canola oil, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. In the winter, I like to add more olive oil to protect my skin from the dry air inside and the cold outside.

I have a healthy aloe vera plant at home, so sometimes I throw in a bit of aloe vera gel as an extra moisturizing boost. And occasionally you'll see me at home with two slices of cucumbers covering my eyes. 🥒😉 And that's it! Super minimalist, time-efficient, and (most importantly) free from anything even potentially harmful!

I have been extremely happy with my simplified zero waste skin care routine... Until the pandemic rolled around.

Washing and sanitizing my hands all the time mad the skin on my hands very dry and leathery... While I love my blend of oils, it does take a bit longer to be absorbed. Not that convenient if you have to wash your hands this often...

Just using coconut oil—a fast-absorbing oil—didn't help either. It was like not applying much at all.

Having experimented with different kinds of oils, I had a pretty good idea which oils were fast-absorbing, yet rich enough. So I decided to make my own zero waste hand cream. Here's the recipe, enjoy 😊!

Recipe: Non-Greasy Vegan Hand Cream

This hand cream is non-greasy and can also be used instead of a facial cream or as body butter. It is important not to apply too much at once, especially on the face to not clog the pores. No harmful substances, no animal cruelty, no fuss.

Oh right, and it smells AMAZING!!

TIP: If you're not as lazy as I am, you can whip this cream and make it easier to apply!

Equipment

• Small pot
• Clean wide-mouth jar

Ingredients

• 4 oz or 7 tablespoon coconut butter
• 2 oz cocoa butter
• 2 oz shea butter (you can also use 4 oz of either cocoa OR shea butter in case you can only get one of these 2 ingredients)
• 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil

I am extremely lucky to (now) be able to get all the ingredients package-free at my local bulk shop. However, whenever I need something and do not have access to any package-free options, my hierarchy is: I look for glass jars or big, recyclable bulk bags (paper over plastic). And I get the largest bulk package I can get my hands on. Most ingredients do not spoil easily, but I still ask around beforehand and split the bags with friends or family.

Instructions

1. Put all ingredients into the pot. Stir and melt on the lowest setting. Take the pott off the stove when all ingredients are melted. You can also melt them in a double broiler, but it is not strictly necessary as long as you make sure to stick to the lowest heat and take the off the burner immediately.
2. Put into a clean and dry wide-mouth jar. I like to sterilize the jar with hot water beforehand, but you can skip this step if you have a dish washer.
3. Let it cool to room temperature.
4. Enjoy 😊!