I’ve been in love with everything rose lately. I’ve been drinking rose tea, inhaling rose essential oil and I just made a rose hydrosol. I decided to put that rose hydrosol to good use and make this rose lotion recipe.

I’ve been hesitant to make a lotion for the longest time since I was afraid of messing it up. One of the first lessons you learn in science class is that oil and water don’t mix, so getting them to combine in a lotion can be a bit tricky. With a good mixer or blender though and a little bit of patience it’s totally doable.

I’ve made mint chocolate whipped body butter before that I love, but sometimes I just need something a little lighter. And while mint chocolate smells divine, sometimes it’s the subtle scents that draw you in. There’s something just so delicate and uplifting about rose.

Unwind and relax with rose

I’ve been super stressed these past few weeks and I’ve really been drawn to rose lately. Dandelions are usually more my thing. I never really liked the prim and proper rose, a flower that was coddled and probably went to the country club for luncheon. Weeds and wildflowers appeal to my intrinsic free spirit, so I was surprised to find my attraction to rose.

Roses are used to balance and strengthen the heart and help reduce feelings of anxiousness and inadequacy.  They are an anti-depressant and a nervine to combat stressful situations. So it makes sense that I would be drawn to rose right now. (source)

“Not only does it enhanced moods, decrease depression, induce sleep, decrease anxiety, and provide some pain relief, but it has also shown anticonvulsant activity and stimulation of nerve growth in dementia patients as well!” – source

I’ve been enjoying using this rose lotion recipe as a full body lotion on my thirsty winter skin. As I rub it in, I think positive, affirming thoughts and inhale the relaxing aroma.

You can buy rose hydrosol for this or make your own. Here’s the tutorial I followed to make my hydrosol. You’ll want to store this in the fridge and use it up in a few days for best results. You can find the lings to where I get my ingredients in the recipe list below, including the scale that I love.

Preserving your lotion

Since this is a lotion, you’ll need something to help extend the shelf life. Even though it’s only for home use, I added vitamin E at .5% for its antioxidant properties that help keep the oils from going rancid. You could also use rosemary antioxidant, though I don’t personally have experience with it. Be sure to store your creation in a cool place!

Given the known toxicity of many broad spectrum preservatives, I’ve chosen not to use them in my homemade products. From what I’ve been told by skincare professionals, adding a preservative does not guarantee it’s in the correct amounts to prevent microbe growth. The only way to be sure is to send the product in for professional lab testing, which most of us don’t have the funds to do.

By using an already preserved hydrosol that typically has a shelf life of 12-18 months, storing this in the fridge, and/or using it up within 2-3 months there really isn’t a concern for microbial growth. If this is meant as a gift, then be sure the recipient knows this information as well.

If you’re just uncomfortable with this idea and prefer to use a preservative, then you can find one online and follow the manufacturers directions for that particular preservative. Keep in mind though that this doesn’t guarantee the product will be as immune to microbe growth as products on store shelves. These have to go through multiple rounds of stability testing.

Homemade Rose Lotion Recipe

• 75 grams sweet almond oil – get it here
• 31 grams coconut oil – get it here
• 8 grams beeswax – get it here
• 4 grams vitamin e oil – get it here
• 10 drops  pure rose absolute – get it here OR 40 drops diluted rose absolute – get it here
• 1/2 cup distilled water or rose hydrosol – get it here
• 1 tsp glycerin – get it here
• Scale – the one I use

1. In a small saucepan combine the coconut oil, sweet almond oil and beeswax. I place the saucepan on my scale and hit the tare button then add my ingredients, hitting tare after each one for easy measuring.
2. Heat the oils and beeswax over super low heat, as low as it will go. Once it’s completely melted pour the oils into your blender or stand mixer bowl. I used my stand mixer.
3. Add the vitamin E and essential oils at this point, don’t worry about stirring it in. Pop this in the fridge for about 15 minutes, or until it’s thickened and creamy looking. Don’t let it get solid though.
4. In a glass measuring cup with a spout, combine the glycerin and water or hydrosol.
5. If you’re using a mixer, use the whisk attachment and begin to whip the oil mixture on the highest speed. Slooooowly drizzle in the water mixture. You want a very thin stream so you don’t break the emulsion. Continue whipping until it’s thoroughly combined, about 1 minute after adding the water. You’ll want to scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times and mix some more.
6. If you’re using a blender, turn it on high and then slowly drizzle the water mixture into the middle of the vortex. Blend for 30 more seconds after you’ve added all the water.
7. Store at room temperature or in the fridge in clean glass jars.

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