Hibiscus Healing Cream

by Lori
(Salem, Missouri)

This is the very first cream I have ever formulated myself. It is completely original as far as I know as I have never seen a cream using hibiscus tea. I made it because I wanted a lighter cream to use for summer and the body butters I usually use are too heavy for summer and leave me feeling too greasy. I originally called it a face cream, but I am using it all over my body! It is light and absorbs quickly and smells so wonderful! I've never made anything this wonderful! The combination of oils is very healing to damaged skin and offers a bit of SPF protection due to the raspberry and rose hip oils.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon dried Hibiscus Flowers
2/3 cup distilled water

1 tablespoon emulsifying wax
1 heaping teaspoon stearic acid
1 teaspoon beeswax

1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
1 teaspoon raspberry seed oil
1 teaspoon rose hip oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon vitamin C powder

Directions:

Steep the Hibiscus in the just-boiled distilled water for about 5 minutes.

While the tea is steeping, use a double boiler to melt the emulsifying wax, stearic acid and beeswax.

Once melted add the oils and heat until blended. Cool this oil blend to around 120 degrees F.

Strain the tea and measure the temperature. It should be between 100 and 120 degrees F.

Add the aloe vera and vitamin C powder to the tea and stir until blended and powder is dissolved.

When both the oil mixture and the tea are between 100 and 120 degrees F. (they don't have to be exactly the same, but should be between that range), pour them together in a deep bowl or tall mixing container and use a hand blender to blend about a minute or until it begins to thicken.

This cream will be a beautiful pink color and is very light and moisturizing. Pour into a bottle with a pump or into a container with just a lid. It will be thick enough to scoop out but thin enough to use with a pump. Makes about 4 ounces.

This cream will be good for about 10 days at room temperature. Keep it in the fridge to preserve it longer.

Essential oils are optional. I used 5 drops each of:
Lavender
Vanilla
Ylang Ylang
Patchouli
Frankincense Serrata
Sweet Orange