This post is part of a series about natural beauty and skin care. Other posts in this series:
- Natural beauty treatments
- Natural beauty treatment ingredients
- Natural hand and nail care (current page)
- Natural hair care treatments
- Natural body care treatments
- Natural skin care recipes
Natural Hand and Nail Care
Our hands do so much for us. They’re constantly exposed to drying agents like soap, and since they’re always going in and out of water. They need a little T.L.C. – in the form of intense moisture.
Of course, don’t forget to use a natural sunscreen on the backs of your hands to slow aging.
Cocoa Butter Hand and Nail Cream
2 tbsp. beeswax
2 tbsp. cocoa butter
4 tbsp. jojoba oil
1 tbsp. lanolin
20 drops essential oil (such as sandalwood and rosemary)
Combine first four ingredients in a double boiler and melt. Remove from heat and let cool for several minutes. Add oils and stir until thoroughly mixed. Store in a jar for up to 4 months.
The Natural Manicure
To give yourself a manicure, soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Then apply the cocoa butter cream to your hands and nails, working it into the bases of nails. Push the cuticles back with a cuticle stick, and trim the nails. Buff nails with a nail file for shine.
If you use polish, use a non-toxic nail polish such as Piggy Paints
. A little lemon juice on a cotton ball can help lighten nail staining. If you’re like me and have a habit of picking at your cuticles, making it a habit to rub them regularly with this moisturizer will help prevent damage.
I love using almond or avocado oil on my cuticles at night time, I have the roughest cuticles in the world if I skip doing it for a few days.
Good info – I am looking for more ways to substitute harsh chemicals with natural alternatives – my hands, nails, and health thank you!
Hi,
I work in a chicken shop and because of that i have to wear rubber gloves for the entire day. Rubber gloves make my hands very dry and cracked. I protect my hands with Elizabeth Arden hand cream. This cream provides an intensive layer of moisturizer over my hands to make them soft.