You guys are in for a treat for this edition of Beautiful Skin Friday’s! Jenni Raincloud, the best all natural beauty and skincare guru and blogger at www.jenniraincloud.com is giving us this totally awesome body cream recipe that is so luxurious and so moisturizing (& helps smooth cellulite, too – score!). I know you will really love this cellulite smoothing body cream recipe as much as me and I hope you get to try it out really soon.

Hi!  It’s Jenni from Jenni Raincloud for your Beautiful Skin Friday!  Do I have a a recipe for you!  I know most of you are like me and praying spring will come soon!  I’m so done with this freezing cold winter!  While I’m looking forward to warmer temps. I am not looking forward to baring more skin!  Winter allows us to cover up under big sweaters and boots. I swear my legs have not seen the light of day for months!  Yikes!  That means it’s time for 2 things-more exercise and major moisturizing!  There’s nothing worse then pale and scaly legs! Cellulite can be an issue for most women.  The jury is out on the cause of cellulite-there are so many theories.  I believe cellulite is caused by trapped toxins, poor circulation, water retention and hormones.  The bottom line-CELLULITE SUCKS.   There are some ways to reduce the appearance though.  First, I think detoxing is very helpful-get in the habit of salt baths (learn more HERE). Increase veggies and fruits and drink TONS of water.  Last, let’s make a moisturizer that will not only nourish, but will also combat cellulite by revving up circulation, and helping rid our body of water retention!

First off, let’s talk ingredients-when I came up with this cream originally, I only added lavender essential oil.  Lavender oil is healing, anti inflammatory and nourishing but it just wasn’t going to cut it in terms of smoothing the skin.  Just this week on my blog,  I talked about the wonders of Geranium essential oil (learn more HERE).  This oil is extremely helpful with water retention and poor circulation.  Geranium oil stimulates the lymphatic system which encourages the body to release excess water that is retained in the tissue, which causes cellulite.  Geranium Oil causes the skin to contract, which means firmer, tighter skin!  Geranium oil also helps to ease PMS and balance hormones.  As you can see, it is a great choice for this body cream!

Lavender Geranium Cellulite Smoothing Body Cream

2 TBSP. Shea Butter (buy it HERE)

3 TBSP. Coconut Oil (buy it HERE)

2 TBSP. Avocado Oil (buy it HERE)

2 TBSP. Emulsifying Wax (buy it HERE)

1 TBSP. Vitamin E oil (buy it HERE)

1 cup Distilled water

1/2 tsp. NeoDefend (buy it HERE)

20 drops Geranium Essential Oil (find it HERE)

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil (buy it HERE)  

•  Fill two medium sauce pans about half way full of water.
•  Place a glass bowl with a spout in each pot and turn on stove to medium heat.
•  Add emulsifying wax, avocado oil, vitamin E oil and coconut oil to one pot.
•  Add distilled water and neodefend to the other pot.
•  Heat both mixtures until the emulsifying wax has totally melted.
•  Check temperatures of both pots with a thermometer. (like this ONE)
• **BOTH mixtures must be the same temp before you combine them or your cream won’t set.**
•  When both your oil mixture and water mixture reach around 130 degrees, pour your water mixture into your oil mixture.
• Use a hand held blender (like this ONE) and mix your cream.
• Continue to mix periodically (every 10 minutes or so)  until you notice that water is no longer separating on the bottom.  This tends to take about 30 minutes.
• Once fully mixed, add lavender and geranium essential oils then pour into containers.

This recipe makes about 12 ounces. I like to store my cream in THESE bottles-A spout of pump is the best route because it helps keep your cream free from bacteria.  The shelf life of this moisturizer is about 3 months.  Citric Acid works as a great preservative and helps stabilize the cream.  This cream does not need to be kept in the fridge, but if you do, you will prolong the shelf life. When applying your cream, be sure to massage it into the legs thoroughly.  Massage can encourage added circulation and water drainage to also help combat cellulite!  Use long, firm motions when applying. I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial on making your own body cream!  This cream is thick, creamy and luxurious!   

UPDATE:  Since I have shared this recipe, I have come across new information about a more efficient way to preserve homemade creams.  After doing LOADS of research, I have settled on adding a legit preservative called NeoDefend.  NeoDefend is a preservative used in certified organic beauty products.  It is gentle and does not contain propylene glycol or formaldehyde.  You can read more about NeoDefend HERE. 

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Jennifer, from the blog Jenni Raincloud, lives in Edmond Oklahoma with her husband and 2 daughters. She has been in the skin care world for over a decade. She believes beautiful skin comes from the inside out. In order to achieve youthful skin a healthy lifestyle must be in place. If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin are her words to live by! She sells her skin care products on Etsy, runs her “at home spa” for close clients and blogs full time. She is happiest staying home with her family and cooking up healthy skin care products in the kitchen! You can follow Jenni Raincloud on Facebook, Pinterest and Etsy.