Tis the season of dry skin and my hands are no exception. Taking care of our hands as writers is important.  I’ve had a jar of oil infused with calendula flowers sitting in my cupboard for about a year so it’s ready to use for this very purpose.

What is calendula? It’s a flower, easy to grow, and has amazing skin health qualities.

“Calendula oil is a natural oil extracted from marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis). It’s often used as a complementary or alternative treatment. Calendula oil may have antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that might make it useful in healing wounds, soothing eczema, and relieving diaper rash. It’s also used as an antiseptic.” –HealthLine.com

You will need:

• 1/2 cup calendula infused oil
• 1/2 cup Shea butter (or equivalent butter)
• 1/2 cup bees wax
• essential oils of choice about 20 drops total (tangerine, peppermint, or lavender are all great choices)
• Soap mold or something to pour the lotion bars into (plastic cups work fine)

To mix these ingredients you have to make a double boiler with water in a lower pan that is simmering and place a bowl over it so that it gets the heat from the simmering water. Same principle you’d use to melt chocolate. I don’t recommend using the microwave because the oil tends to splatter and cleaning it up is no fun.

Melt the beeswax first and then mix in your other ingredients. Pour into your molds quickly and let them sit until firm (about 2 hours). You can add a pinch of dried flower petals to add texture and color if you want.

Enjoy these useful little bars, your writing hands will thank you.

Happy Questing!