The holidays mean different things to each person, but it’s safe to say that many people look forward to holiday scents. Whether you like classic baked goods (gingerbread cookies and pumpkin bread) or scented candles/lotions and cinnamon-spiced pine cones, the holidays fill the air with hints of ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. If you want to lather your body in these delicious scents, you are not alone.
To prepare you for the holidays and help you keep your skin moisturized, we came across a one-of-a-kind gingerbread body lotion recipe. This lotion is the perfect way to enjoy the enchanting smells of the holiday season. That means that you don’t have to buy an assortment of unhealthy drinks and baked goods! No more excess calories! And your skin will be super soft and unfazed by the drying effects of winter.
This homemade gingerbread lotion contains numerous ingredients that encourage healthier skin. We’ve covered the skin-nourishing benefits of coconut oil and shea butter in previous DIY beauty articles, but we haven’t discussed the moisturizing benefits of ginger and cinnamon essential oils.
Ginger Essential Oil For The Skin
Ginger has a science-backed and historical reputation as a healing agent. Many aromatherapists use ginger essential oil to help calm the stomach, improve breathing, relieve anxiety, and calm the mind. Ginger essential oil contains over 40 antioxidant properties, which work to protect the skin from premature aging, improve elasticity, and enhance complexion. It also has antiseptic properties and it helps the skin breathe by promoting detoxification. This can reduce the risk of acne or the development of blemishes.
Cinnamon Essential Oil For The Skin
Many researchers consider cinnamon to be one of the oldest and most valuable spices in the world. It’s a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, and it’s now used to help improve numerous health ailments. Cinnamon essential oil contains four primary chemical compounds: cinnamyl acetate, eugenol acetate, eugenol, and cinnamaldehyde. Eugenol acetate exhibits antioxidant properties that help to increase moisture, while eugenol acetate has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help relieve inflammatory skin conditions. Cinnamon essential oil helps to hydrate the skin and increase circulation to the skin’s surface, reviving tone and youthful appearance.
Homemade Gingerbread Body Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 drops ginger essential oil
- 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a double boiler, melt the shea butter and coconut oil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure that they combine evenly.
- Pour this melted mixture into a metal or heat-safe glass bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge and add the ginger, cinnamon, essential oils, and vanilla extract.
- Using an electric hand mixer, whip the mixture until it is fluffy and smooth. The consistency should be similar to that of a body butter.
- Spoon the mixture into an eight-ounce glass jar and store in a cool, dry place. If your house tends to be warm, the lotion will be soft and loose, but it will be firmer in a colder home. Either way is fine and safe to use.
