Love Your Skin lotion (LYS)

Let's talk about why Love Your Skin lotion is so popular. I based this recipe on an old nurses's handcream recipe I found. If you are a person who is always washing your hands, LYS is for you. I have chosen the follow ingredients to make a rich, moisturizing emollient lotion. So let's look at some definitions.

Let's start with: what does emollient mean? It simply describes substances that soften and soothe the skin. It does three things (that I know of--could be more).

1. It leaves a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to hold the water in.
2. It is a humectant which increases your skins' water holding ability.
3. Lubes up the skin, adding slip and slide across the skin--makes it a good massage cream!

Here are the ingredients: (I feel so like Julia Child!)

Avocado Oil: It easily penetrates the skin and is used as an emollient (see above). Adds vitamins, especially A, D, and E. Soothes and nourishes dry skin. Helps with eczema and psoriasis and improves elasticity of the skin. It is said to block the suns rays. It is a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and is great to eat. Hey! If you can't eat it, why put it on your skin?

Macadamia Nut Oil: It easily penetrates the skin and leaves a velvety feel. It's nongreasy and is said to have benefits for scars, sunburn, eczema and the irritation of psoriasis.

Shea Butter: A fascinating nut (just like some people I know). It is processed from the nut of the African Karite Tree. The Karite Tree doesn't produce fruit for 20 years! Then it produces for over 200 years. Shea butter retards moisture loss and is marketed as being effective at: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, dry skin, blemishes, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles and it lessens the irritation of psoriasis. It absorbs rapidly and is not greasy. Now if it could only cook dinner and clean up afterward!!

Cocoa Butter: Another great emollient. It easily penetrates the skin and is effective on stretchmarks, chapped skin and lips and dry itchy skin.

Beeswax and honey: Honey has been used since ancient times as "food of the gods". They say Cleopatra used in on her face and body as a moisturizer. So--if it's good enough for Cleo . . .
But seriously, honey is an anti-oxidant and is anti-microbial. It is said to rejuvenate depleted skin. It is a humectant which means it draws water to your skin.

So, these are the ingredients I chose for Love Your Skin. You can use Love your Skin all over your body--even on your face. I hope you love it as much as I do. I even make unscented, in case the man in your life doesn't care to wear Naked Ladies!