Working hands need to stay hydrated. And when it comes to dry hands, this moisturizing homemade hand cream is just the thing. Use this hand cream daily to moisturize those hands or overnight to repair dry, cracked skin.

Women's hand in jar of homemade hand cream.

Homemade hand cream is a great DIY to start with to “get your feet wet” in the DIY world. Much like body butter and hand-made lotions, hand creams can be very forgiving, which makes them so easy to do with little helpers. This recipe only requires 3 ingredients, though I do recommend adding in a few additional ingredients should you be so inclined.

This cream is especially good for hands as it helps repair that cracking skin that can appear around the knuckles. It is very light and creamy and will leave your hands silky smooth.

Made with shea butter, mango butter, and jojoba oil, this moisturizing hand cream can be used on any skin type and will even work for children.

HOMEMADE HAND CREAM

After making several soap projects in a row, this hand cream is seeming like one of the easiest DIY projects I have ever made. It is as simple as measuring out a few ingredients, melting them together, and then whipping with a hand mixer.

For this recipe, I am using mango butter and shea butter. However, if you want, you can use just one or the other. You could also substitute for cocoa butter in replace of either the mango or shea butter. All three have similar textures and can be replaced for equal parts.

A carrier oil is used in this recipe to make it light and fluffy. I love the texture jojoba oil gives this hand cream, but any carrier oil would work. Jojoba oil has a mild scent and penetrates the skin well. It is a great option for anyone with ultra-sensitive skin.

INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE HAND CREAM

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HOW TO MAKE HAND CREAM WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS

Add shea butter and mango butter to a medium-sized glass bowl. Place the glass bowl over a saucepan with a bit of water in the bottom. Heat over medium heat until the butters are melted.
Allow the butter to cool slightly before placing it in the freezer for 5 minutes or until it sets up. You don’t want it to be completely solid. You can test this by pressing your thumb into the ingredients; if it holds the imprint, then it is the right texture. Remove bowl from the freezer.
Add the jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and, if using, essential oils.
Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until soft peaks form.
If using arrowroot powder (to make it non-greasy), add that in now. Whip the hand cream for 1-2 more minutes.
Transfer cream to an airtight container for storage.

NOTE: This recipe should last up to 6 months if stored properly. Keep out of direct sunlight and in an airtight container for maximum life.

Small mason jar of homemade hand cream on white tea towel.

HOW TO USE MOISTURIZING HAND CREAM

Get a small dime-sized amount of cream on your fingertips and gently massage it into your hands. You can use this multiple times a day.

For severely dry hands, apply a generous amount of cream to the hands before bed and put on a pair of gloves. Repeat for several nights until hands are soft and smooth. If needed, you may want to use a sugar scrub to remove dead skin cells and restore skin.

ESSENTIAL OIL HAND CREAM RECIPE

When making homemade hand cream, you have the option of adding in essential oils. Essential oils are not needed, but they will add a beautiful scent and give your cream more benefits.

Several essential oils can improve skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and help with dry skin. Some of my favorite oils for skin are tea tree, frankincense, and lavender. These 3 essential oils can help clear skin from skin impurities and acne.

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HANDS

When choosing essential oils for your hand cream, keep in mind that your hands touch the sensitive areas on your body, such as your ears, nose, and eyes.

Your hands are also exposed to sunlight, so you should use caution when using photosensitive essential oils. When photosensitive oils are mixed with other ingredients such as mango butter or shea butter, they are very unlikely to cause any issues, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Try using essential oils such as lavender or frankincense that are gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR DIY HAND MOISTURIZER

CITRUS

5 drops wild orange
5 drops grapefruit
5 drops lime

FLORAL

5 drops lavender
5 drops chamomile
3 drops geranium
2 drops bergamot

EARTHY

5 drops vetiver
5 drops cypress
3 drops Siberian fir
2 drops cedarwood

Jar of homemade lotion sitting on table with orange slices by it.

BENEFITS OF MANGO BUTTER

Mango butter is a great ingredient to add to your hand cream because it is very moisturizing and can help soften the skin.

Mango butter has vitamin E and vitamin C in it, making it great for skin imperfections and for reducing inflammation. Using mango butter daily in your skin care routine may help to reduce signs of aging, wrinkles, fine lines, and crows feet.

Mango butter is very gentle and can be used on sensitive skin and children.

BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER

Similar to mango butter, shea butter is also very moisturizing. Shea butter can help restore dead skin and repair damaged skin. It also has healing properties and can reduce inflammation.

Shea butter can cleanse and purify, making it a great ingredient to use on skin imperfections, cuts, and wounds. It contains a high amount of fatty acids and vitamins that are vital for skin health.

Shea butter can be used on almost all skin types.

WHAT DOES HAND CREAM DO?

Using hand cream can have a lot of benefits for your skin and is best if used several times a week. Most conventional hand creams are loaded with chemicals and toxins you won’t want to put on your skin, which is why I decided to make my own.

Our hands are exposed to a lot of water and air throughout the day. This can cause them to dry out, chap, and in some cases, crack and bleed. Applying hand cream can help restore the skin and keep it healthy.

Benefits of using hand cream daily include:

Moisturize
Nourish the skin
Reduce signs of aging
Protect hands against UV exposure
Reduce cracking and pigmentation
Help with brown spots and skin tone