Discover a gentle, nourishing DIY moisturizing cream made with Azara Esencial’s Sweet Almond Oil, raw honey, and calming lavender. Perfect for daily hydration, even for sensitive skin — ideal for beginners exploring natural emulsion-making.
 

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis)

Gentle Honey & Almond Daily Moisturizing Cream

Embrace the delicate, nourishing touch of Sweet Almond oil, a universally loved carrier oil celebrated for its moisturizing, softening, and soothing properties. Rich in Vitamin E, it’s gentle enough for most skin types, including sensitive skin. This recipe combines it with the humectant power of honey and the calming essence of Lavender to create a light, everyday moisturizing cream perfect for face and body.

Best For: Daily hydration, soothing sensitive skin, gentle moisturizing for all ages.

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate (emulsion making)

Ingredients:

Oil Phase:

• 60ml Sweet Almond Oil
• 15g (approx. 1 tablespoon) Beeswax pastilles (or Candelilla wax for a vegan option, may require slight adjustment in quantity)
• Optional: 5g (approx. 1 tablespoon) Shea Oil for extra richness and emollience.

Water Phase:

• 60ml Distilled Water or Rosewater (for added toning benefits from Damask Rose, if available as a hydrosol/tonic)
• 1 teaspoon Raw Honey (ensure it's pure and preferably liquid)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin for extra humectant properties.

Cool Down Phase:

• 1-2 teaspoon of Lavender Oil 
• Optional: 2-3 drops Azara Esencial Damask Rose Oil for a luxurious scent and enhanced skin benefits.
• Optional: Natural preservative (e.g., Grapefruit Seed Extract or a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative like Leucidal Liquid, follow supplier’s recommended usage rate) if you want the cream to last longer than a few weeks.

Equipment:

• Two small heat-resistant glass beakers or double boiler setup
• Small saucepan
• Digital kitchen scale
• Mini-whisk or small immersion blender
• Spatula
• Clean, sterilized jars for storage (approx. 120-150ml total capacity)
• Thermometer (optional, but helpful for ensuring phases are at similar temperatures)

Instructions:

1. Prepare & Sterilize: Clean and sterilize all your equipment and jars to prevent contamination.
2. Melt Oil Phase: In one beaker or the top part of a double boiler, combine Azara Esencial Sweet Almond Oil, beeswax pastilles, and Shea Oil (if using). Gently heat over a pan of simmering water (bain-marie) until the beeswax and shea oil are completely melted. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat.
3. Warm Water Phase: In the second beaker, gently warm the distilled water (or rosewater), raw honey, and vegetable glycerin (if using). Stir until the honey is dissolved. Do not boil. The aim is to have the water phase at a similar temperature to the oil phase (around 60-70°C or 140-160°F) for better emulsification.
4. Combine & Emulsify: Slowly pour the water phase into the oil phase while continuously whisking vigorously with the mini-whisk or using an immersion blender on low. Continue to whisk/blend for several minutes until the mixture starts to thicken and emulsify, turning into a creamy lotion. This is the crucial step; patience and consistent agitation are key.
5. Cool Down: Allow the cream to cool, stirring occasionally. As it cools, it will continue to thicken.
6. Add Cool Down Ingredients: Once the cream has cooled to below 40°C (104°F) – lukewarm to the touch – add the Azara Esencial Lavender Oil, Damask Rose Oil (if using), and the natural preservative (if using). Stir gently but thoroughly to incorporate.
7. Package: Transfer the finished cream into your sterilized jars. Seal and label with the product name and date made.
8. Storage: If made without a broad-spectrum preservative, store in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 weeks. With a preservative, it can last for several months at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

How to Use:

• Apply a small amount to clean face and/or body as a daily moisturizer. Gently massage until absorbed.
• Suitable for use morning and night.

Creative Customization & Expert Tips:

• Herbal Infusion: For an advanced touch, infuse the Sweet Almond Oil with dried calendula or chamomile flowers for several weeks before making the cream to impart their soothing properties.
• Different Scents: Experiment with other skin-safe macerated oils in the cool-down phase, like a touch of Peppermint for a refreshing body cream (use sparingly).
• Troubleshooting Emulsions: If your cream separates, it might be due to temperature differences between phases or insufficient agitation. You can try gently reheating and re-whisking/blending.
• Soap Making Consideration: Sweet Almond Oil is a very popular oil in soap making, prized for its conditioning properties and stable, mild lather. It’s often used at 5-20% of the total oils in a cold process recipe. It contributes to a gentle, moisturizing bar suitable for sensitive skin. Always ensure accurate SAP value calculations when formulating your soap recipes.

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