Soft Hands Cream (Licorice + Lemon)

A silky, fast-absorbing hand cream that softens dry skin and brightens the look of uneven tone—comforting licorice meets fresh lemon for an everyday desk/bag essential.

Tags: DIY, Clean Beauty, Hand Cream, Daily Moisturizer
Skin Goals: Soften · Smooth · Even Look

🌿 What It Does

This lightweight hand cream blends Licorice (for an even, luminous look) with a soft Lemon lift. A modern humectant + lipid balance gives quick slip with zero greasiness, so you can moisturize and get back to typing in seconds.

🧴 Ingredients (50 ml / 1.7 fl oz)

Easy Method (Base Blend) — no-heat:

• Unscented cream/lotion base — 43 ml
• Licorice extract (water-soluble) — 2.5 ml (≈ 5%)
• Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) — 1.5 ml (≈ 3%)
• Glycerin — 1.5 ml (≈ 3%)
• Light ester or squalane — 1 ml (≈ 2%)
• Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) — 0.25 ml (≈ 0.5%)
• Lemon note (choose one; keep subtle): Lemon hydrosol 1–2 ml or steam-distilled lemon EO 1–2 drops pre-solubilized*

Pro Method (Fresh Emulsion):

• Water phase: Distilled water 31 ml · Lemon hydrosol 10 ml · Glycerin 1.5 ml · Panthenol 1.5 ml · Licorice extract 2.5 ml
• Oil phase: Emulsifying wax (NF) 2.5 g · Cetyl alcohol 0.3 g · Squalane 1.5 ml · Light oil (sweet almond/jojoba) 2 ml
• Cool-down: Vitamin E 0.25 ml · Preservative (per supplier) · Optional: 1–2 drops steam-distilled lemon EO pre-solubilized · Adjust pH to 5.0–5.5

👉 Buy Complete Soft Hands Cream Bundle

🔥 How to Prepare

Easy Method (Base Blend)

1. Sanitize tools and a 50 ml airless or pump bottle; let fully dry.
2. In a beaker, add the unscented base. Stir in glycerin, panthenol, and licorice extract until uniform.
3. Fold in squalane/light ester and vitamin E. If using lemon hydrosol, blend in now; if using EO, add a pre-solubilized micro-amount.
4. Check pH (target 5.0–5.5). Bottle and let rest 1–2 hours to de-bubble.

Pro Method (Fresh Emulsion)

1. Heat water and oil phases separately to ~70 °C.
2. Pour oil into water while blending for 60–90 s; cool with intermittent mixing to < 40 °C.
3. Stir in cool-down actives, preservative, and optional pre-solubilized lemon EO. Adjust pH to 5.0–5.5. Bottle and allow 12–24 h to set.

🌸 How to Use

• Massage a pea-size amount onto clean, dry hands whenever needed.
• Reapply after hand-washing. For very dry skin, layer under cotton gloves overnight.

🧭 How You Can Use This Recipe

• For Personal Use: Everyday hand cream with a bright, clean finish—desk, car, gym bag.
• For R&D / Formulation: Compare hydrosol vs. EO for lemon note; iterate viscosity by adjusting cetyl alcohol; test licorice at 2–5% for tone goals.
• For Small Business: Position as “Soft Hands Cream — Licorice + Lemon.” Offer 50–75 ml airless pumps; clean, gender-neutral labels.
• For Gifting: Pair with a gentle hand wash and a mini cuticle oil.

🪶 Storage & Shelf Life

Store capped, away from heat/sun. With proper preservation and hygiene, best within 3–4 months. Use pump/airless packaging to minimize contamination.

💡 Pro Tips

• Finish & feel: For a drier touch, add 0.2–0.3% silica or 1–2% arrowroot (pre-slurried) in Pro Method.
• Fragrance safety: Prefer steam-distilled lemon EO (non-phototoxic) or keep cold-pressed lemon ≤ 0.2% and use mainly at night. Hydrosol is the safest daily option.
• Extra barrier love: Add 0.2–0.3% allantoin (pre-dissolved) and keep pH near 5.2.

🌿 Why This Works

Licorice is loved for a more even, luminous look; lemon brings a fresh, clean vibe. Humectants draw in moisture while light lipids lock it in—leaving hands soft, not slick.

⚠️ Note

• External use only. Patch-test before first use. Avoid eyes/cuts.
• If using cold-pressed lemon EO, keep dosage very low and avoid immediate sun exposure on freshly applied skin.
• Discontinue if irritation occurs. Consult a professional if pregnant/nursing or highly sensitive.

🪷 Related DIY Recipes

• Whipped Body Butter Balm (Shea + Sandalwood)
• Cooling After-Sun Gel (Aloe + Cucumber)
• Herbal Bath Scrub (Ayurvedic Body Polish)

*Always pre-solubilize essential oils with a suitable solubilizer before adding to water-based systems; follow supplier ratios for clarity and safety.