Moldy homemade hand cream

[curly_kate]

I've been making homemade lotion for friends & family, and had one mention that hers got moldy. She has had it since the winter, and is the first one who's had that problem. My lotion is water, almond oil, Vitamin E oil, beeswax & essential oils for fragrance. Is there a natural preservative I can add, or should I let people know that there is a shelf life to the product?

 

[Wifezilla]

It's the water that introduces the possibility of mold. There is something you are supposed to add to prevent that but I can't remember what it is off the top of my head. Let me poke around on the tubes for a minute. For some reason grapefruit seed oil and geranium oil are coming to mind but I have no clue why!

 

[curly_kate]

Looks like grapefruit seed extract is a possible natural antibacterial, so you're not too far off.

 

[Wifezilla]

I guess my memory isn't as bad as I thought! LOL

Here is a list I found of anti fungal/anti bacterials.
http://lotionsecrets.com/preservativechart.html

 

[Wildsky]

Use filtered water too if you're not already - or boil the heck out of it.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I use rose water fo rmy moisturizer. but any distilled water should be ok. Vitamin E can act as a preservative too, but if germs have been brought in by the water, it may not be enough.

 

[curly_kate]

Good tips! I have always been meaning to use distilled water, but I never have it on hand when I make lotion.