Softening and moisturizing homemade cream made from rice bran oil and lecithin

There are many ways to make facial and body creams. This time I tried lecithin as the only emulsifier in the cream. If you haven’t tried skin moisturizing and softening lecithin yet then now is the time. As an emulsifier for homemade cosmetics, lecithin is not very commonly used. I think it should be because lecithin really does soothe the skin. It effectively moisturizes and softens dry skin. Lecithin cream a real dream-come-true winter cream. So, let’s make a simple, moisturizing cream from lecithin.

Liquid or granular lecithin?

Lecithin has not been used much in home cosmetics. Now is the time to introduce lecithin. It is perfect for emulsifying rich creams for winter use. Lecithin allows you to prepare your creams without double-boiler water heating. Lecithin does not like heating. Its sensitive skin care ingredients are destroyed if you use too high temperature too long in preparing process. The soy lecithin I am using is GMO free.

Preparing of lecithin

Granular lecithin dissolves best in oil.  Lecithin dissolves also in water but it is easier to prepare an emulsion cream based on lecithin dissolved in oil. Dissolving process takes less time if granular lecithin is pre-grinded in mortar.

Dissolving lecithin in oil

Only a certain amount of lecithin can be dissolved in the oil. My rough estimate is 1 dl of oil can dissolve ½ tablespoon of lecithin. Exact amount depends on the oil you use. Straining is highly recommended after the dissolving process.

For straining, I recommend a strainer as dense as possible. Cotton gauze is also good. However, the oil will ruin the gauze so you cannot use it again. That’s why I prefer the strainer myself.

The strained oil containing lecithin is already a finished cosmetic product. You can use it, for example, on wet hair ends to protect them from drying out.

Choose the right oil for the lecithin cream

You can use almost any desired oil in your cream. I myself have used rice bran oil in creams containing lecithin. Various herbal oils, also called macerated oils, are also good. You can replace the oil partially or completely with herbal oil. Always dissolve lecithin in the total amount of oil. Choose the oil you prefer. There are some oils which I haven’t tried at all with lecithin like coconut oil. However, I do not particularly prefer coconut oil for skin care.

Here are some suggestions for suitable oils

• Sunflower oil; Suitable for the whole body and the whole family
• Rice bran oil; suitable for many skin types, especially good for removing signs of aging from the skin
• Moringa oil; a special oil that can be used as a hair oil to treat dry ends
• Calendula Oil; use in lecithin cream either wholly or as part of an oil mixture. Suitable for the treatment of irritated skin and children’s skin problems

What is the water phase?

Since we are now making a lotion, we also need some liquid for the lotion. Again, you can use your imagination and choose almost any water-based liquid suitable for creams.

Lecithin, like other emulsifiers, does not withstand salts and other minerals very well. For example, a seaweed poultice is very rich in minerals. Lecithin cream makes the seaweed poultice too thin. The ointment will probably thicken slightly in time but needs a pump bottle anyway.

Suitable liquids for lecithin cream

• boiled or distilled water; water is always the best option for simple lotions, sensitive skin, children, the elderly and people with allergies
• Infusion; you can replace some or all of the liquid with a herbal infusion such as raspberry leaf, chamomile, nettle, burr, marshmallow root etc.
• Aloe Vera juice; a true skin care ingredient
• Kombu (or other seaweed) infusion; please note the cream may become thinner.

Ingredients for lecithin cream

After you have selected the ingredients you want for your cream, you can start measuring them.

This cream does not necessarily need to be heated in a water boiler. However, if you want to minimize bacterial growth, you can heat the cream base in a double boiler for 30 minutes at 80 degrees Celsius. This will destroy most of the bacteria.

Use these ingredients

• Place 1 dl of oil (your choice) to a bowl

• Mix ½ tablespoon of lecithin in granules to the oil. Use an electric hand blender whisk.

• Mix the liquid so that the lecithin is completely dissolved. This may take some time. Let the mixture rest overnight.

Strain the liquid in order to get rid of all dissolved particles of lecithin

Add 1 dl of water and mix using blender

• The mixture becomes a mayonnaise-like, a very beautiful shiny cream.

• The cream will be preserved in a fridge at least 2-3- weeks. Lecithin cream does not like preservatives. For some reason, the structure of the cream is destroyed after adding drops of Geogard 221 -preservative.

How to use lecithin cream

Lecithin cream is a pretty greasy cream. However, thanks to lecithin, the oil is deeply absorbed into the skin, moisturizing and softening it. Therefore, it is advisable to take the time and carefully rub the lecithin cream into the skin. Just leaving the cream and applying it lightly will give you a very oily skin feel for a long time.

I do not recommend lecithin cream under makeup. If you apply the cream to the skin in the morning and immediately apply makeup, the cream will not be absorbed. If you apply lecithin cream in evening, you will have a very soft and moisturized skin in the morning that does not need much new moisture.

I’m really happy with moisturizing and skin softening lecithin cream.

Lecithin is a suitable emulsifier for oil-rich emulsions. There is a fifty/fifty oil and water in this recipe. You cannot prepare light emulsions when using lecithin. These heavier creams are perfect for winter and outdoor activities.

This cream leaves a greasy surface on the skin for a while. When the cream is completely absorbed, the skin feels soft and moisturized. Although I have added several times a day lecithin cream on my face my skin has not blocked up. No single acne has come on my skin while using this cream. The skin is calmed, moisturized and soft. My cream is made from a very simple and skin-friendly combination of rice bran oil + lecithin + water.

I use this cream as a night cream for the face and even for the whole body after a shower. Lecithin cream is also an excellent outdoor cream. A friend of mine, who is a passionate outdoor person and cyclist, often orders a can of lecithin cream from me.

Lecithin cream is not very stable

You can quite easily make lecithin, oil and water lotion without any chemicals. However, lecithin cream is not completely stable. The oil easily separates from the ointment but can be mixed in a couple of spins until smooth. By adding a thickener such as xanthan gum, the emulsion would be more stable. However, I wanted this cream to be a very simple product.

The good thing about home cosmetics is that you can compromise the composition of the cream without any problems. Home cosmetics creams and other products do not have to appeal to public or large customer base. If the cream requires mixing before use then what is the problem?  This simple, effective and beautiful cream is worth that little effort.

What is your favourite outdoor cream?

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