24 November 2014

DIY nappy balm

1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp beeswax
2 tbsp zinc oxide powder
1 tbsp bentonite clay 
Optional - few drops essential oil (eg camomile, lavender) 

  1. Heat about an inch of water in a small pot.  Place your butter, oil and wax in a glass jar and place in the water.  Stir and, as the water heats, the ingredients will melt.  
  2. Remove from heat and stir in your other ingredients.  I'd recommend a powdered clay, if you can find it.  I used a granular clay from Lotus Oils, but it took a bit of time to get dissolved.  
All ingredients can be found at Lotus Oils.  My coconut oil came from Bin Inn.  I made a half batch, as only need a small jar at a time, and it cost about $5 for a 60 ml jar's worth.  I've always used EcoStore nappy balm (which is brilliant, by the way), but making my own is about half the price.  

Here's a rundown, thanks to Wellness Mama, of why these ingredients are useful: 


Shea Butter – contains the fat soluble vitamins A and E. It is soothing to the skin and has a natural SPF of about 6. Additionally, it helps protect skin from drying out since it contains five essential fatty acids.
Coconut Oil  naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal. 
Beeswax- Provides a protective barrier for the skin and helps hold the other ingredients to the skin so they can be effective. 
Zinc Oxide- insoluble in water and so coats the skin. When mixed with the other ingredients, it makes skin water proof and keeps it from drying out. 
Bentonite Clay- Helps control moisture and fights bacteria on the skin that can be making the rash worse.

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