Ingredients
Scale
Phase A:
200 g distilled water
a pinch of hibiscus flowers (optional for color)
2 T yucca root
Phase B:
20 g raw honey
1 g panthenol (optional)
0.2 g aloe 200x powder
3 g xanthan gum
1 g acacia gum
1 g sclerotium gum
Phase C:
10 g glycerin
25 drops essential oil of choice
2.4 g Geogard ECT at 1% (or preservative of choice at the recommended usage rate)
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, bring distilled water to a simmer. Add yucca root and hibiscus (if using), and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain the infusion into a glass jar or measuring cup and discard or compost the roots. Make sure there is no remaining plant matter in your infusion. If you’re like me, and prefer only a light tint, don’t steep the hibiscus for too long unless you like your shave gel a vibrant Pepto Bismol pink.
- At this point, you will have about 25%-40% less liquid than you started with, thanks to evaporation. Top up the distilled water until you have 200 g again.
- Once the yucca root decoction has cooled, add the honey, panthenol, aloe, xanthan, sclerotium and acacia gums. Blend will with a whisk or immersion blender until mixture is smooth and homogenized.
- Add glycerin, essential oils (I used peppermint) and preservative. Blend once more until your gel is completely smooth and well combined. The gel will continue to thicken for a couple of hours before it reaches its final consistency. ♥
Notes
I recommend glass containers for storing homemade lotions and potions. Glass doesn’t leach chemicals and it’s easier to clean/sterilize after the product is used up and you’re ready to refill.
If you do choose to use a plastic container, be aware that essential oils tend to react with plastic, so even if you can get it “clean,” your container will likely not be reusable.
