by Marie | Jan 5, 2015 | Chewy, Lotion, | 53 comments
Bee propolis is a really amazing substance. In its raw form it looks like clods of dirt, and smells something like the air just before it rains. Made from essential oils, resins, saps, and the odd bit of dry grass, it is a powerful antibacterial and antiseptic healing ingredient, making it perfect for a starring role in this lotion. As with everything bees make, each hive produces different propolis. It’s assembled from the trees and flowers that the bees visit on their pollen and nectar rounds, and its composition understandably varies by what’s available near the hive.
Inside the hive, propolis is used for many things. It’s used to patch small holes in the hive and reduce vibration. If something large crawls into the hive and dies (like a mouse or a lizard), the bees will mummify it in propolis so it doesn’t rot in the hive.
Once the propolis is harvested from the bees, it’s also very useful to us humans. Its strong antibacterial properties make propolis a fantastic healing ingredient for nicks, cuts, scrapes, and all other kinds of miscellaneous boo-boos.
This lotion pairs propolis with a few of my other favourite ingredients—enzyme rich raw manuka honey, soothing allantoin (USA / Canada), and healing carrier oils like tamanu and neem. The final lotion is thick and creamy, and packs a healing punch for tired, dry skin.
7g | 0.25oz complete emulsifying wax (not beeswax!)
3g | 0.1oz neem oil
10g | 0.35oz tamanu oil
5g | 0.17oz hemp seed oil (USA / Canada)70g | 2.5oz just-boiled water
3g | 0.1oz raw honey (I used manuka, but you can use any variety of raw honey if that’s what you have)
2g | 0.07oz vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada)
½ tsp allantoin (USA / Canada)
50 drops propolis tincture6 drops cedar leaf essential oil
3 drops roman chamomile essential oilBroad spectrum preservative of choice (why?)
Weigh out the emulsifying wax and oils into a small saucepan or double boiler and melt over medium heat.
While the oils melt, combine the water, honey, glycerin, allantoin (USA / Canada), and propolis tincture in a small glass measuring cup. Whisk to combine.
Once the oils have melted, whisk in the warmed water mixture. Whisk everything together—it’ll thicken as it cools(the thickening may take a few days if you are using a different emulsifying wax from emulsimulse/ritamulse). Once the lotion is relatively cool, whisk in the essential oils and preservative, and use a funnel to transfer the lotion to a 120mL/4oz pump-top bottle.
Don’t have the oils called for in the recipe? Check this out.
New to lotion making? Watch my basic lotion how to video!
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Jesson January 5, 2015 at 7:15 am
Yikes, Marie just when I think I have ordered all the products I could ever possibly need, you design a new recipe that knocks me out to try and I find that there are 2-3 things I still need to make the new recipe.
Bravo for mixing up some more hand creams for the working hands in winter that don’t use water. This mix is perfect for healing and since propolis is what keeps the hive and honey from spoiling I suspect that no other preservative will be needed to extend the shelf life of this lotion.
I am expecting two shipments from Saffire Blue this week…guess I will be sending in another order to make this one. Thanks again for your creativity and giving us another great lotion.
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Marieon January 21, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Thanks, Jess! I look forward to hearing what you think 🙂
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Jesson January 5, 2015 at 7:21 am
Ooops! Just reread the recipe and see that it does indeed have water in it…so maybe the preservatives will be needed, but I will try the first batch without the preservatives and see what the propolis does to preserve the lotion.
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Marieon January 21, 2015 at 8:56 pm
😉 I’ve found a pump-top bottle does wonders for extending the shelf life of lotions as well.
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Sarahon January 5, 2015 at 7:28 am
Thanks for another great recipe! I’d love to make this but do not have allantoin. Is it necessary or can it be left out? Is there a suitable replacement for the allantoin?
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Marieon January 21, 2015 at 8:55 pm
You can leave it out, or steep the water part with comfrey root as it’s a natural source of allantoin (though you’ll definitely have to use a preservative if you do that).
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JenZon January 5, 2015 at 8:11 am
You always have the most interesting recipes! I am going to check out the propolis tincture and maybe add that to my regular hand/foot butter. I’ve been using it like crazy this winter and my feet have never looked better since I put it on every night with socks. Need to get cotton gloves so I can do that with my hands at night too.
I’m going to try adding honey too!
I added a tiny bit of lavender and cedarwood to the hand butter – can’t smell it over the cocoa butter but I think they bring something nice to the party anyway 🙂
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Marieon January 21, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Thanks, JenZ! Don’t you love it when our awesome handmade, homemade goodies keep our skin happy and healthy? 🙂
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Ce-Ce Bon February 8, 2015 at 8:23 am
Instead of buying gloves, take an old white t-shirt & draw your hands on it — 2 times for each hand. cut out & stitch together!!
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Marieon February 9, 2015 at 7:53 pm
See AlsoThis K-Beauty Ingredient Has Seriously Transformed My SkinA Beetastic Guide on Propolis Benefits for SkinWhat a great way to give new life to an old shirt!
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Iryna B.on January 5, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Thank you, Marie for this recipe! To make this one I need some more ingredients to buy, as always. Though process of making lotion still intimidates me.
I do have propolis in a raw form, from a beekeeper! Made my own tincture as well and use it to rinse my mouth, diluted, of course, and dry out zits. 😉
I would also add some calendula oil or extract/tincture to it too.
What size of pump bottle have you used for the lotion?Reply
Marieon January 21, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Hi Iryna! I used a 125mL bottle 🙂 Let me know if you try the recipe!
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Angelineon January 5, 2015 at 8:06 pm
REally love to read your blog. Thank you for sharing lots of different recipe. I have 2 kids and they have dry skin, may I know is this suitable for 3 months old baby?
Thank you in advance.Reply
Marieon January 16, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Hi Angeline! I’m not a doctor, and I’d really recommend asking a doctor about this, but I do know it is not recommended to feed honey to babies under 1 year due to the risk of botulism, so I’d be wary. Have you tried pure raw shea butter? I’ve heard great things from readers about it for their babies 🙂
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KMon January 6, 2015 at 2:36 pm
I have to say I’m really bummed I don’t have any of the main figures for this recipe. It sounds wonderful and looks even better!
I’ll have to add it to my “try it out later” list. 😀Reply
Marieon January 17, 2015 at 7:49 pm
I am rather bad for trying new ingredients all the time 😛
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Caton January 8, 2015 at 8:27 pm
My dry skin thank you for this recipe.
I bought a bottle of bee propolis at farmer’s market for $30. My Holiday present to myself after I keep seeing it in your recipes. Made the Egyptian Magic and love it, btw!
I don’t have Neem oil, what would you recommend as a substitute?
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Marieon January 16, 2015 at 6:59 pm
You’re welcome, Cat’s skin 😉 If you don’t have neem feel free to choose your favourite healing carrier oil, or failing that, just a carrier oil you know works for your skin 🙂
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Deborahon January 18, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Dear Marie I have a nephew who is 13 and of course has acne. I am going to utilize your zip zapper roller recipe but I was wondering if this bee propolis recipe would work for him? I am looking for easy applications in the beginning. Once he realizes the products are effacicious and he starts to see results, then we can move to the products that require more effort such as the no-shake/q-tip acne cream and the masks/cleaners. Thanks Marie.
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Marieon January 21, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Hi Deborah! I really don’t have any experience trying a propolis tincture as a zit treatment, though in an alcohol base combined with its awesome properties, it could very well be awesome.
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Jodieon February 23, 2015 at 10:01 am
Hi Marie – I really love your lotions but as I live in hot, dry Arizona they tend to mold very quickly, and I only use pump tops for them. I’ve purchased some Gluconodeltalactone and Sodium Benzoate and they recommend using 1-1.5%. Haven’t felt like doing all the math to break it down and was wondering if you had a quantity recommendation for this recipe. I was thinking 1/4 tsp? Thanks so much.
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Marieon February 24, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Hi Jodie! I’m sorry, but you will have to do the math here. 1% of a 100g batch of lotion (most of my batches are 100g, including this one) is just 1g—easy peasy! 1% is probably the easiest math to do, just shift the decimal point over two places. From my experience with that particular preservative it will be more than you think, and substantially more than 1/4 tsp.
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Jodieon February 24, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Thanks, knowing how much the batch is helps a lot. 🙂
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Marieon February 26, 2015 at 6:43 pm
You can always figure out how much a batch is by adding up the quantities of each ingredient—easy peasy!
Jodieon February 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Felt like a dope when I realized that after you posted. Doh! Oh well, I’ll blame it on lack of sleep. 🙂
Marieon February 27, 2015 at 5:35 pm
😉
Callieon April 23, 2015 at 7:57 am
Aloha Marie ~ I love your website. I noticed when ordering some of the ingredients for this recipe that cedar leaf has a pretty disturbing warning according to the New Directions website:
Cautions: Due to the presence of thujone in this oil, please consult a physician prior to using it. Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided. It is listed as an abortifacient (a drug or agent causing abortion). Avoid use during pregnancy.
Yikes… Sooo… I was looking at your guide to essential oil substitutions and am wondering what category cedar leaf falls into: anti-bacterial, anti-viral, relaxing, healing, cooling, sinus clearing, warming or pain killer ? so I can make a proper substitution…
Thanks and keep up the awesome job with your website! 🙂
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Marieon June 10, 2015 at 8:10 pm
It’s actually mostly for scent, so you could just leave it out without a swap 🙂
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Anonymouson May 21, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Can I add the propolis tincture, raw honey, vegetable glycerin, and allantoin once the lotion is emulsified to preserve the benefits in the raw state (unheated)
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Marieon June 10, 2015 at 9:03 pm
You can, but I would be concerned about the allantoin incorporating (it can be stubborn when it comes to dissolving and make your final product gritty). I would probably add it and the glycerin at the warmer stage (veg glycerin is created in a high heat and pressure reaction, so heating it again won’t hurt it).
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Stacieknitson July 1, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Hi Marie–
I’m loving all the recipes using honey and such–the Crazy Hair Mask is awesome. I’ve just made the Healing Bee Propolis Cream and while it did mix together well in general, the propolis seemed not to want to incorporate even before I mixed oil and water stages. Now I have a lovely cream–with dark spots of propolis. So far, it’s “melting” into my skin when I use it, but I wonder what went wrong–maybe I didn’t heat the liquids long enough? PS: I had cedar EO on hand but no chamomile, so I went with cedar and clary sage instead–it’s a nice combo!Reply
Marieon July 8, 2015 at 9:26 pm
Hi Stacie! Did you use propolis tincture, or solid propolis? What state is your propolis in? Hmm.
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Stacieknitson September 12, 2015 at 4:35 pm
It’s a tincture.
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Marieon October 20, 2015 at 8:15 pm
And I assume you’re adding it to the liquids part? Even so, that shouldn’t really make a difference. I’m afraid I’m not really sure what’s happening here, I’ve never experienced this :/
sarah hopkinson September 6, 2015 at 5:21 am
Hi Marie,
as I prefer not to use preservatives in any products I make, I was wondering would it be a silly idea to create a really loose balm instead of a lotion and include some of the ingredients in this lotion? Would the state of the balm, being fairly gloopy and thick, stop benefits of some ingredients getting into my skin? Currently I make and use my own ‘moisturiser’ balm.. approx 1 part hard oils to 7 parts liquid oils,plus any other ingredient such as essential oil. I really do not want to use water and therefore preservatives. I am trying to expand my ‘balm’ repertoire. Love your work as always..Reply
Marieon October 10, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Why not just make some Egyptian Magic instead? It’s got the bee ingredients, and it’s already a balm 🙂
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Kathrynon December 25, 2015 at 7:19 pm
HI there Marie,
I noticed that the link here for the Gluconodeltalactone and Sodium Benzoate doesn’t work. It seems to be from Soap and More but the File was not found. Anyhow Soap and more isn’t on your “where to buy ingredients list” I was wondering if it is a reliable supplier.
And last but not least:
Is Gluconodeltalactone and Sodium Benzoate the only broad spectrum preservative you PARTICULARLY recommend?
Thanks so much,
KathrynReply
Marieon December 28, 2015 at 8:03 pm
Hey Kathryn—check out this FAQ article for a more up-to-date discussion on preservatives 🙂
Soap & More isn’t on my list because I find they are stupidly overpriced, but because they are local I do sometimes stop in for a wee look a buy a few things. There’s nothing wrong with them, but I guarantee you can find what you’re looking for at a lower price somewhere else (especially if you’re international).
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Kathrynon December 29, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Ok thanks so much!
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Rebeccaon June 2, 2016 at 4:56 am
Hi, I’m new to homemade products but as my dad is a beekeeper we have a stash of propolis and I fancied using it. How much broad spectrum preservative do I need for this recipe? Many thanks, Rebecca
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Marieon June 2, 2016 at 10:58 am
Hey Rebecca! This FAQ article contains a walk through on how to calculate how much preservative to include as it varies with the preservative you’re using 🙂 Happy making and enjoy those bee goodies!
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Mistyon December 5, 2016 at 1:17 am
Hey, Marie! I’m new to DIY skin care, and adore your site! I know this is an old comment section, but I had a question and didn’t know where else to post it. 😀 I suffer from (mild) ichthyosis, which leaves my skin horribly dry, painful, and (ick!) scaly. To add insult to injury, I also work in health care…so I wash or use hand sanitizer up to 300 times in a 12-hour shift. I’ve used prescriptions with salicylic acid which worked beautifully but cost about $280 USD for a one month supply – yikes! I’ve resorted to DIY, and have come up with a cream that is nearly perfect, but unfortunately I’ve been unable to disguise the smell. Ingredients include:
Calendula-infused grapeseed oil
Abyssinian oil
Kokum butter
Jojoba oil
Emulsifying wax
Vitamin E oil
Strong (about 5 x stronger than you’d drink) chamomile tea
Vegetable glycerine
Magnesium oil
Bee pollen
Bee propolis tincture
Silk peptidesThe chamomile is incredibly healing, so I don’t want to take it out, but at this concentration nothing touches the smell. I personally quite like chamomile, but it’s just entirely toooo over-the-top. I’ve tried lavender and tea tree oils but I just end up with lavender- or tea tree-scented chamomile. Suggestions to mellow it out would be so appreciated!
P.S. Sorry for leaving an essay for a comment! I don’t edit well. 😛
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Marieon December 6, 2016 at 8:25 pm
Hey Misty! The first thing that jumps out at me with this recipe is that you haven’t included (or mentioned, at least) a preservative; and with all the chamomile, pollen, and propolis you’ve added, it would be quite difficult to preserve properly. You really, really need a preservative if you aren’t using one!
I would consider dropping the chamomile infusion (or reducing it and infusing it into the grapeseed oil), and adding chamomile essential oil instead, which I find has a sweeter scent that you might prefer 🙂 You could also look at a chamomile extract. Hope that helps!
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Mistyon December 6, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Yes, I’m using Opti-phen…just forgot to mention it with all the other stuff. Great idea about the infusion! I knew you would have the answer! 🙂 Seriously, though, I truly appreciate your expertise. I never dreamed my skin would feel like it does right now. I’m looking forward to branching out into soaps (my mom is begging me every week nowadays) and shampoo bars (bare hair? fully awesome!) I have a preposterous level of excitement over my concoctions. I did order some salicylic acid, some bamboo extract, and a few other extracts to try as well. This stuff is gonna break me, but I’m loving it.
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Marieon December 7, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Oh good! Sorry to be the preservative hound—some people don’t mention ’em cause they figure it’s obvious, and some don’t mention them because it had never occurred to them, so I like to err on the side of caution 🙂 It sounds like you are having tons of fun and YAY! That’s the best part of DIYing 😀 I have a couple posts on luxury ingredients worth buying and things you can do without that you might be interested in 😉 Have fun! 😀
Mistyon December 7, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Being a preservative hound is pretty important. I read your encyclopedia (and basically everything else on the site as well). I know my cream is pretty excessive (so many ingredients!), but my skin is bad enough to warrant it. I just threw in everything soothing/moisturizing/healing I could find. I’m hoping once I switch to a super-duper-fatted homemade soap I’ll be able to simplify the lotion recipe. Thanks again! You’re awesome!
Marieon December 13, 2016 at 7:12 pm
No worries! Happy making 🙂 And don’t go much higher than 7% on your soap superfat or you’ll likely end up with rancid soap, which is sad 🙁
Kelley Delotchon June 10, 2018 at 1:03 pm
What can I use as a replacement for neem oil?
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Marieon June 12, 2018 at 9:52 pm
Any of the other liquid oils will work; I doubt you’ll replace the “properties”, but given the scent of neem that may be a blessing haha.
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Piaon January 14, 2019 at 3:44 am
Im from the Philippines and I tried to make this for a project but it didnt incorporate with each other. There are some parts that mixed together but the rest is still liquid. What do I do?
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Marieon January 14, 2019 at 9:31 am
What emulsifying wax did you use?
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Katieon September 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm
Oh boy Marie, all these bee goodies. My boyfriend recently asked me for something for his dry/cracked hands, and I decided to try something based on this and Egyptian Magic. I didn’t have tamanu or neem oil, but I used kukui nut and camellia seed oil (which I love for moisturizing and use in most of my lotions when I have some). I also added 1/2 tsp royal jelly and 1/2 tsp bee pollen. Instead of chamomile I used lavender and I also added a blob of benzoin and it smells HEAVENLY. It also absorbs into the skin nicely and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling, so needless to say I love this. Gonna have to make another batch for myself because otherwise he’s not gonna get much use out of this before it’s all gone!
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Marieon October 2, 2019 at 9:21 am
That sounds utterly decadent—I’m so thrilled you’re loving it! Thanks for DIYing with me, and happy making 🙂
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