Neosporin Has Nothing on This DIY Antibacterial Cream

POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Soothe cuts with this all-natural antibacterial cream that also heals ouchies fast. Made with ingredients that work together in such a helpful way, this balm also calms diaper rash, itchy dry-skin patches, and athlete's foot outbreaks without any chemicals or additives you can't pronounce.

What You'll Need:

  • 4 tablespoons beeswax
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • Small metal bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Kitchen hand towel
  • 15 drops tea tree oil
  • 10 drops lavender oil
  • 1 tablespoon witch hazel
  • Hand mixer
  • Sealable glass container

Directions:

  1. Melt the beeswax and coconut oil together by placing a small heatproof bowl over a similar-sized saucepan filled halfway with water, creating a homemade double boiler, or heat in short bursts in a microwave. Beeswax helps hold the cream together, and coconut oil soothes skin and promotes healing with its natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff
  1. Once the beeswax and coconut oil have melted together, carefully remove from heat, and place on a flat surface on top of a folded kitchen towel. Slowly add the tea tree and lavender essential oils. Both are antibacterial and antifungal with the extra bonus of lavender's analgesic abilities, which helps with pain. If you're planning on using the antibacterial cream on kiddies, leave out the essential oils, which may irritate delicate skin. The coconut oil has antifungal properties on its own and is safe for children.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff
  1. Now slowly add the witch hazel to the mixture, and give it a quick whirl with your hand blender. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which helps clean wounds and also calms bruising and swelling.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff
  1. To really incorporate the ingredients and create the smooth, jellylike consistency, blend on high for a few seconds. You'll see the cream come together within half a minute.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff
  1. Spoon the cooled cream into a sealable glass container, and it's ready to use. It should go on smooth, and you should expect a more waxy and balm-like texture. To avoid contaminating the cream, try not to touch it directly with your hands, using a cotton swab or clean tissue to apply to boo-boos. This keeps any stray bacteria that might be on your hands out of your helpful cream.

Makes six ounces of antibacterial cream that is meant to be used topically. Store in a cool spot, and this cream is safe to use.