Hands can take a beating from dry weather, harsh cleaning chemicals or general day-to-day activities. Irritated skin can lead to redness, itchiness and cracking. The best method for keeping your hands looking their best is to moisturize. Hand cream costs add up over time, so learn how to make your own by using homemade recipes. Find out how you can have healthy skin and save money on beauty products.

Making hand cream that has has your favorite scent is easy. Mix 1 cup of glycerin with 1 cup of water. Add an essential oil fragrance of your choosing like lavender, orange, hibiscus flower, peppermint, rose or magnolia. Essential oils are the hydrophobic liquid extracted from plants or flowers. A little goes a long way, so try adding about eight drops to see if the scent is to your liking. Experiment with different fragrance combinations like vanilla and orange for a creamsicle-inspired scent. Choose a plastic bottle to mix up your cream. Metal containers will change the acidity of the oil and cause a strange smell. Allow two days for the cream to set before using.

Beeswax has natural properties that add moisture to skin. It also has vitamin A, which is essential for cell repair and development. To make beeswax hand cream, mix in a microwavable container grated beeswax, liquid lanolin, light sesame oil, coconut oil, honey, baking soda and a tea of your choosing. Choose chamomile for its anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Microwave until all the wax is melted. Avoid boiling. Mix with a spoon and allow to cool.

Mix up a super moisturizing cream for dry hands. Pour olive oil and lanolin in a boiler and place on top of a pot filled with water. Lanolin actually comes from sheep and is a wax-like substance used in many pharmaceutical products. Be sure to use a small amount on the skin to see if you are allergic. Olive oil contains polyphenols that are antioxidants and help slow the aging process. When the mixture is melted, add one capsule of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps the body retain cell tissue. Allow the mixture to cool and store in a jar for use.

Smell like the tropics by making coconut hand cream. Melt beeswax, coconut oil, glycerin and baby oil in a double boiler. You can substitute baby oil for olive oil if it is around the house. Pour into a plastic container and allow to cool before using. Try some of these hand cream recipes and tailor the scent to you liking.