Store bought lotion vs handmade

I find myself constantly feeling the need to explain to every customer about the difference between store bought lotion and handmade lotion, specifically the natural lotions (aka strictly butters and oils), only because if someone isn't used to using a natural, handmade product, I don't want them running away frightened from the initial application.
When I first got into creating skin recipes and trying each one out, I have to admit I almost lost hope and quit several times because I was getting beyond frustrated with every greasy batch of solid lotion. I couldn't understand why they all felt so oily. Yes, the greasy feeling went away after a few minutes, but it was something I definitely wasn't used to and it left me feeling discouraged, to say the least. I started researching and checking to see what others' experiences were, and I found pages upon pages of people reporting the same "greasy" feeling I was fretting over. Woo hoo!
So, let me explain. Big brand name lotions (Jergens, Johnson's, even Aveda) all use a lot of synthetic chemicals to create their lotions. Water is almost always the main ingredient which can actually leave your skin quenching even more hydration, causing you to reapply the lotion several times a day. If you're anything like me, you HAVE to apply lotion any time your skin hits the water, even if its only for a split second (otherwise it feels like your skin is so dry and shriveled, it's going to burn and fall off your body at any given time).
Ok, gross, but yes... That's how my sensitive my skin is.
Here is the difference between your more traditional lotions and natural butters used as lotions:
Handmade lotions use strictly butters and oils. They may feel heavy or greasy upon first application because you're literally spreading straight butter and oil on your skin. Now it's obviously not the same thing as opening your fridge and grabbing a stick of margarine and spreading it over your freshly shaved legs, so don't let the "butter" term scare you. The natural butters sit on top of your skin for a minute or two, then soak into your skin, trapping in all of the luxurious moisture and creating a barrier against drying elements. Many people even say that the natural lotions last through A FEW hand washings! Perfect for those of us with that dreaded burning skin.
Here's a little test. Go rub some store bought lotion onto your hands and massage it into your skin until you feel it's completely absorbed. Most would describe the sensation as "wet", as if you applied thick water straight onto your skin. After a few minutes, your skin feels nothing. Better than not feeling like fire, but not something to be happy with, either.
When you apply a solid lotion, you rub the bar over your hands and massage the layer into your skin. You may notice it feels a bit greasy or slippery for a minute or two, but then it suddenly sinks into your skin, leaving it unbelievably soft and silky. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have my skin soaking up those luxurious, skin loving oils and butters rather than water and chemicals which is only going to leave my skin drier than before. No fun!
Do your skin a huge favor and try out a natural lotion if you haven't done so already. If you still prefer a liquid type lotion, look for whipped body butters or creams. Otherwise, if you're open to change, give a solid lotion a shot. An upside to these alternatives are their many, many uses. Whipped body butter can be applied to your hair to make it smooth and soft. Solid lotions can be used as cuticle cream, solid perfumes, and foot balm. Rub a layer over your feet before bed, put on a pair of comfy socks, and wake up to incredibly soft feet. Wonderful after spending the summer in sandals!

Etsy is a wonderful place to find high quality lotions. Do a search for "lotion bar", "solid lotion", "whipped shea butter", or even "whipped body butter" for some amazing products.
Have you ever used natural lotion before? What was your experience like?

http://www.trueskin.etsy.com