Pure & Protected: A Hand Care Ritual

Our hands are one of the main ways we interact with the world. They prepare meals, comfort loved ones, communicate ideas, and hold onto what matters most. They also encounter the world in ways we often don’t think about—holding handrails, shaking hands, opening public doors . . . and picking up little unseen microbial passengers along the way. 

Reaching for hand sanitizers to keep germs at bay and protect our immunity becomes a little ritual we do throughout the day. But the harsh sting of alcohol strips away moisture, leaving our skin dry and tight. Fortunately, nature offers us a gentler way—one which nourishes our hands while still supporting our immune health. 

This natural hand gel recipe is the perfect solution. 

A good hand gel should be multi-functional, and shouldn’t dry your hands out with multiple uses. So this DIY recipe is designed to:

• Neutralize germs

• Support immune health

• Nourish and soften skin

The secret lies in the ingredients—carefully chosen to cleanse, protect, and restore. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this blend so powerful.

The Benefits of Pure Aloe Vera

This natural hand gel uses aloe vera gel as its base. While aloe vera does have a mild drying effect, it is far less harsh than alcohol. Pure, organic aloe vera has a silky, non-sticky texture and absorbs quickly, so it won’t leave your hands oily or get all over fabrics. 

Aloe vera is packed with vitamins (including A, C, and E), minerals (such as copper), and antioxidants that help maintain skin health, keeping it hydrated and soft. It’s also rich in enzymes that keep skin feeling soft and reduce redness. Combined with immune-boosting hydrosols and essential oils, this hand gel helps neutralize germs and supports your body’s natural defenses. It’s so nourishing that I like to use it instead of soap in my winter skincare routine.

With aloe vera as our base, we’ll add essential oils that not only fight germs, but offer immune support. 

Each ingredient in this blend plays a crucial role in keeping your hands clean, soft, and resilient:

• Lemon Verbena Hydrosol (Aloysia citrodora) – Hydrosols are aromatic waters produced with steam distillation. Lemon verbena hydrosol brings its own antimicrobial and immune-supporting benefits to this hand gel, plus its delicate aroma adds a lovely touch! Learn more about hydrosols on our blog.

• Thyme ct Thymol Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris ct thymol) – A powerhouse essential oil known for its strong antimicrobial properties, thyme ct thymol also helps modulate the immune system.

• Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) – Not only does sweet orange add a fresh, uplifting scent—it also contains natural cleansing properties and acts as an immunomodulator.

• Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) – A well-known natural disinfectant that supports immune function by boosting your white blood cells.

Aloe Vera & Lemon Verbena Hand Gel Recipe

This recipe makes 2 oz (56 gm) of hand gel. I recommend using a 2 oz (30 ml) PET plastic bottle with a flip-top. I’m including Solubol dispersant in this recipe, to help the essential oils blend into the water-based ingredients of aloe vera and hydrosol. (Without a little help, the oils would float atop the hydrous ingredients instead of dispersing through them.)

Ingredients

• About 1.5 oz (42 gm) Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis)

• ½ fl oz (15 ml) Lemon Verbena Hydrosol (Aloysia citrodora)

• 14 drops Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)

• 12 drops Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

• 5 drops Thyme ct Thymol Oil (Thymus vulgaris ct thymol)

• 6 ml Solubol dispersant

Directions

1. Combine the essential oils, Solubol, and hydrosol in your 2 oz (30 ml) bottle.

2. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with aloe vera gel.

3. Cap the bottle securely and shake well to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

Shake the blend gently before each use. Apply it to your hands as needed throughout the day to keep them clean and nourished. I love taking this blend with me when I leave the house. It fits easily into my bag, and I can use it to refresh my hands while shopping, in the car, or spending time with a friend. 

If my skin feels especially dry, I’ll follow this blend up with a moisturizing lotion. This is a great recipe that moisturizes skin and gives you an added immune boost!

When making this for children ages 5-10, I recommend making a few simple changes. Children’s systems are typically more sensitive than adults, so I like to use a lower drop count of essential oils. I also suggest using a gentler chemotype of thyme—thyme ct linalool. The thymol chemotype can be too strong for kids. 

Here’s our adjusted recipe for kids ages 5–10

• About 1.5 oz (42 gm) Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis)

• ½ fl oz (15 ml) Lemon Verbena Hydrosol (Aloysia citrodora)

• 4 drops Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)

• 3 drops Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

• 2 drops Thyme ct linalool Oil (Thymus vulgaris ct linalool)

• 6 ml Solubol dispersant

For children younger than 5, I prefer to avoid using essential oils altogether. Instead, you can use pure lemon verbena hydrosol (Aloysia citrodora). Simply spritz it over their hands and allow it to dry.

Download: Complementary Immunity Guide

Winter is tough on the immune system, but nature offers powerful allies to help us stay strong. With the right essential oils, you can support your body’s defenses, promote respiratory health, and recover faster when illness strikes.

That’s why I created the Winter Immunity Booster Guide: 5 Simple Aromatherapy Recipes for Cold & Flu Season—your go-to resource for natural winter wellness. In this guide, you’ll discover:

• How the immune system works and why winter brings more illness

• Five powerhouse essential oils that support immunity and respiratory health

• Five easy-to-make aromatherapy recipes for prevention, relief, and recovery

• A bonus list of 20 additional essential oils for immune support, so you can customize your own blends

With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready to face winter with strength and vitality—naturally.

Download your free guide now

Winter Immunity Booster:

5 Simple Aromatherapy Recipes for Cold & Flu Season

GET YOUR GUIDE!

My Takeaway

Caring for our hands is an act of self-love. It’s about keeping them clean, of course—and it’s also about nurturing the connection between self-care and immune health. This natural hand gel does just that: it protects without stripping away moisture, nourishes while it cleanses, and surrounds you with the gentle yet powerful essence of plant allies. 

A little bottle of this gel feels like a pocket-sized wellness ritual—one that offers a moment of care, a breath of citrus and thyme, and the peace of knowing you’re supporting your health naturally.

Here’s to clean hands, strong immunity, and a winter filled with vibrant well-being!