S (Sterling, USA) on 11/14/2023
1. Is it safe to use Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion long-term, given its chemical make-up?
2. Would using virgin coconut oil be a safer alternative to Cetaphil?
3. Since we use vodka in place of alcohol, would substituting vodka for the gin give the same positive results?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Replied By Marlena (Oregon, USA) on 11/14/2023
Replied By Art (California) on 11/14/2023
1. As regards the safety of Cetaphil lotion, I chose it for its longevity as it has been around for many many years in thousands of users which should have well exposed safety issues with it. I am not saying it is the only lotion that can be used, but it is readily available online and in stores. I think most lotions will also work if an individual has a preference.
2. Coconut oil is a natural product that has a known safety profile, but I would never have considered it because many people do not like the smell of coconut oil and some people already consider Cetaphil to have a less than desirable smell, even though the fragrance is extremely light to me. Some people do not like the oily feel of coconut oil until it is absorbed fully. If you try a coconut oil mix, let us know how it works for you.
3. Vodka will work similarly to the gin. I chose gin because of the juniper berry content and botanical content and it seems to have a very mild alcohol smell that essentially disappears once the mix is complete.
Art
Replied By Art (California) on 11/14/2023
Since you feel Cetaphil lotion is not too bad, the gin is essentially diluting the lotion which means that you are getting less of the bad in the final mix, but if you have a preference for another safer lotion in place of the Cetaphil Lotion, you can try that and let us know how it works for you.
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is readily available, not too expensive and many people are already familiar with it.
Regarding the use of gin, it is because of the juniper berry and botanical content which imparts a fresh scent and may offer other benefit imo. Here is a link discussing a few of those important benefits :
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/juniper-berries
Here are some relevant quotes from the article :
' Juniper berries are high in vitamin C, flavonoid antioxidants, monoterpenes, and coumarins, all of which may offer various health benefits.'
' Juniper berries contain essential oils and flavonoids that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.'
' Some rodent studies indicate that juniper berry extract may improve high blood sugar levels, though research in humans is lacking.'
' Some animal research suggests that juniper berry extract may improve heart disease risk factors, but studies in humans are lacking. '
' Test-tube and animal studies indicate that juniper berry extract provides strong antibacterial and antifungal effects. However, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.'
Again, for me the importance is in the effects of the lotion as unobtrusively as possible as well as the ease with which it can be made by the majority of people at home and not so much in the fine tuning to personal tastes.
If you do try VCO or another lotion, please come back and let us know how it works for you.
Art
Replied By cy (usa) on 11/14/2023
Replied By Karen (NSW) on 11/14/2023
Replied By Art (California) on 11/14/2023
I am only reporting the mix that my friends found useful for their issues, but this is not carved in stone. If you have a lotion that you feel is safer, please try it and let us know how it works for you as I am sure others will want to know also.
Art
Replied By Mary (NEW YORK) on 11/14/2023
Replied By Art (California) on 11/14/2023
I just now had time to measure out a gram of melatonin powder. This is a very inaccurate way to measure because measuring spoons vary by country and by manufacturer. I have several measuring spoon sets and all of them are different from each other, but this is what I found with one of my sets and using a digital milligram scale. A one quarter teaspoon at level full equaled 760 mg. I added a one eight teaspoon at level full and this brought the total mg up to 1, 120 or 120 mg more than my friends used for their mixes. If you divide the one quarter teaspoon of 760 mg in half, that equals 380 mg which should be very close to one eighth teaspoon. So when you add that 380 mg to the 780 mg, that equals 1, 140 mg. So the 1, 120 mg is close to the 1, 140 mg suggesting that this is about as close as I will be able to get using measiring spoons to get close to a gram. It takes 1000 mg to equal one gram, which is the desired amount of melatonin that my friends used in a 4 ounce mix.
So if your measuring spoons are similar to mine, It will take one level full quarter teaspoon plus a one eight teaspoon that is just shy of being level full to get to the desired one gram or 1000 mg area.
Because this is not an accurate way to measure, I am not recommending that you do this just letting you know what my level full one quarter teaspoon and level full one eight teaspoon weigh on my digital milligram scale when weighing melatonin powder.
Art
Replied By Marshagail (United States) on 08/04/2025
I'm probably being real dense here but I'm having trouble with figuring out how much Melatonin powder to add as the Bulk Supplements come in varying milligrams (2mg, 3mg, 5mg, 10,20 etc). I want to make this as close to what your friends used. Can you please help me as I don't know which milligram powder to purchase & am definitely not mathematically inclined!
Replied By Missy (Michigan) on 11/18/2025
I think you are asking which strength to buy. I was curious about that as well. You can buy melatonin powder in 3mg, 5mg, 10mg. Not talking the amount of melatonin just the strength. Right?
Replied By Art (California) on 11/15/2023
I have an idea to simplify making the melatonin lotion since you don't use a milligram scale. Make just 3 ounces of lotion at a time instead of 4 ounces in the following way :
- Take your four-ounce jar and add one level full one-quarter measuring teaspoon of melatonin powder into the jar.
- Add one ounce of gin to the melatonin in the jar. Replace the lid and shake well until the gin looks clear again.
- Add 2 ounces of Cetaphil lotion to the jar. Replace the lid and shake until well-mixed.
This is the simplest I could figure out for using measuring teaspoons. The 3 ounces will still last a very long time. Remember that my friends said that they apply sparingly.
Art
Replied By Leesa (Arkansas) on 11/16/2023
Replied By Frances (Cabarlah, Qld.) on 11/18/2023
Replied By Susan (Wake Forest, NC) on 11/28/2023
Since melatonin is both lipophilic and hydrophilic, could one just dissolve the mel powder in their moisturizer (I use tallow) and skip the alcohol step?
Thanks,
Susan
Replied By lynn (pa) on 08/12/2024
Hi Susan,I am not Art, But I did melt melatonin with what I made lotion. You can make any kind lotion you want using boiling water. Put glass bottle in the water with something under glass (Provent glass break from very hot heat) all kind oils with bee wax, then put melatonin in it. after bee wax melt, melatonin mostly is melting too. you need using something mix melatonin with lotion. I did not measure how much oil and bee wax I put in and I did not measure how many grams of melatonin I put in. I used my tomato sauce glass bottle that at least is 16 oz bottle. I just put oil first, put bee wax in it as 3/4 bottle already, then put melatonin in it too. after wax melt if I think lotion is too oily, I just put more bee wax. I want strong melatonin lotion, so I put maybe almost 2 table spools of melatonin in, I thought if lotion too strong I will use less, if too weak I cannot use too much lotion on my skin. I tested my lotion after I finished, I did feel sleepiness after for a while.
Replied By Art (California) on 11/28/2023
Melatonin will only partially dissolve in most lotions, the end result is that you will have a significantly weaker mix than what my friends used. Melatonin has high solubility in ethanol and that is the reason that they used it. Do you have a problem with using gin?
Art
Replied By Susan (NC) on 11/29/2023
Replied By Art (California) on 11/18/2025
Hi Missy,When you are buying melatonin in bulk powder, it is usually a pure melatonin powder or very close to it. So when a manufacturer says 3 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg, that is the dose they are recommending to use and they may even include a small scoop in their bag that measures out that amount.
When making melatonin lotion, what matters is that you are using a baker's 1/4 teaspoon of the bulk powder when making a 3 ounce bottle of melatonin lotion. The level full 1/4 teaspoon is equivalent to approximately 750 mg of melatonin. Here is how to make melatonin lotion :
Instructions
Gather Ingredients and Container
Simplified Recipe: For Those Without a Milligram Scale
Here are simplified instructions for making a three-ounce batch of melatonin lotion without the need for a milligram scale:
1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Container
- Melatonin powder
- Gin
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
- A 3-ounce bottle (available at Walmart) https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Flip-Top-Empty-Plastic-Travel-Bottle-3-oz-Size-Assorted-Colors/196044023?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1600&from=/search
2. Measure Melatonin Powder
- Use a baker's quarter measuring teaspoon to add one level full of melatonin powder into the 3-ounce jar.
3. Add Gin
- Pour one ounce of gin over the melatonin powder in the jar.
4. Mix Melatonin and Gin
- Secure the lid on the jar and shake it well until the gin appears clear, indicating the melatonin has dissolved.
5. Add Cetaphil Lotion
- Add two ounces of Cetaphil lotion to the jar. There is a 3 ounce mark line on the recommended 3 oz. bottle.
6. Final Mixing
- Replace the lid and shake the jar again until the mixture is thoroughly blended.
7. Usage
- Apply the lotion sparingly as needed. The three-ounce batch should last a long time.
This simplified method uses readily available measuring tools and ensures a consistent, easy-to-make lotion.
Art