Keep our basic guide for lotions and creams handy when formulating your next creation!
Distilled Water or Hydrosol – 80
Humectant – 4
Liquid Oil – 10
Thickener – 2
Emulsifier – 4
Hand Cream Formula
Distilled Water or Hydrosol – 70
Humectant – 2
Liquid Oil – 15
Solid Oil / Butter – 5
Thickener – 2
Emulsifier – 6
Body Butter Formula
Distilled Water or Hydrosol – 60
Humectant – 3
Liquid Oil – 12
Solid Oil / Butter – 15
Thickener – 3
Emulsifier – 7
Barrier Cream Formula
Distilled Water or Hydrosol – 60
Humectant – 3
Liquid Oil – 15
Solid Oil / Butter – 5
Wax – 5
Thickener – 3
Emulsifier – 7
Basic water-in-oil lotion and cream instructions (for formulas above):
- Weigh distilled water and humectant in a heat-proof glass or stainless steel container.
- Weigh oil, butter, wax, emulsifier, thickener in a heat-proof glass or stainless steel container with a mouth large enough to accommodate a stick blender or mixer.
- Set both containers into baths of hot water and heat each to 70° C. (Cool or uneven temperatures may cause your emulsion* to separate or become gritty.)
- Pour the water phase into the oil phase and blend with a hand blender or beater for at least 3 minutes.
- Allow your emulsion to cool to 40-50° C before adding additives, essential oils, botanical extracts and/or preservatives**.
- Blend additional 3 minutes to incorporate additional ingredients.
- Pour completed recipe into clean, sterilized container and allow to cool fully before capping.
Balm Formula
Liquid Oil – 80
Wax – 20
Whipped Butter Formula
Liquid Oil – 20
Solid Oil / Butter – 80
Solid Lotion Bar Formula
Liquid Oil – 40
Solid Oil / Butter – 35
Wax – 25
Basic oil/wax-based balm and butter instructions:
Melt butter, oils and waxes in a glass or stainless steel bowl until they are completely liquified.
For balms, pour directly into sanitized containers.
For whipped butter, use a hand mixer to create a fluffy texture. Scoop into containers.
For solid lotion bars, pour into a mold and allow to set fully before removing from mold and wrapping.
* For more information on emulsions, please see our previous blog article: Emulsions: What the heck are they?
** Please note: Preservatives are HIGHLY recommended, especially in water-based formulas. Please be sure to consult the usage rates for your chosen preservative when adjusting your formula.
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Thanks for sharing this interesting post. The wax is it e wax or bees wax?