Advice on making lotions and creams

[Guest guest]

Hello to the list! I'm a new member, and new to the world of

aromatherapy and essential oils, etc. Anyway, I jumped in with both

feet, purchasing a wide assortment of oils and stuff (after doing

quite a bit of reading and " research " ). My goal is to be able to make

wonderful creams and lotions, primarily for personal and family use,

but hey, if things work out, who knows? Maybe I'll set up a little

online shop as well. First things first, I have to be able to MAKE

something that is worthy of use. )

 

I have no experience (and no scale, either - so I'm using tsp/ml

equivalents) and my first couple of attempts turned out too thick,

and under-emulsified. If I could tell you what ingredients I have,

perhaps someone could give me some insight as to what I need to mix

for success. Like I mentioned, I have plenty of liquid oils (almond,

hazelnut, rose hips, evening primrose, vit E, hemp, grapeseed, etc.)

and kokum and shea butters. I have beeswax, vegetable glycerin, aloe

vera gel, and plenty of EOs. Also I have acacia gum, stearic acid,

lecithin and sodium borate. I'm HOPING that is enough to make some

quality lotions and creams. Can anyone give me some guidance on how

much and what/which of these " extra " ingredients to put together?

I've made some great oils, and I can tell they're helping my skin,

but I don't like applying an oil during the day when my hands feel

dry, I dislike the " greasy " feeling. I understand about heating the

oil phase and water phase separately. Apparently I'm doing something

not quite right when it comes to the mixing, or the amounts/types of

emulsifier(s) to use. Oh, I have glass mixing devices and a hand and

stick blender to use just for this, as well as containers, etc. All I

need is a working formula and to decide what EO's go in for what

specific purposes (scar reducing, healing, anti-wrinkle, etc.)

 

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

Rusty

[Guest guest]

Rusty, as I use the one oil in my lotions that you don't have, and that is emu

oil, I can't help you with what you do have. However, to make ANYTHING in the

toiletry industry you SHOULD buy a scale. That way everthing will always be

more or less accurate all the time. More or less, because unless you get the

really expensive scales, they don't measure in the 100ths of an ounce. Just

10ths. You can buy a scale for less than $70.00 that has a tare feature and

measures in grams or ounces from most Office Depot or Walmart or such places. I

think they are called postal scales. Hope this helps you just a little. BTW,

welcome to the list!!

Anita in TX

 

Hello to the list! I'm a new member,

 

I have no experience (and no scale, either - so I'm using tsp/ml

equivalents)