Emulsified body butter, but no water.

[Winterx]

I'm very much a novice in this world, but I'm trying to navigate it and learn all that I can. I like to make my own simple products like anhydrous body butter. For the more complicated emulsified body butter, I've chosen to purchase one to use while I learn. The ingredients are a follows: Shea butter, mango butter, emulsifying wax, and fragrance oil(if added).

I really loved this body butter until I really started thinking. Why is there an emulsifying agent but no water? Also no preservative.
My question is, does this serve a purpose I am not seeing? Or will this dry my skin out more, because after a few uses it felt like it was just making it worse. Any light you can shed on this is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[lsg]

I don't see the reason for emulsifying wax when there is no liquid added. The recipe doesn't even include a carrier oil. I would forget the emulsifying wax and add oil and some tapioca or arrowroot powder to cut down on the greasiness. Here is a link to making easy whipped body butter.

https://www.soapqueen.com/?s=whipped+body+butter

 

[DeeAnna]

I'm not sure an emulsifier in this body butter is doing anything more than stabilizing the thickness and texture of the product. If all it's doing is providing thickening, you could use a thickener such as stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, etc. and get pretty much the same result.

An emulsifier is used in emusifying scrubs that don't contain any water in the jar. You do add water to the product later on when you rinse your face, so the emulsifier eventually does do its usual job.

But I can't see any point to an emulsifier in the body butter, unless maybe the directions for use say to use some water when applying the product to the skin?
***
Products like your body butter and the scrub I mentioned are not technically "emulsified" since the product isn't an emulsion. It's more accurate to say "emulsifying" since it has the potential to emulsify.

I realize I'm swimming upstream on this semantic point, however.

 

[Winterx]

Thank you for the information!
Like I said it wasn't me who made this though. I purchased it from etsy actually. I don't see any reason to put it in either, but it's there. It's definitely a very non greasy body butter so I'm thinking that's why but I'm wondering if that can dry my skin out. I've tried using it with my skin a bit damp and it still feels dry a bit later.

 

[DeeAnna]

I did a lot of trials of my emulsifying scrub and learned as I increased the proportion of emulsifier to fat, more of the fat would rinse off. I suppose the emulsifier could emulsify the natural fats on a person's skin as well as the fats included in the product. Less emulsifier in proportion to fat -> more fat left on skin. But this is a scrub that's rinsed off with water, not a body butter that stays on the skin.

In a body butter, I can't quite understand why an emulsifier would contribute to your skin feeling dry in the sense of less fat on your skin so it feels tight, chapped, ashy and/or stripped. The texture of the emulsifier could alter the texture of the body butter on the skin, however. Maybe that alteration of the skin feel is what is making your skin feel drier? Not sure....

As lsg says, the emulsifier could be replaced with tapioca or arrowroot. You might find that version more pleasant.

 

[Winterx]

I did a lot of trials of my emulsifying scrub and learned as I increased the proportion of emulsifier to fat, more of the fat would rinse off. I suppose the emulsifier could emulsify the natural fats on a person's skin as well as the fats included in the product. Less emulsifier in proportion to fat -> more fat left on skin. But this is a scrub that's rinsed off with water, not a body butter that stays on the skin.

In a body butter, I can't quite understand why an emulsifier would contribute to your skin feeling dry in the sense of less fat on your skin so it feels tight, chapped, ashy and/or stripped. The texture of the emulsifier could alter the texture of the body butter on the skin, however. Maybe that alteration of the skin feel is what is making your skin feel drier? Not sure....

As lsg says, the emulsifier could be replaced with tapioca or arrowroot. You might find that version more pleasant.

Thanks for the information! I think that it maybe more or less just not helping the dryness because there is no fat left in the body butter. It's all emulsified. It's such a popular product on etsy too. It's definitely light like I said but maybe it's not making my skin dry it just isn't helping. I'll link the product here.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/798424100/whipped-shea-and-mango-body-butter-non?ref=yr_purchases

I don't see the reason for emulsifying wax when there is no liquid added. The recipe doesn't even include a carrier oil. I would forget the emulsifying wax and add oil and some tapioca or arrowroot powder to cut down on the greasiness. Here is a link to making easy whipped body butter.

https://www.soapqueen.com/?s=whipped+body+butter

Thank you! But this isn't my recipe, I purchased it this way on etsy.

 

[DeeAnna]

...there is no fat left in the body butter. It's all emulsified....

But it's not emulsified. If there's no water, there's no emulsion. All the fat you put on your skin is still there.

 

[Arimara]

I did a lot of trials of my emulsifying scrub and learned as I increased the proportion of emulsifier to fat, more of the fat would rinse off. I suppose the emulsifier could emulsify the natural fats on a person's skin as well as the fats included in the product. Less emulsifier in proportion to fat -> more fat left on skin. But this is a scrub that's rinsed off with water, not a body butter that stays on the skin.

In a body butter, I can't quite understand why an emulsifier would contribute to your skin feeling dry in the sense of less fat on your skin so it feels tight, chapped, ashy and/or stripped. The texture of the emulsifier could alter the texture of the body butter on the skin, however. Maybe that alteration of the skin feel is what is making your skin feel drier? Not sure....

As lsg says, the emulsifier could be replaced with tapioca or arrowroot. You might find that version more pleasant.

Mango butter is a drier-feeling butter thanks to its astringency, I think. If the whip didn't feel as greasy, it's definately due to the mango butter, if nothing else is used.

 

[TheGecko]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/798424100/whipped-shea-and-mango-body-butter-non?ref=yr_purchases

When posting ingredients, it is very, very important to make sure you post them in their entirety or make double sure link matches the product you are asking about. According to your link, the ingredients are: Shea butter, mango butter, emulsifiers, stearic acid ( helps the skin remain hydrated by slowing moisture loss), water, optiphen, essential/fragrance oils.

Having the correct information can change everything. If the link is correct, the product contains water...hence the reason for the 'emulsifiers' (along with a preservative). And while you might have assumed that an emulsifier is limited to emulsifying wax, it can also include polysorbates, laureth-4, and potassium cetyl sulfate.

And has @DeeAnna has explained twice...NO WATER = NO EMULSION.

Think about what you said: "because there is no fat left in the body butter. It's all emulsified." To start with, to emulsify something is to mix of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity ) owing to liquid-liquid phase separation; an example of immiscible is oil and water.

Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter and miscible (capable of being mixed in any ratio without separation). Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter are ALL fat. If an emulsify wax took away all the 'fat', then there would be nothing in the jar except for the wax and fragrance oil. But it is NOT the purpose of emulsifying wax or any emulsifier to take away anything, but simply serve as an aid in mixing two immiscible ingredients into a single mixture.

 

[DeeAnna]

"...Having the correct information can change everything...."

I'm feeling embarrassed. I should have asked for the OP to provide a link to the product ingredients list rather than assume the info given in the first post was accurate.

I wonder why the OP specifically mentioned there was no water and no preservative? The Etsy listing clearly discloses the product contains both.

 

[Arimara]

"...Having the correct information can change everything...."

I'm feeling embarrassed. I should have asked for the OP to provide a link to the product ingredients list rather than assume the info given in the first post was accurate.

I wonder why the OP specifically mentioned there was no water and no preservative? The Etsy listing clearly discloses the product contains both.

Maybe she missed it? I did.

 

[Winterx]

When posting ingredients, it is very, very important to make sure you post them in their entirety or make double sure link matches the product you are asking about. According to your link, the ingredients are: Shea butter, mango butter, emulsifiers, stearic acid ( helps the skin remain hydrated by slowing moisture loss), water, optiphen, essential/fragrance oils.

Having the correct information can change everything. If the link is correct, the product contains water...hence the reason for the 'emulsifiers' (along with a preservative). And while you might have assumed that an emulsifier is limited to emulsifying wax, it can also include polysorbates, laureth-4, and potassium cetyl sulfate.

And has @DeeAnna has explained twice...NO WATER = NO EMULSION.

Think about what you said: "because there is no fat left in the body butter. It's all emulsified." To start with, to emulsify something is to mix of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity ) owing to liquid-liquid phase separation; an example of immiscible is oil and water.

Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter and miscible (capable of being mixed in any ratio without separation). Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter are ALL fat. If an emulsify wax took away all the 'fat', then there would be nothing in the jar except for the wax and fragrance oil. But it is NOT the purpose of emulsifying wax or any emulsifier to take away anything, but simply serve as an aid in mixing two immiscible ingredients into a single mixture.

I've looked back at the link and see that now! On my jar, it only lists those 3 ingredients so I just thought that was all that was in there. Sorry about the confusion.

"...Having the correct information can change everything...."

I'm feeling embarrassed. I should have asked for the OP to provide a link to the product ingredients list rather than assume the info given in the first post was accurate.

I wonder why the OP specifically mentioned there was no water and no preservative? The Etsy listing clearly discloses the product contains both.

On the product itself the ingredients are as I listed them. I didn't think to look at the listing to see if they were different, but in the future I'll do that

 

[DeeAnna]

@Winterx -- Oh, wow! I can see why you're just as confused as the rest of us!!! The ingredients listing on the product label should contain ALL ingredients, not just some, so the confusion here is entirely the seller's problem. Consumers shouldn't have to go to the Etsy listing to get the whole story.

 

[Arimara]

@Winterx I would email the vendor and bring the lable to their attention. Not giving an excuse but they could be unaware of the fact their label isn't listing all the ingredients in the product.

 

[Winterx]

@Winterx -- Oh, wow! I can see why you're just as confused as the rest of us!!! The ingredients listing on the product lable should contain ALL ingredients, not just some, so the confusion here is entirely the seller's problem. Consumers shouldn't have to go to the Etsy listing to get the whole story.

Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately this has happened to be before. I bought a body wash that has several ingredients not listed including one that I personally cannot use. They also had on there it was a natural soap with no detergents but it was made with a soap base, it said it right on the bottle. So I always usually ask the seller if the list online is a full list. I just noticed my skin being a bit dry and looked at the jar but didn't recall the ingredients online. They should definitely update it!

 

[Diane Marie]

Thank you for the information!
Like I said it wasn't me who made this though. I purchased it from etsy actually. I don't see any reason to put it in either, but it's there. It's definitely a very non greasy body butter so I'm thinking that's why but I'm wondering if that can dry my skin out. I've tried using it with my skin a bit damp and it still feels dry a bit later.

I'm very much a novice in this world, but I'm trying to navigate it and learn all that I can. I like to make my own simple products like anhydrous body butter. For the more complicated emulsified body butter, I've chosen to purchase one to use while I learn. The ingredients are a follows: Shea butter, mango butter, emulsifying wax, and fragrance oil(if added).

I really loved this body butter until I really started thinking. Why is there an emulsifying agent but no water? Also no preservative.
My question is, does this serve a purpose I am not seeing? Or will this dry my skin out more, because after a few uses it felt like it was just making it worse. Any light you can shed on this is appreciated. Thanks!

I am in two body butter groups and making (waterless) Emulsified ( emulsifying) Body Butter is a common product being made right now, they are even using BTMS 50 in a “emulsified” body butter. I have questions people as to why, I think some people do this to stabilize their butter, not understanding waxes. I have no idea where this started.

 

[asmita]

Can one not add an emulsifier without adding any water or water based ingredient to a mix of butters and oils to ensure that the butters don't melt in high temperature areas? The product will be more like balm than body butter though.

 

[Diane Marie]

I've looked back at the link and see that now! On my jar, it only lists those 3 ingredients so I just thought that was all that was in there. Sorry about the confusion.



On the product itself the ingredients are as I listed them. I didn't think to look at the listing to see if they were different, but in the future I'll do that

This is t

When posting ingredients, it is very, very important to make sure you post them in their entirety or make double sure link matches the product you are asking about. According to your link, the ingredients are: Shea butter, mango butter, emulsifiers, stearic acid ( helps the skin remain hydrated by slowing moisture loss), water, optiphen, essential/fragrance oils.

Having the correct information can change everything. If the link is correct, the product contains water...hence the reason for the 'emulsifiers' (along with a preservative). And while you might have assumed that an emulsifier is limited to emulsifying wax, it can also include polysorbates, laureth-4, and potassium cetyl sulfate.

And has @DeeAnna has explained twice...NO WATER = NO EMULSION.

Think about what you said: "because there is no fat left in the body butter. It's all emulsified." To start with, to emulsify something is to mix of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity ) owing to liquid-liquid phase separation; an example of immiscible is oil and water.

Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter and miscible (capable of being mixed in any ratio without separation). Mango Butter and Cocoa Butter are ALL fat. If an emulsify wax took away all the 'fat', then there would be nothing in the jar except for the wax and fragrance oil. But it is NOT the purpose of emulsifying wax or any emulsifier to take away anything, but simply serve as an aid in mixing two immiscible ingredients into a single mixture.

Can one not add an emulsifier without adding any water or water based ingredient to a mix of butters and oils to ensure that the butters don't melt in high temperature areas? The product will be more like balm than body butter though.

lf it were me formulating a body butter and I wanted to stabilize it I would use waxes/natural wax bees wax, Candelilla wax, cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, there are lots of waxes. I was wondering if there was a skin benefit from using E-wax and I made a sample and I felt nothing special other than I can make lotion on my skin if I sprinkle water on it and rub, that defeats my purpose since I use BB for the occlusive protections.

 

[Rsapienza]

I recently saw someone in a FB group ask about e-wax in a body butter. I questioned why she was adding the wax at all, being that she listed all the other ingredients and it was not needed. She replied that e-wax is added to keep it from melting during the hotter months.

 

[Diane Marie]

I recently saw someone in a FB group ask about e-wax in a body butter. I questioned why she was adding the wax at all, being that she listed all the other ingredients and it was not needed. She replied that e-wax is added to keep it from melting during the hotter months.

Yes wax is used to stabilize BB. But EWax in particular isn’t needed any wax can be used.