emulsifying powder

[Abijay]

Can someone please tell me if stearic acid is an emulsifying powder?

 

[mariflo]

Stearic acid is a thickener. It will make your lotion thicker and your soap harder but it will not keep your lotion from separationg.
If you are looking for an emulsifier you need emulsifying wax or beeswax.

 

[Abijay]

Thanks a lot. I have some cetyl alcohol to use as an emulsifier. Do you think I should use both together ( I mean stearic acid and cetyl alcohol)?

 

[Hazel]

I think you may be confusing cetyl alcohol with cetearyl alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is more of a thickener.

Here's a couple of links to Susan's blog. It's very educational.

http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2 ... cetyl.html

http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2 ... cohol.html

eta: I use emulsifying waxes because they're a lot easier to use since they're already combined.

 

[Healinya]

I tried a few lotion batches with stearic acid and cetyl alcohol ... It doesn't feel that great, imo.. if you have it on hand and are just practising then go ahead, but I'd call it inferior compared to others.

 

[Abijay]

Thanks