Hand lotion recipe really thick

[SudsyKat]

Hi, y'all! I feel like I haven't posted in a while. I guess I've been swamped with the other lame, boring stuff in life (you know - work, chores, etc).

Anyway, I have a question about a recipe I got of off Swift's blog. It's a hand lotion recipe that I've made twice (once whipping it frequently until it thickened and once just pouring it into the bottle while still warm and liquid). I got the same result both times. A very thick lotion/creme. Here's the recipe:

WATER PHASE
44% water
15% aloe vera (I added this. Originally, the water amount was 59%)
3% glycerin
2% sodium lactate
2% hydrolyzed oat protein

OIL PHASE
15% rice bran oil
5% shea butter
3% cetyl alcohol
6.5% Polawax
2% IPM

COOL DOWN PHASE
1% cyclomethicone
1% fragrance or essential oil
0.5% to 1% preservative (I used .5% Liquid Germall Plus)

I'm new to lotion making, so I'm wondering what would be the best way to thin this out. I could up the water amount, but I'm not sure if that's preferable, or should I reduce the sodium lactate maybe? How does this recipe strike you, you experienced lotion makers?

 

[soapbuddy]

Reduce the cetyl alcohol to 1%. That should make a thinner lotion.

 

[SudsyKat]

Thanks - and I guess I'll reduce my Polawax to an even 6%, with the reduced oil phase.

 

[soapbuddy]

Thanks - and I guess I'll reduce my Polawax to an even 6%, with the reduced oil phase.

You're welcome. Good luck on your next batch.