Help. Lotion Not Settling Properly

[jackdorrian]

I've been experimenting with creating my own lotion base. My current formula is 15 oz coconut oil, 15 oz sunflower seed oil, 10 oz classic e-wax, and 100 oz's of water. After I make the lotion and let it sit, there is a thin film about an inch of lotion on top of the water. Please could some one point me in the right direction showing me what I've been doing wrong. Thank you!

 

[Genny]

What are the ingredients in your ewax? Is it Cetearyl alcohol and Polysorbate 60? I've never heard of ewax being referred to as classic ewax, but that could be just me.

Also, how long are you mixing it?

 

[Hazel]

I'd use more oils (25% up to 29%) and lower the water percentage. Instead of adding more oil, you could add a butter to help a bit with thickness. You'd deduct the percentage of the butter from the water percentage. Also, what preservative are you using? I've had separation problems when I've used Optiphen Plus.

Then again, it's important to blend the oil phase and the water phase at the correct temperature. If one or the other (or both) get too cool, the lotion will separate and you will see water on the top. I've had this happen to me.

You might find swiftcraftymonkey's PDF on lotion making helpful. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1020026/lotionm ... torial.pdf

 

[jackdorrian]

E-wax ingredients Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60


http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Pr ... raditional

I'm mixing with an electric Oster brand hand mixer

 

[Genny]

I'd use more oils (25% up to 29%) and lower the water percentage. Instead of adding more oil, you could add a butter to help a bit with thickness. You'd deduct the percentage of the butter from the water percentage. Also, what preservative are you using? I've had separation problems when I've used Optiphen Plus.

Then again, it's important to blend the oil phase and the water phase at the correct temperature. If one or the other (or both) get too cool, the lotion will separate and you will see water on the top. I've had this happen to me.

I agree with Hazel on these. You could also add cetyl alchol to help thicken it a bit more. But if you don't mix the lotion long enough during the right stages, there's nothing that will keep them from separating.

 

[Lindy]

When I'm making my lotions I pour the oil and water together into my stand mixer and let it mix as it cools. Since I started doing that I've not had separation. If you don't have a stand mixer then you should be using your stick blender and keep going back every 10 - 15 minutes as it cools and hit it again with your SB... If it separates overnight it's not really a big deal just stir back together either using your SB or else with a whisk....