Lotion bar best oils?

[bookworm42]

Hi everyone. I've made some lotion bars and want some opinions of great oils to use. My recipe is

32.5% beeswax
32.5% mango butter
32.5% coconut oil
1% vitamin e
1.5% fragrance

Right now I feel the bar melts a little too easily and is a little greasy. I've read that the coconut oil could contribute to the greasiness and was considering decreasing or removing it. I'm worried that doing that will make it even softer.
Should I increase the beeswax or the mango butter to make it harder? If I replace the coconut oil (fully or partially) what's a good reasonably priced oil to replace it with?

All advice welcome! I plan to experiment soonish but thought I'd get some advice first.

 

[dmcgee5034]

I use Meadowfoam Seed Oil or Sweet Almond Oil where you listed Coconut. I tried adding a bit of Arrowroot powder for greasiness once but everyone that tested preferred without.
I’ll page the Lotion Bar Guru to the front desk and hope for a consultation…. Excuse me, Mr @Zing - thoughts?

 

[bookworm42]

Thanks! I have on hand rice bran, apricot kernal, castor, avocado, coconut, and olive oil. I've picked up some sweet almond oil but my budget can't afford meadowfoam oil right now. It's already mad about me buying the SAO lol.

 

[dmcgee5034]

Oh, I agree - MFSO is pricey. I get mine from the Plant Guru on Etsy. If you put it in your cart, they will typically send you an offer, usually 5% off. Took me a long time to decide to buy it, but now I’m hooked.
I would try Avocado Oil, based on your list, and the SAO.
you might try the 2 experiments I did, and maybe you’ll like them or one of them. My notebook says Cornstarch or Arrowroot at 10-20% and up to 40% for a more silky, less greasy and more emollient LB.
Let us know what you try and what you think.

 

[Zing]

Thanks! I have on hand rice bran, apricot kernal, castor, avocado, coconut, and olive oil. I've picked up some sweet almond oil but my budget can't afford meadowfoam oil right now. It's already mad about me buying the SAO lol.

I would definitely replace the coconut oil. Using mango butter was a gamechanger because it soaks in quickly and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy. Rice bran oil is nice on the skin as would sweet almond oil and apricot kernel. Or experiment with all 3!

Your base recipe is what I use -- 1/3 each beeswax, butter, oil + 1% essential oil and 1% vitamin E. I only get positive feedback about my lotion bars so you are quite close to finalizing your recipe.

Meadowfoam seed oil is a splurge for me as is jojoba but they are heaven on the skin.

Keep us posted!

 

[bookworm42]

Thanks everyone! I actually found mango butter because my grandma is allergic to shea butter. Used it in a recipe for her and fell in love.

I decided to do 4 recipes at about 50g each

34% beeswax
32% AKO/RBO/SAO
33% Mango Butter
1% vitamin e
Last recipe was the SAO blend with 10% cornstarch.

Now I'm just waiting for them to cool.

 

[Zing]

Keep us posted! Curious minds and all....

 

[bookworm42]

Keep us posted! Curious minds and all....

Verdict is SAO and RBO feel basically the same and are winners. The AKO was a little sticky and the cornstarch was really sticky on the skin.
Thanks for the help!

 

[cmzaha]

My favorites are Meadowfoam, Kokum butter, Babassu and Avocado. I find Mango to astringent for my old dry skin.

 

[bookworm42]

My favorites are Meadowfoam, Kokum butter, Babassu and Avocado. I find Mango to astringent for my old dry skin.

I'll have to try that. Do you combo all 3 oils or have 3 separate bars? Mind sharing a recipe?
I got started doing this as a way to help my grandma since most moisturizers have Shea in them now. She likes to swim and is always looking for something to help her skin not be itchy/dry. I made her some soap with mango butter that she loves. Now I'm starting into my lotion/lip balm phase.

 

[janesathome]

I’m so happy to see this thread! I made a lotion bar last year but wasn’t really thrilled with it. I’m happy to see the combined wisdom and suggestions from the lovely people here so I will proceed with some of your recommendations. Thank you!
(A question for @dmcgee5034 , @cmzaha, @Zing - I made a salve last week that included a tiny bit of cetyl alcohol in addition to beeswax. I LOVE the feel! Do you think the CA would be a good addition to lotion bars?)

 

[Zing]

I’m so happy to see this thread! I made a lotion bar last year but wasn’t really thrilled with it. I’m happy to see the combined wisdom and suggestions from the lovely people here so I will proceed with some of your recommendations. Thank you!
(A question for @dmcgee5034 , @cmzaha, @Zing - I made a salve last week that included a tiny bit of cetyl alcohol in addition to beeswax. I LOVE the feel! Do you think the CA would be a good addition to lotion bars?)

I wish I could help ya but I've never used cetyl alcohol. I'm so glad you made a batch you like. Unlike soap, lotion bars are easy to re-melt and adjust accordingly.

 

[lou]

Hi everyone. I've made some lotion bars and want some opinions of great oils to use. My recipe is

32.5% beeswax
32.5% mango butter
32.5% coconut oil
1% vitamin e
1.5% fragrance

Right now I feel the bar melts a little too easily and is a little greasy. I've read that the coconut oil could contribute to the greasiness and was considering decreasing or removing it. I'm worried that doing that will make it even softer.
Should I increase the beeswax or the mango butter to make it harder? If I replace the coconut oil (fully or partially) what's a good reasonably priced oil to replace it with?

All advice welcome! I plan to experiment soonish but thought I'd get some advice first.

I make lotiobars for mature skin, so I'm sub coconut oil, which can be drying, to sweet almond oil.

 

[dmcgee5034]

I’m so happy to see this thread! I made a lotion bar last year but wasn’t really thrilled with it. I’m happy to see the combined wisdom and suggestions from the lovely people here so I will proceed with some of your recommendations. Thank you!
(A question for @dmcgee5034 , @cmzaha, @Zing - I made a salve last week that included a tiny bit of cetyl alcohol in addition to beeswax. I LOVE the feel! Do you think the CA would be a good addition to lotion bars?)

I also haven’t tried that, but it sounds lovely! 1-4%, probably? Hopefully a nice silky slip feel. If you try it, do post your results and thoughts on the feel.

 

[Nona'sFarm]

I make lotiobars for mature skin, so I'm sub coconut oil, which can be drying, to sweet almond oil.

Hi Lou, I know coconut oil is drying when it combines with lye and makes soap, but it is moisturizing on its own, unless I am misunderstanding your comment.

 

[AliOop]

Hi Lou, I know coconut oil is drying when it combines with lye and makes soap, but it is moisturizing on its own, unless I am misunderstanding your comment.

For me, CO is drying even in its raw form. It doesn’t absorb into my skin, either, leaving me both greasy and peeling at the same time. I have no problem eating it, but my skin sure doesn’t like it.

 

[Nona'sFarm]

@bookworm42 , when it comes to using oils, I find these references valuable:

https://www.newdirectionsaromatics....rrier-oils.html#carrier-oils-absorption-rates

See this post about things to consider when choosing an oil for a lotion or balm for one's face -
https://bonospera.com/blogs/morf/the-complete-list-of-comedogenic-oils

 

[bookworm42]

@Nona'sFarm thanks for that! I'll have to reference it for more experiments when I can buy more oils.

 

[ewhitake]

32% AKO/RBO/SAO
33% Mango Butter
1% vitamin e
Last recipe was the SAO blend with 10% cornstarch.

Now I'm just waiting for them to cool.

New soaper here . What is AKI, RBO and SAO?

 

[bookworm42]

New soaper here . What is AKI, RBO and SAO?

AKO - apricot kernal oil
RBO - rice bran oil
SAO - sweet almond oil

I've put a link to the abbreviations/ definitions page. It takes a little bit to learn everything and every once in a while I still have to refer back to this.

https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/the-acronym-and-abbreviation-definition-thread.51841/