Massage Bar question

[islandinspiredbody]

I made some massage bars eariler this morning and they are still not set, it has been about 5 hours and they are still in a liquid state. Here is the recipe I used:
1/2 c cocoabutter, 1/8 tea vit e oil, 1 tbls coconut oil and 25 drops eo.
My question is, how long does it take for them to set up?

 

[PrairieCraft]

Beeswax or some sort of wax is required for lotion (or massage) bars. So I would say this won't ever set up because there is nothing in it to make it set up. You could probably melt it all back down add 1/2 cup of beeswax and you will be good to go. Melt your concoction over low heat or low microwave setting you may lose some of the EO to the heat.

 

[islandinspiredbody]

Thank you, I will go give a try!

 

[PrairieCraft]

No problem, lotion bars are fun to make and great to use. Most of the recipes I have seen for them call for 1/3 hard oil 1/3 soft oil and 1/3 beeswax, for future reference.

 

[islandinspiredbody]

Thanks PrairieCraft that worked perfect, they set up really fast. It's wierd because I found 2 recipes that were exactly the same for a massage/lotion bar and both of them did not include any wax, now I know, thank you again you saved the day!

 

[PrairieCraft]

Just realized that without the soft oil this is going to be too waxy. I'm sure it's usable but would be way better if you did cocoa butter, almond oil (or some other liquid oil whatever you've got) and beeswax in equal portions.

Sorry Got so exited to help I overlooked the fact that you hadn't used any soft oil, maybe the addition of the vit E oil will soften it a bit though.

I recently made a shea butter, grapeseed oil, beeswax bar and a different bar with cocoa butter, almond oil and beeswax and so far the cocoa butter one is the fave with my guinea pigs.

 

[islandinspiredbody]

I just tested it and it is a bit hard but it works. I will try your recipe next and see if it works better.

 

[soapbuddy]

Cocoa butter can take up to 2 days to harden and get the final texture/feel.

 

[PrairieCraft]

Really? Mine was hard within an hour. Could it have been too much beeswax? I used the ratio above 1/3 of each and know my measurements were right. In your experience will they turn out if you use less beeswax?

 

[islandinspiredbody]

PrairieCraft I tried your recipe and they were a lot softer then my original ones, they too set up really fast, I think I will let them set for a few days and see if they get any harder.

 

[cmd439]

Did you heat it in the microwave? If you heat cocoa butter too hot, it destroys the bonds and it does not behave properly. The best was is to heat slowly in a double boiler.

 

[soapbuddy]

Really? Mine was hard within an hour. Could it have been too much beeswax? I used the ratio above 1/3 of each and know my measurements were right. In your experience will they turn out if you use less beeswax?

Since cocoa butter is pretty hard once it hardens, I use less than 1/3 beeswax.

 

[islandinspiredbody]

Cmd439: I did use a double boiler and used low heat, I'm hoping that letting them sit will make them harder, if not I guess I will keep searching for the perfect recipe.

 

[carebear]

Really? Mine was hard within an hour. Could it have been too much beeswax? I used the ratio above 1/3 of each and know my measurements were right. In your experience will they turn out if you use less beeswax?

It will harden up quickly, but may not/won't reach it's MAXIMUM hardness for a couple of days. ESPECIALLY with carnauba and candelilla waxes, by the way (which can take 3 days).