Massage/Lotionn bar gets drier with use, what's wrong?

[carolincanada]

I made a massage bar and it seems to get drier and not move and deposit oil as well as it did at first. I bought one from Lush and its consistent and still deposits oil on my skin even though its older then the one I made. I used 2 oz.cocoa butter, 2 oz beeswax and2.5 oz grapesed oil with about 2 tsp. of essential oils.
I do really like it but I think it should maintain it's silkiness. Any thoughts on this or how I could improve it??
Thanks, Carolyn

 

[ohsoap]

I had the same problem with mine last year, and it didn't matter if I used cocoa or shea. I wish I knew the secret to them as well!

 

[carebear]

It may be that when you first started using it, it hadn't yet reached it's full hardness. You should give them at least 3 full days - much better 6-7 - before judging them.

beeswax adds drag, so I'd back off on that a bit.

 

[SilverMaple]

I add a bit of castor to mine to keep them from getting 'draggy'. It works well.

 

[awi]

I add a bit of castor to mine to keep them from getting 'draggy'. It works well.

Do your bars feel oily on the skin or do the oils soak into the skin okay using castor? I have only made one batch of lotion bars, but noticed them getting dry also and "dragging" on the skin. Can you tell me how much you would use in a recipe?

 

[SilverMaple]

For a 9 oz batch, I use .6 oz of castor, 5 oz butters, 2 oz waxes, 1.4 oz liquid oils. The bar glides nicely, and soaks in fast. It doesn't remain sticky at all.

I use this in twist-up tubes, lotion bars, and variations of it for heel sticks and lip balms, with castor in all. Love it!

 

[carolincanada]

Thanks, I'll cut back on beeswax and try a bit of castor.