My first lotion attempt!!

[Mooicle]

Well I just finished my first attempt at making lotion. It made alot more than I thought it would and made a MUCH bigger mess than I expected. Used too small of a mixing bowl and exploded out with first turn of the SB. It kept getting clumps so I kept SB and SB. Finally "poured" and plopped into containers. It is thickening on the counter so I assume it will thicken in the container. SO excited to use this. Scented with orange 10x EO (BB).

 

[Cellador]

Congrats! As the lotion cools, it will start to clump here and there, but once the batch is cooled, it should all be the same consistency. You really don't need to SB for long.
You'll have to let us know how you like it!

 

[Mooicle]

Congrats! As the lotion cools, it will start to clump here and there, but once the batch is cooled, it should all be the same consistency. You really don't need to SB for long.
You'll have to let us know how you like it!

Ok well that is good to know. I was very perplexed by the clumps. I had some that wouldn't fit in a container so I put it in a bowl and have been using it alot!!! Because I LOVE IT!!! It feels amazing and it actually holds up thru hand washing, which surprises me. It is, however, kind of thick so I am concerned when I put my pumps in the containers, it will be an issue pumping it out. SOON I will put one in and try it out. Overall pretty happy with the recipe I came up with. And I love smelling orange all the time!

 

[cmzaha]

Can I make a suggestion? Stick to small batches of 4 oz or so for practicing. You would be surprised what can go wrong with lotion, and I never found it to be positive that it is okay just because it comes together. When I first started I ran a shelf full of 4 oz containers and bottles waiting to see what the lotion would do. Some were good others were complete failures.

I do congratulate you on your first batch and lotion making can be fun and frustrating at the same time. Know your ingredients, and make sure all the ingredients are compatible.

 

[Mooicle]

Can I make a suggestion? Stick to small batches of 4 oz or so for practicing. You would be surprised what can go wrong with lotion, and I never found it to be positive that it is okay just because it comes together. When I first started I ran a shelf full of 4 oz containers and bottles waiting to see what the lotion would do. Some were good others were complete failures.

I do congratulate you on your first batch and lotion making can be fun and frustrating at the same time. Know your ingredients, and make sure all the ingredients are compatible.

Very good points. I really didn't think I was making as much as I did. It was a shock for sure....
It SEEMS like it came together ok and, even though it is thick, it actually pumps out of my bottles so THAT makes me happy. I have bottles all over the house now so I can use it on a whim.

So my question to you is this....if it seems like lotion and works like lotion and pumps out ok...does that mean it is a success? I'm sure that seems like a weird question, but how do you know if you have a success or a failure? Also, I'm terrified I am going to have it completely spoil and I won't even know it. I was surprised how thick my preservative was and how hard it was to measure out.

How do you know of any subtle signs of spoilage?

This for sure was very exciting.... I am forcing my husband and son to use it


OH NO!!!! I thought this was cooled enough before I put the tops on...but look what I found!
Condensation!!! Is that very very bad???

 

[lsg]

Take the tops off and let the condensation in the bottles to clear. You can cover the open bottles with paper towels while waiting for the condensation clear.

 

[Mooicle]

Take the tops off and let the condensation in the bottles to clear. You can cover the open bottles with paper towels while waiting for the condensation clear.

Ok I will try this. It made me disappointed to think I would have to toss all of it.
Thank you

 

[Dahila]

leave the lotion for like 4 hours cover with towel to get rid of the condensation . When I started I made only 100 g batch to see if I like it on my skin. 100 g batch is a lot fro you and your testing friends. there is so much in the lotion. Czmaha is right, After making lotions for closer to 6 years I had epic fail. The routine did it to my lotion. The problem is when you take out the pumps you put them on something and it will contaminate. I am selling lotions and I make one only batch at 1000 g and the rest is 650 g. BTW it looks good
if you want a little bit thinner lotion, you need to go around with ingredients.

 

[Mooicle]

leave the lotion for like 4 hours cover with towel to get rid of the condensation . When I started I made only 100 g batch to see if I like it on my skin. 100 g batch is a lot fro you and your testing friends. there is so much in the lotion. Czmaha is right, After making lotions for closer to 6 years I had epic fail. The routine did it to my lotion. The problem is when you take out the pumps you put them on something and it will contaminate. I am selling lotions and I make one only batch at 1000 g and the rest is 650 g. BTW it looks good
if you want a little bit thinner lotion, you need to go around with ingredients.

Thank you!! It actually feels so nice and the orange smells wonderful. I just took out all the pumps, put them on paper towel and covered those and the bottles with paper towel. I will see what happens. I am surprised it is even coming out of the pumps because it is SSSOOOOO thick (maybe b/c I SB the heck outta it?) And is a tad greasy but it actually soaks in.
I don't have the recipe right in front of me but I did 70% water, I THINK 15% sweet almond oil, maybe 5% safflower and 3% deod cocoa butter. (Those could be off b/c I don't have it right in front of me)...what do you think is making it SO thick and slightly greasy?

It was so nice using this after my shower this morning!!!! Much better than store bought for SURE!

 

[DeeAnna]

My lotions generally feel greasy within a day of making, but mellow out after that. So give the lotion a day or two to mature before you decide it's too greasy.

A lotion with 70% water will generally be fairly thick -- that's utterly normal. From my notes, here are some rough guidelines --

Recipe guidelines … Water … Liquid oil … Solid oil … Consistency
Light lotion … 80% … 5-15% … 0% … Easily absorbed. Fluid, easy to pour.
Regular lotion … 70% … 15-20% … 0-5% … Thick but usually pourable. Texture and consistency will vary
Butter or cream … 50-65% … 10-15% … 5-10% … Not pourable. Consistency varies from glidy to sticky

 

[Mooicle]

My lotions generally feel greasy within a day of making, but mellow out after that. So give the lotion a day or two to mature before you decide it's too greasy.

A lotion with 70% water will generally be fairly thick -- that's utterly normal. From my notes, here are some rough guidelines --

Recipe guidelines … Water … Liquid oil … Solid oil … Consistency
Light lotion … 80% … 5-15% … 0% … Easily absorbed. Fluid, easy to pour.
Regular lotion … 70% … 15-20% … 0-5% … Thick but usually pourable. Texture and consistency will vary
Butter or cream … 50-65% … 10-15% … 5-10% … Not pourable. Consistency varies from glidy to sticky

AWESOME! Thank you so much...I printed that out and put it in my "lotion notebook" for reference.

 

[Dahila]

what thickener did you use Mooicle?

 

[Mooicle]

what thickener did you use Mooicle?

My whole recipe is this:
70.5% water
15% sweet almond oil
3% safflower oil
2% deodorized and ultra white cocoa butter
5% emulsifying wax-soft and silky (WSP)
3% stearic acid
.5% germall plus liquid
1% orange 10x EO

 

[SusanK]

My lotions generally feel greasy within a day of making, but mellow out after that. So give the lotion a day or two to mature before you decide it's too greasy.

A lotion with 70% water will generally be fairly thick -- that's utterly normal. From my notes, here are some rough guidelines --

Recipe guidelines … Water … Liquid oil … Solid oil … Consistency
Light lotion … 80% … 5-15% … 0% … Easily absorbed. Fluid, easy to pour.
Regular lotion … 70% … 15-20% … 0-5% … Thick but usually pourable. Texture and consistency will vary
Butter or cream … 50-65% … 10-15% … 5-10% … Not pourable. Consistency varies from glidy to sticky

Thank you for saving me the frustration/fun of trial and error. I have made several lotions and have changed +/- ingredients during the mix. leaving me wondering what "exactly" did I do..lol. Either way they turned out great