Tea in Lotion?

[chauvie]

I've had a few questions from people at craft fairs about substituting tea for water. I'm kind of new to making lotions (I've always done soap, scrubs, butter, etc. but not water-based lotion).

I did a lotion with chamomile tea that came out nicely, but I'm unsure of how it would do long-term, even with a preservative. Has anyone tested to see how they do closer to 6 months out?

I've seen people use matcha and other stuff in creams, but beyond that, I can't find much on lotions with actual tea/infusions in them. Does anyone have experience using tea in lotions and soaps?

 

[Misschief]

I'd be VERY cautious with using teas of any kind in lotions. You're just asking for mold. Matcha is one thing; it's a powder. An infused tea is a whole different bird.

 

[chauvie]

I'd be VERY cautious with using teas of any kind in lotions. You're just asking for mold. Matcha is one thing; it's a powder. An infused tea is a whole different bird.

Gotcha. Do you think an oil infusion with tea leaves would work instead of doing an actual brew? Maybe less conducive to growing mold?

 

[Cellador]

I'm curious why people would be asking specifically about tea in lotion...IMHO, there are many better alternate ingredients that could be used to achieve the same results. You could use a green tea extract for antioxidants or a chamomile extract for the soothing properties. It is more expensive but probably safer and more effective.

 

[shunt2011]

Infusing them in oil would be a better option making sure there's no bits when you strain them. You want to avoid adding and bug food to lotions. You'll also want to have them challenged tested if you plan on selling them.

 

[dixiedragon]

I would guess people use tea in lotion for label appeal. Also they might not have the extracts or hydrosol on hand.

I infused some aloe juice (from a bottle, didn't squeeze my own) with black tea, strained it and made it into lotion. It is great for sunburn. But I keep it frozen.

https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/black-tea-infusion-for-sun-burn-relief.70852/

 

[cmzaha]

I simply do not use any infusions in water based lotions. For about a year I tried an Arnica infused oil in lotion and it failed every time. Granted I was using the home test kit but it failed to many times to think it was the test kit. I do not pay for challenge testing until a test kit comes out clear, which I know are not the most reliable. It always indicated bacteria and the mold was visible. I was testing with different combinations of paraben free preservatives and Phenonip, none worked.

This lead me to never use infusions in lotions. Most of us simply do not the the knowledge or equipment to do our own challenge testing and I just find it safer to use the recipes I have had tested. Extracts such as mallow, calendula chamomile etc I do use but nothing else. I for one, will not even purchase a lotion at a market especially milk lotions.

 

[chauvie]

Thanks all for the feedback. I'll probably try the oil infusion and send that in for testing if there are no obvious issues.