If you want to go directly to the video, scroll down all the way to the bottom. I have only made lotion three times, so I am no expert or could give much advice on how to make it. However, I do like to do research on subjects that interest me. I learned a lot from reading an e-book I bought, but I learned even more from the knowledge found in the Lotion Making Facebook group by Jane Barber. She also has the website: http://www.makingskincare.com from where I got the spreadsheet to make the formulation. Being able to make my own lotion (I make it for my own use) was something I never thought it was possible. However, it is fairly easy. I did have to buy several ingredients that sound, what is the word? Not natural? Artificial? However they are essential for a well emulsified and safe lotion, once you learn about the risks of not having them. Like preservatives. The alternative is to not put them, and keep lotion in the fridge and toss it out after two weeks, so I would have to make a new one every two weeks. For me, that does not seem doable at the time.
My “formulation” since that is what they are called vs a recipe, is for my skin type which is dry. It is very thick and so far I am happy with it. I added Rose absolute, which is so expensive! But it was a gift from my hubby. I also added frankincense essential oil, because of its skin beneficial properties. Here is a link to the formulation for this facial lotion, in case you want to take a look: dry facial skin lotion. The main differences I have found between making lotion and making soap are:
- You do not need lye! So, you do not need to be wearing a mask or goggles, unless you want to. The one ingredient that cautions about contact with your eyes is germaben, the preservative, but it is not something that you’re likely to splash since it is used in very small quantities.
- It takes me longer to do lotion, that is mainly because of the waiting time for it to come to 110 Fahrenheit to add the preservative and fragrance or essential oil. And later for it to come to room temperature to be able to put it into the bottles.
- Lotion making requires very precise weighing of the ingredients, and very precise calculations to keep the proportions and total weight on target, to meet the required limits of the ingredients.
- Lotion making needs a very clean environment, and you need to sanitize (as best you can since at a home environment it will not be the same as a lab or manufacturing facility exclusively designed for this) all of your utensils and containers before hand. I do this by washing them really well and then spraying them with alcohol that has a 70% concentration (rubbing isopropyl alcohol)
What is similar:
- You do measure your oils in one container and melt them, and the water and other ingredients in a different one.
- Specific temperatures are needed of both the Oils and water. (Though this is optional in soap making)
- You use your stick blender to bring them to emulsion.
- You feel a sense of pride once you’re done!
My next project, will be to make a facial lotion for normal skin type. I have not tested it yet, but here is the formulation in case you are curious to see: normal skin face lotion
Update: The normal skin lotion ended up being too thick, it comes out of the bottle in blobs, overall not happy with it.
For a video overview, see below:
Soaps by Glenda 