Teach Soap

A lot of natural recipes that I have found for lotions and creams calls for beeswax/borax as the emulsifier. I don't like beeswax and have more success with e-wax. I was wondering if I could simply trade out the beeswax/borax for the e-wax instead. And if so, do I have to change the % of emulsifier in the recipe?

I use e-wax in my lotions at 5%.

Bruce

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www.homebrewsoaps.etsy.com

Beeswax/borax as the emulsifier is not shelf stable. Don't waste your ingredients; go with e-wax NF or Polawax. And no, you can't substitute straight across.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

What I use as kind of a 'rule of thumb' when dealing with emulsifying wax NF works in every lotion recipe or formulation I have, no matter the ratio of oil to water or any other additives. I use 1 tablespoon E-wax per every 1 oz of oil used in the recipe. I hope that helps

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

That's the best thing about e-wax, it really does give you some room to work with. It really works for me every time, every recipe, without weighing. I should have been more specific, in soap I weigh everything but in lotion I measure. The ounce is a measured ounce, not a weighed ounce. I get a lot of good feedback about the same formula from other people as well. If I want it a little thicker, I round the tablespoons or add a bit of stearic acid or bees wax. I count glycerin as an oil. I never use less than 18% oil to 82% water, but usually I use 20% - 25% oil. Some people use as high as 50% oil, but in my opinion that is too greasy. Just posting what works for me. That's all we can do Thanks for your input about it though.

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
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I am assuming in a solid lotion bar recipe you don't use a "water", only oil or butters and wax? You can always replace beeswax with e-wax in any recipe, yes. Without water you may not need as much wax though, because you are not worried about emulsification. Wax is just a thickener in a lotion bar or stick recipe if you are not adding any water or aloe or milk or tea. In lip balm I use 50/50 wax to oil/butter. In a lotion stick I will use 65% oil/butter and 35% wax. When you aren't worried about emulsification of oil and water, there is a little more room for personal taste.

Just remember it doesn't work the other way around in a regular lotion recipe, only one without water. What I mean is that beeswax cannot replace E-wax in a regular lotion recipe, it will not emulsify oil and water on it's own. (and do not use borax as a buffer like many do. It is EXTREMELY toxic to the skin, especially with children)

I hope that helps

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!