Teach Soap

I'm trying to make sure I understand what I'm about to try to lay out here.

The handmade lotion I referenced in my other post has honey and glycerine as ingredients. If I'm not mistaken, both of those are considered humectants. And as I understand it, humectants will draw moisture from the environment to the skin. However, if the climate/atmosphere is dry, the humectants may actually pull moisture from the skin.

I live in NE Colorado. I've been told that this region is considered to have an arid climate, which is just one step above desert.

The person who made the lotion I referenced lives in this region, so the information about the climate should be available to them.

I guess my question is, is it just me, or is it a little odd to have not one, but two humectants in a lotion that is supposed to be formulated for this area??

I do have some honeyquat, and Lotioncrafter's site says that honeyquat has excellent moisture binding capabilities that are more powerful than glycerine. Should I translate that phrase as honeyquat is also a humectant?

Anybody that can shed some light on this, I'd be most grateful.

Anita

Sounds like you would need something that seals moisture in rather than sucking it out!
I use glycerin in my lotion at 3%, but our climate is not dry. You'll probably have to make a few small batches with the different ingredients to determine which works best for you. Have you checked Swift's blog? She usually lists several options with her formulas.

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I live in the desert and prefer lotion without glycerin or honey. I find them sticky on the skin.

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

Lotioncrafter also has excellent customer service to answer that question for you along with a very indepth formulary section.

That problem is solved by including an occlusive, such as dimethicone; the idea is that the occlusive sits on top as a film, so stopping the atmosphere from drying out your skin. Coconut oil is an occlusive but I don't use it because it leaves the skin feeling greasy for ages. Old fashioned lotions often use mineral oil. Same problem.