Teach Soap

Hi everyone. I've recently gotten into making my own lotion. However, I am running into some trouble and after countless hours of research, I just can't seem to find the answer anywhere, so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

So the issue,is getting the texture of my lotion right. The final product came out too "fluffy". That's how I would describe it, its not thick, not thin, just...fluffy. So after more experimentation, I think I narrowed it down but I'm not quite sure. It seems to be the way I MIXED the lotion.
When I use the hand blender, it seems to create a lot of air bubbles no matter how careful I am, and due to this the lotion is fluffy.
I tried mixing the lotion in another batch using just a whisk/spoon instead and well, it didn't came out fluffy at all, and the texture is much more lotion-like (even though I used the exact ingredients and portion).

So could it really be due to the mixing or am I just going out of my mind? Also could it be possible that I'm making a small batch (4 oz) that the hand blender isn't able to mix property?

Your help is appreciated, thanks!

I use the basic formula on one of the article here:
70% water
15% oil
5% emulsifying wax (NF)
5% stearic acid
5% shea butter
1% EO/preservative

A stick blender works the best. I don't know if that's what you mean by a hand blender.
Stick blender has high rpm's which are needed for the lotion to properly emulsify.
Whisk or a spoon will not give you the proper emulsification.
If you are getting too many bubbles, it could be your hand blender or too shallow of a container.
You want the blender bottom shaft to cover all of the lotion.
If the container is too shallow, you will need one that's more narrow and/or higher.

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

Susan on her blog can explain emulsification better then I can. http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2 ... -then.html
Spoon or a whisk will not give you the high shear like a stick blender can, which is needed to safely make lotion.
Emulsifying wax makes the oils and water "like" each other, so they won't separate, but you still need a high shear stick blender, so you get complete emulsification.
If you are making small batches and the stick blender's bottom is not completely immersed, you will get a lot of air bubbles.

I make fairly large batches, like a gallon at a time. I heat and hold the oil phase and the water phase for 20 minutes on low. I combine the two at just about 120 and stick blend til it starts cooling off a couple of degrees. Then I add my preservative and thoroughly stick blend. Then I pour into bottles. I don't put caps on the bottles til the lotion is completely cool. You need to do that since condensation can form on the caps. The condensation has no preservative and will make the lotion go moldy or spoil.

I would find a container that is just slightly bigger then you stick blender and high enough, so your lotion won't spill while the stick blender is on.
Susan also has a wonderful Lotionmaking 101 e-book that's available on her web site. I suggest you get it. It will answer most of your questions.
http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2 ... -done.html

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

Thank you! I certainly will. You said you heat and hold the oil phase and the water phase- do you mean you let it sit hot that long? I wasnt sure what you meant by holding it.

I really appreciate the link and I will get the book now.

_________________
~Dharlee

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

Thank you!

_________________
~Dharlee

Irena, you said, "Then I pour into bottles. I don't put caps on the bottles til the lotion is completely cool. You need to do that since condensation can form on the caps. The condensation has no preservative and will make the lotion go moldy or spoil."

When I pour lotion into the bottles I don't fill to the top and condensation builds on the empty parts of the top and sides of the bottle even tough I don't cap them until after 12-24 hours. Is this ok or will it cause bacteria and mold? I'm thinking the preventive will take care of it once the bottle is squeezed and the condensation mixes into the lotion. Am I wrong in my thinking? If so, I guess the fix is to fill to the top? Thanks.

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

Thanks, Irena.