Teach Soap

Recently, SoapQueen posted a recipe/tutorial for a cuticle salve here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body- ... ve-recipe/ . I made it (amended it a bit, as I didn't have the extracts she used) and it came out WAY too hard for me to use. So I adjusted the recipe and tried again. Still too hard.
Perhaps I am missing the point of the product. I've been under the assumption that this would be a salve this is soft enough to dab your finger into so that you get a small amount on your fingertip to rub into your cuticles. If so, my recipe needs HELP! I love the idea of this and I love the way it smells, but I think my main problem is too high percentage of beeswax.
Could someone give me some pointers/advice?

Here was my percentages from last night:
26.8% Beeswax
53.6% Liquid Oils (Olive Oil & Sweet Almond Oil)
12.5% Shea Butter
3.5% Vitamin E
2% Lavender EO
1.6% Rosemary EO

So a few questions:
1. What percentage of beeswax should I aim for?
2. Should a cuticle salve be a very firm, or softer (spreadable) product?
3. Can I keep remelting the salve multiple times and adjusting it as needed (worried about the EOs and the remelting....problems?)

_________________
Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

Carrie you can try adding a bit more shea or liquid oils...add a few drops of EO and give it a go. I make mine a creamy liquidity with a dropper applicator or a balm type that melts at skin temperature. It really is an individual preference.

I use my lip balm recipe for my cuticles.

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

_________________
Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Thanks for the ideas....might end up reformulating eventually.
But for now, I'm trying to amend what I've started and I would like to keep it packaged in the little "pots", not a tube.
Does anyone have a suggested percentage for the beeswax?

_________________
Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

With that % of beeswax, it will be pretty hard. You can add more liquid oils til you get the consistency that you like.

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

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

If you want it softer, try about 12-15% beeswax. I make a balm that is softer than a lotion bar or lip balm, but still solid--if you want Vaseline-type soft, go to about 5 or 6 parts oil to 1 part beeswax.

_________________
***************
Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

I just recently made a salve and it was about the same ratio as mellifera put up, around 12-15%. I don't have my recipe with me, as I am at work...shhhhhh (glances over shoulder). Remember to freeze a couple of spoons to put in the mixture to see if you like it.

_________________
Lisa
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul” ~ Yiddish proverb

Thank you, Mellifera & Lisa! I appreciate the responses and guidance about the % of beeswax.
Will try amending mine this afternoon, hopefully

_________________
Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts