Teach Soap

I want to start making my own lotion so finally after reading online recipes and forum discussions I took the plunge and bought all the necessary materials. This is the first recipe I modify to try:

75% Distilled water
2% Glycerin
5% Chamomile infused olive oil
5% Apricot kernel oil
3% Jojoba oil
2% Shea butter
5% Emulsifying wax
2% Stearic acid
1% Sodium lactate preservative (new from New Directions Aromatics)

I also want to try adding EO and beneficial additives such as Multifruit BSC (also from New Directions Aromatics) and herbal extracts (powder form). I assume these additives are in addition to the recipe I listed above, meaning not accounted in the total 100%.

I need feed back on this, please tell me what you think!

Thank for the help!

I would lower your water and add that to your oils instead. I haven't seen definite results that says that sodium lactate by itself will be a complete preservative. I'm pretty sure you will also need another, compatible preservative. Also, anytime you add any herbal extracts, it makes the lotion that much harder to preserve.

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

Thanks, soapbuddy!

About sodium lactate preservative, the reason is I don't want to use chemical preservatives. I have somehow problematic skin and none of the commercial lotions ever worked for me except the expensive one with high content of glycolic acid. It's expensive, stinky acid smell, and it ruins my vibrant color shirts in long run. I'm guessing those commercial lotions got so much chemical ingredients they are actually harmful to my skin. That's why I'm trying to make my own toiletries as naturally as possible to see if it help in long run. I'll give sodium lactate a test drive and be sure to report how long it actually preserved the lotion.

I understand the reason why you prefer not to use chemical preservatives. It could be that you are allergic to parabens. Some of my customers are. I use Cosmocil CQ. It's paraben free. You might want to take a look at Tinosan SDC as a natural preservative or Japanese Honeysuckle Extract WS along with Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid to adjust your lotion to a proper PH.

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

Wow... so much info... I better do more study tomorrow. Can you recommend a web site for purchasing these preservatives?

I get the Cosmocil CQ from snowdrift Farms because they are close to me and I can save on shipping. You can get Tinosan at www.lotioncrafter.com/tinosan-sdc.html or the www.theherbarie.com/Tinosan-SDC-pr-400.html
I believe the herbarie also carries the honeysuckle extract.

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

Great info thanks!

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

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

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.
Soapbuddy , This is listed as your preservative in your lotions on your web sight. Are you aware that this can be a formaldahyde donor? Is this considered a natural preservative?

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

_________________
JKM Creative Enterprises

Optiphen INCI is: Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol. You will need to list it this way for your ingredient label. The normal usage for this preservative is 0.5 - 1.5%.
Always include all your oils/butters and water as part of your formula. For glycerin, aloe, or hydrolyzed oats you can reduce your water. For olive, you include that in your oils. Don't add too much glycerin as that can make your lotion sticky. You can add up to 10% milk, but know that milk has proteins which are harder to preserve. If you are just starting out, I would keep it very simple and make no more than 16 ozs. You wouldn't want to waste all your extra ingredients, in case it doesn't work out.

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

_________________
JKM Creative Enterprises