In this video I showed you guys exactly how I wrote the formula for this lotion that way you can customize your own. In this video I showed you guys how to turn a formula like this into a recipe in grams. So watch that to learn how.
But today I will be explaining exactly how to make a simple lotion. So lets get formulating.
Formulating Tips for Lotion;
Keep recipe close with pen or pencil.
Take notes while formulating
Work in sanitary room
Make sure all your equipment is cleaned with soap and water and then sanitized. Learn how to Sanitize equipment here
Spray work station with rubbing alcohol and wipe down before formulating
You will need a scale that weighs down to 0.01 grams. Weigh out each of your ingredients first in individual containers to make the formulating process easier, but it does create more dishes. But remember if you add in too much of an ingredient into a beaker with other ingredients already in it, it can be near impossible to get it out sometimes. So if you have a hard time accurately weighing things out, weigh everything out individually first.
Don’t let pets & kids in formulating room
Wear Gloves, Hair Net, Mask, Protective Clothing & Eyewear
Wear Respirator when needed (some ingredients require it)
Don’t be scared to fail.
Always make small batches when experimenting (100 gram batches are what I use)
Use a larger beaker for the oil phase because all of the ingredients end up in that beaker in the end.
The oil phase might need mixed periodically while it’s heating to help melt everything. If you have any powders in the water phase, these might also need mixed to help dissolve.
A hand mixer won’t work for emulsions, you need a high sheer mixer like an immersion blender or an homogenizer
To create a water bath you just need to fill a pan with about an inch or so of water and place it on your stove top on medium heat, then put both of your beakers into the water. Make sure the water doesn’t start boiling.
If you need to leave your emulsion before it has fully cooled to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap and poke a couple holes into it so there is ventilation to prevent condensation. Then when you come back you can replace the plastic wrap with fresh plastic wrap. I don’t advise you to leave it like this for long though, since it isn’t fully covered. This is just a tip if you need to leave for a couple hours right after making a lotion.
Formula we are using
This lotion can work in either a jar or pump bottle and it can be used on the face or body. This is also made with ecocert compliant ingredients
Phase A (Water Phase)
62.4% Distilled Water
7% Glycerin
Phase B (Oil Phase)
7% Ritamulse SCG/Ecomulse
15% Jojoba Oil
Phase C (Cool Down Phase)
1.1% Geogard 221
2% DL panthenol
5% Distilled Water
0.5% Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Disclaimer; This formula is not tested. So I am not sure how the emulsion or preservative holds up, but in a later post, I will be testing the emulsion to see stable it is. So stay tuned.
Step by Step Directions;
In a heat safe and sanitized container mix together the phase A ingredients.
Tare scale and write down how much phase A weighs. (Including the beakers weight too)
Combine all ingredients in phase B in a separate heat safe sanitized container.
Fill a pan with about an inch of water and place it over your stove top on medium heat. (this is called a water bath)
Cover both phase A and phase B with foil and place in the water bath.
Heat until phase B has melted and both phases are around the same temperature. 70°C/158°F
Now remove phase A from heat and place on scale and replace any water that evaporated. Normally it's about 1 gram or less.
Remove phase B from heat and then pour phase A into phase B
Mix with immersion blender/stick blender. Let Cool (don’t mix with immersion blender again once it starts to thicken. This can add too much air into the lotion)
While phase A/B cool, in another beaker combine the DL panthenol and Distilled water in the cool down phase and mix until all the powdered ingredients have dissolved.
Once dissolved add in the Vitamin E and Geograd 221.
Once phase A/B has cooled to 104°F / 40°C add in the phase C ingredients and mix. (Don’t mix with the immersion blender)
Check the pH. It should be between 4.5 - 5.5
Cover and let sit overnight
The next day package your lotion in a jar of pump bottle.
A common concern I receive from you guys is something like “if you can't breathe it in safely then why are you putting it on your skin” and to that I often reply with “you can't breathe in water, but that doesn't mean it's not good for you”. Just because something isn't safe to breathe in, it doesn't mean it's not safe for your skin. Also you need to remember that most of these ingredients we are using are extremely diluted and it is always the percentage that makes the poison. Using something at 100% might be harmful, but if you use 2% of it, it can be beneficial. This is always something to keep in mind when you hear “negative” things about some ingredients in our skincare products. I’ll repeat it again! It’s the percentage that makes the poison!
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I am an affiliate with https://aromantic.co.uk/ meaning I earn money when you click on their links and purchase their items.
I am an affiliate with Makesy.com and some links may be affiliate links.
Comments