When you first embark on the journey of making cosmetics, you will want to start with a pretty basic recipe. After you make this beginner lotion recipe a few times, you will understand the fundamentals. Then, you will be ready to move on to adding different ingredients and actives.
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I found that once I made lotion a lot of the basics of how and why the ingredients are used made more sense. It also helped me to lean why we make it a specific way. For example, I forgot to heat the water a few times. When I poured the oils and wax into the water, they hardened immediately.
When moving on to new recipes, I recommend using one new ingredient at a time. This way you really get to know how if affects your recipe. You also have a better understanding on how to use that ingredient in different recipes moving forward. After you have the basics of lotion making down, you can then start making more complex lotions for your specific skin needs. I advise starting with this beginner lotion recipe, then working your way up to new ones.
Getting To Know Our Beginner Lotion Recipe Ingredients
Distilled Water
You always want to use distilled water in your products. The reason you use distilled water is that all water is not created equal. Distilled water has the impurities removed from it. Water can seem like a cheap filler in products, but it is important to note that our skin needs water.
This is a lightweight oil that has omega-3 fatty acids that help lock in moisture and vitamin e which is a powerful antioxidant.
Rice Bran oil is rich in vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids. It is a fast absorbing oil so it does not leave the skin greasy.
The main emulsifier that binds the water and oil together and keeps them from separating.
This is derived from animal and vegetable fats. It is used as co-emulsifier, to thicken the product and as an emollient, which smooths skin.
Any time that you add water to one of your recipes or it is reasonable that water will get in it, you want to use a preservative. Since lotion contains water, it is necessary to use a broad spectrum preservative. I am using Optiphen which cannot be added above 140F, I like to add it at 120F to be safe.
Beginner Lotion Recipe
Equipment
- Double boiler
- Scale
- Spatula
- Heat Safe Container
- Jar or container with a lid
Ingredients
Water Phase
- 6.16 ounce | 77% Distilled Water
Oil Phase
- 0.44 ounce | 5.5% Sweet Almond Oil
- 0.44 ounce | 5.5% Rice Bran Oil
- 0.40 ounce | 5% Emulsifying Wax NF
- 0.32 ounce | 4% Stearic Acid
Cool Down Phase
- 0.08 ounce | 1% Broad Spectrum Preservative Follow manufacture’s use rate
- 0.16 ounce | 2% Fragrance Oil Follow manufacture’s use rate
Instructions
- Disinfect all your equipment
- Put the distilled water into a heat safe container and warm it on the stove or in the microwave
- Place all of your oil phase ingredients in a separate heat safe container and melt it.
- When the oil phase ingredients are melted add to the water phase. You will want to make sure the water and oils are about the same temperature for proper emulsification.
- Mix with an immersion blender until the oils and water are combined.
- Check the temperature to ensure the mixture is at about 120F. If it is, you can now add your preservative and fragrance. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour the lotion into your container. Leave the cap off until the lotion is completely cool. It will thicken as it cools.
2 thoughts on “Learn How To Make Cosmetics – Beginner Lotion Recipe”
I appreciate all of the useful information and the recipe.
I am happy you enjoyed it!
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