smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I don't know what I am doing wrong....I have tried like 7 recipes, and followed all the directions, my lotion emulsifies, but it won't get thicker than a milky consistency....I wanted to make my own lotion, because bases can cost so much, and I thought that if I can come up with a good recipe of my own then it would be better anyways.Is there something I am doing wrong? I wonder if I am stirring too much/not enough? Can someone who makes lotion possibly give me some tips? Any help at all would be so much appreciated!TIAKatie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Ok.. I'm game! Let's make lotion! Can you please post your recipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikatx Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 well of course we are gonna need your recipe and what you are doing!then we'll go from there! (bunny we psoted at the same time!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 WOOOHOOOO! Looks like it's gonna be a fun night Erika! Come on Katie! Post that recipe! Wish I had my lotion stuff at home, I'd make it! But will just have to settle at looking at percentages.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Okay, I have tried other recipes in the past, but I tried again tonight too, lol...One recipe I tried a while ago was one I think that was on that to die for site, and that didn't work for me either. I am measuring everything very carefully, but I think something in my process is wrong.Okay, here are the two recipes I tried tonight, both are from MMS: Recipe#1-(I cut in half to make a small batch)2.5 grams Citric Acid30 grams Liquid Glycerin40 grams Stearic Acid50 grams Emulsifying Wax200 grams Sweet Almond Oil660 grams water10 grams Germaben II7.5 grams Ginger Milk Fragrance Oil (or any other scent of your choice)Recipe #2.1 oz wt. Citric Acid.3 oz wt. Emulsifying Wax.5 oz wt. Liquid Glycerin.4 oz wt. Stearic Acid2 oz wt. Coconut Oil6.9 oz wt. Water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 give me a sec, have to convert these to percentages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 And how long have they been cooling for? With many recipies, you don't get the full effect of how thick it is til the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna4909 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 That's what I was wondering. Mine almost always take a full day to "set up" and thicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 well, these ones I only made about 4 hours ago...they are all cool now.But before, I kept the lotions for 2-3 days, but they never thickened.Could I be doing temperatures wrong or something wrong with stirring? Most of the recipes I found only give general instructions...so I am not so sure about if it needs constant stirring, or only stir every little while, etc. I am not sure if it even matters, but that is all I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna4909 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Is your ewax from MMS?I noticed that their ewax isn't the NF version, so that might be it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 No, I get the NF kind from WSP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikatx Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 well, these ones I only made about 4 hours ago...they are all cool now.But before, I kept the lotions for 2-3 days, but they never thickened.Could I be doing temperatures wrong or something wrong with stirring? Most of the recipes I found only give general instructions...so I am not so sure about if it needs constant stirring, or only stir every little while, etc. I am not sure if it even matters, but that is all I can think of.did you usea hand held mixer or did you just stir them together?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikatx Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 c'mon bunny I'm waiting for your calculations:tongue2:... I'm too lazy at this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 I just used a whisk. Should I be using a mixer? And if so, is it too late to use it, or do I have to start another batch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerrie Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I'm new at making lotions, but a few things I had to learn from trial and error was that when using my SB not to move it all over or I will incorporate to much air in the lotion and it becomes fluffy instead of creamy. Another thing I learned was to stir, let cool for 10 minutes or so and stir, and repeat that till it's cool enough to add the FO and preservative and stir one last time. I'm running at the mouth here on something I know very little about, but those 2 things helped me get a nice creamy lotion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikatx Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 OK, i just did the calculations and it seems fine... but my guess is that they are not being complety emulsified with just using a whisk... when I first started, I used a fork on my 1st batch and the oils just sat on the top and wasnt quite right.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 That may be it right there, WSP ewax sucks. It's doesn't compare to other e wax, but it still workable. We just have to up it. .25 % Citric 3% Glycerin 4% Stearic 5% E Wax 20% Sweet Almond 66% Water 1% Preservative .75 FoTry this: 1 % Citric 3% Glycerin 5% Stearic 9% Ewax 15% Sweet Almond 4% Butter (any one you have – cocoa, kokum, mango etc) 61% Water 1% Preservative 1% Fragrance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I just used a whisk. Should I be using a mixer? And if so, is it too late to use it, or do I have to start another batch?And yes, you must use a stickblender or other type of blender to get a stable and complete emulsion.If you need help getting the batch back to measurements, just holler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna4909 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I use a whisk, but I stir it pretty vigorously until it's thouroughly mixed. At least for a few minutes, then let it sit and stir every 5 minutes or so until it cools.If you haven't stirred enough, you should be able to tell. You'll have the seperated oil/water look going on.I have to edit every single post I make. Ugh... *lol* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Thanks so much Bunny! What is the difference between WSP E-wax and others? Is it made differently or something? Where would you recommend me buying it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 And yes, toss those batches, or soap them...lolHow small will your scale measure accurately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 The WSP just doesn't emulsify the same. I get mine from soapers choice, shutter has it in the co-op right now. MMS's stuff is awesome too. WSP's e wax has caused many a heartache in reformulating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Yeah, I stirred pretty good with my whisk....it emulsified fine....I just can't understand why it wouldn't get thick, lolI will try it with the blender, and see if that helps. Can I do these batches with the blender (just to see if it helps) or should I just pitch this batch and start with Bunny's new recipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiley_miley Posted March 9, 2006 Author Share Posted March 9, 2006 Oh, we must have posted at almost the same time, lol....Okay, I will throw those away and try the new ones, and update this as soon as I do.As for my scale, it measures in grams and ounces....it gets as small as 5 grams, and as small as .2 ounces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I'd start it over.. The main emulsification is already done, and it'll come out wonky. Your preservative may be compromised, and you won't know how much if it will come though. Are you bringing your water and oils to 170 also? Water must be at 170 for 20 minutes to get rid of any possible contaminates. (I just boil a huge pot and measure out of it..lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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