Emulsified Sugar Scrubs & Warm Weather

[TheWickedWick]

For those that make emulsified sugar scrubs..do you find in warmer weather you need to tweak your recipes? I started making them this winter and all was fine but now that the weather here is warmer..near 80 today and the house is a bit warmer it's not setting up as nicely. I have put it in the fridge but it's still a bit loose. Should I up the e-wax and/or stearic acid in warmer weather. I just added more sugar and put it back in the fridge hoping it'll finally set up.

Any suggestions? I'm using Spacegirl's recipe if that helps any.

Thanks

Karen

[LuminousBoutique]

Hi Karen, in the summer I cant ship them without using priority (luckily they fit nicely in a small flat rate box) and an ice pack... without that, they will arrive fine, but with a layer of oil floating on top, which isnt cute! Kinda defeats the whole purpose of using an emulsified scrub, lol. I've tried messing with the recipe (harder oils, less shea more cocoa.. more stearic., more ewax.. so on and so forth...), and adding more sugar.. but it doesnt change enough to be considered "perfect". Once it heats up over 90* (which it is even at night here) it seems to be done for.

It can be saved.. I tell people if it arrives separated they can mix it back in, set it in the fridge for an hour or so, and it should be fine... but I hate to have to tell them that., so I use the ice pack method for now, and I keep my work room at about 70* year round. If you dont have a dedicated work room, just keeping them in a dark closed off area helps, one of my friends keeps all her heat sensitive products in a cooler in the summer.. no ice needed or anything, just the cool dark area keeps everything cool no matter what!

hope that helps

Edited April 4, 2010 by LuminousBoutique

[TheWickedWick]

Yep, that certainly does help...thanks. After a little longer in the fridge they were firm enough to put into jars and then I placed them in my supply room where it's darker and cooler. This morning I checked on them and they are fine. I don't ship so no problems there. They are in a few boutiques here in town and I'll just make sure to tell the owners not to place my products near windows. Even with the air conditioners on in stores, those big store windows can make things too warm.

Have a great day!

Karen