Emulsifying Salt Scrub -- Causing Rash

[candlemama]

Last night, I made a emulsifying salt scrub that I thought turned out great (at least it looks great!). Tried it this morning in the shower, and now I'm breaking out in an itchy rash. Could it be the salt irritating my skin, or are any of the below ingredients known to cause rashes? I've used B&BW salt scrubs in the past and never had a problem. The weird thing is I'm pretty sure I've used each of the ingredients in other products without a problem, either my own that I recently started making or store-bought stuff. Here's the recipe I followed:

46g refined shea butter

46g rice bran oil

46g jojoba oil

93g apricot kernel oil

46g e-wax (from WSP)

7g covi-ox t-50 tochopherol (vit e)

13g polysorbate 80

3g germaben II e

690g table salt

7g cool citrus basil FO from CS

I also used some liquid Pop colorants from TKB Trading, just enough to give the scrub a light mint green color.

My husband is out of town right now, so I have no other guinea pigs to try this scrub out on to see if it's just me or if somehow there's something wrong with my formula.

Anyone else ever have this problem?

[darci]

if you've used the main ingredients in other products without problems, it could be a reaction to the FO... just a thought

[CareBear]

have you used shea butter in the past?

and are you sure you measured the preservative correctly?

[Kitn]

have you used the polysorbate 80 before ?

if you have , I would guess the FO is the culprit, some of them make me get a rash that is very itchy.

Edited April 25, 2010 by Kitn

[candlemama]

have you used the polysorbate 80 before ?

if you have , I would guess the FO is the culprit, some of them make me get a rash that is very itchy.

I haven't used the polysorbate 80 in making my own products before. This was the first time. Hmmm... I figured it was a common ingredient and assumed it was in my store-bought products, but maybe not.

I did very carefully weigh everything on my scale, so this time I am sure the amounts I listed above are correct. I have used the germaben II E in a couple other products and haven't had a problem yet.

I tried the scrub again today, and while it did make me itchy and rashy in a couple areas, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. I noticed in areas where my skin is drier, that's where I got the rash. I am hoping it's the salt that causing this problem. I'll keep testing to see what the deal is. And I'll also test on my husband when he gets home!

[Scented]

Are you allergic to iodine? That's in most salt.

I somehow don't think it's going to be the salt, but more likely another ingredient is the culprit.

Dry skin patches and areas are likely to become more inflamed or itchy. I scrub the devil out of those areas with a soap I have and have caused the areas to become irritated, but I want that dead/dry look to go away.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Scented

[LuminousBoutique]

Salt scrubs do that to me.. my skin will IMMEDIATELY start burning, and I get red and white patches all over if I use a salt scrub.. I agree it could be one of the other ingredients but it is possible its the salt. I can use sea salt to soak in, I use it in my bath bombs.. but if I use table salt (with iodine or without) as a scrub, I am in pain big time.

[CBE]

Salt scrubs do that to me.. my skin will IMMEDIATELY start burning, and I get red and white patches all over if I use a salt scrub.. I agree it could be one of the other ingredients but it is possible its the salt. I can use sea salt to soak in, I use it in my bath bombs.. but if I use table salt (with iodine or without) as a scrub, I am in pain big time.

Meeeeee tooooooo.

If your skin is already dry or irritated... salt will just make it worse. Well, in my experience. And salt BURNS. Ouch.

[8-GRAN-ONES]

in any bath product i make...like salt bars ect...i use the non iodine salt..

does anyone else use non iodine salt?

i would say it could be the fo...or maybe the iodine if used..

Edited April 28, 2010 by 8-GRAN-ONES

[LuminousBoutique]

in any bath product i make...like salt bars ect...i use the non iodine salt..

does anyone else use non iodine salt?

i would say it could be the fo...or maybe the iodine if used..

I do too, if I am making salt bars. I use sea salt in everything else

[8-GRAN-ONES]

i don't remember where i read it...but when i first started making salt bars...

i was told the iodine could make the salt bar recipe not to turn out right...

i have never tried it any other way, so i could not say if it will or not..

hope you find what if causeing your rash...

if there is anything in the recipe that you have not used before..

take that ingred. out and replace with something you know you can use..

maybe you can narrow it down that way..

[candlemama]

i don't remember where i read it...but when i first started making salt bars...

i was told the iodine could make the salt bar recipe not to turn out right...

i have never tried it any other way, so i could not say if it will or not..

hope you find what if causeing your rash...

if there is anything in the recipe that you have not used before..

take that ingred. out and replace with something you know you can use..

maybe you can narrow it down that way..

That's a good idea. I was thinking of maybe making this recipe again but with sugar instead of salt and a different FO. I am kind of thinking it's the salt irritating my skin because it's only in places where my skin is dry that seems to have the rash, and it goes away about an hour later. I did use good old fashion, plain table salt with iodine. I should probably also make another batch but use non-iodine or sea salt to see what happens.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

[flutterbees]

Maybe you could try sugar?

[CareBear]

i don't remember where i read it...but when i first started making salt bars...

i was told the iodine could make the salt bar recipe not to turn out right...

i have never tried it any other way, so i could not say if it will or not..

I regularly use iodized salt in my salt bars without issue. And in my scrubs.

I think that perhaps the salt is just too much for you - it's scrubby and dehydrating. Try sugar, it's the same but somehow less so.

Edited April 29, 2010 by CareBear

[candlemama]

Made the recipe last night but used regular sugar instead of the salt. Also had to use a different FO since I ran out of the CS Cool Citrus Basil. Tried it this morning in the shower, and so far no rash to speak of! So, still don't know if it's the FO or salt for sure, but it had to be one or the other.

Thanks, everyone.

[beesweet]

I've had several people that have been unable to use cool citrus basil in anything from candles to lotions. They get itchy, allergy eyes and headaches with candles and a rash from lotion. I'm wondering if there's something in there that can be an allergen for more people than usual.

[candlemama]

I've had several people that have been unable to use cool citrus basil in anything from candles to lotions. They get itchy, allergy eyes and headaches with candles and a rash from lotion. I'm wondering if there's something in there that can be an allergen for more people than usual.

That's interesting. This was the first time I had used Cool Citrus Basil in anything. I'll have to try the scrub again with the salt but a different FO to see if it the Cool Citrus Basil causing the problem. Thanks for replying.