using candle for lotion?

[ksranch]

First up, let me say I know very little about soy candles (I use pariffin), so forgive me if this is a stupid question. I had a customer ask me about using the liquified wax from a burning candle for 'lotion' and after I did not recommend it my curiousity got the better of me so I started looking. I am finding ads out there that claim this can be done with soy. Below are the 'directions' given on one such ad.

Directions: Light candle or place on candle warmer, let a small pool of wax form. Extinguish flame, then gently test for wax temperature before pouring onto skin. Can be poured directly from container or you may use a spoon to scoop up the gently heated wax.

So - question for the experts - is this for real? Common? Do you recommend it? I'm hesitant to change my response to her just because I've found some people saying it's okay....:tiptoe:

[Stella1952]

If you search in the general candlemaking area, there have been a lot of threads about this.

Yes, people make lotion candles. Making a leave-on skin product is NOT the same as making candles!!

Do I think they're a good idea? No. The liability is huge. I wouldn't make ear candles either. Lotion candles are NOT a good idea, but if people can make a buck off something, they will... Making candles that burn well is an art. So is making lotion. The two things are pretty mutually exclusive.

Ever since I began making candles, I have read and heard about how you can just dip your fingers into the MP of a soy candle for hand lotion. PUH-LEEZZE!! The FOs used for candles are NOT all skin safe and we often use them in much higher concentrations than is wise for a leave-on skin application.

If one wants a warmed lotion product, learn how to make a lotion or butter that is formulated for skin use and do it RIGHT according to best practice for skin care products; otherwise one might just as well scent up some Crisco and sell that as a "lotion candle." :rolleyes2

I'm hesitant to change my response to her just because I've found some people saying it's okay....:tiptoe:

Go with your instincts (that's common sense whispering in your ear) and don't let one customer's witless request draw you off your product line. If you do decide to try this, I HOPE you will first do some research into making safe cosmetics AND into the laws about cosmetic labeling and testing requirements... Edited October 1, 2011 by Stella1952

[ksranch]

Perfect, thanks so much! And, no - I won't being going there!! :tiptoe:

Edited October 1, 2011 by ksranch

[coconut]

Also if the candle is colored, consider what chemicals are involved there. One of my suppliers told me that some dyes have nasty chemicals in them.

[annie123]

Lotion candles done right contains very little soy, they are mostly butter and oil, with no color added. You use the same fragrance oil you would use in a body lotion in the % recommended by the manufacturer.

This type of candle does not burn hot enough to burn a person unless they stick their fingers directly into the flame.

To give you an example the hot paraffin treatment you get at a spa is much hotter.

[Candybee]

I saw a lotion candlemaker at a recent craft show I did. So I went over and looked. She says she uses only spa grade soy and it was not wax.. She only used the melted soy from the candle that had already been put out. She just burns it to melt the soy lotion, then distinquishes the flame before applying it to your skin. The lotion is approximately the same temp as your skin plus about 3 degrees. Hers didn't have any dyes and she said she uses only skin safe fragrances. I was impressed that this candlemaker knew about her soy lotion and how to use it.

My experience with her lotion candles was quite nice. I enjoyed the feeling of the lotion. I am still not convinced that the soy will not clog your pours but for a once in a while spa treatment I gotta say it was very nice. Plus, the warmth of the lotion was very nice and soothing on my skin.

I never in a million years thought I would approve of any soy lotion candles but hers were nice. I was impressed she was very knowledgeble about the soy and how to apply it. But the price for a small lotion candle was $25 for 8 oz. Wowzer!

I do think she is the exception. There seem to be a lot of people out there using soy wax for candlemaking and saying its also good for lotion. Plus customers telling me wrongly that you can use a soy candle (any soy candle mind you) as lotion.

There is a huge difference in soy wax for candlemaking and the spa grade soy for lotion making.

[Stella1952]

Did she label it in accordance with the guidelines for cosmetics? Just wondering... What concentration of skin safe fragrances did she use? Sure there's a difference in soy wax and "spa quality" soy lotion, but I don't understand the need for the open flame...

I think it's a gimmick that SNUP. There's nothing a lotion candle can do that warm lotion can't... The best part is one doesn't have to spend so much money for a nice candle and lotion warmed in the microwave... Why use a wick when it isn't needed to burn like a candle (to produce light or heat, as with tealights)? A warmer would do as nicely and there would be no worry about a flame whatsoever.

I'm SURE tha warm lotion felt good - warm lotion ALWAYS feels goood to me! But that's not the issue... The issue is safety and I think lotion candles (and ear candles) are unsafe products. Relying on people to use them according to instructions is pretty risky since most folks don't follow candle burning instructions on a good day...

[ksranch]

All good info, I can pass a lot of it on to the one that asked for them, along with the fact that I will not be going there! Again, thanks!