...based on those instructions, is this the one you're following? do you have stearic?
because i notice it suggests you use beeswax as the emulsifier. you also need borax if you are going to make a cream with beeswax and water. otherwise it will seperate......
Forgive me if you get this more than once, I've posted ot a few groups I belong to.
I've been making solid perfumes and perfume oils for a couple years, just for fun of giving to friends and relatives. A few friends keep asking for something more like a lotion in a pump dispenser, which I avoided in apprehension of the emulsification and preservation issues. Finally I've caved in after reading somewhere "If you can make salad dressing you can make your own lotions!" and I thought "well I make a pretty great vinaigrette..."
So, the basic cold cream recipes came out fine, but these other recipes that I think are more Oil in Water suspensions, I just cant get to emulsify, and I'm just making a mess all over, I've tried using a kitchen aid, then a hand held immersion blender (like for whipped toppings), and finally my blender, but no luck, and I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, or if its the recipes. I will include a recipe (found online) below, if anyone has any insight I would greatly appreciate!
1. Select and gather ingredients and equipment needed. There are many options here but to get started I would suggest using the equipment and ingredients that you have from these lists.
2. Bring 22 ounces Distilled water or Aloe Vera juice / gel to a quick boil in large pot and reduce heat to medium. Add 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon citric acid and 1/2 teaspoon potassium sorbate if you have it. Once dissolved add 1 teaspoon each of the herbs you picked and one tea bag of your choice. After everything has simmered for 10 minutes on medium, reduce heat to low and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
3. Get oil mixture ready and set up bowl and mixer. For this recipe you will put 5 ounces oil into your small pot. Add 5 tablespoons emulsifying wax or shredded bees wax (6 if you don't have stearic acid), 1 tablespoon stearic acid (2 if you like it really thick), 1 teaspoon honey and approximately 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil or rosemary extract.
4. Once your herb mixture has finished, start boiling water in your medium pot or the bottom of your double boiler. Strain the herb mixture into your mixing bowl, squeezing all the good juice out of the herbs and tea bag.
5. Once your water is boiling, carefully set small pot of oil mixture on top until all the wax is dissolved. Not a second more. stir often and don't let the oil get too hot. Remove from heat.
6. Start mixing herb mixture with beater while slowly adding oil mixture. Be careful, this stuff can burn you. It's fine to let the mixtures cool down a little, but they do have to be hot to mix. Blend on medium for two minutes.
7. Continue mixing and stirring with the rubber spatula to get all of the air bubbles out. Add up to 1 drop per two ounces of essential or fragrance oil. Mixture will be watery until it cools and sets. Wait one or two hours before pouring mixture into the bottles. You don't want it too hot or it will melt the plastic a little and it will still have many air bubbles. Use the funnel or turkey baster for easy pouring.
8. Finally, refrigerate your homemade bottles of lotion until you are ready to use them. This recipe will last up to 3 months out of the refrigerator under normal conditions. Don't leave in hot sun or direct sunlight. Good luck!
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lotion
After trying this and a few similar recipes a few times I'm always left with a pitcher of tea with a floating glob of hard fatty substance. I have last night's batch still in the fridge in case there is any way to save. suggestions welcome!
Thank you!
Aaron
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