Thursday, March 5, 2009
How to Make a Natural Body Lotion Bar
From an anoymous ehow contributing editor, learn to save money by making your own Natural Body Lotion Bar. Why not save a few bucks and make your own? Since skin care and beauty products are the most expensive items in the grocery store. And truly how much is going to the name on the label and how is going to the ingredients. So check out the recipe to see what ingredients you need and make your shopping list. Let's get started in making our own natural body lotion bars.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Massage Bar Recipe
The Basic Recipe for these bars are:
One part beeswax
One part butter - cocoa, shea or other nut butter
One part oil - any oil soft at room temperature
The goal in creating the recipe is to have a bar that melts at skin temperature. The beeswax melts at about 160 degrees, the cocoa butter at about 120, and the oils are soft at room temperature...so the combination will create your bar. The butter you use will also determine any adjustments to the ratio. That is...cocoa butter has a higher melting point than shea butter - so if you make these bars with shea, you will need to decrease the amount of liquid oil.
For these bars, I used:
4 ounces of Natural Yellow Beeswax
4 ounces of Natural Cocoa Butter
4 ounces of Fractionated Coconut Oil (a very absorbable oil - great for skin applications!)
1 ounce (total) of Lavender, Eucalyptus and Patchouli essential oils - or whatever fragrance or essential oil you want.
Note: You may want to try this with no fragrance - just with the natural beeswax and natural cocoa butter - the honey scent from the wax and the chocolate scent from the cocoa butter are heavenly in a subtle way.
Measure and Melt
Measure out your oils and start melting the beeswax first.
I melt the beeswax first because it has the highest melt point. Once it's completely melted, I take it off the heat and add the cocoa butter. The cocoa butter will mostly melt with no additional heat. Put it back on the heat briefly to melt the rest of the cocoa butter.
Finish Melting - Add the Liquid Oils and Fragrance
Once the cocoa butter is completely melted, add in your liquid oils and fragrance. Stir well.
Pour into the Mold
Once everything is melted and mixed together, pour the mix into your molds. As you can see, I'm using the molds I used for my Melt and Pour Valentine Hearts from Brambleberry. Slowly pour the liquid wax & oils into the molds and set them aside to cool.
As they cool, depending on your combination of wax and oils, you may get small sink holes like this one - since they're on the back of the bar, I didn't bother fixing them - but you could, if you wanted, pour a bit more melted wax/oil into the sink hole after it's cooled - just like you would a candle that had a sink hole.
Finished Bars
Once the bars have completely cooled, gently pop them out of the molds. Since they are formulated to melt at skin temperature, be sure to keep them in a cool place like a cupboard or the refrigerator.
Use them as solid massage-oil bars...or they are also really great to use after you get out of the shower on legs and arms. You do need to wait a few minutes for the oil to soak in - they are almost pure oil, remember - but once it's soaked in, your skin will love you for it!
Lotion Tube Variation
Instead of pouring the bars into regular soap molds, pour them into a push up lotion bar tube. Much easier and cleaner - though somewhat less romantic, I suppose. These are great if you're using the balm as a handy body butter, bug-off balm, or solid perfume.
Source: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/ss/cocobuttermass_2.htm
One part beeswax
One part butter - cocoa, shea or other nut butter
One part oil - any oil soft at room temperature
The goal in creating the recipe is to have a bar that melts at skin temperature. The beeswax melts at about 160 degrees, the cocoa butter at about 120, and the oils are soft at room temperature...so the combination will create your bar. The butter you use will also determine any adjustments to the ratio. That is...cocoa butter has a higher melting point than shea butter - so if you make these bars with shea, you will need to decrease the amount of liquid oil.
For these bars, I used:
4 ounces of Natural Yellow Beeswax
4 ounces of Natural Cocoa Butter
4 ounces of Fractionated Coconut Oil (a very absorbable oil - great for skin applications!)
1 ounce (total) of Lavender, Eucalyptus and Patchouli essential oils - or whatever fragrance or essential oil you want.
Note: You may want to try this with no fragrance - just with the natural beeswax and natural cocoa butter - the honey scent from the wax and the chocolate scent from the cocoa butter are heavenly in a subtle way.
Measure and Melt
Measure out your oils and start melting the beeswax first.
I melt the beeswax first because it has the highest melt point. Once it's completely melted, I take it off the heat and add the cocoa butter. The cocoa butter will mostly melt with no additional heat. Put it back on the heat briefly to melt the rest of the cocoa butter.
Finish Melting - Add the Liquid Oils and Fragrance
Once the cocoa butter is completely melted, add in your liquid oils and fragrance. Stir well.
Pour into the Mold
Once everything is melted and mixed together, pour the mix into your molds. As you can see, I'm using the molds I used for my Melt and Pour Valentine Hearts from Brambleberry. Slowly pour the liquid wax & oils into the molds and set them aside to cool.
As they cool, depending on your combination of wax and oils, you may get small sink holes like this one - since they're on the back of the bar, I didn't bother fixing them - but you could, if you wanted, pour a bit more melted wax/oil into the sink hole after it's cooled - just like you would a candle that had a sink hole.
Finished Bars
Once the bars have completely cooled, gently pop them out of the molds. Since they are formulated to melt at skin temperature, be sure to keep them in a cool place like a cupboard or the refrigerator.
Use them as solid massage-oil bars...or they are also really great to use after you get out of the shower on legs and arms. You do need to wait a few minutes for the oil to soak in - they are almost pure oil, remember - but once it's soaked in, your skin will love you for it!
Lotion Tube Variation
Instead of pouring the bars into regular soap molds, pour them into a push up lotion bar tube. Much easier and cleaner - though somewhat less romantic, I suppose. These are great if you're using the balm as a handy body butter, bug-off balm, or solid perfume.
Source: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/ss/cocobuttermass_2.htm
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tips and tricks for successful lip balming
Choosing the right lip balm recipe can make all the difference. Typical recipes call for common ingredients, like: bees-wax beads, cocoa or shea butter, almond (borage or sunflower can be substituted) oil, Vitamin E for extra moisturizing, and your preferred flavorings and colorings. We recommend experimenting to find the right recipe for your needs. Several recipes can be found in Marie Browning's "Totally Cool Soapmaking for Kids," or check out our Lip Balm Kits.
Step 1: Begin by gently inserting your empty lip balm filling tubes into the tray open-end first.
Step 2: Once your tubes are in place and ready for pouring its time to heat your chosen lip balm recipe and prepare for filling the tubes. Be sure that your balm does not exceed 140°F when working with the filling tray.
Note: Please be sure mixture does not exceed 140°
Step 3: Next, while your lip balm mixture is hot begin pouring it into the trays. You'll notice how the lip balm trays provide a convenient lip for catching any excess lip balm mixture during the pouring process. This makes it easier for you to clean up after your tubes are cooled.
Note: you may find it easier to reheat the lip balm mixture in a microwave periodically if you are filling a large supply of tubes, or would like to top off any partially filled tubes.
Step 4: Once your tubes are cooled you can remove them by gently twisting and slowly pulling away from the tray. Note: Please do not place your filled tubes inside a freezer to cool, because the extreme temperature differential may cause an uneven settling of lip balm mixture.
Step 5: As you're removing the tubes from the tray you may want to wipe any excess lip balm from the neck of the tube, being careful not to remove the tip of the newly poured balm.
Step 6: Now all that is left to do is cap your tubes and enjoy your new lip balm product! When you're finished with the trays you can use the scraper tool to remove the excess lip balm mixture.
If you would like to see a video from SKS Bottle, http://www.sks-bottle.com/flash/lipbalm_vid.html
Blogger Note: I am planning to purchase the lip balm tray from SKS Bottle and use it for teaching classes and of course to make large batches of lip balm. Has anyone purchase this item before? How do you like it?
Step 1: Begin by gently inserting your empty lip balm filling tubes into the tray open-end first.
Step 2: Once your tubes are in place and ready for pouring its time to heat your chosen lip balm recipe and prepare for filling the tubes. Be sure that your balm does not exceed 140°F when working with the filling tray.
Note: Please be sure mixture does not exceed 140°
Step 3: Next, while your lip balm mixture is hot begin pouring it into the trays. You'll notice how the lip balm trays provide a convenient lip for catching any excess lip balm mixture during the pouring process. This makes it easier for you to clean up after your tubes are cooled.
Note: you may find it easier to reheat the lip balm mixture in a microwave periodically if you are filling a large supply of tubes, or would like to top off any partially filled tubes.
Step 4: Once your tubes are cooled you can remove them by gently twisting and slowly pulling away from the tray. Note: Please do not place your filled tubes inside a freezer to cool, because the extreme temperature differential may cause an uneven settling of lip balm mixture.
Step 5: As you're removing the tubes from the tray you may want to wipe any excess lip balm from the neck of the tube, being careful not to remove the tip of the newly poured balm.
Step 6: Now all that is left to do is cap your tubes and enjoy your new lip balm product! When you're finished with the trays you can use the scraper tool to remove the excess lip balm mixture.
If you would like to see a video from SKS Bottle, http://www.sks-bottle.com/flash/lipbalm_vid.html
Blogger Note: I am planning to purchase the lip balm tray from SKS Bottle and use it for teaching classes and of course to make large batches of lip balm. Has anyone purchase this item before? How do you like it?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Pam’s Lavender Swirl
Submitted by Pam D. to www.northcountrymercantile.com.
Ingredients:
18 ounces Coconut Oil
45 ounces Olive Oil (chamomile infused)
27 ounces Palm Oil
5 ounces Palm Kernel Oil
2 ounces Shea Butter
1 tsp. of Titanium DioxideColor
6 oz. Lavender EO
13.6 ounces of Lye
34 Ounces of Water
Instructions:
Reserve 1 ounce of olive oil. Add purple color to the olive oil - mix well, set aside. Add lye to water and cool to 100°. Melt solid oils and add olive, cool or heat to 100°. Add the titanium dioxide and stir until mixed well. Mix together - stir until trace. At trace add lavender EO, stir well.
Pour into the mold. Pour the lavender colored olive in thin lines across the soap - use a spoon handle and swirl the color.
Cover for 25 hours - unmold - let cure for 4-6 weeks.
Source: http://www.northcountrymercantile.com/soapmakinglibrary/pams_lavender_swirl.html
Ingredients:
18 ounces Coconut Oil
45 ounces Olive Oil (chamomile infused)
27 ounces Palm Oil
5 ounces Palm Kernel Oil
2 ounces Shea Butter
1 tsp. of Titanium DioxideColor
6 oz. Lavender EO
13.6 ounces of Lye
34 Ounces of Water
Instructions:
Reserve 1 ounce of olive oil. Add purple color to the olive oil - mix well, set aside. Add lye to water and cool to 100°. Melt solid oils and add olive, cool or heat to 100°. Add the titanium dioxide and stir until mixed well. Mix together - stir until trace. At trace add lavender EO, stir well.
Pour into the mold. Pour the lavender colored olive in thin lines across the soap - use a spoon handle and swirl the color.
Cover for 25 hours - unmold - let cure for 4-6 weeks.
Source: http://www.northcountrymercantile.com/soapmakinglibrary/pams_lavender_swirl.html
Sunday, March 1, 2009
ROSE-MILK TUB TEA RECIPE
Ingredients:
13 oz Dendritic OR Alberger Salt
1.3 oz Rose FO
(Mix & set aside)
6 oz Powdered Milk
2 oz Powdered Goatsmilk or Powdered Buttermilk
10.5 oz Baking Soda
1.8 oz Honey Powder
9.6 oz Whole Oats 17 oz Epsom Salts
128 oz Sea Salt
16 oz Rose Buds & Petals
Directions:
Mix all in large bowl. Combine the dendritic salt & essential oil blend & complete mixing.
Place 3/4 - 1 C per 3.5 x 5 Muslin Drawstring Bag .
This recipe makes approx 45 bags with 3/4 c each. Recipe can be scaled down or tweaked to suit your needs.
Source: http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/recipes
13 oz Dendritic OR Alberger Salt
1.3 oz Rose FO
(Mix & set aside)
6 oz Powdered Milk
2 oz Powdered Goatsmilk or Powdered Buttermilk
10.5 oz Baking Soda
1.8 oz Honey Powder
9.6 oz Whole Oats 17 oz Epsom Salts
128 oz Sea Salt
16 oz Rose Buds & Petals
Directions:
Mix all in large bowl. Combine the dendritic salt & essential oil blend & complete mixing.
Place 3/4 - 1 C per 3.5 x 5 Muslin Drawstring Bag .
This recipe makes approx 45 bags with 3/4 c each. Recipe can be scaled down or tweaked to suit your needs.
Source: http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/recipes
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