Class Review: Lotions and Creams 101

On May 19, 2007, I took the Lotions and Creams 101 class at the Nova Studio in Pt. Richmond.

In this class we learned how to make lotions and creams for the body from scratch. The class covered all necessary ingredients, humectants, emollients and all of the equipment to get started making our very own lotions and creams. After the class was complete, we left with 3.5 ounces of lotion, 2 ounce jar of shea butter hand/foot cream, handouts of detail instructions, supplies and information on all of the ingredients.

I will tell you that the products in the class are great! I do not have dry skin so I do not need to use alot of lotions or creams. But I will tell you that the products feel great on your skin and the scent in the products seem to last for along time on your skin.

I will admit I am alittle nervous trying to make these products on my own since you need to be very precise on your measurements and make sure that everything is at the right temperature. But to start off I did purchase the KD-7000 scale from her. I am planning to purchase all the right tools to create these magnificent products (ie Blending stick, a thermometer, etc).

If you are thinking of selling this type of product to the public, Lori goes over what you need to do to be able to sell your creations (ie Product Challenge Testing to Labeling to Insurance).

Also, I just want to let you know that this class is primarily demonstration/lecture style with some hands-on elements. Due of the necessity of making the emulsion product in batches, Lori demos that portion of the class, but the student gets to scent, color and package the product.

It is well worth the trip over to her studio. I give the class 2 thumbs up!

Digital Scale

Lori Nova recommends the KD-7000 Digital Scale for measuring out ingredients for making your own lotions, creams, body butters, etc.

If you like to purchase a scale, please contact her studio at 510-234-5700 if she will sell you one or ask her who she recommends buying one from. You may find many sites on the internet which sell these scales and they will vary from site to site. I cannot recommend any site to purchase from since I have had experience dealing with them. I bought one from her at one of her classes. She sells them for $49.00 which includes tax. If you need an adapter, she also sells them for $8.00. She accepts checks or cash (preferred) as payment in order to purchase a scale. Sorry she does not accept paypal or credit cards on this item.

But I do trust Lori Nova, she will help you any way she can.

If you do a search on the internet you will find that there are alot of sites that sells this scale. They will vary in price, but the average price is around $48-$49.00. But you have to figure on shipping costs. In my side bar. I noticed that soapcrafters.com sells this particular scale. You may want to check out their website if you want to purchase one. I cannot recommend any of these sites since I did not purchase my scale from them.

On the packaging, the website for this particular scale is www.myweigh.com.

I have not used my yet, but I will let you know what I think of it.

Milk Powders for Your Milk Bath Recipes

If you are interested in using other types of powder milks for your milk baths, Wholesalesalesuppliesplus.com sells some milk powders online. They have coconut milk powder ($10.55 for 1 lb); buttermilk milk powder ($9.95 for 1 lb); Goats Milk Powder ($1.85 for 2 oz).

I am currently looking for any local grocery establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area that happens to carry these products. If know any retail establishments that happen to sell these milk powders, please leave a comment. Really would appreciate it!

Fragrance Extender

Benzoin is a fixative that extends the fragrance in your bath products, soap or potpourri. Currently, Juniper Tree in Berkeley carries Benzoin in an one ounce bottle for $10.50. On the bottle it states is 100% steam distilled essential oil. According to Juniper Tree, it is a preservative so it will not go bad like essential oils will. But, it does have a slight vanilla aroma which will not detract from your original scent since vanilla goes just about with anything.

When adding benzoin to your melt and pour soup, Juniper Tree recommends 2 to 5 drops. That is probably a good guideline when making individual batches of soap, bath salts, body scrubs. etc. I am planning to do some experimenting to let you know about adding this preservative to other bath products.

According to E. Joy Bowles, author of The A to Z of essentials oils...what they are, where they come from...how they work, says that Benzoin is used as a fixative in perfurmery and is a preservative in cosemetics because the coniferyl esters have high boiling points and are antifungal and antibacterial. There are two different types of Benzoin. There is the Siam version and the Sumatra version. The Siam version is described as a balsamic or vanilla like, where as the Sumatra is still balsamic in fragrance, it is more harsh and more bitter in its aroma.

Milk Bath Recipe - Updated

For those who have taken my bath salt and body scrubs class and wanted the recipe for Milk Baths here is the recipe:

Ingredients
♥ ½ Pint Take Out Container (about 3 oz weight)
♥ ½ cup Milk Powder of your choice: Non-fat, Goat’s Milk, Buttermilk, Cocoanut Milk(vegan), Soy Milk (vegan)
♥ 2 Tablespoons of Fine Sea Salt
♥ 2 Tablespoons of Dried Herbs
Optional: 2-5 Drops of Fragrance or Essential Oils

Equipment
♥ Bowl or plastic bag for combining/mixing
♥ Measuring cups and spoons
♥ Packaging: ½ pint take out container, cello bag, twist tie, muslin bag, ribbon and label

Directions
Using a small 8 oz. plastic cup as a measuring device, start by adding 2 T of sea salt. Then add ½ cup of your choice of powdered milk. Top off the measuring device with about 2 T of dried herbs. Add contents of your cup into a zip lock bag and mix/shake well. Add optional 2-5 drops of fragrance or essential oils to contents in the zip lock bag and mix well. Place cello bag into the take out container. Cut corner off the bag and transfer mixture into cello bag and seal with a twist tie.

Instructions to Use
Simply place 2 Tablespoons of milk bath mixture into a reusable muslin bag and tie it shut. Using a muslin bag in the bath tub helps contain the herbs and dissolve the milk powder bath than just dumping the powders directly into the bath. Drop one into the bath tub while it’s filling. Once in the tub, sit back, relax and let the mixture dissolve into the tub and soften your skin.


Source: Lori Nova, The Nova Studio (www.thenovastudio.com)