Procedures (creams & Lotions)

There are 2 main methods of making creams and lotions.

The first being the most widely documented method, with separate water and oil phazes, brought together in an emulsion from 2 pans.

The second, which I have only found suitable for recipes using an emulsifying wax, is a simple 1-pan method, where all ingredients are weighed and measured into one pan, which is then heated until the ingredients melt and emulsified at that point using a whisk.

 

Method 1

Can be used for all creams and lotions, whether using older borax-based recipes or modern emulsifying wax based recipes. Basically, whether using a recipe from this site or from another source, you measure the water and all water-soluble ingredients into 1 pan (which would include the borax if using this as the emulsifier), then measure all the oil-soluble ingredients into another pan (which would include the emulsifying wax if using this as the emulsifier).

Heat the water until gently steaming and all (if any) additions are dissolved fully, then remove to one side.

Meanwhile, heat the oils and any other additions until completely melted. Merge them all together with a whisk (electric whisk on a fairly low setting is best), then remove from the heat.

Immediately and slowly pour, a little at a time, the water phaze into the oil phaze, whisking all the time. If using a hand (baloon type) whisk, you'll need to be vigerous. Continue whisking until the mixture cools and becomes a thicker, creamy solution. The exact consistency will depend on the ingredients, and whether it is designed to be a cream or a lotion.

Pour or spoon into a suitable container and leave to cool completely, stirring from time to time if instructed to do so.

 

Method 2

Can be used for most more modern recipes that use an emulsifying wax. Suitable for creams and lotions. This method is not widely documented but from experience I find it works perfectly well and is very simple.

Weigh and measure all the ingredients into a single pan. Place the pan over a low heat (precise heat will vary with different ingredients, i.e. beeswax will need more heat to melt than shea butter). You will see all the ingredients start to melt at different stages. Start whisking, preferably with an electric whisk on a low setting when semi-solids like coconut oil, shea butter etc are almost completely melted and the emulsifing wax and any more saturated oils are beginning to melt. Continue whisking on a low setting until all the ingredients have melted and emulsified, then, remove from the heat and continue whisking gently until the liquid thickens to a more creamy texture. Do not whisk too briskly, as you will simply start to add air to the mixture as it begins to thicken. After a few minutes, pour into a suitable container and leave to cool fully, stirring from time to time if instructed to do so.

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