Lotion, cream, balm making questions...

[maxwill129]

I'm really interested in making my own lotions and such so I've been doing a lot of internet research. However, I am totally overwhelmed and confused by what I'm reading.

My question...can anyone suggest a book that is reputable and has good, basic recipes that are easy to follow? I'm also looking for info on preservatives that do not contain parabens (from the soap dish site it seems there are some). Also, can anyone give me a few places that I can purchase my ingrediants from?

Thanks!

[Fiestabeth]

Me too! Me too! I need info as well. I've been stocking up on essential oils, and I want to learn more.

[arahzel]

I can't say I read this in any book, but my FIL gave us a great recipe for a lotion that will help with cracked hands. He's a farmer and was kind enough to share this recipe with us.

Combine glycerine with palmolive shaving cream (you can buy both at a drug store). Not quire sure of how natural this is, but I will say that 1) it works immediately, and 2) it burns the heck out of my eyes just opening the bottle the two items are stored in.

Good luck!

[amcal]

Check out places like theherbarie.com or lotioncrafter.com - both have a formulary full of great recipes and they carry lotion making ingredients.

Liquid Germall Plus is a paraben free preservative. Make sure you study, study, study before attempting lotion making. You really need to make sure you're working in ultra clean conditions, sterilize everything you will use when making your lotion, make sure you heat and hold your water or liquid at 170 for 20 minutes minimum etc.... just really study proper lotion making techniques so you have a clean final product. YOu really don't want stuff growing in a product you're going to be spreading on your body and most often, you can not see the bacteria, yeast and other nasties that can grow in a water based product that's been either improperly made or improperly preserved.

[JessicaS]

Brambleberry.com has a lot of different supplies

Both of the preservatives for lotions they carry do contain parabens.

However another option is to make smaller batches and keep your lotion in the fridge.

With lotion you MUST either keep it in the fridge or use a preservative. Balms that do not contain any water do not need to be kept refridgerated.

I agree with amcal about sterilization, it is very important in lotion making. Things can grow so easily in such a rich enviroment of oils and water.

I use distilled water for lotion making and I still heat it.

[maxwill129]

Thanks! I've been researching for quite some time so I think I'm ready to...research some more! I'm kind of scared to start just for the above mentioned reason.

Thanks for the info and advice!

Shannon

[ahdoula]

I get my stuff from the chemisty store online and mountain rose herbs also online. For recipes I use Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living (very simple and has cleaning product recipes as well) and I also tried Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Personal Care for Every Body. That book is strickly beauty care but uses a lot of extra herbs that the other book doesn't. All depends on what you are looking for. Lotions and creams are SO much easier than soap IMO! I use grapefruit seed extract as my main persertivative (a little pricey) I also have use wheat germ oil but I do not like it as well. I am going to try citirc acid next.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by ahdoula

I use grapefruit seed extract as my main persertivative (a little pricey) I also have use wheat germ oil but I do not like it as well. I am going to try citirc acid next.

GSE is a pretty contraversial issue, I am not sure I would count on it as a preservative.

Citric acid might work better and it is cheaper.

or you can just stick it in the fridge.

[maxwill129]

So as far as sticking it in the fridge...how long would something last in there? And for balms, would you need that stuff in the fridge or is that okay out? Oh, and abimommy, you had posted a balm for perfume a while ago (I guess similar to lip balm)- in or out of the fridge?

Also, I was checking out The Soap Dish- is that a reputable site or not?

[eco_mama]

recipes for natural beauty

(100 homemade treatments for radiant beauty)

by katie spears

[3bees~1flower]

I use grapefruit seed extract as my main persertivative (a little pricey) I also have use wheat germ oil but I do not like it as well. I am going to try citirc acid next.

just an fyi...none of the things you listed are preservatives...GSE and wheat germ oil merely slows the oxidation of oils so they do not go rancid as quick. i have never heard of citric acid as a preservative. if i were you, i'd do a little more reserach on using these ingredients as presrervatives before relying on them to prevent germies from growing in your lotions, especially if you are usig them on your kids.

ETA: here is some info on GSE http://wellvet.com/grapefruitseedextracts.html and this one http://pubwww.srce.hr/acphee/24304.pdf

[3bees~1flower]

the soap dish is a great supplier!