Lotions

Tips & techniques: Why it’s ill advised to use Aloe Vera Gel in emulsions!

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I see questions about how to use Aloe Vera Gel in emulsions in every space online in which we discuss lotions, and I thought this topic needed its own post, so let’s take a moment to learn more about Aloe Vera, Aloe Vera Gel, and why I don’t suggest using the latter in emulsions. What...

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When lotions go wrong! (Updated 2023)

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A collage of diagrams demonstrating different ways a lotion can fail. The top image is of a successful lotion, with micelles containing yellow oil floating in a sea of blue water.

Original post shared 2009. Slowly updating it for 2023 with new information and diagrams. This is definitely a work in progress as there’s so much more to share!  At one time or another, we’ve all experienced epic lotion failure and asked ourselves what we did wrong. We call it separation, but do you know why...

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Q&A: Is Incroquat BTMS-50 a “true emulsifying wax”? Does it create less stable emulsions than e-wax?

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In this post – Creating a vanilla and cornsilk protecting and conditioning facial moisturizer (part eleven) – Using Incroquat BTMS-50 as the emulsifier, the formula – Olena asked, Hi! I recently read a comment in a Facebook group where an admin wrote that Incroquat BTMS-50 is not a true emulsifying wax compared to Polawax, Emulsifing...

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Tips & techniques: Waiting to package emulsions when they’re cooled – viscosity and contamination

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When can you judge the viscosity of your lotion after creating it? Well, that depends… When will an emulsion reach final viscosity?  In general, you can get kind of an idea when you’ve had it at room temperature for a few hours as all the butters, solid oils, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, solid esters, and...

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What do you want to make for presents this year? A 99% naturally compliant after shave lotion! Part five: A modified formula with emollients in the cool down phase.

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Welcome back to this series on making an after shave lotion. In yesterday’s post, we decided to use Montanov™ 202 as our emulsifier, which means we could make a 99% naturally compliant lotion, which is kinda cool, eh? In part two, we looked at our oil phase and the lovely emollients we could use. I’ve...

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