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Make Lotion from Scratch on Soap Queen TV

Filed Under: Lotion

Learn how to make handmade lotion in this throwback episode of Soap Queen TV filmed in 2010. After watching this video, you will have all the tools you need to make luxurious, moisturizing, and perfect lotion every time! Interested in creating your own lotion recipe from scratch? Check out this blog post to learn more about emulsifiers, lotion oils, preservatives, and how to use them.

First, lotion ingredient uses and benefits are reviewed. Then, learn to make lotion from start to finish. Labeling requirements are also covered if you plan on selling your product. A note on semantics: Anne-Marie uses the term sterilize which is technically incorrect. The term disinfect should be used when talking about cleaning tools for lotion making.

Want to make your very own lotion from scratch? Our Lotion Kit includes everything you need to handmade lotion.

Kit Includes:
Twelve 8 oz. Bottles
4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
4 oz. Avocado Oil
4 oz. Shea Butter
4 oz. Stearic Acid
4 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.5 oz. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
0.5 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
Printed Instructions
Printed Labels

LotionKit_700px

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147 Comments

  1. Hi there,

    I made this lotion today. I was very precise with the measurements. I substituted Mango butter for the Shea butter and I used Lavender essential oil. After 2 1/2 hours the lotion hadn’t thickened up much and a few hours after that I noticed it separated. I’m planning on reheating the batch for about 15 seconds or so and really mix it well. I used a hand mixer (on low) instead of a stick mixer. Is that why it didn’t blend well? and can I add a little more Stearic Acid to thicken it up? and if so, how much should I add?

    P.S. Love Bramble Berry/Soap Queen. I’ve learned alot about soap making and this is my first time making the lotion. I do love it, just have a few kinks to work out.

    Thanks a bunch,
    Giselle

    • Hi Giselle!

      I think the lotion needs a bit more mixing! With hand blenders, it can take several hours to emulsify the lotion – probably at least two. A stick blender emulsifies the batch in just a couple minutes. I would recommend that for your next batch. You can find those online, at a department store like Target, a kitchen supply store or a second hand store. 🙂

      Stick blender: https://www.brambleberry.com/White-Stick-Blender-Kitchenaid-P5604.aspx

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Thanks for the response Kelsey,

        I actually have already ordered a stick blender and hopefully the next batch will come out better. I did mix the lotion for what seemed like forever today, but using only one of the attachments (less air sucked into the mixture).

        I have another question though, can i add goats milk powder the the lotion?

        Thanks again
        Giselle

    • It feels amazing on the skin! I think you’ll love it. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  3. Hello. I am about to make this wider full lotion but I was wondering a few things.
    Could I substitute grape seed oil for avocado oil?
    Can I make this a face cream and add tee tree oil and lavender oil for acne for my 12 year old daughter?

  6. I want to make this recipe but it’s the stearic acid necessary or can I skip it.

    • Hi Shawn!

      Stearic acid is not completely necessary when making lotion, but it helps give it a thicker texture and acts as a co-emulsifier. If you’d like to remove it from this recipe you can, the texture of the lotion will just be a little bit thinner :). To compensate, you could increase the Emulsifying Wax a little. Even just an extra .2 ounces of the Emulsifying Wax will help thicken. I hope this helps Shawn, let me know if you have any more questions!

      -Amanda with Bramble Berry

  7. Hi, this is a great tutorial. I love your products also. I noticed that there are many lotion makers that advocate the heat and hold method, where your oils and water/emulsifier are separately heated and held at about 150 degrees for 20 minutes.
    I don’t understand why that’s necessary, especially if you use a fresh bottle of distilled water, and keep your oils and butters clean and sanitary. Also, I would think it’s going to make your oils go rancid faster to heat them for 20 minutes, when everywhere else you are told to keep them cool and out of the light.
    If you are planning to sell lotions someday (and I know there are other hoops I will need to jump through) is BB’s method considered acceptable for selling lotion?

  8. I followed the recipe and made some wonderful lotions. It feels great as I put it on. However, halfway through rubbing it in, it began to feel like water. Did I do something wrong?

    • Hi Anna!

      As you work the lotion into the skin, it will start to absorb and feel a bit more thin. Do you notice the lotion getting super watery and running on the skin? Let me know and we’ll get this figured out. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  9. Hello!

    I am hoping that you can help me trouble shoot something 🙂

    I am following Anne Marie’s lotion recipe above and I LOVE it! It makes my skin feel wonderful. The only problem is that the lotion is so thick that I can’t even squeeze it out of my bottles.

    Any idea what I could be doing wrong? If I added more water to thin it out I am worried that the feel of the lotion would be drastically altered- is that the case? Thank you so much for your help!

    • Hi Melanie!

      You can definitely add more water if you like! Adding more water creates a thinner consistency. The lotion will still feel amazing, it’s just a bit more thin. 🙂

      Right now, the lotion is at 73.7% in this recipe. (To find that number I found out the total weight of the recipe, 24.4, and divided the water amount, 18, by 24.4). You can go up to 80% with the water in this recipe. I would recommend making a small test batch with around 76% water. If you want it thinner, you can go up from there!

      Read more about lotion formulation in this post: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/

      Remember to increase the preservative amount in the recipe with the water! You want it to be .5-1% of the total weight of the recipe. 🙂

      Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Thank you SO much, Kelsey! I rally appreciate you taking the time to offer your expertise 🙂

        I am still struggling with converting the percentages into the ounces needed for the actual recipe. How can I figure out how many ounces of water I would use if I don’t know what the overall weight of the recipe will be? Is there any way you could help me with this ?

        Thank you again!

        • You’re welcome Melanie!

          Before converting the percentages to ounces, you will need to determine the weight of the recipe. Our weight is usually determined by how many bottles we’re planning to fill. For instance, if you’re filling two 8 oz. bottles, the total weight will be 16 ounces. Then, you can convert from there. 🙂

          This Soapy Math post has some great tips on how to convert those amounts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/math-soapers/

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  10. I’m having problems with my lotion. I am trying to use Lavender essential oil in my lotion along with apricot oil instead of avacado oil and 2 oz of aloe verá oil. However no matter which preservative I use (Optiphen ND, Phenonip), I am getting a strong chemical smell that is overpowering the Lavender. Can you help me understand what I might be doing wrong? I’ve tried adding more lavender and adding preservatives when the lotion is warmer and colder and no difference.

    • Hi Richard!

      I’m sorry about that! Can you tell me what ingredients are in your recipe? Also, how much lavender essential oil and preservative are you adding to the mix? I can help you troubleshoot. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • I’m using 16 oz distilled water, 2oz aloe vera, 1.7 oz almond oil, 1 oz apricot oil, 1 oz stearic acid palm, 1.2 oz emulsifying wax, 1.2 oz shea butter, .2oz optiphen, .2 oz french Lavender and Lavender matte oxide pigment.

        • Thanks so much for the recipe! How old are your oils? If they’ve gone bad, they can give off an unpleasant smell.

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

          • My Lavender oil, apricot oil and almond oil I have had the longest. I have had them for about 6 or 7 months now.

          • Thanks so much for that information! Typically, apricot kernel oil has a shelf life of about 6 months. I’m wondering if it has gone rancid. When that happens, it usually has an odd smell to it.

            It may sound a bit weird, but I would recommend sniffing each of the ingredients in your lotion. That way you can pinpoint if one of those is causing the chemical smell. If it’s one of the oils, you can try getting a new version, or trying a different oil. This post talks more about what oils you can add to your recipe: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/

            It may also help to let your lotion sit for a couple of days. When it’s first made, the fresh oils and emulsifiers can be quite strong. As it sits, those smells should go away and the lavender should shine through. You can also add up to .4 oz. of lavender essential oil to your recipe, according to our Fragrance Calculator. 🙂

            Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx

            -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  12. Hi,
    I want to make a sunscreen lotion with zinc oxide (spf 15). I was wondering if you would tell me how to achieve that.

    • Hi there!

      Zinc oxide is thought to have UV properties and can be added to lotion. You can add about 1 tsp. of zinc oxide per pound of lotion. To help it mix in smoothly, I would recommend mixing it with your fragrance oil beforehand, then pouring the mixture into the lotion. That will help prevent clumping. Zinc oxide is a bit heavier, so it may sink in the lotion. Make sure to mix well before each use!

      To qualify as a sunscreen, your recipe will need to be tested and regulated by the FDA. To learn how to do that, you can check out their website: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm258416.htm

      Zinc oxide is thought to have UV protection, but to call your product a lotion and find out the SPF level, you will need to get it tested by the FDA.

      Hope that helps. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  13. Hi,

    I would like to add pantheon and aloe vera gel. Can you assist with the usage? Also, since some fragrances can cause unintented consequences, is there a way to identify which Eos or FOs have this potential?

    Thanks!

  14. Good Morning!

    I made this lotion, and I substituted olive oil for avocado oil, the first 2 days this lotion looked and felt nice and thick. Day 3 it developed a sort of “whipped” consistency, still works good but I don’t love that consistency, do you think it’s the olive oil that did it? Maybe that was not a good sub for the avocado? I don’t imagine it’s possible to over-whip this, I probably blended for 3 minutes w/ stick blender. Let me know what you think.

    I’m just a newbie, so thanks for any input you have!

    Thanks,
    Tracy Grace

    • Hi Tracy!

      Hmm, I’m not exactly sure why that’s happening! Olive oil works just great in lotion, so I don’t think that is causing the odd texture. Does it look like the lotion is separating at all? Where are you storing the lotion? Did you notice any foam or bubbles when you poured it? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Kelsey,

        Yes, it was a bit bubbly, and a slight foam after it cooled. No separation. I also was able to fill like 1 (8) oz jar and I think 4 (4) oz jars and 2 small Tupperware containers, which is why I thought maybe I whipped it too much.

        Thanks 😄 I want to get his perfect!

        Tracy

        • Thanks so much Tracy, that really helps me out! 🙂

          I’m wondering if extra air is getting into the lotion as it’s being whipped. That air can make the lotion bubbly, and also create a slightly foamy texture.

          That extra air can get in there several ways. For instance, if your stick blender head isn’t fully submerged, it can pull air in. We recommend using a tall container so the head of the blender is covered by lotion. Also, make sure to tap the stick blender on the bottom of your bowl before pulsing to release any air trapped underneath. It can also be that the stick blender isn’t working too well. If that’s the case, you may contact the manufacturer to find out about warranty options!

          As for the lotion now, you can try and make that texture a bit more smooth. I would recommend remelting the lotion gently (make sure it’s no hotter than 130F or the preservative can degrade). Then, you can gently stick blend that lotion for another 1-2 minutes to get it fully emulsified and smooth. 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  15. Could I use avocado butter or mango butter in this recipe? Would it feel the same? I LOVE this lotion but am out of Shea butter.
    Ok, this prompts a question, I do have refined Shea butter from Whole Foods that is a hard Shea butter, unlike what I get from Brambleberry, would this be ok to use or do I have to heat it? Please advise.

  16. What is the expiration date for this recipe (and what does that mean)? What are the guidelines for this or where can I find this info?

  17. I have been filling my lotion bottles while the mixture is still pretty hot (about 135 or so) and never had seperation problems. I just had a fellow lotion maker tell me that I need to stir the mixture (after blending) until it’s room temp before filling my bottles in order for the lotion to remain stable. Have you found this to be the case? I use Optiphen if that makes any difference.

    Thanks

    • Hi TeDi!

      We typically pour our lotion when it’s on the warmer side! To ensure your lotion stays together, make sure to stick blend well. What I like to do is stick blend, then let the lotion sit for 5 minutes. If the lotion starts to separate, blend for another 1-2 minutes. That should keep it emulsified, even at higher temperatures!

      You may want to give both methods a try. How you make cosmetics is definitely personal preference. If you find the room temperature method works well, you can definitely use that one. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Hi Sofia!

      We haven’t tried adding honey to lotion, so I’m not entirely sure! I believe honey is water soluble, so you’ll want to add it to your heated up water and stir before adding the oils. Also, you may want to use it on the lower end (like 1%-3%) so your lotion doesn’t have a sticky feeling. A small test batch would be really helpful. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  19. I’ve made many batches of this lotion and have always been successful up until yesterday! I made four(4) different batches using the same recipe and method! ONE of the four batches separated on me! The only difference between that batch and the others was the FRAGRANCE OIL USED! Is it possible that the fragrance oil is the culprit? Is there anything I can do to fix this, as I really do like the fragrance! Thanks!

    • Hi Kathy!

      Because that one batch was the only one acting up, I’m thinking it may be the fragrance oil. Certain fragrance oils can do some weird things in lotion, and I’m thinking that may be one of them.

      I would recommend making another small test batch with that fragrance and seeing if the same thing happens. If so, it may just not like lotion and a different fragrance may be a better option.

      As for the batch now, I would recommend stick blending for another couple minutes. It may just be that the fragrance needs a bit more blending than the others. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  20. I’ve finally succeeded in making lotion from scratch! Yay!
    The first time I tried it failed, and ended up separating and had pools of oils everywhere. It also smelled terrible, not quite sure how that happened. I tried again today, and succeeded! I used cocoa butter and cinnamon bark essential oil to scent it, and it is really great! It worked! I’m super pleased right now 🙂 This site has been super helpful to learn about making lotion! Thanks so much!
    -Cadence

    • Hi Cadence!

      That’s awesome, congratulations! I love the way handmade lotion feels. Also, happy to help. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  21. Hello,

    Thank you for the video. Where can I purchase the stick bender, balance scale and Thermometer that you used in this video? Thank you.

  22. Hello There,

    I’m afraid I’ve tried this three times and failed!

    It emulsifies perfectly and then when the Phenonip is added it splits slightly but comes back together. The instant the fragrance is added it splits and will NOT come back.

    I’m using a Parma Violet fragrance. Is that the problem. Too much of it or just that only essential oils can be used?

    One of my earlier disasters came with using a coloured dye in the water. That seemed to have killed it too.

    Most diappointed in myself as it looks great to that point.

    Please advise if you can.

    Best WIshes, Mike in London

    • Hi Mike!

      I’m so sorry to hear that! It sounds like the fragrance may be the culprit. I would recommend making a small test batch without the fragrance to see if it still wants to separate on you. 🙂

      After you add the fragrance and preservative, you can stick blend for a couple more minutes! That will ensure everything mixes in well and that lotion is emulsified.

      I know it can be a bit disappointing, but don’t give up just yet! Making that lotion without fragrance will help you narrow down what’s happening, and get you one step closer to making luxurious handmade lotion. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  23. Hi Kelsey.
    I have been making the kissably soft lotion recipe with great results ( it won’t let me comment on that page sorry )
    I have two questions about lotions.
    1- can I make larger batches by simply doubling the recipe?
    2- is there any product I can use that would have a shimmering effect on the skin?
    Thanks!

  24. I would like to make this but I would like to replace the water with aloe very juice and want it to be the same consistency of the aloe lotion base. I noticed that with all of the recipes with aloe very juice that optiphen was the preservative and not phenonip. Is their a specific reason why?

  25. I purchased the lotion kit from the brambleberry website that includes the “How to Make Lotion” PDF booklet. In the instructions for creating personalized lotion recipes it suggests adding things like glycerin, aloe vera gel, liquid silk, and Vitamin E. Are the percentages added in addition to the oil and butters or subtracted from them? For example, if I wanted to add one of these would by total be 100% regular recipe ingredients + 2% preservative and FO + 2% say aloe vera gel = 104%?

    Thanks for the help!!!

  26. Hello,
    What is the temperature of the water and the oils when you were just about to mix them? Should they be at the same temperature when attempting the emulsification?

    What do you think about the “heat and hold” method when making hydrous products for 20 minutes? Some say that it helps in emulsification and helps avoid separation of the waters and oils. Have you tried this? Just wondered. thanks

    • Hi Faith!

      Your oils and water should be between 150 – 160°F. You want them hotter so the water won’t start to solidify the waxes in your mixture. 🙂

      Heating and holding your ingredients is an optional step you can do if you’d like. Some people do that method to kill any bacteria or microbes. We’ve found disinfecting the equipment beforehand works well for us, but you can do that step to be extra careful!

      What you do is you heat your water and your oils (separately) to 160F and hold them at that temperature for 20 minutes (do not include your preservative or fragrance in this process). You will need a double boiler or a water jacket tureen. Then, make your lotion. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  27. Hi, love this recipe! Just wondering if I could add my favorite perfume instead of the essential/fragrance oil? Thank you.

  28. I made this yesterday, my first lotion attempt. The first time it was great! I felt it was a little too thick and a little greasy do my second attempt I added one more ounce of water and then added 2 tsp. of tapioca powder to the hot water before adding it to the oil and wax. First, the powder didn’t play well with the water, there were some lumps and a bit sticking on the sides. I added it anyway to see what would happen. Well, the lotion never thickened and it got sort of foamy on top no matter how much I stick blended. Finally I just called it an epic fail and chucked it. So how/when do you add tapioca to a lotion and how much?

    • Hi Michelle!

      Oh no! I’m sorry that lotion didn’t thicken up. We’ve found the best time to add it is when you add the preservative and fragrance oil. It also helps to mix the tapioca powder with the fragrance oil. Add it directly to your fragrance or essential oil, mix well and add it to the lotion. Then, stick blend until it’s fully emulsified. You can see that in the Fresh Face Oil Free Lavender Lotion tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/oil-free-lavender-face-lotion/

      We recommend adding about 1 tsp. per pound of lotion. That helps your lotion glide on smoothly and cut down some of the grease. 🙂

      Tapioca powder: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tapioca-Powder-P3803.aspx

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Hello,

      I made the lotion that was shown on the How to make lotion from scratch video. What adjustments do I need to make if I want it a bit thicker. I added more emulsifying wax and got the texture that I wanted but now the lotion doesn’t glide after applying to the skin and it seems like I have to rub it hard in order for my skin to absorb it. Also do you have a recipe for a basic thick lotion. Thanks.

    • Hello,

      Is there a recommended usage rate for Glycerin and if so when should I add it to the recipe? I’m making it from the lotion from scratch video, thanks.

  29. Hi
    I’m really looking forward to making this – my plan is to develop an insect repellent which can spray on so I will need to add more water, at what stage should I add more water? Also would I be able to replace the sweet almond oil with wheatgerm oil do you think? Or perhaps go halvers with the sweet almond oil to prevent the smell of the wheatgerm being too strong? And is Vitamin E an OK preservative to use?
    Thank you! 🙂

    • Hi Eugenie!

      To make the lotion thin enough to spray, I would recommend adding more water. To get the perfect consistency, you may have to do a bit of experimenting to get the perfect texture. Also, we didn’t use wheatgerm oil in this recipe, so I’m not entirely sure! I believe that would be OK! That would be another benefit to making test batches – you can try different amounts of oil and see if the smell is too strong. 🙂

      Also, vitamin E oil a wonderful anti-oxidant, but it isn’t considered a preservative because it has no antimicrobial properties to it. That means it won’t prevent mold and bacteria growth. We recommend using Phenonip or another preservative like Optiphen in this recipe. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  30. I love this lotion recipe… I do have a question about it though I fallowed the recipe the way you have it and put it in bottles but after is sat it got very thick and hard to get out of my bottles almost like a thick body cream or body butter rather then a lotion… Is there a way to use this recipe but thin it out just a bit? I didn’t know if I could add something or reduce something to get it to a more fluid consistency with out changing the quality… One thing I love and my customers love it it doesn’t leave a greasy feel like other name brand lotions.

    • Hi Steve!

      So glad you love the recipe! If it’s a little to thick for your preference, you can add more water to thin it out. I would recommend starting out with an extra couple of ounces. Also, a small test batch may be helpful because it can help you get the perfect consistency!

      Just remember, if you increase your water, you need to increase the preservative as well. You want the Phenonip to be .5-1% of your total recipe. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/

  31. Hi!
    I just made this lotion and it’s AMAZING!!! If I wanted to add colloidal oatmeal to it, would I need to change the recipe?

    • Hi Brandi!

      Yay, so glad you enjoy the recipe! Collodial oatmeal is considered an additive, so you wouldn’t have the change the recipe. It adds some moisturization and soothing properties to your lotion. 🙂

      You can add about 1 tsp. of oatmeal per pound of lotion. I would recommend adding that oatmeal to your oils, or right before stick blending. That way it mixes in well and doesn’t clump!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      Collodial oatmeal: https://www.brambleberry.com/Colloidal-Oatmeal-P5565.aspx

  32. I am so excited finding this clear and well explained video, it has inspired me more (was getting skeptical) for my new social venture of making natural skincare and hair range especially soaps, body creams and lotions with primary focus on helping manage different skin conditions working neem and other healing natural African oil.
    I hope to get it all here and hope to get all the guide

  33. I purchased you lotion kit and I have a recipe for lotion with out preservatives. How much preservatives would I add to the following recipe. I love the recipe but I can’t risk mold growing.
    • ¼ cup shea buter, ¼ cup mango butter
    • ¼ cup almond oil, ½ cup coconut oil
    • 2 oz beeswax
    • 1 tbsp jojoba oil, 1 tbsp castor oil
    • 1 tbsp lecithin, Vitamin E
    Water Group:
    • ½ cup rose hydrosol
    • ½ cup Aloe Whole leaf Gel
    • 1 tbsp Witch hazel
    • 10 drops neroli
    • 10 drops sandalwood

  34. Hi,

    I would like to substitute the oils and have instead Shea Butter, Safflower Oil, Meadowfoam Oil.

    Would this affect the amount of phenonip and emulsifying fax? Do you sell meadowfoam oil and safflower oil.

    Thanks,

    Charity

    • Hi Charity!

      You can definitely add safflower oil and meadowfoam oil if you like! Because they are lightweight liquid oils, they can be used in place of the avocado and sweet almond oil. You can also decrease the amount of those oils and substitute with meadowfoam and safflower. We also meadowfoam oil and shea butter. 🙂

      Meadowfoam oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Meadowfoam-Oil–P4978.aspx

      Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx

      Although safflower and meadowfoam oil have similar consistencies to the other liquid oils, they will change the texture slightly. I would recommend making a small test batch to see if you like the texture. 🙂

      Also, as long as the recipe is the same size, you can use the same amount of Phenonip and emulsifying wax. You want your emulsifying wax to be at 3-6% in your recipe, and the preservative to be at .5-1%. You can read more in the Lotion From Scratch post: http://teachsoap.com/2013/03/27/lotion-from-scratch-2/

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  35. Hi!
    I made this according to the recipe and love it! But after about a week I noticed it seemed a little grainy like maybe the shea butter was solidifying? My house stays cool….around 65 degrees. As soon as I rub it in the teeny lumps melt. Has anyone else had this problem? How can I avoid it?

    • Hi Rebekah!

      Shea butter is a little persnickety and can get grainy if it is heated up too much. To prevent this, melt your waxes and oils in the microwave. Then, remove the hot oils from the microwave, add the shea butter and stir well. That method heats it gently and helps prevent graininess. 🙂

      With your lotion now, it may help to heat it very gently in the microwave on 30-second bursts for just about a minute or two. Then, stick blend the mixture. That may help remove the graininess. If not, the lotion is still totally fine to use!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Thanks Kelsey,
        That is the method I used to melt my shea butter. I will try heating the lotion and blending it again. Thanks for your reply.
        Rebekah

        • Hi Rebekah!

          You’re welcome! Tempering your shea butter can also prevent graininess. To temper your butter, melt it fully and then pour into a container. Put it into the fridge or freezer to cool very quickly. When it’s fully cooled, take it out and store in a cool dark place. This should eliminate the grains you’re finding in your products. 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  36. Can some of the water be replaced with goat’s milk. If so, what should be the percentage of water and goat milk, and does this affect the amount of preservative or oil used?

    • Hi Adonech!

      You can replace some of the water if you like! You can keep the same preservative amount for this recipe. Keep in mind, adding the goat milk will shorten the shelf life of the lotion, even with a preservative. If you’re using 100% goat milk in your recipe the lotion will last about 6 weeks, maybe a little longer in the fridge. However, if you’re only using 10% goat milk in your lotion recipe it will probably last about 6-9 months.

      Hope that helps! 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Hey!
        What if I did half water Half milk? Would I keep the same amount of preservative and would this work for any lotion recipe? My mom purchases goat milk lotion and they said it would last one year. I’m trying to figure out how they can get it to last so long with the milk any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

  37. Hey Kelsey,

    I have been using Peach Fragrance Oil from a local supplier. Do you think the Fragrance may be the culprit? I re-used that fragrance oil in the batch with 17oz of water and that lotion is holding really well. I am thinking the water content needs to cut back…but let me know your thoughts.

    • Hi Lizzy!

      Some fragrance oils can be tricky in lotion. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer to find out more.

      Also, if using less water worked better for you I would definitely recommend trying that again! That may help the lotion stay together. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  38. Hi Anne-Marie/Brambleberry, I have bought the lotion kit and made this lotion exactly as the recipe stated, with the exact type and quantity of ingredients. The lotion is super nice! However I’ve noticed after some times, lets say a couple of months, one of my earlier batches started to separate, in that i started to see a watery-looking layer starting to form at the bottom of my lotion bottles, and the lotion sort-of “floating” on it. This week I tried the recipe again, and did the exact same ingredients and quantities and the lotion was very runny, not thickening. I left it for a while to find the same separation happening, this time not in months, but in hours. I am selling this lotion and cant afford this to happen to my customers! I noticed too that I had a lot of air bubbles in the mixture this week…..I put the exact 1.2oz of emulsifier from BB in the lotion, and I am not sure why its separating, if not right away, then why is it separating months later? Am i doing something wrong? Please Help!

    • Hi Lizzy!

      It sounds like your lotion may need a bit more stick blending. It can take a good amount to get it to fully emulsify. I would recommend pouring your lotion into a bowl and stick blending for another 5 minutes or so.

      A trick I like to use is to walk away from the bowl for 5 minutes. If the lotion starts to separate in that time, stick blend it some more until it stays together. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Hi Kesley, Thanks for replying! That batch of lotion that separated, I’ve put it aside covered under plastic wrap on my table. I haven’t touched it since about 2 days ago. It has separated a great deal over those 2 days. Would it be possible to go back and stick blend this batch of lotion, even though it was made 2 days ago? If the lotion starts to emulsify now…would it separate again later on? Can the water content be the culprit? I put the 18oz as the recipe recommended….has anyone else ever encountered this?

        • Hi Lizzy!

          You can definitely stick blend the lotion now. It may also help to heat that lotion up slightly to help it mix a little better. Just make sure the lotion doesn’t get hotter than 140F so the preservative is still effective. The combination of gentle heat and stick blending should help it stick together. 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

          • Hi Kelsey, I’ve stick-blended the lotion after letting it sit for 2-3 days. It did start tot thicken a bit during the blending process. I let it sit for a while overnight and to my dismay the lotion started to separate again this morning. it seems the solution did not work. Can the water content be the culprit? I made another batch an insteaad of putting 18oz of water, I put 17oz and the lotion thickened like “jello”, to a really good consistency. Please let me know if there is anyhting else I can do to that batch of deflated lotion.

          • Hi Lizzy!

            Hmm, that’s strange! We haven’t experienced any separation with this lotion. What fragrance oil are you using? Sometimes fragrance oils are harder to incorporate than others.

            -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  39. Dear Soapqueen,

    Is the stearic acid in this recipe added for the purpose of an (co) emulsifier or a thickener?

    With kind regards,
    Annemieke

    • Hi Annemieke!

      The stearic acid acts as a thickener in this recipe. It also adds some great fluffiness to your lotion. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Hi Kelsey,

        I made it this weekend. It is a wonderful recipe, much nicer than the other recipes I made. I did not know that the stearic acid created fluffiness, thanks for the advice.

        With kind regards,
        Annemieke

        • You’re very welcome Annemieke! So glad you like the lotion. 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  40. question
    I’m new to this lotion and soap making but if i dont have phenonip on hand can i use germall plus with this same formula?

    • Hi Sky!

      I’m not entirely sure! We haven’t done a lot of testing with that preservative. You may want to make a small test batch to be sure. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  41. I have been making goat milk lotion for a few months and I use germaben ll
    as my preservative. So far, everything has gone well with my recipe. My question is, what is the shelf life of gm lotion with a preservative added?

    • Hi Tracy!

      Typically, soap with a preservative added should last about a year or so. However, because it has goat milk in it, that shelf life will be shorter. We typically don’t add goat milk to lotion, so I’m not exactly sure what the shelf life will be! I imagine it will last a couple of months, longer if it’s stored in the refrigerator before using or giving away. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  42. Hi, Im starting a business at school with some friends and one friend really wants to do lotions (which I agree with)so do you have any advice for us? I know carrier oils are good for the skin (not olive oil though) but I really need advice. We’re really excited to order from BrambleBerry once we have enough money to pay for the stuff. I’m new in soap making (really new, haven’t made anything yet) but I love your videos and I have watched a LOT of them. Any advice for me on that? Im saving water bottles for soap molds until we can afford some.

  43. Can I just add fragrance oil without the essential oil? If so do I still use 1 oz? Or 2oz to take the place of EO ? Thank you!

  44. The recipe listed above is larger quantity can you tell me how much water to use it’s a bit different recipe than the video as far as percentages of each ingredient. Thanks.

  46. If I choose to use optiphen in place of phenonip will I still only use 1 oz.? Should I expect any changes by altering this one ingredient?

  47. Hi Ann- Marie,

    I substituted Sweet almond oil for grape seed and I accidentally used bees wax instead of emulsifying wax, can I remelt. It and still use it?

    • Hi Donetra!

      Emulsifying wax ensures that the oils and water mix together to form lotion. Beeswax does not do that, meaning your lotion will separate.

      I would recommend trying that recipe again with emulsifying wax. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  48. I have BUBBLES from the stick blender. I followed the recipe to make 4 6-oz bottles…and I probably have 2x that amount. It is probably all air and will be gone tomorrow….but what if it isn’t? Do I need to switch to a handheld mixer? IF the air leaves tomorrow, and my bottles will then be 1/2 full, can I heat it up to fill up the rest of the bottle?

    • Hi April!

      It sounds like there is some extra air in that recipe. You may try pouring your lotion back into a container and gently folding it. That may help get rid of some of those air bubbles.

      To prevent extra air in the future, make sure your stick blender is fully immersed in your lotion. Also, tap that stick blender on the bottom of your bowl to get rid of the air trapped underneath. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      • Hi Kelsey,

        What do you mean: Gently Folding it? I am new to this recipe and I am about to start making it but I have never heard what you mentioned above.

        Thanks

        • Hi Cheryl!

          I just noticed I missed this comment. I’m so sorry for the late reply.

          Folding is a gentle stirring technique. It involves scraping around the edge of the bowl with your dominant hand while turning the bowl with your non-dominant hand. Then, gently “cut” through the mixture with the spatula and repeat the process. We use a similar technique to mix our Whipped Body Butter (around 2:28): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhdUrBTrvsI

          Hope that helps! 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  49. Hi,
    I have read in a lotion making book, that the water and oils should be heated and held for 20 minutes. Do you find this to be true? I have not been brave enough yet to make lotion for fear that something will grow in it. And the book I read turned me off from making lotions because of all the many steps involved. This seems way easier than the book I read. Also do we have to challenge test before selling any type of water based lotions?

    • Hi Paula!

      The heat and hold technique is an extra, optional step to really ensure that there are no icky things in your ingredients. You can do it with this recipe if you’d like, or you can just disinfect with the bleach water.

      What you do is you heat your water and your oils (separately) to 160F and hold them at that temperature for 20 minutes (do not include your preservative or fragrance in this process). You will need a double boiler or a water jacket tureen. Then, make your lotion like normal.

      Also, we have done the testing to make sure that our lotion is protected from bacteria if you follow the recipe in the video. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

      Phenonip: https://www.brambleberry.com/Phenonip-P4038.aspx

  50. Hi All,

    I used this recipe but used optiphen plus as the preservative. I waited until it was 120 degrees to add it. The lotion was well blended and thick until I added the preservative. Now it’s a watery consistency and has not thickened again. I saw in a different post that optiphen plus needs to have all the oils etc under 100 degrees to work. My question is this: can I still use the concoction like this or do I need to throw it out?

    Thanks so much, Cindi

    • Hi Cindi!

      You can definitely still use it. It sounds like it just needs to be stick blended a little longer. It can take up to 15 minutes of stick blending to get your mixture thick and creamy. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  51. Thanks Ann-Marie…I haven’t made this recipe but I did the kissably soft one and love it. Although I find I have to mix it for 10-15 min to make sure it stays together. When I’ve only just mixed it, I find its runny. Is it maybe that I’m heating the oils too high?

    Thanks, Karen

    • Hi Karen!

      Lotion can definitely take awhile to emulsify, even if your oils are cooler. It sounds like you’re doing it just right, it’s just a little bit of a wait. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  52. This is by far the best lotion recipe. I have tried others and also varying the ingredients but always come back to this. My customers love it.

  53. Thanks for doing a lotion video! I’ve done a body butter but haven’t ventured to the lotion. I now feel confident I can do it!
    Thank you!!!!! 🙂