The tutorials and promotions continue today with this light and fresh Rose Water Lotion. This a simple lotion recipe that is great for beginner lotion makers. We didn’t add any additional color or fragrance to it so the natural aroma of the rose water can really shine. This recipe also features Chamomile Extract, which is known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to soothe irritated skin.
What You’ll Need:
11.7 oz. distilled water
4.8 oz. Rose Water
2.7 oz. Sunflower Oil
1.2 oz. Apricot Kernel Oil
1.2 oz. BTMS-50
.2 oz. Sodium Lactate
.3 oz. Chamomile Extract
.9 oz. Glycerin
.4 oz. DL Panthenol
.2 oz Otiphen
Three 8 oz. Bottles with Pump Top
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
EQUIPMENT PREP: Disinfect your utensils by dipping them in a 5% bleach water solution and allowing to dry. This includes mixing containers, your stick blender, and any spoons or spatulas that may come in contact with your lotion. Your products must be absolutely 100% free of germs, bacteria, microbes or anything so be safe and bleach water all your utensils.
ONE: Combine the distilled water, Sodium Lactate and Glycerin in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir to combine and then set aside.
TWO: In a second container, combine the Sunflower and Apricot Kernel Oils with the BTMS-50. Don’t worry about melting the BTMS-50 beforehand. Stir to combine and then set aside.
THREE: In a third container, combine the Rose Water, Chamomile Extract, DL-Panthenol and Optiphen. The oils and water won’t mix together in this stage, so don’t worry when they don’t combine. Set aside.
Each “phase” should be in its own container at this point.
FOUR: Heat the first and second containers with the oils and the distilled water in the microwave on 1 minute bursts until both reach between 150 – 160°F. Do NOT microwave the container with the Rose Water and Optiphen.
FIVE: When the oil and distilled water containers have reached the correct temperate, add the oils to the water and stir continually.
SIX: Once everything is combined, blend the mixture for 60 – 90 seconds, making sure the oil and water phases are fully emulsified. Be careful to “burp” your stick blender by tamping it on the bottom of the container to release bubbles — you don’t want bubbles trapped in your lotion! Continue to mix until the lotion drops below 120 degrees F.
SEVEN: When the mixture is 120°F or below, add the rose water & preservative mixture.
EIGHT: Break out the stick blender again and mix for another 60 – 90 seconds. This isn’t a very thick lotion, and at this point it will be slightly thicker than water.
NINE: When the lotion drops below 110 degrees F, pour it into bottles. Let the bottles sit overnight without a cap (otherwise condensation can form inside the bottle).
Your rose water lotion is ready to use!
Thanks for this!
You’re welcome! Enjoy Fiona. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi 🙂
Is it possible to get the percentage of this recipe please ?
Thank you very much
Phanie
Hi Phanie!
Here are the percentages :). I hope this helps!
11.7 oz. distilled water=49.5%
4.8 oz. Rose Water=20.3%
2.7 oz. Sunflower Oil=11.4%
1.2 oz. Apricot Kernel Oil=5%
1.2 oz. BTMS-50=5%
.2 oz. Sodium Lactate=.8%
.3 oz. Chamomile Extract=1.3%
.9 oz. Glycerin=3.8%
.4 oz. DL Panthenol=1.7%
.2 oz Optiphen=.8%
I hope this helps! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I have never made a lotion before but would really like to try. This recipe looks like a good place to start but I am confused about the Optiphen. I looked it up in this tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/perfectly-preserved/ which says that Optiphen is for oil based recipes where there is no water and Optiphen ND is for water based recipes. Is this not a water based recipe? Why not use the Optiphen ND?
Hi Deborah!
That’s a great question! We have found that Optiphen works well for scrubs with oil in them, and Optiphen ND works well for water-based products like toners. Lotion is a hybrid of both oil and water products. We have used Optiphen frequently in lotion and found it works well! You can also use Phenonip in lotions. 🙂
Read more in this post about preservatives: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is there a lotion calculator (like the soap one). Can you just decrease h2o to get thicker lotion or would adding more sodium lactate be better? Will adding cocoa butter make it thicker? How do you get a thick cream instead of thin lotion?
Thank You for having a helpful website:-)
Do you have to add vanilla color stabilizer to fragrance oil in lotion or just in CP soap?
Hi Kathleen!
There are several things you can do to make your lotion thicker! First of all, you can add less water. Typically, water is added at 70-80%, so you can add it on the lower end.
Stearic acid also helps make a thick, fluffy lotion. You can add that at 3-5% in your lotion: https://www.brambleberry.com/Stearic-Acid-by-weight-P4210.aspx
You can also use cocoa butter! That helps thicken it as well. I would recommend keeping that around 1-2% so your lotion does get too thick. 🙂
We don’t have a lotion calculator, but we do have a post on how to formulate lotion recipes! It goes over all the components that go into lotion and is really helpful: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
You may also like body butter! Body butter contains no water, so it’s really thick and moisturizing. Learn how to make it in this video: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-make-whipped-body-butter-on-soap-queen-tv/
As for vanilla discoloration in lotion, it is a bit unpredictable! Sometimes fragrances with vanilla can discolor the lotion, and sometimes they don’t. You can add Vanilla Color Stabilizer if you like, but that may not prevent the discoloration fully. To be on the safe side, I would recommend using a vanilla-free fragrance oil. 🙂
Clear and vanilla free fragrances: https://www.brambleberry.com/Clear-Vanilla-Free-C491.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Vanilla Color Stabilizer: https://www.brambleberry.com/Vanilla-Color-Stabilizer-P4156.aspx
What about heat and hold. Seems this step is omitted in all your tutorials and from what I’ve learned is a very important step to successful lotion making. Just curious is all? Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Hi Robin!
Heating and holding your ingredients is an optional step you can do if you’d like! It can help stabilize the lotion and help prevent any separation.
For that method, 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!
We have found this recipe works with and without heating and holding. We tested it multiple times to ensure everything stays together nicely. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This is a great, soothing recipe that has a smooth but not greasy consistency. I skipped the chamomile extract and increased the glycerin and used E-wax instead of BTMS as I had neither on hand, and it worked out well. I added a wee bit of BB Exotic Musk FO (that I received as a sample) and it gave a nice bit of depth and cut the floral a bit. I’m going to try this again using orange blossom water for the rose water and adding a bit of patchouli.
So glad you like this recipe Amber! The mixture of musk and floral sounds like an amazing scent combination, I’m definitely going to give that a try. Also, let us know how the orange blossom water works out! Sounds like a fun addition. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Exotic Musk Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Exotic-Musk-Fragrance-Oil-P5518.aspx
Kelsey,
I really want to make this lotion but don’t want the rose smell. Can I substitute the rose water with something else and add in another fragrance?
Thanks!
Farheen
Hi Farheen!
Absolutely! You can increase the distilled water in the recipe, or add aloe vera liquid in place of the rose water. The lotion will still feel great, but won’t have that rose smell. 🙂
You can add whatever fragrance you like to the lotion as well! You can use our Fragrance Calculator to find out how much to add: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Aloe vera liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
What are the benefits of water lotion? What makes them different from regular lotion? Am I missing out on something ;D? No seriously, Am I? I don’t like missing out on things! 😮
Or is this just “Rose Water” REGULAR lotion. I have just confused myself 😮
Hi Emmeline!
Lotion is typically made with distilled water. However, we used rose water in place of regular water. It adds a subtle rose scent to the lotion, and is also great from a marketing perspective. Who wouldn’t want to moisturize with roses? 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Rose water: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Water-P3840.aspx
sometime I wish you would do a lotion recipe dedicated for babies!
Thanks so much for your suggestion Robin! That’s a great idea that we’ll definitely keep in mind for future tutorials. 🙂
This recipe is unscented and has a lot of skin-loving ingredients. It would work great for babies. You may also like this Baby Massage Oil recipe: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/baby-massage-oil-video/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I love this recipe 🙂
What could you use instead of the BTMS-50?
Thanks, Cadence 🙂
So glad you love the recipe! We used BTMS-50 because we love the conditioning properties it adds to the lotion. Instead, you can use emulsifying wax. You can add that at 3-6% of your recipe. 🙂
Emulsifying wax: https://www.brambleberry.com/Emulsifying-Wax-P4896.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hi is it ok if do not add DL-Panthenol and BTMS-50 thank you
Hi Clara!
We love adding DL-Panthenol because it adds conditioning properties to the lotion. However, it is optional and you can leave it out!
However, BTMS-50 is necessary in this recipe. BTMS-50 helps emulsify the oil and water, giving you a smooth lotion consistency. If it is left out, the oil and water will not mix and your lotion will separate.
Hope that helps! The Make Lotion From Scratch video on Soap Queen TV talks more about each ingredient in lotion and what it’s used for: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/make-lotion-scratch-soap-queen-tv/
That may be helpful for you as well! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! Can you add rose water to your aloe lotion base? I would love to make this but am just not sure about making it from scratch 🙂
Thanks, Cadence.
Hi Cadence!
Adding rose water to this lotion can be tricky. The aloe base now has the correct ratio of oils, water, and waxes used to emulsify the oil and water. If you add extra water, it may not incorporate fully and can separate, leaving you with watery pools in your lotion. No fun!
The great news is our Aloe Lotion Base feels amazing on its own. It’s very creamy. 🙂
Aloe Lotion Base: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Lotion-Base-P5584.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
Love this lotion recipe!
Just a quick question, can I use other preservatives e.g. phenoxyethanol instead of otiphen?
Thankyou
Hi Issy!
So glad you love this lotion recipe! We didn’t test it with phenoxyethanol, so I’m not entirely sure. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer. A small test batch may be helpful too. 🙂
Also, Phenonip would work in this recipe! You can use it at .5-1% of your recipe. 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
Can I replace distilled water with aloe vera liquid ?
Hi Monica!
Absolutely! That would add some extra moisturizing properties to your soap. 🙂
I would recommend substituting the exact same amount of aloe vera liquid for the distilled water. Also, make sure to include the preservative. Aloe vera liquid is considered a water substitute and needs a preservative to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Aloe vera liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, if I wish to make this very rose lotion, but with SPF, can I add zinc oxide to it? if so, how much, and at what stage should it be added?
BTW this will be my first attempt at lotions….
Thanks!
Hi Homaida!
For additives, we recommend adding about 1 tsp. per pound of oils.
However, in order to ensure it will protect you from the sun, your product needs to be tested in a lab. Also, if you plan to sell your lotion, the FDA considers it a drug and regulates it. That may be a bigger can of worms than you’re willing to open!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
If I want to achieve more of a body butter consistency…what would I change? I subbed the BTMS with a regular emulsifying wax and completely omitted the sodium lactate (just ran out!) the first go round and it came out perfect. Just wanting to play with this and thicken it up.
Oh…and I added a little bit of your Dark Rich Chocolate FO. OMGosh! Perfect!
Hi there!
Ohh, that Rich Dark Chocolate Fragrance Oil is so yummy smelling, I bet it would be amazing in a lotion or butter :). If you want a thicker consistency, you could try reducing the amount of water. That will help to thicken it up!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi, so sorry but the amounts are confusing me. In the comment you said 2oz for optiphen, however the ingredients say .2. So are all the rest excluding the points as well? Eg 117 Distilled water, 48oz Rose water, etc.
TIA
Hi Grace!
Thanks for the eagle eye! It looks like I forgot to add the decimal in my previous comment, which could certainly cause some confusion! The recipe is correct 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Dear amanda
maybe I will substitute sunflower oil with rice bran oil, it has the same thicken. I love sunflower oil, it’s cheap and effective but the short shelf life. And I have a question that make me so confused. You say the shelf life of handmade stuff depend on the ingredient with shortest shelf life.
But I have seen many commercial cosmetic that use oil,butter in their ingredients, and the out of date is often 3 years. I have a foaming facial cleanser that including sunflower oil and almond oil with the out of date is 3 years
why? Do the commercial products use stronger or more preservatives than handmade cosmetics ?
Hi Sadara!
You’re correct, commercial store bought products may be using different preservatives that gives their products a longer shelf life. If you have any more questions, let me know 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I was wondering if I could substitute the Sunflower oil with Jojoba oil, and the Chamomile extract with Oat extract and still keep all amounts the same?
Thanks,
Tracy/Aiya
Hi Tracy!
You can certainly switch out the extract, and keep the ratios the same. Switching out the Sunflower Oil will result in a slightly different texture, which we have not tested. I would recommend making a small test batch first to see what you think 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
OMG,I have seen rose water on bramble berry, I really like it but I wonder how to use it and now I see this recipe, it’s so wonderfull
I love extract and bought a lot
now I have chamomile extract, oat extract,avocado extract,buckthorn extract
should I use 3 extracts in this recipe
1oz chamomile,1oz avocado, 1oz buckthorn instead of 3oz chamomile
or should I still add 3oz chamomile and add some other extracts and does I decrease the oil phrase or water phrase?
Hi Sadara!
So glad you’re going to give this recipe a try! You could certainly use 1 oz. of each extract if you prefer :). I would recommend keeping the total weight of the extracts at 3 oz, that way you can keep the amount of emulsifier, oils and water the same 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
thanks for your reply
rose water and rose hydrosol is the same?
Can I made my own infused rose water?
Hi Vontella!
Sure, you could make your own rose water if you prefer. 🙂 That would be a fun project!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I made this lotion yesterday and found it to be absolutely delightful. I’ve been making lotions for 5+ years to try to offset the dry climate here in Colorado. I usually use a body butter in the winter with lots of Shea butter and a lotion in the summer. This is the perfect recipe for my summer lotion, I love the idea of the flower water. You can substitute different flower waters for different fragrances and skin care properties.
Thanks so much for a great product and for adding lotions to your fabulous site!
Liz in Denver
Hi Liz!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I agree, it’s such a nice light lotion, especially for the summer months. Thanks so much for your feedback! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I’ve never made lotion before but how much optiphen do you use? It just says .2 optiphen. Also, is it okay to make this without sodium lactate and dl-panthenol?
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen!
Thanks for catching that. The amount of Optiphen is .2 oz. The Sodium Lactate helps the lotion to thicken, while the Dl-Panthenol adds additional skin loving properties. You can omit the DL-Panthenol, but removing the Sodium Lactate will result in a thinner lotion 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I would love to try this but I have had bad luck with making lotions. Can I make this using a lotion base?
Thanks!
Joanne
Hi Joanne!
The great thing about lotion bases is the lotion is already made for you, and you can add additional scents, or small additives to tweak it. Because this lotion is a unique recipe in itself, it cannot be created from a lotion base. If you’d like, you can certainly add a rose scent to the lotion base to achieve a similar smell, or add a small amount of extract to add additional skin loving properties 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This is such a simple, lovely looking project, I’ve decided that I want to try my hand at lotions now too! It’s only been soaps so far, but now’s the time.
I do have a question about sanitization: after all the tools have been cleaned with the 5% bleach solution, is there anything that needs to be done to the bottles to prep them, or are they protected by the Optiphen?
Hi Megan!
Good question! I usually like to rinse the bottles with a little bleach solution as well, just to be safe 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry