I’d love to spend hours in the sun, but my skin might disagree. Rather than bathing in sunshine and risking a burn, I created this Sunshine Lotion Recipe. It’s a thick and creamy texture, yet it feels surprisingly lightweight on the skin. Scented with Sunflower Fragrance Oil and Southern Peach Fragrance Oil, it smells slightly fruity, flowery and completely amazing. It’s like spreading a little bit of summer on your skin!
If you’ve never made lotion before, it’s surprisingly simple. In a nutshell, it boils down to mixing water and a small amount of oil together. In order to blend the the oil and water together, you need an emulsifier. In this case, emulsifying wax gives the lotion a nice “slip.” This recipe also contains stearic acid, which acts as a co-emulsifer and thickener. If you’d like to learn more about the different components of lotion recipes, the How to Create Homemade Lotion Recipes post is full of information.
In addition to water, oils and emulsifier, lotion recipes require a preservative. Preservatives are anit-microbial solutions that prevent mold and bacteria from growing in your products. Any product that contains water requires a preservative. For the preservative in this recipe, I used optiphen which is a paraben and formaldehyde-free preservative. To learn more about which preservative is right for you project, click here.
What You’ll Need:
Three 8 oz. Bottles with White Disk Caps
18 oz. Distilled Water
0.7 oz. Argan Oil
2.4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
1.4 oz. Emulsifying Wax
0.5 oz. Glycerin
0.5 oz. Stearic Acid
0.5 oz. Oat Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen (preservative)
12 mL Canary LabColor
3 mL Sunflower Fragrance Oil
2 mL Southern Peach Fragrance Oil
Droppers
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
Find the supplies you need for this project below
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 as free of germs, bacteria, and microbes as possible. To be safe, bleach water all your utensils.
ONE: In a heat-safe container, combine the sweet almond oil, argan oil, emulsifying wax, and stearic acid. Heat the container in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until the waxes have fully melted and the mixture is about 160° F. Set aside.
TWO: In a separate container, add the distilled water and glycerin. Heat to about 160° F.
THREE: Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be between 150 – 160° F. Once they are at the correct temperatures, pour the water into the oils and begin pulsing the stick blender. 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 blend until the lotion drops to about 140° F.
FOUR: Add the diluted Canary LabColor and stick blend it in thoroughly. Be sure to dilute your LabColor before use! Learn how to dilute LabColors here.
FIVE: Add the Sunflower Fragrance Oil and Southern Peach Fragrance Oil. Stick blend for several minutes to thoroughly combine.
SIX: Once the lotion is below 120°F, add the oat extract and Optiphen. Using the stick blender, mix for an additional 60-90 seconds until the mixture is fully incorporated.
SEVEN: Carefully pour the lotion into bottles. Let the bottles sit overnight without a cap (otherwise condensation can form inside the bottle). Once completely cooled, place the caps on the bottles and enjoy!
- Three 8 oz. Bottles with White Disk Caps
- 18 oz. Distilled Water
- 0.7 oz. Argan Oil
- 2.4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
- 1.4 oz. Emulsifying Wax
- 0.5 oz. Glycerin
- 0.5 oz. Stearic Acid
- 0.5 oz. Oat Extract
- 0.2 oz. Optiphen (preservative)
- 12 mL Canary LabColor
- 3 mL Sunflower Fragrance Oil
- 2 mL Southern Peach Fragrance Oil
- Droppers
- In a heat safe container, combine the sweet almond oil, argan oil, emulsifying wax and stearic acid. Heat the container in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until the waxes have fully melted and the mixture is about 160° F. Set aside.
- In a separate container, add the distilled water and glycerin. Heat to 160° F.
- Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be between 150 – 160° F. Check the temperatures of both containers. Each container should be between 150 – 160° F. Once they are at the correct temperatures, pour the water into the oils and begin pulsing the stick blender. 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 blend until the lotion drops to about 140° F.
- Add the diluted Canary LabColor and stick blend it in thoroughly. Be sure to dilute your LabColor before use! Learn how to dilute LabColors here.
- Add the Sunflower Fragrance Oil and Southern Peach Fragrance Oils. Stick blend to combine.
- Once the lotion is below 120°F, add the oat extract and Optiphen. Using the stick blender, mix for an additional 60-90 seconds until the mixture is fully incorporated.
- Carefully pour it into bottles. Let the bottles sit overnight without a cap (otherwise condensation can form inside the bottle). Once completely cooled, place the caps on the bottles and enjoy!
Hello,
I absolutely love this recipe! However, when I pour the lotion into my jar the bubbles settle to the top and it stays even when it sets. Do you recommend a pouring technique to avoid the bubbles from forming? Thanks in advance!
After you pour the lotion into bottles, give it a few good taps on the counter to try and pop those bubbles. If that doesn’t work, spritz the top with 99% isopropyl alcohol. It will pop the bubbles and then evaporate.
99% Isopropyl Alcohol: https://www.brambleberry.com/99-Isopropyl-Alcohol-16-oz-P5682.aspx
Remember to leave the caps off overnight while the lotion cools, that prevents bubbles as well.
What is the shelf life if this lotion?
This lotion will last about a year. It stores best in a cool, dry place.
Learn more about how to find the shelf life of products here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
And more about how to store products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
Hello,
I want to replace the water with distilled brewed green tea, I see that you infused tea with oil. does it matter?
Anne
Whenever you infuse something and add it to lotion, there is a small chance it can mold. We usually infuse the tea leaves in oil and strain it multiple times to be extra careful. I would recommend that if you’re making lotion.
Learn more here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/infuse-oil-tea-2/
Can I omit the Oat Extract from the recipe? If not what else can I substitute it for?
Yes, the oat extract is optional in this recipe. You can leave it out or replace it with another extract. Learn more about options here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
Hello. I purchased the BTMS-50 conditioning wax thinking it sounded great for hydration. I notice however it is recommended mostly for hair conditioner (which I can’t wait to make!). If I were to use my BTMS 50 instead of what’s called for in the recipe above how would I change the percentage? I recently used the BTMS 50 on a tried and true recipe and it was very, very thick. The wax feels great but I like my lotion “pumpable.” =)
Both BTMS-50 and emulsifying wax help the oil and water mix, but BTMS-50 adds those nice conditioning properties. You can use all BTMS-50 in this recipe, or use a mixture of e-wax and BTMS. This recipe is thicker, which is why we used the disk caps instead of pump tops. If you like it thinner, you can increase the water by a percentage or two, or decrease the stearic acid by a percentage or two. Learn more in this post on formulating lotion: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello!
Can beer be used to replace the water in this recipe? If so, would the preservative have to be increased? If goat milk was used would the preservative be increased as well?
Thank you!
Ginger
We don’t recommend beer or milk in this recipe. Both of those liquids will go bad and shorten the shelf life of the lotion to 6 weeks or less. That is the case even with a preservative – they protect against mold and bacteria, but they don’t extend the shelf life of milk and beer. We would recommend distilled water, or a preserved liquid like aloe or rose water. Learn more here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Aloe Vera Liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
Rose Water: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Water-P3840.aspx
Are lotion components by volume or weight like soaps?
This recipe is all measured by weight, except the color and fragrance. To make this recipe, place a container on your scale, zero it out, and weigh each ingredient out. We find that’s more accurate than volume measurements. Learn more here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/a-guide-to-weight-vs-volume/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I love you what you do. I own my own small bussiness here in Nigeria for skincare products but my customers keep requesting for skin whitening products so I decided to give it a try. But it’s not working. I used 2-4% of hydroquinine in my formulation and always add it at the cool down phase but my customers are not seeing the result. Can you pls advice me on how to create skin whitening formulation to achieve an effective skin whitening .
We haven’t worked with skin whitening products so I’m not familiar with that process. Sorry about that.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do you think witch hazel hydrosol would work? Witch hazel can be used as a toner.
Are you wanting to use that as a whitening product? I’m not sure, we haven’t worked with those recipes before.
Hi!,
I have a question about sterilizing my equipment. I’ve always dipped my utensils in bleach water and then rinsed them off with water. Am I just supposed to dip and not rinse? Or is it ok to dip and rinse?
Thanks,
Brooke
We recommend dipping the utensils and letting them air dry. If you’re in a rush, you can wipe them with clean paper towels. We don’t recommend rinsing, as regular tap water can have microbes in it.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So sorry for this silly question but can this lotion use for face? I’m so confused about lotion, butter, cream. Which use for face and which for body?
No worries, we’re happy to help. All of our recipes are skin safe and can be used on the face. That being said, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin is oily, a lighter lotion formula like this recipe work well. This is another good option: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/oil-free-lavender-face-lotion/
For dry skin, a heavier and more moisturizing formula like this one works well: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/lavender-aloe-face-moisturizer/
Also, because lotion is applied right by your nose, you may want to use less fragrance than the recipe calls for. That way it’s not as strong.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks so much
Hello, I have been waiting all winter to make this lotion. It looks amazing. We always try to read everyone’s comments first so we know what to expect. My daughter and I made it tonight and ours is very watery. Everyone said how thick it was so I was prepared for that but ours isn’t thickening up. Also in the photos above when she put it into the bottles it looks like milk but in the bowl it looks like whipped butter. Does it take all night to harden? Ours has been sitting for about 7 hours and is still watery. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. We don’t mind it not being “thick” as long as its not watery. And I thought she lost her mind with the mix of fragrances but it is awesome. Thank you, Lynda
It can take up to overnight for the lotion to cool and fully thicken. How is it doing now?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It is still very thin. It is the consistency of a basic lotion base, a bit thicker would be nice but its definitely usable. I am confused as to why everyone’s is thick but mine. I assume something with the emulsifying but I followed the directions to a T. Including temperatures. Thank you
Do you notice any separation in the lotion at all, like pockets of water or oil?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
No, none at all. It looks perfect, only problem is that it is thin.
To be honest, I’m not sure why that happened. It sounds like the recipe was done perfectly and there isn’t any separation. The good news is the lotion is just fine to use and will moisturize nicely even though it’s thinner.
For a thicker consistency next time, you can decrease the water to 70%. You can also bump up the stearic acid a bit. Right now it’s at 2%, so you can increase that to 3-4%. That will help make it nice and thick.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! What’s the function of stearic acid in this recipe! I have some that I bought but I don’t really know what it’s good for.
xxx
Stearic acid does a few things in lotion! It helps thicken the recipe and also acts as a co-emulsifier so the oil and water stay together. It’s typically used at 3-5%. 🙂
Learn more about stearic acid here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks!!! 😉
Hi. Could you sub out some or all of the Distilled Water for Aloe Vera Liquid? Would it change the consistency at all? Thank You! Everybody I have given this lotion to loves it including myself!
https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
You can definitely use aloe vera liquid in your lotion! It adds some nice soothing properties. You can use 100% aloe vera as the liquid, or use a mixture of aloe vera and distilled water. 🙂
We used aloe vera liquid in this recipe with great results: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/rose-aloe-shower-lotion/
Learn more about lotion formulation here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank You!
That looks awesome !.Thanks for all your help,and you are amazing.
You’re welcome Annah! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do you have any recommendations for an essential oil instead of the fragrance oils
Absolutely! What are some scents you like – earthy, floral, woodsy? I can recommend a few essential oils you may like. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Earthy or woodsy
Thank you
Lavender 40/42 is an amazing earthy scent that pairs really well with other essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lavender-4042-Essential-Oil-P3664.aspx
Frankincense is another great earthy scent: https://www.brambleberry.com/Frankincense-Essential-Oil-P6707.aspx
As for woodsy, cedarwood is the way to go: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cedarwood-Essential-Oil-P4897.aspx
You can use our Fragrance Calculator to find out how much to add to your recipe. 🙂
Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you
Thank you
Can u sub hazelnut for sweet almond oil
You can! Hazelnut oil has a similar lightweight feeling to the sweet almond oil. You may want to make a small test batch just to make sure you like the way it feels. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hazelnut oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Hazelnut-Fixed-Oil-P3197.aspx
I want to make a lotion with Chaga, would I replace all the water with a strong brewed tea?
We haven’t given that a try so I’m not entirely sure! I think replacing the water with tea should be just fine. You may want to make a small test batch to see how it works. Also, be sure to brew the tea with distilled water. Tap water can have microbes or bits of metal in it, so distilled water works best. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! Gonna be trying your recipes for the first time. What do you mean by the percentages of preservative? If it calls for 1% optiphen, that’s the percentage of what? Thanks!
The 1% is the total weight of the product! So, if the lotion weighs 10 ounces, you’d multiply that by .01 (1%) to find the preservative amount of .1%. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I was wondering if I could use pure honey and dilute it in the distilled water, instead of glycerine for this recipe. Would that work?
We haven’t given that a try, but I think it would be fine! I would recommend about 1 teaspoon of honey per pound of lotion added to the water. I would recommend making a small test batch to see how it feels. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks so much! I’ll definitely try it. 🙂
I made this recipe and I love the scent and the lotion itself, but it is too thick. What would be the best way to thin it down without making it to watery. I am using it in squeeze bottles instead of pump bottles, and it is so think you cannot get it out of the bottle without taking the lid off and beating it on your hand.
Also, each of my bottles was short. I used 6 – 4 oz bottles instead of the 3 – 8 pz bottles; and I could only fill each one up to about an inch below the top. Is there anything I could have missed or not done enough that causes the mixture to expand?
Hmm, I’m not sure why that’s happening. This lotion is on the thicker side, but it should squeeze out of the tops easily. They also filled the three 8 ounce bottles pretty full. Usually if the lotion is that thick, it’s low on water. Did you make any changes to the recipe? How hot did you heat your water? I’m wondering if maybe some of that water evaporated away. Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey the same thing happen to me I made the recipe but now the lotion is super thick. Not sure how I can thin it out now its in the bottles. But how can I stop the water from evaporating
You can pour your lotion back into a bowl and heat it up to around 140F. Then, add more distilled water to thin it. This recipe has 75% water, but you can add up to 80%. Then, stick blend for a few minutes to ensure everything is mixed and pour back into your bottles.
How can I make this recipe using one of the lotion bases?
I would recommend using the Shea Body Butter Base! It has a thicker texture, similar to this recipe: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Body-Butter-P5886.aspx
Then, you can add the same amount of fragrance and color! The lotion bases can accept up to 5% additional oil, so you can add the oat extract if you like as well, or the argan or sweet almond. Don’t go above 5% color, fragrance and oil though, otherwise the base can separate. The great news is the base feels great on its own and doesn’t need extra oil. 🙂
Read more about working with our lotion bases here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-lotion-bases/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Next question! What is a 5% bleach solution? Can you provide a ratio of bleach to water?
Hi Ashlee!
That amount means 5% of the total weight of your mixture. So, if you have 10 ounces of water, 5% would be .5 ounces of bleach. You can find that using a search engine. To do so, type “5% of 10 ounces in ounces” and you will get the .5 ounces. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I substitute olive oil for argan oil and avocado oil for sweet almond in this recipe?
You can substitute those oils! Avocado oil and sweet almond oil do have a similar lightweight consistency. Argan and olive oil do feel a bit different though. Olive oil is heavier than argan, so overall the lotion will be a bit thicker/heavier. You may want to make a small test batch to see if you like the consistency with the substitutions. 🙂
Olive oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Olive-Oil-Pure-P5246.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would love to try this but I don’t have oat extract. What can I use as a sub?
Thanks,
You can use any extract you like! Aloe extract is known for its soothing properties, and mallow extract is very moisturizing. We recommend adding them around 1 teaspoon per pound of lotion. Learn more about extracts here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
If you don’t have another extract on hand, you can leave it out as well. It’s an optional ingredient. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I tried out this recipe and it is fantastic! Can you suggest how I can add extracts like honey or cucumber liquid to it?
Thanks!
So glad you’re enjoying this recipe! My worry with cucumber liquid is that it may go bad in the lotion. Preservatives protect against mold and bacteria, but they don’t stop fresh ingredients from spoiling. You may want to make a small test batch to see if you notice that water going bad at all. If so, you can use another ingredient like aloe liquid or rose water. Those have been refined and preserved, so they last a long time in lotion. 🙂
Read more about making lotion recipes here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
You can definitely add extracts to lotion recipes! We usually recommend about 1 teaspoon per pound. You can add those at the same time as the fragrance and preservative. Learn more about using extracts here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotligh-extracts/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I learned from you that he phenonip used in lye at elevated temperature ,, So why here was used optephin
Hi Mona!
You can use Phenonip or Optiphen in this recipe! Both work well for lotion. Just make sure to add them when the lotion is 140F or cooler. That way the preservative won’t degrade. 🙂
Learn more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi there, just wondering if you know the pH of the lotion once it’s finished?
Thanks!
Lotion has a neutral pH, so it will be at 7 on the scale! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, love the recipe. How would I turn this recipe into more of a body cream? You had stated in a previous comment that its 74% water. Can I change it to 70/30 in favour of oils and water.
Thanks 🙂
So glad you love the recipe Monique! For a thicker consistency, you can decrease the water to 70%. You can also bump up the stearic acid a bit! Right now it’s at 2%, so you can increase that to 3-4%. That will help make it nice and thick. I would recommend a small test batch to see if you like the consistency. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What is the average cost of an aerobic plate count?
Hi Clarisse! I’m a bit confused, sorry about that. Are you wanting to know how much it costs to get the lotion batch tested?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
yes, that’s right ;p
Thanks so much for clearing that up! It depends on what lab you take it to and how much you’re testing at one time. I would recommend checking with labs around your area to see what sort of pricing they offer. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made this recipe. I love the way it smells. My only issue is that it’s a bit too thick and I’m having problems squeezing it out of the container. Any ideas on how to thin it out a bit. Thanks.
So glad you’re loving the scent of this lotion Heather! You can thin this lotion out by adding a bit more water. Right now, the water is at 74%, but you can add up to 80%. To do so, gently heat the lotion to around 130F. Keep the mixture at 130F or the preservative can degrade. Then, add more water and stick blend for several minutes until it’s all mixed in. If it doesn’t want to stay together, you may want to add more e-wax. Also, you’ll want to add more preservative – it needs to be at .5-1.5% to prevent mold and bacteria growth. 🙂
Read more about lotion formulation here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I use 100% rose waterproof deionised water if I cannot find distilled water ? What do you recommend?
Hi Ashli!
I did a quick internet search and it looks like deionized water is as pure or more pure than the distilled water, so that should work fine! To be extra sure, I would recommend a small test batch. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi dear
Thank you so much for sun shine Lotion I will try
Can I substitution optiphen of DMDM hydration preservatives ?
Can I used for face or only body?
Thank you
Hi dear
Thank you so much for sun shine Lotion I will try
Can I substitution optiphen of DMDM hydration preservatives ?
Can I used for face or only body?
Thank you
We haven’t tried this recipe with DMDM hydration preservatives, so I’m not entirely sure! I would recommend making a small test batch to make sure they help protect against mold and bacteria. Also, this lotion works well for both face and body! If you’re using it for the face, make sure to test a bit before using it on your whole face. The fragrance can be strong right by your nose. If so, you can decrease the fragrance or leave it unscented. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I use Phenonip instead of Optiphen for this recipe? I already have Phenonip for another Brambleberry project. If so, how much Phenonip should I use?
You sure can! Phenonip helps prevent mold and bacteria in this recipe. You can use the same amount as the Optiphen (.2 ounces). 🙂
Phenonip: https://www.brambleberry.com/Phenonip-P4038.aspx
Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have a question about optiphen. I was watching a lotion tutorial and she said optiphen is trickier to use than phenonip? I was just wondering what the tricky part is? I am pretty new to lotion making and want to make sure it is totally safe for my family. I did make this lotion already and love it!
In our tests and recipes we’ve found Optiphen is easy to work with! It’s also paraben and formaldehyde free. Just make sure to add it when the lotion is 120F or below and stick blend to incorporate. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome thanks! I will never but store bought lotion again. This recipe is super moisturizing.
You’re welcome Emily! Once you try handmade lotion it’s hard to go back to store bought. 😉
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Amanda the picture of the lotion got my attention cause it looks thick and creamy. I don’t have glycerin or oat extract on hand. Do you have any idea how it would affect the final texture if I omitted those two ingredients and is thee something else I can add in its place?
Hi Candy!
Glycerin helps attract moisture to the skin and the oat extract adds soothing properties. They are optional though! The lotion will still be nice and creamy without them. I would recommend increasing the sweet almond oil or argan oil by 1 ounce (or a mixture of .5 and .5) to make up for the difference. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Amanda! The recipe you just posted with the percentages says 2.4 oz. Sunflower oil while the one in the blog post says 2.4 of Sweet Almond oil. I was wondering which its supposed to be for this particular recipe and if you could use either one? What would the difference be, if any because they are both pretty light, easily absorbed oils, correct? Could you even sub fractionated coconut oil for that matter?
Hi Vicki!
Whoops, sorry about that! The 2.4 ounces is sweet almond oil. You can use sunflower oil or fractionated coconut oil if you like though! Fractionated coconut oil, sunflower and sweet almond have similar, lightweight textures. I would recommend making a small test batch with any substitutions just to make sure you like the final consistency. The oils are similar but may feel a tiny bit different in the recipe. 🙂
Fractionated coconut oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/CaprylicCapric-Triglycerides-Fractionated-Coconut-Oil-P4957.aspx
Sunflower oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sunflower-Oil-P3208.aspx
Read more about what oils you can add to lotion in this post: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi I have a question about the color?
Can I add yellow mica instead, and if yes then when do I add it to the recipe ( because it’s a powder not liquid)?
Absolutely! Micas add color and a touch of shimmer. We recommend mixing the mica with the fragrance oil and adding it when you add fragrance and preservative. That helps the mica mix in smoothly and prevents clumping.
I would recommend starting with about 1/4 tsp. of color per pound of lotion. If you want it a bit darker, you can add more from there. If you’d like the mica to leave a shimmer or slight color on the skin, you can start with 1 tsp. per pound of lotion. 🙂
We used that technique in the Burnt Sugar Shimmer Lotion: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/burnt-sugar-shimmer-lotion/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome!
Thanks Kelsey, I can’t wait to make this recipe it’s so beautiful and sunny just like summer ☀️☀️😊😊
You’re welcome Robin! Have fun. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Oops! I forgot to rate it. I don’t care that I haven’t made it yet. I can tell it’s a winner just by the recipe. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Thank you so much, that means a lot to us! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sounds like such a wonderful recipe, especially with Argan oil, Sweet Almond oil and the Oat Extract. Summer heat and the sun is torture on the skin. All these oils and extracts are so soothing.
I know this is a new lotion recipe you’re sharing. It just seems so delightful, even for year ’round use…. is it alright if we use this recipe for sales purposes as well as gifting? I feel it’s only right to ask permission first.
Thanks Amanda.
Absolutely, feel free to sell this lotion Louise! All our recipes are free to use, tweak, sell, gift, etc. Also, make sure to save a bottle for yourself. It feels fantastic on the skin. 🙂
Learn more about labeling lotion for sale here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-label-lotion/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This sounds great, but I don’t have any glycerin on hand. Is there something else I could use or should I add more oil?
Thanks
Hi Nancy!
You can omit the glycerin from the recipe completely if you’d like. Because it’s such a small amount, it may result in a slightly thicker lotion, but don’t affect the texture a great deal. If you’d like you could add a little more sweet almond oil 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This is a very good lotion and I’d like the consistency or feel to be a bit thicker.
If I added an ounce of shea butter to this formula what would be the result?
Thank you!
Hi Pam!
This lotion is already quite thick, so you may want to give it a try as is to see if you like the consistency, then tweak it from there :). Adding shea butter to the recipe would make it thicker, but because we haven’t tested this formulation it’s tricky for me to say exactly how it would work. You may find the blog post, How to Create Homemade Lotion Recipes, useful. I’ve included the link to that post below. I’ve also included the percentages for this recipe, so you can tweak it as you see fit :).
How to Create Homemade Lotion Recipes:
https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-create-homemade-lotion-recipes/
Sunshine Lotion Recipe:
75% Distilled Water – 18 ounces
3% Argan oil – .7 oz
10% Sunflower oil 2.4 oz
2% Glycerin .5 oz.
6% Emulsifying wax 1.4 oz.
2% Stearic Acid .5 oz.
2% Oat extract .5 oz.
I hope this helps!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you! That should do it!
You’re welcome!
Perfect for summer 🙋
Agreed! I actually have a bottle on my desk right now, and I can’t stop smelling it 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry