It is not difficult to make body butter or lotion at home. It is only a matter of becoming acquainted with fundamental materials and processes.
Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you can create an almost limitless variety of butters. What distinguishes a butter from a lotion or moisturizer is its texture. A body butter contains more saturated fat, emulsifying agents, and less liquids?
So, you may be wondering what some examples of saturated fat-rich oils are!
Oils rich in saturated fats are, Shea butter and coconut oil, they are solid at room temperature and add to the thicker viscosity of the finished product, such as a lotion, moisturizer, or body butter.
Lotions, moisturizers, and body butters can be either, aqueous (formulations include water) or anhydrous (formulations that do not include water).
Aqueous lotions, moisturizers, and body butters must be formulated in a well-sanitized location, stored in sanitized packaging, and kept in a cool place. In addition, a preservative must be added to help maintain the product's stability and prevent degradation. I usually use a broad-spectrum pesticide at 1% concentration, such as Germal plus or Geogard.
Aloe Shea Body Butter Lotion
When I make a body butter, I do like to include Aqueous ingredient such as water or hydrolat/Hydrosol. This prevents from having a greasy film on the skin. Because water and oil do not mix it is important to add emulsifiers to all products which are hydrous ingredients. In this formulation I used Olivem 1000 and Bees Wax.
In the oil phase, I used for oils such as Linoleic rich Grape-seed oil, to balance the rich saturated fats found in coconut, shea and olive oil.
In the final stages of the process I added glycerin for its humectant properties and aloe vera gel to give this butter a gel like texture.
Going through the phases.
- Sanitize all of your equipment and packaging. By cleaning and spraying with isobutyl alcohol.
- Prior to beginning the formulation process. Weigh and measure all the ingredients, then arrange them in the phases in which they will be used.
Phase 1: (Emulsifiers) Melt emulsifiers in a heatproof beaker or measuring cup over a low heat in a double boiler or warming plate. (Take care not to overheat.)
Phase 2: (Aqueous ingredients) Bring the water and soluble ingredients to a temperature of 80°C. Maintain at this temperature by adding to a low-heat hot plate or double boiler.
Phase 3: (Emulsion process) Combine the aqueous and oil phases. Use a mixer to homogenize the two at 80°C for at least 10-20 minutes.
Phase 4: (Additives) Add Glycerin about 5 minutes into the homogenizing process, and during the cool stage fold in the Aloe Vera Gel
Phase: 5 (Preservation). Preservatives should be added.
Basic Aloe Shea Body Butter Formula
Emulsifiers
- 7% Olivem 1000 – 14 gm
- 3% Bees Wax – 6 gm
Oil Phase
- 10% Grape-seed oil - 20 ml
- 10% Olive Oil - 20 ml
- 10% Shea Butter – 20 gm
- 10% Coconut Virgin Oil 20 gm
Water phase
- 30% Distilled Water – 60 ml
- 10% Glycerin – 20 ml
Additives
- 7% Aloe Vera Gel - 14 gm
Essential Oils
- 0.5-1% Essential Oil Synergy 1-2 ml (10-20 drops)
Preservatives and Antioxidants
- 1% Geogard 1-2 ml (10-20 drops)
- 1% Tocopherols – 1-2 ml (10-20 drops)
It is important to note that homemade product shelf-life is unpredictable because they have not been batch tested, for efficacy and stability. All products should be stored in a dark cool area no more than 6 weeks. If a product separates, develops discolouration or unpleasant odour, discard immediately.