Making own massage lotion/cream

[sooners]

Anyone have a good resource (books, websites, etc) on making massage lotions and creams?

Looking for instructions on the "how" and what portions of ingredients to use. I've got a good grasp on the ingredients I want to use/recipes. It seems that lotions contain distilled water, whereas creams do not. Need to know how much of each to use so there is just enough viscosity for either spot use or a full-body session. And, how long to melt butters and wax, etc.

TIA for your help!

 

[Randy]

Making own massage lotion/cream

You can find a lot of good recipes on http://www.soapmakingforum.com
I've done some experimenting on my own with body butters, a good creme does contain water otherwise you end up more with a butter type consistency but it won't be creamy. I know there's a chart you can look at to determine the properties of each oil or butter but I've just been experimenting on my own. The site I mentioned has some of those resources as well.

 

[Charolette]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Great - thank you!

Edited to add: I found a book that looks pretty good. I have The Essential Oils book by Colleen K Dodt which I like...she also has one called The Herbal Home Spa, with recipes for massage lotion, that looks like a good resource.

Another resource I found (article on Livestrong.com) says, at step # 7 of 7, "Allow the lotion to cool until it reaches the consistency of frosting. Whip the lotion at this point to introduce air to the mixture. This will create a light, creamy lotion that melts with your body heat as your perform the massage."

 

[itisabeccathing]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Let us know how that goes, it sounds similar to the stuff I've been making on my own. What I've made is okay for home use, but I'm not happy with it for work--but you may like it . However, if you want something that is more of a real lotion, you will need to use water, which will call for the use of a preservative (necessary any time you mix oil and water) and also an emulsifier to help the water and oils mix. But experimentation will be necessary to get what you want, just go ahead and try it all!!

Just wanted to add that you'll find a great deal of bunk recipes out there but that's why it's good to have your mindset prepared to experiment---just go ahead and jump on in!

 

[Renee P]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Thanks, Kathryn! I really appreciate your responses.

Before I posted my query I not only consulted with an Herbalist, but scoured through the thread here in "Tools of the Trade" regarding massage lotion/cream ingredients (as well as the products I've used over the years). The Herbalist has given me some great input, although I was hoping for more input & feedback from therapists who are already making and using their own (therefore knowing what lasts well for a full-body session). I am going to spend a couple of hours with her while she makes her face cream recipes for some hands-on learning.

I quoted the article on Livestrong just for the idea of introducing air by whipping for a light lotion, that's it. I'm hoping that this really works. I wasn't paying much attention to the actual recipe in the article, as I already have ingredients that I am planning on experimenting with. I'm looking forward to experimenting! :altsmile:

While going through the ingredient thread, this is what I learned (maybe it will be helpful for someone else and they won't have to spend as much time researching):

Lotions have in common:
Water (distilled)
Oil (grapeseed, jojoba, coconut, olive, safflower, apricot kernal, sweet almond, macadamia nut, etc)
Butter (shea, cocoa)
Wax (bees, vegetable-based emulsifying)
Antimicrobial (grapefruit seed extract)
Preservative (vit e, borax)

Additional common ingredients:
EOs
Arnica
Vegetable glycerin
Aloe gel

I'm not implying that this list in inclusive, nor that I'm going to use all or any of them. We'll see, haha! My preference is for a cream versus a lotion, but a lotion typically gives me more glide without reapplying as often. I will make cream for spot treatments though...and use a combination of both lotion & cream during a session.

The Herbalist does not like to use grapefruit seed extract. Link she suggested that I check out: http://www.terressentials.com/truthaboutgse.htm

Thanks again - please keep chiming in!

 

[Ann_E1]

Making own massage lotion/cream

In England there is a company that run courses on how to make your own products. They also sell books on making your own prodcuts.

http://www.aromantic.com/

 

[KEVO]

Making own massage lotion/cream

I spent a few hours last week with my Herbalist learning the process of making lotions & creams. We made a lavender face cream which works great for massage or general moisturizing. She bases most of her recipes on a few books, but the two books referenced for the day were: Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Natural Beauty and Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi.

Basic Lotion Formula from Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi:
8 oz carrier oil
11 oz water (or Hydrosol, or tea)
1/2 oz beeswax
1 tsp borax (emulsifier)

Lavender face cream recipe that we made (adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's original recipe):
Water Portion:
Lavender Hydrosol
Lavender infusion made w/filtered well water
Aloe Vera gel
Lavender EO
Lavender FE

Oil Portion:
Calendula infused olive oil
Coconut Oil
Shea Butter
White Beeswax
Vitamin E Oil

* Other notes from Rosemary's book and Herbalist:
Getting the right proportions:
Proportion & temperature
1 part "Water" to 1 part "Oil"
Oils = 2/3 cup liquid oil (almond, apricot, grapeseed, etc) and 1/3 cup solid oil (cocoa butter, coconut oil, beeswax, etc)

* Try to keep water & oil portions close to same temperature when combining them.

 

[da light]

Making own massage lotion/cream

How exciting! So what did you think of the creme when you used that particular recipe?

 

[TAHA]

Making own massage lotion/cream

I love it. It feels super luxurious. I'm not a huge fan of lavender, so I may try making it with rose or something else. I had SO much fun playing and can't wait to start concocting in my own kitchen!

 

[jak]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Thanks for letting us know! That recipe looks really good, I'm going to have to try it myself if you don't mind! What does she use as a preservative? There are two sisters who run a shop here who make lotion, creme and such right out of their shop (one of my personal dreams!) and they use a preservative that used in contact lens cleaner b/c it's so gentle. I know some folks don't want to use preservatives, but I'm planning on selling creme/lotion eventually. Right now I'm making and selling soap (cold process).

 

[miami J]

Making own massage lotion/cream

No, I don't mind at all...let me know how it goes and how you like it. She uses Vit E and EOs for a preservative. Interesting about the gentle preservative in the contact lens cleaner!

I wish you much luck and success with your personal dream...I believe that I'd really enjoy doing that myself. Making soaps must be a blast, too. We have a local farm that makes goat milk products...lots of soaps and other awesome goodies.

You must dedicate certain kitchen tools just for making lotions, etc? I need to pick up a Braun hand blender and more glass measuring bowls.

P.S. And, I need more storage space! LOL :grin:

 

[Regina George]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Does anyone know why my lotion get crystals in them? I am using a mixure of massage lotion, massage oil and essential oils... after about 2 days i start feeling little crystals in it..


Thanks!!

 

[you are my muse...]

Making own massage lotion/cream

Does anyone know why my lotion get crystals in them? I am using a mixure of massage lotion, massage oil and essential oils... after about 2 days i start feeling little crystals in it..


Thanks!!

Some of the ingredients you are using are interacting chemically, bonding to create particles/crystals. A chemist may be able to help you identify the specific components, but the end result is: you will need to use a different combination of ingredients to prevent this from happening in the future.