Formula Review for Body Butter

Thank you for sharing your body butter formula! It looks like a good starting point for a rich body butter suitable for very dry skin.

Formula Components

Your formula includes:

• Water Phase: Distilled Water, Safe-B3 (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide), GlucoBright (Acetyl Glucosamine), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), and Perfume. Safe-B3 and GlucoBright are excellent additions for skin benefits like hydration and improving skin tone. Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative.
• Oil Phase: Sweet Almond Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, and Butter Cream Maker (emulsifier). Sweet Almond Oil is a nourishing oil for dry skin. Cetyl Alcohol acts as a thickener and emollient, contributing to the butter-like texture. Butter Cream Maker is the emulsifier that will bind the water and oil phases together.

Texture and Suitability

With 30% Sweet Almond Oil, 10% Cetyl Alcohol, and 4% Butter Cream Maker, this formula is designed to create a thick, buttery texture, which is appropriate for very dry skin. The amount of Cetyl Alcohol at 10% will make the butter quite firm, which aligns with a typical body butter consistency. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, you could consider slightly reducing the Cetyl Alcohol or increasing the liquid oil percentage while ensuring the emulsifier can handle the oil load.

Formula Percentage Adjustment

Your total formula percentage is 100.5%. It's best to have the total sum to 100%. You can adjust the percentage of Distilled Water slightly to make the total exactly 100%. For example, reduce the water to 46.5%.

Mixing Without a Blender

Regarding mixing without a blender, while you can attempt to stir by hand, it is highly recommended to use a high-shear mixer, such as a stick blender, especially when creating a body butter with a significant oil and wax phase like this formula.

Here's why:

• Emulsification: A blender provides the necessary shear force to properly disperse the oil phase into the water phase and create a stable emulsion. Hand stirring may not be sufficient, leading to separation of the water and oil over time.
• Texture: Blending helps create a smooth, homogenous, and creamy texture. Hand stirring can result in a less smooth or even grainy texture, particularly as the mixture cools and thickens.

For the best results and a stable, smooth body butter, using a blender during the emulsification process is strongly advised.

Suggested Mixing Steps (with blender)

1. Combine all ingredients in the Water phase in a heat-resistant container and stir to dissolve powders.
2. Combine all ingredients in the Oil phase in a separate heat-resistant container.
3. Heat both phases separately to around 75-80°C. Ensure Cetyl Alcohol and Butter Cream Maker are fully melted in the oil phase.
4. Slowly pour the heated Water phase into the heated Oil phase while blending with a stick blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes to create an initial emulsion.
5. Switch to intermittent blending or stirring as the mixture cools. Continue stirring until the mixture has cooled significantly and thickened into a butter-like consistency.
6. Once cooled to below 40°C, add the Perfume and stir to combine.
7. Pour into your final container. The butter will continue to firm up as it cools completely.

Overall, your formula is well-structured for a body butter. Adjusting the water percentage and using a blender will help ensure a successful and stable product.