Creating a Thick, Butter-like Cream Base

To achieve a thick, smooth, butter-like cream texture, unlike a gel, you need to use specific types of emulsifiers and thickeners that build a cream structure rather than just gelling the water phase.

Ingredients like Butter Cream Maker™ and Cetearyl Alcohol are suitable for creating this kind of texture, as suggested in the forum reply.

• Butter Cream Maker™: This acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the oil and water phases together. When used at higher concentrations (around 5-6%), it can create a solid, creamy texture similar to butter.
• Cetearyl Alcohol: This functions as a thickener and stabilizer in the cream. It helps to increase the viscosity, add body, and contribute to a heavier, thicker feel. It is typically used in the oil phase.

The combination of these ingredients allows you to build a stable cream emulsion with the desired rich, butter-like consistency.

General Formulation Guidance:

1. Oil Phase: Combine oil-soluble ingredients, including Butter Cream Maker™ (around 5%) and Cetearyl Alcohol (around 5%), and any oils (keep the total oil phase relatively low, perhaps around 5% as suggested, to avoid greasiness). Heat this phase to around 70-80°C until everything is melted and combined.
2. Water Phase: Heat your water and water-soluble ingredients to a similar temperature (around 70-80°C).
3. Combine: Slowly add the hot oil phase to the hot water phase while blending or stirring continuously. High-shear blending initially helps create a stable emulsion.
4. Cool Down: Continue blending or stirring as the mixture cools. Add heat-sensitive ingredients (like preservatives) below 50°C.
5. Thickening: The cream will continue to thicken as it cools and can take several hours (sometimes up to 12 hours) to reach its final consistency.

Adjusting the percentages of Butter Cream Maker™, Cetearyl Alcohol, and the total oil phase can help you fine-tune the final texture to be thicker or lighter as needed. Using waxes like Beeswax can also contribute to a more solid, buttery texture.