Lotion Formulation Guidance

You can definitely make this formulation without a blender, but it will require thorough and continuous stirring, especially during the emulsification step. Achieving a smooth, stable emulsion manually will take more effort and time compared to using a high-shear blender.

Mixing Procedure (Manual Stirring)

1. Weighing: Accurately weigh all your ingredients according to the percentages in your formula.
2. Phase Separation: Separate your ingredients into two main phases:
   • Water Phase: Water, Moist 24, Niacinamide, Natural Moisturizing Amino Acids, Panthenol, Ectoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, 4D Hyaluron, Phospholipid, Trehalose, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oat Avenanthramides.
   • Oil Phase: Skin mimic, Palmitamide MEA, Ezerrawax, LipidSoft F, WhiteCumin, Vitamin E, Butter Cream Maker.
3. Heating:
   • Combine the ingredients for the Oil Phase in a heat-resistant container. Heat this phase to around 80°C to melt any solid ingredients and ensure everything is dissolved.
   • Combine the ingredients for the Water Phase (excluding any highly heat-sensitive ingredients if applicable, though most listed here are reasonably stable) in a separate heat-resistant container. Heat this phase to a similar temperature, around 80°C.
4. Emulsification: This is the most critical step for manual mixing. Slowly pour the heated Oil Phase into the heated Water Phase while stirring continuously and vigorously. Use a whisk or strong stirring rod. Maintain this continuous, vigorous stirring as the mixture cools down. You should see the mixture start to thicken and turn opaque as the emulsion forms. Continue stirring until the mixture has cooled significantly.
5. Cooling Phase Additions: Once the emulsion has cooled to below 40°C, you can add any heat-sensitive ingredients (if you held any back) and your preservative, Mild Preserved Eco.
6. Final Mixing: Continue stirring until all ingredients are uniformly dispersed and the lotion has reached room temperature.

Adjusting Texture with Dimethicone

Yes, you can add Dimethicone to make the texture lighter and provide a smoother, less heavy feel. Low-viscosity Dimethicone types are generally suitable for this purpose. You can add Dimethicone to your Oil Phase before heating, or incorporate it during the cooling phase after the emulsion has formed. Start with a small percentage (e.g., 0.5-2%) and adjust based on your desired feel.

Alternative Emulsifiers for Lighter Texture

Butter Cream Maker is effective but tends to create thicker cream textures, especially at higher concentrations. If you prefer a lighter lotion consistency, you can explore alternative emulsifiers designed for this purpose:

• Light Lotion Maker: This emulsifier is specifically formulated for creating light, sprayable lotion textures. It can even be used in a cold process, which would simplify your mixing procedure as heating both phases wouldn't be necessary. You would still need to stir thoroughly to form the emulsion.
• Milk Lotion Maker: This emulsifier also produces a liquid lotion texture. It typically requires heating the oil phase, similar to the procedure for Butter Cream Maker, but results in a lighter end product.

Using one of these alternative lotion makers instead of Butter Cream Maker would likely help you achieve the desired liquid lotion consistency more easily.