Fixing Your Separated Lotion

It sounds like the separation in your lotion happened because the oil and water phases didn't form a stable emulsion. This can occur if there isn't enough emulsifier for the amount of water and oil, or if the mixing isn't vigorous enough initially.

Your formula uses 1% Satin Cream Maker with 10% oil and 85% water. While Satin Cream Maker can handle up to 25% oil, using 1% with such a high water content (85%) might be on the lower side for optimal stability, especially if high shear mixing wasn't used from the start. The staff's suggestion to increase the Satin Cream Maker to 1.5-2.0% in future batches is a good way to improve stability and thickness.

Also, the Chamomile extract you used is typically oil-soluble. Mixing it with the water and vitamins initially might not have been the best approach. For future batches, consider mixing oil-soluble ingredients like Chamomile extract with the oil phase before combining with the water phase containing the Satin Cream Maker and water-soluble ingredients like Vitamin B5.

How to Try and Fix Your Current Batch

You can attempt to re-emulsify the batch you've already made. The best way to do this is by using a stick blender (or a high-shear mixer if you have one). Blend the mixture vigorously for several minutes, ensuring the blender head is fully submerged to minimize air bubbles. This high-shear mixing can sometimes force the separated phases back into a stable emulsion.

While re-emulsifying is worth trying, there's no guarantee it will fully stabilize the lotion, especially if the original ingredient ratio was the primary issue.

Can You Wait to Fix It?

It's generally recommended to try and fix a separated emulsion as soon as possible. The longer it remains separated, the harder it may be to successfully re-emulsify the mixture. If you must wait a short period, store it in a cool, stable place.

For future formulations with Satin Cream Maker, remember to:

• Consider using 1.5-2.0% Satin Cream Maker, especially with high water content.
• Mix oil-soluble ingredients (like Chamomile extract) with the oil phase.
• Mix water-soluble ingredients (like Vitamin B5) and Satin Cream Maker into the water phase.
• Combine the phases and use a stick blender or high-shear mixer for sufficient time to create a stable emulsion.