Natural Body Lotion Formulation using Soy Lecithin for Skin Brightening and Hydration

Question

I am looking to create a natural body lotion using Soy Lecithin. I have some questions regarding the formulation:

If I have powdered herbal extracts, can I mix them directly into the formula, or do I need to extract them into a concentrated liquid form first?
For herbal extracts that are in liquid form, should they be added to the water phase or the oil phase of the formulation?

Additionally, I would like the lotion to have the following properties:

Make the skin smooth, soft, and moisturized.
Brighten the skin and reduce dullness.
Help reduce dark spots and scars.
Help firm the skin and reduce wrinkles.

Could you provide guidance on how to formulate such a lotion using Soy Lecithin and incorporate other natural extracts to achieve these desired benefits?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Hello! You're looking to make a natural body lotion using Soy Lecithin with specific benefits. Soy Lecithin is a natural emulsifier, but as mentioned in the previous replies, it works best in formulations that are primarily oil-based with a limited water phase. This means the lotion will have a richer texture, suitable for dry skin.

Based on your requirements and the advice provided, here is a sample formula that incorporates natural oils and ingredients known for the benefits you seek:

Sample Natural Body Lotion Formula (using Soy Lecithin)

Soy Lecithin: 10%
Rose Hip Oil: 10%
Shea Butter: 10%
Fractionated Coconut Oil: 56.9%
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): 3%
Water (Distilled): 10%
Preservative: 0.1%

How this formula addresses your needs:

Smooth, Soft, Moisturizing: Rose Hip Oil, Shea Butter, and Fractionated Coconut Oil are excellent natural emollients that deeply hydrate and soften the skin.
Brightening & Reduce Dullness: Vitamin B3 is a well-regarded ingredient for improving skin tone and reducing dullness.
Reduce Dark Spots & Scars: Rose Hip Oil is traditionally used to help improve the appearance of scars and dark spots. Vitamin B3 also assists with hyperpigmentation.
Firming & Reduce Wrinkles: Rose Hip Oil and Shea Butter provide nourishment that can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin B3 also contributes to skin barrier health and firmness.
Natural Extracts: This formula utilizes several natural oils and butters (Rose Hip Oil, Shea Butter, Fractionated Coconut Oil) and Soy Lecithin.

General Method:

Combine Soy Lecithin with the oil phase ingredients (Rose Hip Oil, Shea Butter, Fractionated Coconut Oil).
Heat this mixture gently while stirring or blending until the Soy Lecithin is fully dissolved and incorporated into the oils.
In a separate container, combine the water and Vitamin B3. You may need to gently heat the water phase to help dissolve the Vitamin B3, but avoid excessive heat.
Slowly add the water phase to the heated oil phase while continuously blending or mixing vigorously. Continue mixing until a stable emulsion forms.
Once the emulsion has cooled down, add the preservative and mix thoroughly.

Note on adding other Herbal Extracts:
If you wish to add other specific herbal extracts, it is crucial to check their solubility (whether they dissolve in water or oil) and their heat tolerance. Add water-soluble extracts to the water phase and oil-soluble extracts to the oil phase before combining. As previously advised, powdered extracts are generally not absorbed by the skin and should not be added directly; they need to be in liquid extract form. Always follow the supplier's usage instructions for any ingredient.