Guidance for Making Lip Balm and Soap

Here are the answers to your additional questions about making lip balm and soap:

• Adding Food-Grade Ingredients (Milk Powder, Dried Flowers) to Lip Balm:
  Adding ingredients containing water, such as milk powder or dried flowers/herbs that haven't been oil-extracted, will introduce a water phase into your lip balm formula, which is typically anhydrous (water-free). The presence of water makes the product highly susceptible to microbial contamination (bacteria, fungi), requiring the addition of preservatives and significantly shortening the shelf life.

• Using Infused Oil in Lip Balm:
  Infused oils made by steeping dried flowers or herbs in oil (like Calendula Oil or Aloe Vera Oil infused in soybean oil) can be used in lip balm. Since they are oil-soluble, they blend well with the lip balm base and can add beneficial properties from the botanical. It is crucial to ensure the flowers or herbs used for infusion are completely dry to prevent introducing water into the formula and reduce the risk of spoilage.

• Other Natural Water-in-Oil Emulsifiers for Nut/Soy Allergies:
  Soy Lecithin is commonly derived from soybeans. If you are concerned about soy or nut allergies, you might consider other natural-derived water-in-oil emulsifiers. Some options include certain types of Polyglyceryl Esters or LeciCream, which is a natural emulsifier. The suitability depends on the specific emulsifier and its compatibility with your formula.

• Soy Wax Percentage in Lip Balm/Lotion:
  The percentage of Soy Wax (or any wax) used in a formula depends on the desired texture:

  • For lip balm, which requires firmness and structure, waxes are typically used in higher amounts, potentially ranging from 10-30% or more, depending on the wax type and desired hardness.
  • For lotion (an emulsion), wax is used in smaller amounts to help thicken and stabilize, usually in the range of 1-5%.
    You should experiment with the percentage to achieve your preferred consistency.

• Differences Between Shea Butter and Mango Butter in Lip Balm/Lotion:
  Shea Butter and Mango Butter are natural butters popular in skincare. Both provide excellent moisturizing properties and have similar textures when used in formulations. However, they have slightly different fatty acid compositions and other beneficial compounds.

  • Shea Butter has properties that help soothe skin, reduce inflammation, and contains Cinnamic Acid which may offer minor UV protection.
  • Mango Butter is known for its skin regenerative properties and high moisturizing ability.
    While they feel similar, they offer different specific benefits. You can choose based on the properties you want to emphasize or use a blend of both.

• Waxes and Oils Not Recommended for Pregnant Women:
  Generally, most waxes and common carrier oils/butters like Shea Butter, Mango Butter, and coconut oil are considered safe for use during pregnancy. What is often advised against are certain Essential Oils due to their high concentration and potential systemic effects. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about any specific ingredient during pregnancy.

• Alternatives for Making Solid Soap Bars Without Heat/Water for Sensitive Skin:
  Oil Soap is a base for making liquid oil-based cleansers that turn milky when mixed with water; it is not a base for making solid bar soap. Traditional solid bar soap requires heat and water for the saponification reaction with lye.
  Making a solid bar soap from oils/butters without heat, without water, and without lye is not a standard method for creating soap bars. If you are looking for a gentle solid cleansing product, you might consider:

  • Anhydrous Cleansing Balm: This is a balm made of oils and water-soluble emulsifiers. It melts on dry skin to remove makeup/impurities and emulsifies into a milk when water is added, rinsing off easily. This type of formula is water-free and doesn't require preservatives, but it still requires heating to melt solid ingredients together.
  • Melt and Pour Soap Base or Syndet Bar Base: These are pre-made bases that you melt (requiring heat) and customize by adding other ingredients. They have already undergone processing and contain water. They are suitable for making simple bar soaps, and for sensitive skin, you should choose a base made with mild surfactants.
    Therefore, making a solid bar soap from oils/butters without heat, water, and lye as you described is not feasible with typical methods. Oil Soap is suitable for liquid cleansing oils.