D.I.Y. Beeswax Lotion
Soul Cream is our calendula based beeswax lotion. It is the best moisturizer you will find on the market. Our secret(s): fresh aloe vera pulp, Colorado beeswax, and apple cider vinegar. We also use clove hydrosol (a clove-infused water by-product from oil infusing) and a delightful blend of calendula, arnica, scullcap, lemon balm, and clove extracts. Our modified beeswax lotion recipe can be found below.
DIY (do it yourself) is not for everyone! So if at any time in this process you decide that you do not want to make a lotion, you can always purchase a jar from us. If you have any questions about this process, please leave a comment below.
DIY (do it yourself) is not for everyone! So if at any time in this process you decide that you do not want to make a lotion, you can always purchase a jar from us. If you have any questions about this process, please leave a comment below.
Emulsifying Wax
Many lotions use an emulsifying wax, or e-wax, to create a specific texture. We do not use e-wax for this all-natural recipe. Although there is some controversy about the emulsification capabilities of beeswax, we assure you that it works just fine as an emulsifier for the recipe we invented here.
What Is An Emulsifier?
An emulsifier is a material that helps break apart an oil into smaller particles, and then disbands and "suspends" those particles throughout the partnered liquid (water). The process of blending an oil and water together is known as emulsification.
Not only is beeswax an emulsifier, but so is apple cider vinegar. Vinegar, in general, is an emulsifier. This is an old culinary trick I picked up from a decade of work as a cook in the restaurant business. I've made many a dressing, aioli, custard, and cream. In fact, part of why I started Soul Salve was to blend my passion for food with plants (pun intended). It's worked out well.
Not only is beeswax an emulsifier, but so is apple cider vinegar. Vinegar, in general, is an emulsifier. This is an old culinary trick I picked up from a decade of work as a cook in the restaurant business. I've made many a dressing, aioli, custard, and cream. In fact, part of why I started Soul Salve was to blend my passion for food with plants (pun intended). It's worked out well.
How To Make The Best Beeswax Lotion
Beeswax Lotion Recipe:
- Yield approximately 4 ounces
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz fractionated coconut oil (or a different liquid oil, i.e. olive oil)
- .2 oz infused virgin coconut oil base (non-infused oil, regular virgin coconut oil, is fine)
- .6 oz beeswax
- 4 count vitamin e oil
- .35 oz hydrosol or distilled water
- .35 oz apple cider vinegar
- .5 oz aloe vera gel or fresh pulp
- .12 oz extracts
Tools/Equipment:
- Two glass or metal bowls or measuring cups
- Two pans to use as a double boil system
- 2 electric or gas stove (hot plate)
- Metal bowl for mixing lotion
- Measuring tools
- Spatula
- Scale for measuring ingredients
- Containers/jars
- Whisk attachment on an immersion/stick blender to emulsify or an electric mixer
- Spoon or a squeeze bag and funnel, an instrument to portion the lotion.
Directions:
- Weigh out ingredients and set aside.
- Melt together in a single bowl the soul salve coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, and beeswax over a double boiling system.
- Weigh out your hydrosol (or distilled/purified water) and place on your double boiler setup and bring the temperature up as your beeswax and oil melt. *note* when you are heating your hydrosol, cover it with a lid to prevent evaporation. If your beeswax takes a really long time to melt down, you can always reweigh your water.
- While ingredients are melting and coming to a mixing temperature, organize and sanitize your containers (i.e. wipe out the inside of each container and lid with apple cider vinegar and a towel. Leave containers open, ready to fill with lotion)
- After oils have melted together (about 170-180 degrees F for beeswax) and your hydrosol is at least 140 degrees F, remove from heat and set on a heat-safe surface.
- Pour your melted oils into the desired mixing bowl and add your vitamin e oil.
- Begin mixing with your preferred instrument and slowly add the water to the oil.
- Blend thoroughly for several minutes, then slowly add the apple cider vinegar while mixing.
- Add your extracts while mixing
- Now, if you are using a stand alone mixer, you can walk away while the lotion whisks just as long as you periodically check on the lotion. If you are mixing with a handheld device, it is recommended that you step away from the lotion to rest your arm. And, letting the lotion cool for 5 minutes won't hurt anything.
- Proceed whisking the lotion until the cream begins to change to a lighter color and texture. This is the cream is expanding. You can not over mix on this step!
- This may take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your equipment.
- Load into squeeze bag/tube and portion into the desired jar/container
- Let cool before sealing with a lid.
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