6 All-Natural DIY Emulsion Creams
Try these recipes, and eliminate toxic ingredients from your beauty routine! If you are new to DIY natural skin care, we recommend you to read our article for beginners first, and then the one about emulsions. Then, if you are ready to take it to the next level, try these emulsion cream recipes.
Preparations
There are some precautions you have to take, to make sure that the your products won't go bad quickly. To achieve this, you have to prevent rancidity, bacteria and mold in the cream. Emulsions have water in them, and that is a perfect base for bacteria and mold to grow. To prevent their growth, you have to sanitize all your utensils and containers, and minimize all outer contact with the finished product. After that, you need a preservative which keeps them out. To minimize the contact with bacteria, we recommend you to store them in airless pump dispensers, or use clean spatulas to take out the creams each time.
How to effectively sanitize your working area, tools and containers? There are several ways to do that. For example if the utensils are heat proof, you can boil them in water for 15 minutes. For those things that you can't boil, rub them with 70% alcohol.
You will need a natural, paraben and PEG-free preservative, to make your creams last longer. Without preservatives, the cream will only last as long as food: in a fridge you can store it for 5 days. Even if it doesn't show, deteriorated creams can hurt your skin, so steer clear of them. Skip the harsh chemicals, and use Rokonsal, an antimicrobal natural preservative. Against rancidity make sure, that you use fresh, non-rancid oils, and add some antioxidants like Vitamin E.
Almond-Shea cream with Plantemuls
Oil phase:
- 8 g Almond oil
- 2 g Shea butter
- 2-2,5 g Plantemuls
- 1 g Cetyl alcohol
Water phase:
- 37,5 g Distilled water
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Measure each phases in separate containers. Heat them in a water bath, until all the ingredients melt.
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Pour the water phase in the oil phase, and mix with a hand mixer on high speed for 3-4 minutes.
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As this doesn’t have any preservative in it, keep it in the fridge, and use it in 5 days.
Light, refreshing summer body lotion with Plantemuls
Oil phase:
- 20 ml Almond oil
- 5 ml Jojoba oil
- 7 g Unrefined coconut oil
- 2 g Cetyl Alcohol
- 5 g Plantemuls
Water phase:
- 60 ml Aloe vera gel
- 8 ml Glycerol
Cool down phase:
- 2 Drops of Lactic acid
- 20 Drops of Rokonsal
- 5 Drops of Lavender essential oil
- 2 Drops of Peppermint oil
Instructions:
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Measure the water and the oil phase in separate containers, and warm it over hot steam.
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When both phases reach 50-60°C, slowly pour the water phase in the oil phase, while constantly mixing. Keep mixing until it cools down.
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Add the Rokonsal, lactic acid, and essential oils.
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Pour it in a clean container, and use within 2-3 months.
Simple vanilla-cinnamon cream with Olivem
Oil phase:
- 20 g Grapeseed oil previously infused with a vanilla pod for at least one week
- 10 g Macadamia oil
- 7 g Olivem
Water phase:
- 60 g Mineral or distilled water
Cool down phase:
- 1.5 g Rokonsal
- 1 g Vitamine E a.k.a. Tocopherol
- 0.5 g Cinnamon essential oil
Instructions:
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Measure the oil and water phase in separate containers, and heat them in a water bath until they reach 70°C
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When both phases reach 70°C, take off the heat and add the oil phase slowly into the water phase while continuously stirring. This is important, because 70°C is the temperature that ensures good emulsification. Lower temperatures can cause separation of the two phases, higher temperatures would unnecessarily prolong the stirring time.
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When emulsion occurs, place the bowl in cold water to accelerate cooling, while still stirring.
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When the temperature reaches 50°C (122°F), add the vitamine E, preservative and the essential oil. Higher temperature could inactivate one of the actives or the preservative.
Marigold after shave cream with Olivem
Oil phase:
- 18 g Jojoba oil
- 7 g Castor oil
- 5 g Calendula oil
- 5 g Olivem
Water phase:
- 44 g Rose water
- 20 g Aloe vera juice
Cool down phase:
- 0.8 g Rokonsal
- 0.2 g Essential oil mix: cedarwood, ylang-ylang, clove and sandalwood
Instructions:
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Measure the oil and water phase in separate containers, and heat them in a water bath until they reach 70°C
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When both phases reach 70°C, take off the heat and add the oil phase slowly into the water phase while continuously stirring.
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When emulsion occurs, place the bowl in cold water to accelerate cooling, while still stirring.
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When the temperature reaches 50°C (122°F), add Rokonsal and the essential oils.
Skin softening lotion with Xyliance
Oil phase:
- 4 g Xyliance
- 1 g Shea butter
- 5 g Coconut oil
- 6 g Jojoba oil
Water phase:
- 80 g distilled water
Cool down phase:
- 1 g Vitamine E
- 1 g Essential oil
- 1 g Rokonsal
Instructions
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Measure the oil and water phase in separate containers, and heat them in a water bath until they reach 80°C
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Take off the heat and slowly add the oil phase into the water phase while mixing it with a stick blender or propeller mixer.
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Continue to mix until the emulsion forms and it cools to 50°C or less.
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Add the cool down phase while mixing.
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Package in lotion bottles with pump or dispensing cap.
Rosehip pregnant belly cream with Olivem
Oil phase:
- 15.5 g Rosehip oil
- 15.5 g Jojoba oil
- 7 g Olivem
Water phase
- 60.8 g Rose water
Cool down phase:
Instructions:
-
Measure the oil and water phase in separate containers, and heat them in a water bath until they reach 70°C
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When both phases reach 70°C, take off the heat and slowly add the oil phase into the water phase while continuously stirring.
-
When emulsion occurs, place the bowl in cold water to accelerate cooling, while still stirring.
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When the temperature reaches 50°C (122°F), add the Rokonsal and the rose oil. Higher temperature could inactivate one of the actives or the preservative.
Many thanks for the great recipies of Curious Soapmaker!
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