|
the recipe: |
| 10 | parts shea butter (mango butter could also be used) |
| 6 | parts shea oil (or other light oil ...fractionated coconut, olive, sweet almond, etc.) |
| 1 | part silicone blend (2 parts cyclomethicone to 1 part dimethicone) |
| 1 | part glycerin |
| 2 | parts "natrasorb" (modified wheat starch) |
| | fragrance -- (actual scent and amount is determined by personal preference) |
| | |
the process: |
| | blend all the oils (except
fragrance) into the [melted] butter in a stainless steel container and
place in the freezer for four minutes or until a crust starts to form
around the edges. remove from freezer and beat with an electric mixer
[as if you're fluffing egg whites] for two minutes. if the mixer is
equipped with a wisk, all the better, however, regular beaters will work
well enough. place the mixture back in the freezer for three to four
minutes. remove from freezer and beat while slowly drizzling in the
glycerin. sprinkle the natrasorb on top of the mixture and blend in. now
really beat [at high speed] for 6 or more minutes ...the longer, the
fluffier the product. re-freeze (for a few minutes only) and re-beat for
a lighter, fluffier mix. |
| | blend in fragrance -- (if you're
not sure of the actual amount, start with a little; you can always add
more) -- and spoon into jar(s). |
| | the silicone oils improve the
feel, glide, and quick absorption of the butter, and in combination with
the natrasorb, help to eliminate the greasy feel. you could use corn
starch in place of the natrasorb, (and in fact, i've seen several
recipes which do include cornstarch), but the natrasorb is made
specially for this type of application, and makes a much better product. |
| | glycerin and oil? yes! although
the glycerin is water-based and the rest is oil, the [small amount of]
glycerin, when added in this manner, stays incorporated and contributes
to the creaminess and stability of the end product. |
| | the mixing goes better with
larger batches, but you can process as little as 2 ounces -- it will
just be less "aerated". like lip balm, this is the type of product where
you "tweak" the ingredients and their quantities until you get that
balance that meets your personal requirements. note: although the mixture is stable, it is vulnerable to temperatures in excess of 80° f. |
| | the product starts out light and
creamy, but many have experienced this type of mixture firming up after
24 hours ...and getting even firmer upon standing. this could be caused
by:
- making small batches. the larger the batch, the more efficient the mixing (read aerating).
- although beaters work well, the mixing is more efficient if a whisk attachment is used.
- although the silicone oils improve the feel and texture, they
produces a product that is denser and less "creamy" ...more like a salve
or balm.
- finally, you could try using less "oil", since it's the solid aspect
of the butter that holds its "fluffiness" at room temperature.
|
|
the application: |
| | simply apply [a small "dab"] to
any dry areas and rub in. the cream liquifies immediately on contact
with the skin and soaks in without leaving a greasy feel. a little goes a
long way. |
|
|
|
the recipe: |
| 12 | parts oatmeal powder (or orange peel powder, almond meal powder, etc. -- or combination) |
| 8 | parts granulated sugar |
| 4 | parts liquid soap (preferrably unscented) -- this also act as a preservative |
| 2 | parts jojoba oil |
|
| * 2 | parts melted shea butter (or mango butter) or |
| 1 | part melted butter and 1 part light oil (olive, shea, sweet almond, etc.) |
|
| | fragrance -- (actual scent and amount is determined by personal preference) |
| | |
the process: |
| | combine the sugar and oatmeal,
set aside. mix all the other (wet) ingredients together except the shea
butter. melt the shea butter and add to the wet ingredients. now blend
it all together. |
| | blend in fragrance -- (if you're
not sure of the actual amount, start with a little; you can always add
more) -- and spoon mixture into jar(s). upon sitting, the granular
ingredients may settle and oil will rise to the top*
-- (like natural peanut butter) -- so a [small] spoon serves to mix the
ingredients before use as well as a way to use the product without
having to "scoop" it out with your fingers. |
| | *if
you use the oil and butter combination, the scrub will have a moist look
and [slightly] easier spreadability, but the granular ingredients will
settle. if you use all butter, this settling doesn't occur. the mixture
will have a solidified appearance. however, the texture is still very
soft and liquifies instantly on contact with the skin. if, after 24
hours, you feel that this non-settling mixture is too dry (either
visually or texturally), you can adjust it by stirring in a very small amount of light oil or glycerin until you have the desired consistency. |
|
the application: |
| | spoon out the desired amount and
rub all over the hands, feet, or wherever, massaging into the nail beds,
knuckes, heels, elbows, etc. if it tends to dry out, you can use a
little more, or apply a little (read a "few drops") of water to ease
spreadability. don't add too much water as this will dissolve the sugar
and defeat the purpose of the scrub. when finished, rinse under warm
water. you won't get a lather, but the soap [in the product] will
emulsify the oils, the water will dissolve the sugar, and it all rinses
off ...leaving behind a thin film of emollience. your skin will feel
refreshed, moist, and smooth. |
| | facial scrub: a variation
on this recipe can be used as a facial scrub by substituting super-fine
granulated sugar (sold as baker's sugar). however, when combining the
ingredients, you will end up with a mixture the texture of cookie dough.
..because of the sugar's fine granulation. slowly add [your favorite]
light oil -- (or glycerin, if you prefer) -- (or melted butter ...for a
non settling mixture) -- until it reaches a slushy consistency. this
scrub can also be used to exfoliate any skin area for which the regular
scrub is too coarse. |
|
|