Blossom Body Cream

Blossom Body Cream

This recipe is an aromatic delight! You can almost always find a batch made up in my refrigerator.  It makes about 4 ounces by weight and a little more by volume (since it is whipped).  The naturally aromatic hydrosols and essential oils in this recipe give the cream an intense floral aroma.

Ingredients

Oil Phase
12 grams Mango Butter
12 grams Ultra Refined Cocoa Butter
12 grams Babassu Butter
10 grams Emulsifying Wax
2 grams Stearic Acid

Water Phase
35 grams Organic Lavandula Augistofolia Hydrsosol
35 grams Distilled Water
2 grams Glycerin                                       
3 grams Grapefruit Seed Extract

Essential Oil Blend
15 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
20 Drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Directions
In a double boiler, heat all in the ingredients in the Oil Phase until they are thoroughly melted.  In a separate container, gently warm the Water Phase ingredients.  Do not use a microwave as it can damage the ingredients.  Use a second double boiler or try putting a heat-proof glass or beaker inside a pot of hot water.  Heat the Water Phase until it is warm, but do not boil it.  When both phases are ready, transfer your Oil Phase into a sturdy mixing bowl.  Use a hand blender or electric mixer and begin whipping the Oil Phase.  Slowly, add the Water Phase to the bowl (while you are mixing).  The mixture should become white or creamy looking and will foam up when you add the Water Phase.

Continue to beat the mixture until it transforms into a cream (about the consistency of a thin pudding). This could take between 10 and 15 minutes of constant whipping.* When the cream has cooled to this point you can add in your essential oil blend. Be sure to thoroughly mix the essential oils into your cream. Dispense your cream into sterilized containers and you are finished!

*Tip: If your cream does not thicken up after 15 minutes of mixing, you may want to try cooling the mixture.  Set your mixing bowl inside a bath of ice water while you continue to whip the emulsion.  This should cool the mixture completely, allowing the cream to harden up.

Storage
Unless you add an additional preservative to this cream I would recommend keeping it in the refrigerator where it should keep for at least 2 weeks.  Products with water based ingredients are especially vulnerable to bacteria and rancidity.  Take extra care to keep your cream from becoming contaminated.  I suggest storing the cream in a closed capped bottle or if you are using a cream jar, to use a clean popsicle stick or other utensil to dispense the lotion (as opposed to your fingers).  This can help to extend the life of your cream.  If your cream changes in color, scent, or appearance, it may have expired or it may have become contaminated.  Discontinue using any cream or lotion that you suspect has gone bad.

Comments

[Casandra]

Is there a comparable substitute for a hydrosol?

What can you tell me about marshmellow root?

[Emmmy]

To complete the recipe, you can substitute the portion of Organic Lavender Hydrosol with several kinds of water based ingredients. Some great substitutes would be Aloe Vera Gel, another kind of hydrosol, synthetically fragrance floral waters, or more distilled water.

Marshmallow Root is usually found dried, and powdered. This herb is great for soothing irritated skin, and helping to add softness to formulations. It is a popular ingredient in milk baths, bath teas, body wraps, and soaps. When the herb is boiled in water, it creates a gel-like substance called mucilage. This substance can be added to fresh spa treatments such as facials or scrubs.

[Michelle]

Wow, the cream looks yummy! I'm tempted to make one soon!

[Emmy]

Thank Michelle. Fresh creams are the best!

[daniella]

what kind of preservatives can you add to make products last longer?

[Emmy Gabriel]

There are many types of Preservatives available, and the type that is best to use depends both on the formula of your product, and your own preferences. Chemical Preservatives are the most effective Preservatives, but may contain components that you wish to avoid, such as parabens. Natural ingredients, such as Grapefruit Seed Extract, contain no chemicals, but are not strong enough to create a truly stable formula. While using a natural ingredient may be suitable for small batches for personal use, it would probably not be enough to pass the challenge testing a product would need in order to be safely sold to the public.

For more information on using Preservatives, please check out the following articles from our blog and our library:

Using Preservatives
http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/07/natural-product.html

Using Preservatives to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Products
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservatives.asp

The Preservative Controversy: Parabens Vs. Citrus Seed Extracts
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservativecontroversy.asp

[skin care products philippines]

I always buy lotion. But now I wanna try this recipe to make my own lotion. This time I can save my money. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

-krisha-

[Emmy]

Thanks! I'm glad you like the recipe. Good luck with your lotion making.

[Christie]

I found the scent of cream didn't last very long. Please show me how to keep the scent of cream last longer? Thanks

[Emmy Gabriel]

Hi Christie,

Essential Oils are volatile in nature, and can evaporate over time. You can try adding a few drops of fresh Essential Oil to your cream when the scent diminishes, but be careful not to overdose. Another way to ensure a longer, more pungent scent, is to use a Fragrance Oil in place of the Essential Oil in the recipe. Fragrance Oils are a good alternative when you are looking for a strong scent. However, they are not natural and do not possess the aromatherapeutic benefits of Essential Oils.

[Anna]

What does stearic acid serve as in this recipe? Is there any alternatives for it?

[Emmy Gabriel]

Hi Anna. Stearic Acid helps to balance the PH, as well as add firmness to the texture of this cream. You can try making the recipe without it, but it will probably not turn out as well.

[kinky curly hair]

can I use aloe vera juice or gel instead of water to use as a afro hair twist or moisture butter. thanks...

[Emmy Gabriel]

Aloe Vera Gel is very similar to water in texture and behavior.  You should be able to use it in place of water in most hair recipes.  Just experiment by making a small batch the first time. 

[B. Miller]

I'm curious why you didn't boil the water for 20 minutes?

[Emmy Gabriel]

Hi B. Though I didnt include a direction to sterilize the water in this recipe, its a step that you should take if you feel concerned about the sterility of your Distilled Water.  Because I included Grapefruit Seed Extract, a strong antibacterial and antifungal agent, I didnt take this extra step when I made a test batch for personal use.  However, it can never hurt to be too careful, and sterilizing the water by boiling it is great advice. 

[Cynthia]

Hi, what is the yield of this recipe? I am trying to make an 8 oz size and the grams are throwing me off for some reason.

[Emmy Gabriel]

Hi Cynthia.  By weight, this recipe yields about 4 ounces of cream, but the volume may be a little larger as the cream is whipped.  Thanks for stopping by the blog!  I hope you enjoy making this recipe,