For my preservative, I chose Optiphen. A preservative is super important. I can not stress this enough. My three favorite preservatives are Liquipar, Liquid Germall Plus and Optiphen. Between all three, I cover all of the products I will make. Scrubs, lotions, creams, butters, etc. It is always good to know the products I make are safe and not a growth-and-transfer point for microbes.
The last ingredients I used where my fragrance oil and menthol crystals. I wanted a fragrance oil so I could change up the monotony of mint. I used the menthol crystals for a cooling sensation on the feet. Always use less than what you think you will need. It is easier to say “Next time I will add more” instead of wanting to run out of your own feet due to the extreme cooling and tingling sensation.
Ingredients 5% Emulsifying Wax 4% Calendilla Wax 8% Babassu Oil 3% Hydrovance 68% Water 1% Optiphen 1% Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals |
Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes |
Recipe:
Recipe in Grams 5 grams Emulsifying Wax 4 grams Calendilla Wax 8 grams Babassu Oil 3 grams Hydrovance 68 grams Water 1 gram Optiphen 1 gram Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals |
Recipe in Ounces 0.17 oz Emulsifying Wax 0.14 oz Calendilla Wax o.28 oz Babassu Oil 0.10 oz Hydrovance 2.39 oz Water 0.03 oz Optiphen 0.03 oz Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals |
Recipe in Percentages 5% Emulsifying Wax 4% Calendilla Wax 8% Babassu Oil 3% Hydrovance 68% Water 1% Optiphen 1% Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals |
Weigh all of the ingredients except the Optiphen, Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil and Menthol Crystals into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Stir and allow it to cool slightly. Add the Optiphen, Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil and Menthol Crystals. Stir occasionally as the mixture continues to cool. Once it has cooled completely, transfer to containers of your desired size. I used 20 mL jars. Enjoy!
well this is just yummy–wil have to try soon!
I would like to try this recipe but was wondering about the menthol crystals. I have never tried them and would have to purchase them but I was wondering what do they feel like in the cream? Is it anything like the feeling you get on your skin with Ben Gay or Icy Hot? I really hate that feeling. If so maybe substitute peppermint essential oil?
Using the menthol is wonderful. You can make it light and tingly instead of intense and burning/stinging. I don’t like the products you mentioned either.
Tina
Thank you Tina. I think I will make a purchase to try this recipe and menthol crystals 🙂
Tina, just reading the ingredients made my feet want to be rubbed!
I have never used Menthol crystals…how many should be used in this recipe? There’s no gram weight or %’age listed.
TIA!
I would start with one crystal. I know that is small!
Tina I tried the foot lotion with the menthol crystals and loved it. I was wondering if I can put the menthol crystals in an emulsified foot scrub (oils/butters only no water)
The menthol crystals are oil soluble, so I’m glad to say yes! Simply warm some oil and add the menthol crystals. Stir until dissolved!
So just ‘stirring’ to achieve the emulsion … no blending or whipping? Thanks!
No whipping needed. We use an immersion blender to mix but we don’t want to whip air into the mixture and we don’t want to overmix. The action of beating can break an emulsion.
Tina