Today we will work on refining our formula. After testing yesterday’s formula, it was clear that the too-strong odor and color were objectionable.
Ingredients: High Melt Point Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, Soy Wax, Apricot Kernel Oil, Lanolin, Tamanu Oil, Calendula Oil Extract.
Also, we want to make the formula a bit thicker. A product with the correct, good-quality ingredients can do all the work, and we don’t want to have to rub excessively to apply it.
To begin, Neem Oil needs to go; the odor and color are just not working in this product. We’ll also reduce the percentage of Tamanu Oil from 10% to 5%. These two changes should address the strong smell and improve the color.
Soy Wax will come on board to thicken the mixture. The goal is to produce an ointment that doesn’t need to be rubbed in, merely spread on the skin as a barrier to prevent further irritation to sore little bums. We’ll start with 10% Soy Wax.
Additionally, we’ll drop the percentage of Apricot Kernel Oil, a liquid oil, from 11% to 8%. This should help the finished product be thicker.
MAKE IT:
Here’s what you’ll need if you’d like to make this along with us.
| INGREDIENTS High Melt Point Shea Butter Aloe Butter Soy Wax Apricot Kernel Oil Lanolin Tamanu Oil Calendula Extract |
EQUIPMENT Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes |
REVISED RECIPE:
PERCENTAGES
32% High Melt Point Shea Butter
30% Aloe Butter
10% Soy Wax
8% Apricot Kernel Oil
5% Lanolin
5% Tamanu Oil
10% Calendula Extract
| GRAMS (makes 100 gr) 32 grams High Melt Point Shea Butter 30 grams Aloe Butter 10 grams Soy Wax 8 grams Apricot Kernel Oil 5 grams Lanolin 5 grams Tamanu Oil 10 grams Calendula Extract |
OUNCES (makes 4 oz) 1.28 ounces High Melt Point Shea Butter 1.2 ounces Aloe Butter 0.4 ounce Soy Wax 0.32 ounce Apricot Kernel Oil 0.2 ounce Lanolin 0.2 ounce Tamanu Oil 0.4 ounce Calendula Extract |
INSTRUCTIONS:
Carefully weigh all ingredients except the Calendula Extract in a microwave-safe container. Melt in short bursts (30-45 seconds) and stir in between to prevent the mixture from overheating.
You can also use a double boiler to melt the oils just until all have become liquid. Stir the mixture often as it warms, as the stirring will help the solids melt more quickly.
The Soy Wax takes a long time to melt, so be patient. The stirring will help reduce the amount of heating needed.
 This is what the mixture looked like after one minute in the microwave. After stirring, the Soy Wax was still not melted. |
 After heating the mixture for another 30 seconds, the Soy Wax still looked solid. However, a quick stir melted the wax. |
Once the mixture is completely melted, it will be a clear yellow-green color. As you wait for the mixture to cool below 120 degrees, keep a close eye on it. You don’t want it to become hazy before you add the Calendula Extract, because this will interrupt the long cooling process.
We have lots of options to package this ointment: jars, round tins, and slider tins.
Once it is just warm to the touch and is below 120 degrees, mix in the extract and then pour immediately into containers. Do not cap the containers and allow them to sit undisturbed long enough for the balm to completely solidify. It can take as long as 6-8 hours in a warm room, so be patient.
We have a lot of neat options for containers. For the samples I made, I used our 1-ounce Jar and Cap Set. They are a nice size and easy to work with. I love the slider tins, but they are very small, holding 0.15 ounce of product. They are a good choice for sample or trial sizes. The 2-ounce screw top tin is a good choice for packaging this ointment.
 Pouring the finished mixture into jars. |
 The ointment after cooling overnight. |
NOTES:
Today’s formula is a definite improvement. The odor is much lighter, and the texture is soft and creamy. It looks like the viscosity is right about where we want it.
The color still needs work; it’s still a rather unappealing greenish-yellow. Let’s see what we can do to fix that. See you tomorrow!
