Magnus8 - Butters and Oils

Magnus8;3241548 said:

Okay.

Let's talk about oils and butters again. The last time we were here, we spoke of Apricot Kernel Oil. Today, due to time constraints, and because I don't want to confuse you more than need be, I'd like to talk about several oils/butters at once, and tell you not as much detail about each of them, but tell you why I think each might make a grand addition to your lotion.

Lighter Oils:

Sweet Almond Oil
Density: Medium
Penetration: Medium
Oily Feel: Light
Sweet Almond Oil is one of those oils that every lotion- and soapmaker has in their arsenal. It goes on beautifully leaving only a light sensation that it was ever there. Being one of the lighter oils in our collection, you can be assured that it will moisturize without leaving any heavy residue behind. I use it in almost all of my lotions, it is that wonderful. And it is moderately priced.

Cherry Kernel Oil
Density: Medium
Penetration: Medium
Oily Feel: Light
Cherry Kernel Oil is one of those oils that moisturizes splendidly again leaving only a light feel behind that makes the skin smooth and luscious. Truly an oil-lovers oil, Cherry Kernel Oil can easily be obtained from any lotion- or soapmakers supply house. A very special oil for that special lotion.

Fractionated Coconut Oil
Density: Light
Penetration: Good
Oily Feel: Minimal
Fractionated Coconut Oil has already been talked about on this thread, so you've become familiar with it already. It leaves almost a light to dry oily feel behind, moisturizing the skin but more for those who don't want to feel like they've used a lotion at all. There will be SOME light residue, but not much. I love this oil for infusing essential oils in it and spreading it directly on my back. It is that light and absorbs that easily. Deep penetration right down to the muscles, as far as I can attest to. At least it seems so with my back (experience talking, nothing else).

Grapeseed Oil
Density: Light
Penetration: Good
Oily Feel: Light
Grapeseed Oil is another one of those oils in every lotion- and soapcrafters arsenal. I used to use it to add extra moisturizing qualities to my soaps all the time. Every single soap I made got extra Grapeseed Oil in it. That's how good it is. It soaks in rather quickly and moisturizes beautifully, leaving nary a scant residue behind (and it's always good with a lotion to have a bit of residue behind, because that's what makes a lotion feel like it is working). It is easily obtained from your grocery store beside where the Olive Oil is kept. And not too expensive, especially if you buy it at a bulk food kind of place.

Mango Butter
Density: Heavy
Penetration: Medium
Oily Feel: Light
This is one of your solid oils at room temperature. A great moisturizer (maybe not quite as good as the rest on this list, but still very, very good), its best use is to firm up a lotion a bit. Since it is solid at room temperature, when mixed into a lotion it helps to make it thicker and richer, without added emulsifying wax (which can get, well, waxy in higher dosages). A wonderful oil to use, especially if you're not using Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter in your lotion.

Heavy Oils

Shea Butter
Density: Heavy
Penetration: Medium
Oily Feel: Heavy
Used in small doses (2%-5%) in your lotion, Shea Butter adds many enviable qualities that anyone would want in their commercial lotion but doesn't get! It moisturizes, it helps heals cuts and abrasions (I can attest to this from experience), it glides on like no other, and since it is a hard butter at room temperature, it helps to thicken your lotion as well. Another oil in every lotion- and soapcrafter's arsenal, I used to put it in every single soap I used to make. Yes, it is that special. And not just in soap, either. I also put it in almost every single lotion I now make. I cannot stress enough the wonderful qualities of Shea Butter, but make sure you buy the kind that is made by a collective of families or a small village, rather than one of the huge corporations that is raping the rainforest for its many splendours. Any reputable lotion crafting supplier will tell you where their Shea Butter is derived from.

Walnut Oil
Density: Medium
Penetration: Good
Oily Feel: Moderate
Walnut Oil is another one of those easily found oils, taking up space in the oils section of your grocery store. It's a good, healthy oil to use. Leaves a bit of a heavier feel to it afterwards, which is why I've dumped it in with the Heavy Oils, but not so heavy that its feels like a stick of butter on your skin, melting away. Leaves a nice, slippery feel to the skin and is great used in the winter months.

Olive Oil
Density: Heavy
Penetration: Poor
Oily Feel: Heavy
I'm including Olive Oil in this list just because it is so ubiquitous, it is everywhere you turn. Yes, it's a fine oil. For EATING. Well, that's not fair. It can be a fine oil in lotions, too, but only if used at a very low dose. 1%-2% is all you need to feel the benefits of Olive Oil. NEVER use it beyond these amounts, or your lotion will be like slathering on a bucket of grease. I once had the misfortune of testing a lotion that a class of students had made. They had wanted to make a lotion and all they had readily available was Olive Oil, so that is what they had used. It looked beautiful, all fluffy and white, and it spread on like butter. Unfortunately, it WAS like spreading butter on your skin. Or more like dipping your arm in a bucket of olive oil and trying to spread it in. Just didn't work. Just because it is in a lotion doesn't change the basic nature of the ingredient itself. If it's Olive Oil, then it's Olive Oil. 1%-2%. That's all. Enough said. One more thing: It just doesn't penetrate the skin. That's why it is a terrible carrier oil for cannabinoids -- and isn't that what we're looking for here? Good cannabinoid carriers in our lotions?



So there are some oils to think about purchasing for your lotions. You won't need much of each lotion, and frankly, for some lotions, you won't need more than one or two oils. Depends on the oils you choose, doesn't it? I urge you all to take some time to research further any oils that I have written about above and to narrow down your choices of oils to possibly, say, three or less oils in your lotion. That would certainly be enough. And go crazy! Pick one of the solid oils for your lotion! Or something you've never heard of. This is a fun time, deciding on which oils to include in your first lotion. And if you enjoy the lotion you make, you will probably make more, so there will be more oils to purchase at a later date. You don't have to purchase them all now. Or even many of them. I know one woman who makes a lotion for herself and the only oil -- the only one -- that she uses for it is Walnut Oil. It just works perfectly for her skin. And she loves it! Raves about that one lotion with that one oil. Can't get enough of it.

So think about that.

Choose wisely. Choose well. And have fun with the choosing.

And remember, if you have any questions, I'm only a posting or a private message away.

Be well. All of you.

(Cannafan: This one's for the blog. Obviously, eh? Thanks so much!)

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