I thought I can mix with my body lotion and use. I am looking for water based body lotion. Is the recipe?
Mix Kojic Acid Powder Into Commercial Lotions for Optimum Effectiveness
To mix kojic acid into an already made commercial lotion takes your undivided attention to not over heat.
Ho to mix kojic acid powder into lotions:
All soaps and lotions require some heat in the manufacturing process but getting them too hot will destroy the enzymes and vitamins. When adding extra ingredients to an already made lotion heating works to dissolve kojic acid faster and makes it watery so it is easy to work with. So to mix kojic acid into your favorite lotion the trick is to know the limit that you can warm your lotion to and stay well under that so that all of the ingredients stay effective.
Over-heating will also harm the preservative system, this is usually why a re-heated lotion or cream will become dark brown and become rancid faster. (Expect some lotions to take on a little tan color when you mix kojic acid into them due to that is the color of quality kojic acid. Avoid the inferior Chinese pure white being sold)
If you think you have overheated your lotion than keeping it in the refrigerator would be a good idea, use an air tight zip lock baggy to store your bottle of lotion in to prevent odor contamination. If you fear that you may over-heat your lotion then use the “stand in hot tap water till it becomes watery method” will do fine.
If you mix commercial lotions like this often then you could buy a natural preservative and add .5 percent during cool down when below 100F to fix this (We use Linatural from Organic Creations). To mix kojic acid we consider 120F – 49C max but staying closer to 115F or under is better. Even if your lotion stays gritty from under-heating even after stirring well, it will completely dissolve in a day or two, just shake a couple of times a day if this is the case.
So step by step guide to mix kojic acid:
1. Empty lotion into suitable double boiler pan or microwavable container (Glass Pyrex is best for microwave) or just let the glass mixing bowl stand in hot tap water (takes longer).
2. Heat lotion until watery to 100 – 115 Fahrenheit = 47 Celsius MAX (Do not add kojic acid yet)
3. Remove lotion from heat source
4. Add and mix kojic acid while stirring until dissolved, you may use a stick blender (if your container is deep enough) for just a few seconds if you wish. Keep blender submerged and pulse to avoid sucking air into the lotion. When you mix kojic acid into lotions in large quantities a stick blender is ideal. But when mixing small amounts it is just an option. In any case mixing lotion that is under-heated may stay slightly gritty but kojic acid is water soluble and will completely dissolve in a day or two without re-heating.
5. Pour back into lotion or cream container while still liquid (This is where heating to the upper limit makes this easier). A small funnel may be needed.
Mix kojic acid in the following amounts
(NOTE: It is not the higher percentage strengths of kojic acid, but it is the everyday application that makes kojic acid effective. Plus high percentages can cause skin irritation in long-term use requiring you to stop your daily regimen. 2% is normal, use 1% if you have sensitive skin)
237ml lotion
5g = 2 level teaspoons. Add to 8oz for 2.16% lotion
2.5g = 1 level teaspoon. Add to 8oz for 1.08% lotion
119ml lotion
2.5g = 1 level teaspoon. Add to 4oz for 2.16% lotion
1.25g = 1/2 teaspoon. Add to 4oz for 1.08% lotion
Notes:
Creams and lotions are made up of a high water content usually 50 to 80 percent water and the remainder are oils, additives and an emulsifier that allows oil and water to mix (the difference in creams and lotions is mainly water content, creams being lower in water & higher in oils, usually). When you mix kojic acid powder it dissolves due to the water content and when the lotion is heated first slightly it will dissolve and incorporate faster and helps your lotion to not be gritty from undissolved kojic acid, but if it is a little gritty at first it will eventually dissolve without re-heating.
Making your own lotions from scratch is the best way for longest shelf life and effectiveness. We will be adding guides that teach you how to make your own lotions that are optimized for skin whitening and are super effective when you mix kojic acid in them. Currently we are updating our website and will add those soon to our member’s area along with 50% off kojic acid prices for members only.
When you make your lotion from scratch properly by never overheating, the shelf life is over a year with a functioning preservative system.
- 250ml plain lotion. No scent. No colour.
- Thermometer