I lost $50 in actives in batch that I used lecithin.

I made another using beeswax as a co emulsifier and worked great.

 

Ohhh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know it's not particularly easy to use -- and it does take a bit of practice, but I still vote for lecithin, because of its purity and that it's edible.

 

I always use lecithin but sometimes some batches likes to test my patience.

 

like goatie, i hated lecithin, though i'm still using it. have only used gelmaker once -- am very happy with the results, but a bit leery that it's not really natural. anyone have luck with xanthan gum or thoughts on it?

 

anyone have luck with xanthan gum or thoughts on it?

I use xanthan gum in just about every formulation. I basically stick with aqueous formulations - using water soluble actives and distilled water, to which I add a bit of xanthan gum as a thickener.

I am not familiar with its use as an emusifier. Is it one? If so, great. I would love to know how to use it so that I can start working with some oil in water emulsions, using water soluble actives.

 

Xanthan Gum - Lotioncrafter LLC

Listed under "thickeners"

 

So far, I've been fine with lecithin - it isn't completely stable though because my cream will separate a bit which is why I am considering cetearyl alcohol/Ceteareth 20 but I like the natural aspect of lecithin.

Goatlady and mimi - is the lack of stability why you dislike lecithin? I would be curious so I can be forewarned.

 

I like lecithin and I use it for everything but sometimes the mixture separates after some time.But I also tried gelmaker and other emulsifiers and I think lecithin makes creams with better texture and lighter.And its natural.

 

Yes very unstable for me. I could not get my potions to "marry" using it. I have had better luck with the Gelmaker.

 

When I've had separation, I've been able to fix that by adjusting the percentage used.

 

Does separation mean there is not enough lecithin? So is the trick to use a little and add more as needed until you get a consistent product? I am not sure yet how to go about using it.

 

Hi goatie, like mimi I like lecithin + beeswax co-emulsifier, my current favourite though is polawax (emulsifying wax nf) + btms, which give a really "professional" finish and stability to creams. Even then, I keep 1-2% lecithin and beeswax in, just because the skin benefits are so nice...

Not tried gelmaker though!

 

Thanks for this helpful hint glitterbug. I vote you the Queen of Emulsifiers-

I wish I had a sense to be able to whip something up and know which things worked better than others. I always end up with some type of disaster happening with my DIY projects before later finding something easier to use.

I too am a fan of gelmaker. Probably because it is easy to use-

If you ever give it a try, I would like to hear your thoughts.

 

The last iotion I made I used lecithin and a little BTMS, it is very nice, creamy and seems to soak in after a few minutes, just lecithin seems a little too oily for me.

 

Yes, BTMS and Polawax seem to be very popular right now, although I haven't tried either one but hope to. Anyone else have experience with them that can offer some advice?

Emulsifiers-Complete for Creams & Lotions-Blending Nature and Science - Innovative Natural Products for Cosmetics and Toiletries

 

Granny BTMS?

 

Thanks Randy ,for posting the link about BTMS. It's very easy to use and gives a "professional " feel to creams and lotions. However it is not as "organic" or 'natural" as I would like. Have not tried polawax. Have tried beeswax, too waxy. Lecithin and beeswax sounds interesting, What percentages would be used?

 

I've tried MakingCosmetics's GelMaker EMU (lightening gel and emulsifier for leave in conditioner for hair), Polysorbate 80 (vitamin C serum), a mix of glyceryl stearate and peg 100 stearate (lightening cream and all lotions), and sorbitan sterate (secondary emulsifier for lotion). I'm in love with the GelMaker!!!

 

Yeah ANOTHER Gelmaker fan!

 

I found some lecithin in my ******* cupboard the other day. It isn't a liquid....it looks more like tapioca pearls. Would I be able to use that as an emulsifier in lotions? Would I need to dissolve it in water first?

Also, how does one use beeswax as an emulsifier? Do you just grate a bit off of the block and melt it? Sorry if that's a really dumb question!

 

I haven't used non-liquid lecithin before I'm afraid...for beeswax that's spot on...if you're using liquid lecithin a good starting point to experiment with is 2 parts lecithin: 1 part beeswax. Melt both in with your oil phase, then add your water phase (reserving delicate actives like peptides, essential oils, preservatives until the cool down phase after the emulsion has been created). HTH

 

I have some Ewax arriving soon. I haven't used it before. I plan to use it with the lecithin.

 

GEL MAKER is a God send BTW.

 

I think Btms50 goes well with Gel maker too I love gel maker is so easy to work with Btms50 is simply ceterayl alcohol and polysorbate 60 . making cosmetic has a msh recipe I made with the btms and gel maker I love the way the cream feel on the skin. Try to tweet this recipe to make it move effective by adding Licorice, Mull berry ,Wild berry and Alpha-Arbutin but its a shame it never feels the same.

 

EWAX is ok. Gelmaker is still my favorite.

 

Hate lecithin! Its oily, sticky, and just doesn't seem to work well for me.

 

I haven't tried lecithin, but it's on my shopping list.

For lotions and creams I usually use a combination ofSodium Stearoyl Lactylate (oil phase) and Glyceryl Stearate (water phase) OR a combination product available here consisting of Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Glucoside (its called Vegetal).

For serums I use polysorbates (80 usually).

 

If you get lecithin get the powder. The liquid is a sticky mess and it stains everything. I've never tried the emulsifiers you've mentioned. I may give them a go. It seems like no matter what I use it doesn't produce the beautiful creamy texture that gel maker gives me. Anytime I've tried to use something else I get a runny half emulsified cream that needs shaken before use. I've used multiple things, Cera Belina, Ewax, Xanthan Gum, Sclarocium gum, lecithin, poly 80 and of course gel maker.

 

Hey guys just a tip I got from Susan at www.swiftcraftmonkey.com (my favorite DIY site)

in regards to Polawax/Emulsifying NF Wax use it at 25% or you oil phase
ie. if your oil phase is 10% you should add at min 2.5% E-Wax

She says BTMS you can use less wax only 20% or your oil phase

Hope that helps