Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating How to incorporate honey into oil based balms

  • How to incorporate honey into oil based balms

    Posted by Anonymous on March 20, 2014 at 5:55 am

    Hi all,
    I am hoping someone can give me some tips on how to add honey to my oil based balms. I do not add any water to my priducts, they are made using a mix of herbal oils, beeswax and shea/cocoa butter.I know honey can separate or even ferment in water based creams, but I have not seen any formulas for adding honey to oil. Is it even possible?

    Thanks in advance
    Netta

    MakingSkincare replied 10 years, 7 months ago 2 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • MakingSkincare

    Member
    March 20, 2014 at 7:29 am

    Try using lanolin or lecithin - a small % to allow you to add the honey.

  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    March 20, 2014 at 8:34 am
    Typical honey analysis:
    Fructose: 38.2%
    Glucose: 31.3%
    Maltose: 7.1%
    Sucrose: 1.3%
    Water: 17.2%
    Higher sugars: 1.5%
    Ash: 0.2%
    Other/undetermined: 3.2%
    None of the sugars in honey are oil-soluble, so even boiling the water out will not help you incorporate honey into an oil-based product.
    As Jane (@MakingSkincare) says, you’ll need an emulsifier to get honey into your system. I would try pre-mixing the emulsifier with the honey before adding the mix to your balm. 
    Because you’re now introducing water, it would be prudent to include a preservative as well.
  • Anonymous

    Guest
    March 21, 2014 at 4:40 am

    Thanks so much for a great reply!
    Will I need to add extra water to the honey and emulsifier or is the naturally occurring water in the honey enough?
    Woul potassium sorbate be appropriate?

    Many thanks
    Netta

  • MakingSkincare

    Member
    March 21, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Potassium sorbate isn’t sufficient I’m afraid netta - see list/reviews here - http://makingskincare.com/preservatives/

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