[Zaf]

Also: is the zinc really a problem? It’s kinda an important component to form a moisture barrier and an extra soothing component (I find it works quite well for broken skin, I use it in all my anhydrous butters). I’d really like to keep a zinc component for that reason.

Also: I do plug this into a calculator for percentages. I’ll fix it next time so that it’s by weight. I can post the percentages if that would be more helpful.

[Zaf]

Thank you so much!

The first try kept perfectly and did not separate out. Considering I’ve never tried this before, I was really surprised.

I absolutely do not have ANY IDEA what I’m doing (my interest is in health mostly, not chemistry!)! I’m kinda learning in the fly - luckily this is kinda a hobby for me so it’s fun.

I couldn’t find much on a magnesium cream and how to make it asside from the fact that they probably need a preservative and that the water and wax phase need to be approximately the same tempature to mix without an emulsifying wax. I did find some posts on this board that we’re dealing with some similar ingredients and figured that this was the best place to get some answers that I wasn’t finding through my own research.

I have considered switching to an olive-based emulsifying wax. I’m trying to keep each ingredient to have some purpose for the skin. Not sure if the processing that emulsifying waxes removed some of the characteristics from the original source. White Lotus is anti-inflammatory (as is nearly every other ingredient), it was a replacement from beeswax… though I suppose it can always be switched out again.

So, if the issue is free water, would it be correct to say that it probably doesn’t need a preservative for the kind of shelf-life I’m looking at? I was trying to be in the safe side because I am on immuno-supressants and don’t want to slathering a whole lot of nasty microbes onto my skin (nor my son for that matter). I’m also considering sending some to some friends who have shown some interest (through the mail, maybe with an ice pack because I’m working with a high polyphenol Olive oil that might degrade a bit with heat)… not sure if that makes any difference.

[Zaf]

I am aware that I made some mistakes as well:

The Vitamin C will have to be added to the heated oil portion it sounds like to get it to mix.

Sorry I’m a total newb. I started with anhydrous formulations but the concept of adding magnesium to my butters was just too good to pass up. It’s exploded from there (with the addition of bamboo and changing up some of the oil/mineral types).

I’m trying to build something with a whole lot of anti-inflammatory properties and the main importance is that everything is as non-irritating as possible since psoriasis compromises the skin barrier (think papercuts, extremely sensitive)… and of course, I don’t want it to mold!

I also wonder if going back to magnesium sulfate with the MSM would add enough sulfur to do the job?

I’m willing to change up the formulation and ingredient for less spoilage. I recognize that it’s probably WAY TOO ALKALINE. I do think I would like to keep it closer to 6pH rather than dropping down to 5pH. I recognize that this would open up my options for preservatives as well. I have no idea how to calculate it off-hand without testing it to get an idea of where I’m starting and how much it’ll have to drop to be more friendly to the skin barrier - especially with two components that would draw all the ingredients deeper into the skin.

[Zaf]

As per my personal experience, your problem might be the Shea first of all. All the soft plant butters (Shea, mango, ect) are a little unstable. To my understanding this is because of the ratios of waxes and fatty acids (ect?), which like to separate. They’re very sensitive to temperature change (specifically gradual changes, and do much better with quick temp changes - like putting the whole thing in the freezer for an hour or two and then bringing it out and letting it naturally come back to room temp).

I’ve had so much problem with lip balms I’ve basically given up on that respects (either two stiff and don’t melt properly, or too soft and start separating). And with soft plant butters I treat them very gently and whip them slowly. Not super helpful with something that has a wax component.

Hope that helps (I know, it probably doesn’t).

[Zaf]

I’d like to apologize for all the grammatical errors… I typed this on my phone and Swype hates me. ?

[Zaf]

I’m just working on DIY formulations and I guess feel like I’m not really sure what I’m doing.

I’m interested in making effective moisturizers incorporating natural (namely plant) ingredients. I have psoriasis and am looking at better adjunctives to my current treatment and kinda fell into the hole of making homemade butters for my son who still has skin issues (though much better now!)… and it’s become a bit of a hobby that’s gotten away with itself?

I have considered selling what I make but really just enjoying creating things for myself. Maybe someday when they’re *perfect*?

I’m continually doing research and kinda a bit of a science/medicine nerd, so, who knows?