Last Saturday I made my first batch of lotion. It contains moisturizing oils like sweet almond, avocado, and shea butter, and dissolves easily into the skin. It does not leave a sticky residue, but makes your hands feel nice and soft. You can read everything on the ingredient list - unlike most lotions you buy from a store. The hardest thing to read on the label is "phenonip" - that's the preservative.
Why does it need a preservative? Well, lotion is water based. When you mix oils and water they will only last so long before going rancid or turning moldy - add milk to the equation and it will spoil even faster (although this lotion does not contain milk). If the lotion was going to be used up in the next couple of weeks it would not need a preservative. But since I'm selling it, and there is no telling how long it may sit on someone's shelf, it really needs the preservative to keep it fresh and safe for use. If someone prefers lotion without a preservative I can make it by special request - they will just have to use it up faster.
My first batch of lotion was rose scented. I have a nice smelling rose fragrance that I use (the same one that I use in my rose petals soap). Right now all my bottles are 8 oz. bottles, but I will be looking into getting smaller sizes to bottle the lotion in soon. Next batch of lotion I plan to add goat's milk. That should add some nice qualities to it. What kind of scent would you like to see in a lotion? Let me know. I might just have the scent for you =)
Why does it need a preservative? Well, lotion is water based. When you mix oils and water they will only last so long before going rancid or turning moldy - add milk to the equation and it will spoil even faster (although this lotion does not contain milk). If the lotion was going to be used up in the next couple of weeks it would not need a preservative. But since I'm selling it, and there is no telling how long it may sit on someone's shelf, it really needs the preservative to keep it fresh and safe for use. If someone prefers lotion without a preservative I can make it by special request - they will just have to use it up faster.
