Re: basic lotion mkg questions

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- >

>

> If you are uncertain about the microbial integrity of your water or your

water phase contains lots of organics that may be contaminated, you should

heat to 80C for several minutes.

>

> Maurice

OK, when I have been htg to 80C and holding, I have been replacing my lost

water before I combine with the oil phase. Now I find reference to

replacing lost water at the end of the lotion making process. Which is

recommended? When I premeasure oils for soap making I lose .1 oz of each

premeasured ingredient whether the ingredient was 4 #'s or 4 oz. I would

think I would lose this also in my oil phase and I would be replacing with

water what I lost in my container of oils. Most of my experiments have been

500 to 600 grams, but I suppose this would not be much of an issue when I

finally start to make larger batches. . . or would it?

My scale that measures to .000 gram only weighs up to 500 grams. My larger

scale (10,000 grams) only measures in 1 gram increments. Do you think this

is accurate enough to make 1 gallon size batches of lotion if the

preservative is measured on the smaller scale? (I do add a bit of the lotion

to a small glass pitcher, tare and then add the preservative so all ends up

in my lotion.)

btw, I really appreciate all the time that is spent answering questions on

this list. Despite my very basic questions, I have learned so much from so

many people on this list. THANK YOU!

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- >

>

> If you are uncertain about the microbial integrity of your water or your

water phase contains lots of organics that may be contaminated, you should

heat to 80C for several minutes.

>

> Maurice

OK, when I have been htg to 80C and holding, I have been replacing my lost

water before I combine with the oil phase. Now I find reference to

replacing lost water at the end of the lotion making process. Which is

recommended? When I premeasure oils for soap making I lose .1 oz of each

premeasured ingredient whether the ingredient was 4 #'s or 4 oz. I would

think I would lose this also in my oil phase and I would be replacing with

water what I lost in my container of oils. Most of my experiments have been

500 to 600 grams, but I suppose this would not be much of an issue when I

finally start to make larger batches. . . or would it?

My scale that measures to .000 gram only weighs up to 500 grams. My larger

scale (10,000 grams) only measures in 1 gram increments. Do you think this

is accurate enough to make 1 gallon size batches of lotion if the

preservative is measured on the smaller scale? (I do add a bit of the lotion

to a small glass pitcher, tare and then add the preservative so all ends up

in my lotion.)

btw, I really appreciate all the time that is spent answering questions on

this list. Despite my very basic questions, I have learned so much from so

many people on this list. THANK YOU!

[Guest guest]

Maureen,

----- Original Message -----

>The lighter ones I try are so thick that I waste a ton of it trying

>to get it into the narrow plastic bottle openings

I use those stainless cake decorating tips as funnels for my small lotion

batches. They come in sizes to fit the openings in all my bottles and jars.

>and the more liquid ones tend to be very greasy. Still working on it tho'.

two ingredients that I now use are IPM and fractionated coconut. I think these

two are making a difference, but my recipes now don't even resemble my first

attempts . . . for which I am grateful! One person's perfect lotion can be

another's nightmare.

>I love the glass Pyrex 4 cup sizes or smaller ones and I use them as a

bain-marie setup in a pot.

my problem with glass is the weight for pouring. I have sizes ranging from 1

oz to 64 oz in glass. My wrist gives out, especially when pouring 1 oz samples

for my testers.

>Speaking of " sterilizing " anyone have suggestions on the preferred way to do

>that for products being sold to others? I put the containers in the

>dishwasher and set an extra hot temperature, then I swab them with denatured

alcohol,

>and if they are glass I bake them in a 200 degree oven for awhile. Is there

a

>better way?

I remember this question being posted on this list previously. I believe the

response was that new containers did not have to be sterilized since your

preservative should take care of this and you could run a risk of actually

contaminating your containers. As soon as I get a shipment of containers in, I

put the lids on loosely and place them inside a plastic bag and then into a

box. I tried a *quick* search of the archives but I didn't find the msg

although I am sure it is there. (I will be elated when we finally get DSL on

this street!) I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be able to give correct

advise.

[Guest guest]

On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 04:16:00 -0800, at Scents of Thyme wrote:

>OK, when I have been htg to 80C and holding, I have been replacing my lost

>water before I combine with the oil phase. Now I find reference to

>replacing lost water at the end of the lotion making process. Which is

>recommended?

I add the water lost due to evaporation at the end when the batch is

cooled down. If you add it earlier, you still lose water and will have

to add it again at the end.

>When I premeasure oils for soap making I lose .1 oz of each

>premeasured ingredient whether the ingredient was 4 #'s or 4 oz. I would

>think I would lose this also in my oil phase and I would be replacing with

>water what I lost in my container of oils. Most of my experiments have been

>500 to 600 grams, but I suppose this would not be much of an issue when I

>finally start to make larger batches. . . or would it?

The size of error will decrease as the batch size increases.

>My scale that measures to .000 gram only weighs up to 500 grams. My larger

>scale (10,000 grams) only measures in 1 gram increments. Do you think this

>is accurate enough to make 1 gallon size batches of lotion if the

>preservative is measured on the smaller scale?

Yes, you can use the smaller scale.

> (I do add a bit of the lotion

>to a small glass pitcher, tare and then add the preservative so all ends up

>in my lotion.)

I don't go to that trouble.

Maurice

--------------------------------------------------------

Maurice O. Hevey

Convergent Cosmetics, Inc.

http://www.ConvergentCosmetics.com

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