How to create a body lotion formula in 5 simple steps

 

You want a light, long spreading lotion that still delivers a beautifully soft skin feel with absorbs delightfully into the skin. You also want to make sure it is stable and non-greasy.
With so many choices of oils, extracts and emulsifiers to use, how can you decide and where do you even start to create a body lotion formula?

If you’re super new to formulating and not sure about how to start, enjoy our FREE Cosmetic Formulation Masterclass first, to get you used to formulating tips and terms. This masterclass will also help you gather essential equipment and get used to reading formulas and how to put products together.

When you’re ready to get creating your own body lotion, the Create Cosmetic Formulas program makes it easy in 5 simple steps. Get inspired with our video: How to make a natural lotion, watch here. Then find out how to get making your own body lotion formula in 5 simple steps, read on…

Start by logging into your Create Cosmetic Formulas subscription then…
 

How to create a body lotion formula in 5 simple steps

1. Select O/W Cream (Face or body) as the type of formula you would like to create today, then click Create.

O/W lotions are most commonly used for the body, but you can create different types of richer feeling creams if you want. Other product forms you could choose include:

  • O/W Body Butter: ideal for viscous, creamy body products;
  • O/W Cream: for a creamy product that is richer than a lotion, but not as dense as a body butter.

 

2. Choose your humectant and gum: this starts to build the viscosity of your formula as well as boost moisturisation and hydration. Not sure what each ingredient does? That’s okay, read our go-to guide on cosmetic ingredients here.

We’ve chosen glycerin and xanthan gum because they are both readily available from most small suppliers around the world. We’ve used the mid point because it is always a great place to start when you are not sure on input.

 

3. Choose your emulsifiers and follow the inputs provided.


We’re only using one emulsifier to keep our formula super light and simple. You can choose another emulsifier if you want to build more body to your cream, or you could choose one of the many other emulsifiers that are included in the program – its up to you, and what you can source easily! I’m using the middle of the recommended input range to get started. You can adjust your inputs up or down depending on whether you want your next body lotion formula to be more moisturising, spread further or be more viscous.

 

4. Choose your oils and extracts. This will alter how the skin cream formula feels on the skin and also what type of skin it will be best suited for.

I’ve chosen some nice oils to help hold a lot of moisture in the skin, and I’ve used the caprylic/capric triglycerides to give the product a nice spread without feeling greasy.
I’m included some calming extracts to really soothe my skin as well – but there are hundreds of plant oils and extracts you can choose from in the program to really make your body lotion formula your own!

If you’re not sure what different oils and extracts do, don’t worry, the program tells you this when you are making your selections, for example:


5. Choose an antioxidant and preservative to make sure your formula will have a good shelf life.

In this example, I have chosen an easily sourced preservative and antioxidant that will help maximise the shelf life of this body lotion formula. 

You could also choose various fragrances, essential oils and even active ingredients to alter the aroma and performance of your body lotion… we’ve kept it simple to show you how easy it is to get creating your own body lotion formula but once you’ve made your first, you’re sure to want to get creating more!

Then I just need to click generate method,

Then here is my formula, and here is the method!

Now all you need to do is find your nearest cosmetic ingredient suppliers, order the materials, and get making your fantastic shampoo formulas!

Once you’ve made one formula, you’ll be keen to make more! With Create Cosmetic Formulas, you have almost limitless formulation creation, and just one low annual subscription.

It really is that simple.

Happy formulating!

 

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