Buzz
Don't confuse it with your favorite beverage or isopropyl alcohol; cetyl alcohol is a solid, waxy component commonly found in beauty products. It serves as an emulsifier, aiding in blending oil and water in hair and skincare items like creams and cosmetics, ensuring a smooth consistency. It's also a great moisturizer, making it a valuable addition to your beauty and skincare routine!
Ingredients
Crafting Homemade Lotion
- 2.7 fluid ounces (80 mL) of oil
- 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of stearic acid
- 1.2 fluid ounces (35 mL) of shea butter
- 1.2 fluid ounces (35 mL) of cetyl alcohol
- 0.2 fluid ounces (5.9 mL) of phenonip
- 0.1 fluid ounce (3.0 mL) of fragrance oil
- 3.5 mL (0.12 fluid ounces) of coloring
Crafting a Luxurious Luminizer
- 2.5 grams of jojoba oil
- 0.75 grams of cetyl alcohol
- 0.25 grams of silica microspheres
- 1 gram of hilite gold mica
- 0.25 grams of gold mica
- 0.25 grams of silver mica
- 0.0125 grams of vitamin E oil
Steps
Crafting Homemade Lotion
Choose your cetyl alcohol and other necessary ingredients for your homemade lotion. Remember, most lotions include a mix of oils, butters, distilled water, stearic acid, preservatives, and an emulsifier like cetyl alcohol. Look online or visit specialty stores for specific ingredients like stearic acid, shea butter, and unique oils.
- You can find cetyl alcohol in beauty stores or regular grocery stores, along with distilled water.
- Consider avocado oil, sunflower oil, or sweet almond oil for your lotion.
- Preservatives such as Phenonip help extend the shelf life of your lotion.
- This lotion combines oil and water, which typically do not mix naturally. Cetyl alcohol acts as an emulsifier, facilitating the blending of water and oil.
Blend your oils, stearic acid, and cetyl alcohol in a microwave-safe bowl. Prepare a large bowl or cup that can be used in the microwave. Add 2.7 fluid ounces (80 mL) of oil, 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of stearic acid, and 1.2 fluid ounces (35 mL) of cetyl alcohol. You can use a single type of oil or mix different types as long as the total volume remains 2.7 fluid ounces (80 mL).
Heat the mixture in the microwave for 2 minutes to melt the ingredients. Place the bowl or cup in the microwave and set the timer for 2 minutes. After microwaving, return the melted mixture to your workspace and give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is melted together.
- If the mixture is not fully melted, microwave it for an additional 15 to 30 seconds.
Incorporate shea butter into the warm oil mixture. Add 1.2 fluid ounces (35 mL) of shea butter to the melted oil and gradually stir it in with a spoon. Allow the shea butter to melt into the oil mixture naturally without using the microwave. This process may take a few minutes, so have patience!
Warm up your distilled water for 1 minute. Ensure your distilled water is in a microwave-safe cup and heat it in the microwave for 1 minute until it reaches a warm temperature but is not boiling.
Gradually combine the heated distilled water with the oil mixture. Keep the melted oils, cetyl alcohol, and stearic acid in a separate container and slowly pour in the warmed water. Observe as the mixture reacts and the lotion transforms into a white color.
- Make sure the container for your oils can accommodate the addition of water!
Accelerate the emulsification process using a hand blender. Connect a hand-powered or stick blender, a small, handheld device. Power on the blender for 10 to 15 seconds, pausing and resuming blending until the lotion thickens. This step is optional but can greatly improve the texture of your lotion.
- A stick blender, also known as an immersion blender, is recommended but not necessary.
- You can find a stick blender online or at a home goods store for less than $20.
Incorporate a few drops of phenonip and fragrance. Add 0.2 fluid ounces (5.9 mL) of phenonip and 0.1 fluid ounces (3.0 mL) of fragrance using an eyedropper tool. Stir thoroughly to blend the ingredients into the lotion effectively.
- Both phenonip and fragrance oils can be purchased online. Use fragrance sparingly to avoid overpowering the scent.
- Phenonip helps preserve the cetyl alcohol lotion for an extended period.
Transfer the finished lotion into a reusable bottle and seal it after 2 hours. Use a funnel to pour the lotion into a clean bottle. Allow the lotion to settle for a couple of hours before sealing the bottle to allow excess water to evaporate.
- If you plan to sell the lotion, ensure you label the ingredients clearly.
- The lotion can be stored for several months, but discard if it appears or smells off.
Crafting a Creamy Luminizer
Prepare a water bath by heating 3 cm (1.2 in) of water in a saucepan. Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and use this water bath to melt your ingredients evenly.
- A water bath helps create a smooth, luxurious product.
Add jojoba oil, silica microspheres, cetyl alcohol, and mica powder to a heat-resistant glass bowl. Begin by placing 2.5 grams of jojoba oil at the bottom of the bowl, followed by 0.75 grams of cetyl alcohol and 0.25 grams of silica microspheres. Sprinkle in a bit of hilite gold mica, gold mica, and silver mica. Although they may not blend immediately, they will combine during the water bath.
- Mica powder enhances the luminosity of your luminizer.
- Since you're working with small quantities, a digital scale is recommended for accurate measurement.
- Use a bowl that's at least 3 to 4 inches tall to avoid water entering during the bath.
Place the glass bowl into the water bath to melt and blend the ingredients. Wear protective gloves and move the bowl to the center of the simmering water. Ensure all ingredients are submerged to initiate melting and achieve a uniform mixture.
Retrieve the glass bowl once all ingredients have melted. Stir the mixture thoroughly with a rubber spatula until smooth. Monitor closely until the mixture becomes liquid without any clumps before removing it from the water bath.
- Ensure all cetyl alcohol beads are completely melted before removing the bowl.
- Always use protective gloves when handling hot water.
Incorporate a small amount of vitamin E oil into the mixture. Mix approximately 0.0125 grams of vitamin E oil into the luminizer using a small spoon or toothpick to achieve a consistent blend.
Transfer the melted mixture into a small jar. Prepare a clean, small glass jar capable of holding around 5 grams (1 teaspoon) of liquid. Pour the entire melted luminizer into the jar for convenient storage.
Secure the jar and chill it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Place the lid tightly on the luminizer jar and store it in the fridge. Use masking tape to label the jar for easy identification and note the date of preparation. Let the product set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to achieve the desired consistency.
Use the luminizer within a year of preparation. Monitor the product's condition by checking the label for any signs of spoilage. Dispose of the luminizer if it develops an unpleasant odor, indicating rancid oils.
- Luminizer application is most effective on brow bones, Cupid’s bow, or cheekbones.
Pro Tip: Changes in color can indicate spoilage. While minor color shifts are normal, discard the product if it becomes significantly dark or changes color drastically.
Pro Tips
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If you prefer not to craft your own beauty products, opt for pre-made items containing cetyl alcohol as an ingredient.
Important Notes
- Consult your doctor or dermatologist regarding your medication and potential interactions with cetyl alcohol products.
Essential Supplies
Preparing Homemade Lotion
- 16 fluid ounces (470 mL) heat-resistant container
- 32 fluid ounces (950 mL) heat-resistant container
- Digital scale
- Stick blender
Crafting a Luxurious Luminizer
- Medium-sized saucepan
- Heat-resistant glass bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Small glass jar
- Masking tape or labels
- Marker pen
