Tgank you very much! Shea butter is a diva. I would like to make a balm with shea, beeswax and fractionted coconut oil. What would be a good balance of them in a recipe? Right now the balm becomes grainy, ashy, and cracks Open in some places.
Hi Monika - You are most welcome and you are absolutely right about shea butter being the ultimate diva. If your balm is cracking it could be due to the way it is cooling (too fast?). The grains could also be due to cooling method.. If you heat slowly and cool slowly you might see a difference. I'd start with that before tweaking proportions
Loving the blog....so informative and entertaining... i love unrefined Shea butter...but I was under the impression it had to be put in an ice bath and then into the fridge at room temperature. This will make my life a lot easier...thanks ��
HI Jackie - Some people find this method works well for them and some have better success with a slower cooling process. Because shea is a natural ingredient, it is impossible to say all sheas are created equal and will arrive at the doorstep of every customer in exactly the same condition. It doesn't, and that makes for all kinds of 'fun' challenges.
Anonymous said…
Hello! Thank you for all the tips! 😊 The issue I’ve been having with my homemade balms is oil sweating when the balm is left to cool. Why does this occur and is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening? Thank you! 😊
Hi Anon — Without knowing your entire process I would guess you are not stirring long enough before pouring up or the temp of your containers is too different (cooler or warmer) than the temp of the balm when you are pouring up. Also — no lid until the balm is fully cool. Hope this helps!
Anonymous said…
Hello I’m getting streaks once poured into the jar the jar is frosted so the inconsistencies show through I think it’s due to the butters and waxes cooling at different temperatures but I’m not sure
I’m using carnuba wax melting it completely then adding the butters and melting that Im then removing from heat and adding the oils mixing well Once cooked down to 40-50 degrees I add the third phase which is my hibiscus extract , a specialized oil the vitamin e and rosemary extract plus a small amount of red clay , following that adding in the essential oils and pouring
HI Anon - My first question is what is the solvent used in your hibiscus extract? If it is a water soluble extract. then it could very well be separating from the rest of the oil based ingredients. The other possibility is that the clay is not evenly dispersed.
Anonymous said…
Hi. Thanks for the article. Great read! I make a balm with castor, jojoba and hemp oil and beeswax. I have challenges with it forming craters when it cools. Any suggestions as to how to make these forming?
Hi Anon - those craters can be frustrating! They are caused when the mixture cools unevenly (which almost can't be avoided with some containers). To avoid craters, try to match up the temp of the container and mixture when you are pouring up. Best of luck with it!
Dillon Stone said…
What to do with the circle cracking in my balms? Any help would be great
Hi Dillon- This can happen when you pour up too hot and if there is a large temperature difference between the containers and the contents.
Anonymous said…
Hi! New to your website and just subscribed to newsletter. Thx for all the info! Can waxes and oils balm (no butters) be poured when liquid? Trace reduces flow and results in goopiness fairly quickly for me.
Hi Anon- thanks for your kind words! Yes, waxes and oils can be poured liquid--- mind you, some vegan waxes can set up unevenly if not stirred long enough
Comments
The issue I’ve been having with my homemade balms is oil sweating when the balm is left to cool. Why does this occur and is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening?
Thank you! 😊
the butters and waxes cooling at different temperatures but I’m not sure
I’m using carnuba wax melting it completely then adding the butters and melting that
Im then removing from heat and adding the oils mixing well
Once cooked down to 40-50 degrees I add the third phase
which is my hibiscus extract , a specialized oil the vitamin e and rosemary
extract plus a small amount of red clay , following that adding in the essential oils
and pouring
Not sure what’s going wrong
Any advice ? Thanks