Shea butter lotion too thick!

by Irene
(Qld, Australia)

This is not a soap making question but a question related to lotions and face crreams.

I've recently tried to make a lotion, following a recipe using shea butter, almond oil, vit E, and a few drops of essential oil.

Everything went well and I poured the lotion mixture into a pump bottle. However, when I went to use it the next day, the lotion had hardened and would not come out of the pump - naturally.

I'm not sure why this has happened. Can you help please?
Thank you
Irene

Answer:

Shea butter is naturally a solid oil. It might seem fine when you've melted it but it will always solidify once it cools again.

The ratio of shea butter to the liquid oils is probably too high. Since shea butter is a hard oil, you can only use a little bit if you want the lotion to be used in a pump.

I imagine the recipe you are using is meant to be a solid lotion...one that is used from a jar or as a bar rather than from a pump bottle.

Cathy