Help with lotion recipe

[Obsidian]

This is a very old family recipe for hand cream. I'd like to know what the ammonia is used for and if it could be replaced at all. I was thinking it is probably a preservative and I could use germaben II instead.

12 oz of glycerin
1/8 bar paraffin wax
1/2 teaspoon powdered borax
1 tbs ammonia
4 oz steric acid
1 pint warm water

I assume this is all by volume not weight.

 

[lsg]

I google "ammonia in lotion recipe" and came up with AMMONIA AROMATIC SPIRIT. I am not sure why ammonia is called for, but maybe it works with the borax to help create an emulsion. Just guessing.:???:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003LZS742

 

[Obsidian]

I tried googling it to and found the same thing. I guess I'll just stick with the recipe the way it is. I remember using this cream as a teen and I always liked it, I suppose not everything needs to be modern.