New to Bath and Body - Shea Butter Question

[SudsyKat]

Hi, all!

I'm a CP soap person, but I'd love to make some whipped Shea Butter. I've looked at several posts on this forum (like this one, for example - http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=891&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30) and honestly, my head is now spinning. I'm hoping maybe I can just post my questions specifically and kind of get focused.

1. I'm thinking whipped shea butter is an easy (relatively easy) project to start with - rather than a lotion or cream. Is that right or wrong?
2. Do you need a preservative or not - if so, what's a good one?
3. I see many different methods, most (but not all) of which involve melting the shea butter. I was under the impression that melting butters (temperature changes) were what cause them to become fractionated (grainy). I guess not?
4. After you're done, do you have to store the product in the refrigerator? I'm not so much concerned for myself, but if I wanted to send some to relatives far away, would it be okay unrefrigerated during shipping?
5. I read a lot about the importance of temperature when you're whipping - and the speed of the temperature change. What the bottom line scoop on this (since my brain is overflowing with info, I'd love a simple answer). Wouldn't we all! LOL
6. What are the best oils (long shelf life and "lite"). Obviously, Jojoba is great. Any others?
7. I watched this tutorial from Coastal Scents - http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebs...how-to-make-whipped-unrefined-shea-butter.cfm. She uses tons of ingredients - I'd like to only use a few. Also, I plan to use refined shea butter. Aside from those differences, is this a good tutorial? 45 minutes of whipping - really?
8. Last but not least, how does this sound for a basic recipe (forgive my ignorance if it's not good)-

80% Refined Shea Butter
20% Jojoba Oil (or 10% Jojoba, 10% Grapeseed)
A small amount of cornstarch (depending on the recipe)
Essential Oils (not sure how much - same as CP? Like .8oz PPO?)
Preservative (if necessary)

ONE MORE THING (this has got to be the longest question ever) - WSP has "Crafters Choice™ Shea Butter - High Melt, Ultra Refined" on sale. Is the high melt any good for this application?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[krissy]

Hi, all!

I'm a CP soap person, but I'd love to make some whipped Shea Butter. I've looked at several posts on this forum (like this one, for example - http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=891&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30) and honestly, my head is now spinning. I'm hoping maybe I can just post my questions specifically and kind of get focused.

1. I'm thinking whipped shea butter is an easy (relatively easy) project to start with - rather than a lotion or cream. Is that right or wrong?it is very easy to me...
2. Do you need a preservative or not - if so, what's a good one?i dont add water so i dont use one

3. I see many different methods, most (but not all) of which involve melting the shea butter. I was under the impression that melting butters (temperature changes) were what cause them to become fractionated (grainy). I guess not?i dont melt my shea, i do however melt my other hard oils
4. After you're done, do you have to store the product in the refrigerator? I'm not so much concerned for myself, but if I wanted to send some to relatives far away, would it be okay unrefrigerated during shipping? i dont store mine in the fridge but i only make it in the winter because i did ship some to a friend once in the summer and it melted and seperated
5. I read a lot about the importance of temperature when you're whipping - and the speed of the temperature change. What the bottom line scoop on this (since my brain is overflowing with info, I'd love a simple answer). Wouldn't we all! LOL
6. What are the best oils (long shelf life and "lite"). Obviously, Jojoba is great. Any others? shea, cocoa butter, any other oil that doesnt go bad quickly7. I watched this tutorial from Coastal Scents - http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebs...how-to-make-whipped-unrefined-shea-butter.cfm. She uses tons of ingredients - I'd like to only use a few. Also, I plan to use refined shea butter. Aside from those differences, is this a good tutorial? 45 minutes of whipping - really?
8. Last but not least, how does this sound for a basic recipe (forgive my ignorance if it's not good)-

80% Refined Shea Butter
20% Jojoba Oil (or 10% Jojoba, 10% Grapeseed)
A small amount of cornstarch (depending on the recipe)
Essential Oils (not sure how much - same as CP? Like .8oz PPO?)
Preservative (if necessary)

ONE MORE THING (this has got to be the longest question ever) - WSP has "Crafters Choice™ Shea Butter - High Melt, Ultra Refined" on sale. Is the high melt any good for this application?

Thanks in advance for your help!

i cant answer the last few questions but i can tell you how i do mine.

i only use 3 ingredients: shea, cocoa butter and a liquid oil (i use different ones)

i put my cocoa butter and the liquid oil in a pot to melt and while that is going on i set up my bowls. one with ice water and one for my shea butter.
i whip with my mixer the shea and then once my hard oils are melted, i drizzle a bit at a time the hot liquid into my bowl that is sitting in the ice water bowl. i whip that in and then add more until i have used up all my melted oils and my stuff is whipped and creamy, then i jar or put into a plastic tub. HTH

 

[ToniD]

I am pretty new to bath and body stuff. I have been reading swiftcraftymonkey's site--she has lots and lots of useful information.

I would say that whipped butter is easier than a lotion.

From what I read, If water can be introduced to your product through people dipping their hands into the container, it is good to use a preservative.

I didn't melt my shea when I made this-just softened it enough to whip.

Fractionated Coconut oil has a long shelf life and is lite. Grapeseed is nice, but a shorter shelf life. Not so short that it is not usable. I use grapeseed and my lotions are good for the time that it takes me to use them--about 3 months. I don't know what would happen after that, so I can't say one way or the other.

I don't use nearly as much EO in a stay on product. I use about 1%. I can't do math using ounces