Natural Product Making; BFEI Night class Notes

I have put together this page so you have easy access to some information that you might find useful ..........

Course Content (subject to change):

1, 18th Sep, 6pm; Introduction & Bath Bombs

2, 25th Sep, 6pm; Soy Candle & Wax Melts

3, 2nd Oct, 6pm; Natural Deodorant & Exfoliating body scrub

4,16th Oct, 6pm; Lip Balm & Moisturiser (emulsion) 

5, 23rd Oct, 6pm; Cold Pressed Soap Making

6, 6th Nov; 6pm; Hydrating Facial Spritz/Facial Toner & Clay Facial Mask/Cleanser

 

Website's I mentioned:

bomar.ie for most ingredients

I sell some bath bomb moulds here

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First Class Notes:

Recipe for bath bombs:

Bath bombs are fun to make and to use: pop them in a warm bath and as they hit water they fizz and release all their loveliness.

What you will need:
250g Bicarbonate Soda
110g Citric Acid
2ml Essential oils/fragrance
2 x Bath Bomb Mould
10 – 20ml Vegetable oil/coconut oil or cocoa butter
Flower petals/embellishments for decoration

Extra equipment needed:
• A mixing bowl (to mix all the ingredients together)
• Rubber gloves if your hands are very sensitive (optional)
• A tray or somewhere flat to put the bath bombs while they set

Method:
1. Combine the bicarbonate soda & citric acid in a bowl and mix well - you can use your hands.
2. Add the oil/cocoa butter (if it’s cocoa butter you are using you will need to heat it first) to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. At this point you will need to spray a little water on the mix, not too much or it will start fizzing just 2 or 3 squirts.
4. Continue to mix. You will know it is ready when you can take a handful of the mix, squeeze it in your hand and it holds it shape (Like slightly damp sand).
5. Take your bath bomb mould and place some petals/embellishments in the bottom for decoration.
6. Heap the bath bomb mixture on top of the decorations in the mould and press down firmly, then tip upside on a tray and tap it out- like a sandcastle! At this point the bath bomb is really delicate so place somewhere safe and dry to set.
7. Leave for 24 hours or until it becomes hard.
8. If you find the mixture is not holding together add a little more water or a little more oil.

I’d love to see your creations, please tag me on social

Instagram: create_with_MuMe Facebook: Create with MuMe

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Second class notes:

Soy candle making

Soy wax is a lovely wax to use for candles as it has a good 'scent throw' and it doesn't melt too quickly but there are other nice waxes you may want to try including rapeseed and coconut or beeswax.

Soy candles can be made in a variety of containers including glass (heatproof), ceramic, aluminium or tin. They are great fun to make and make fabulous gifts - here's how ....

Soy Wax Candle & Melts What you need: Wick Wooden wick holder 7ml Candle Fragrance/Essential oils (*concentrated can irritate the nose/lungs and skin – wear gloves/do not touch directly) 150g Soy wax Glass/tin Embellishments/flower petals Waxed paper Mat

Extra equipment needed:

• Heatproof jug (for melting the wax)
• Something for stirring the wax
• Saucepan

Method:

1. Place Soy wax into the heatproof plastic jug and heat in a double boiler (place in a saucepan with an inch or so of water) on a medium heat so the water doesn’t boil over.
2. Dip wicks into melted wax and then ‘stick’ to the bottom of the candle container- place each wick on one of the marked areas.
3. Remove the jug from the water and leave the wax to cool slightly.
4. Add Fragrance to the Soy wax and stir.
5. When it turns slightly opaque pour the wax into the candle container. Don’t fill right up to the top, leave a little space (approx. 1cm), to allow for the embellishments.
6. After the wax cools and turns slightly white add embellishments
7. With the wax that is left you can pour onto the waxed paper mat and decorate with flower petals, to make beautiful rustic wax melts for a burner.

 

WARNING! To prevent fire: keep burning candle within sight. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Trim wick to 5mm each time before lighting. Candle must be placed on a heat resistant surface. Extinguish when wax gets within 15mm of bottom.

You can also find a ‘how to video’  on my highlights in instagram

Instagram: create_with_MuMe                                       Facebook: MuMe Masterclass

websites I mentioned: the sage.com (fragrance calculator) supplyforcandles.co.uk INcandlesupplies.co.uk bomar.ie

 

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Third class notes:

Body Exfoliating Scrub

The great thing about these body exfoliating scrubs is that they can be made from ingredients you have at home, you can change the base to suit your needs and add herbs from the garden for a range of benefits.

Ingredients:

70g Sugar or salt

30g Vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil, olive or coconut oil

6 - 7 drops of essential oils/fragrance

Method

1. Full your container with the sugar or salt; choose a grain that suits the type of exfoliation you require i.e. the smaller the grain the smoother the exfoliation will be.
2. If you are using essential oils add them to your base oil and stir.
3. Pour the oil mix onto the sugar/salt until you reach the desired texture.
4. Add any dried herbs and stir.

To use place a small amount of the scrub on your hands, during a shower or bath, and massage in a circular motion – avoid delicate areas such as the face and chest. Rinse off.

 

Natural Deodorant

INGREDIENTS:

25ml coconut oil (the active ingredient that controls odour),

5ml shea butter (optional – adds a moisturising element),

30ml cornflour/arrowroot starch (helps to keep your skin drier),

10-15ml baking soda (helps to keep your skin drier),

8 drops lemongrass/tea tree/lavender essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1, Melt your coconut oil in a double boiler system (heatproof jug in a pan of water). 

2, Add the coconut oil, baking soda and cornflour/arrowroot to a small container and stir to combine.

3, To apply, take a small amount with your finger and rub it well in your underarm area.

Store in a cool, dark place like your medicine cabinet. This amount should last you about 1 to 2 months.

 

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Forth class notes:

Lip Balm

Ingredients per 15ml lip balm:

2g beeswax

4g shea butter

10g vegetable oil/ coconut oil/castor oil

7 drops of essential oil

Method

1. Put a small amount of water in a small saucepan on a low/medium heat.
2. Add all of the ingredients into the heatproof container.
3. Place the dish in the saucepan and melt.
4. Remove from heat and stir.
5. Transfer to the lip balm tins, carefully stir again and leave to set.

Body Moisturiser (emulsion)

Body moisturisers are a lovely treat for your body; the possible recipes are endless but I’ve made this one very simple using the best ingredients, feel free to change the vegetable oil or the butters – its great to experiment with different ones to see what works best for you.

Ingredients:

Recipe for 60ml jars:

30ml water or hydrosol

5ml Emulsifying wax

25ml vegetable oil of your choice

7-10 drops of essential oil

Method

1. Melt the emulsifying wax and vegetable oils in a double boiler, on a medium heat, until it is completely melted.
2. Add your flower water or distilled water and stir.
3. If your using essential oils add them and stir.
4. Pour into your container and leave to completely cool before placing the lid on.

To use: simply warm a little in your hands and use to moisturise.

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Fifth class notes:

Cold Pressed Soap Making

 

During this class we made two cold pressed soaps from scratch, below are some recipes but you can change the quantities as long as you re-calculate the amounts on thesage.com

Recipe 1	Recipe 2
INGREDIENTS: 50g beeswax 150g Coconut Oil 700g Olive Oil 225 to 338 ml water 119g caustic soda	INGREDIENTS: 150g Cocoa Butter 100g Mango Butter 250g Seasame oil 200g Coconut oil 400ml water 163g caustic soda

For caustic soda/water/fragrance amounts please use thesage.com to calculate 

 

Basic Soap making Instructions as found on the website: thesage.com
• While wearing safety goggles and neoprene gloves, combine solid lye and liquid, stir well. Set aside and allow to cool (100° F to 125° F). This is best done outside while you are standing upwind.
• Combine oils and heat gently. Once the fats and oils are melted allow the temperature to drop to 100° F to 125° F.
• Combine lye solution and melted oils. Be careful not to splash while combining the mixtures. Stir until the mixture traces. If tracing takes more than 15 minutes, which it often does, stir for the first 15 minutes, then stir for 5 minutes at 15 minute intervals. Tracing looks like a slightly thickened custard, not instant pudding but a cooked custard. It will support a drop, or your stir marks for several seconds. Once tracing occurs...
• Pour raw soap into your prepared molds. After a few days the soap can be turned out of the mold. If the soap is very soft, allow it to cure for a few days to firm the outside.
• Cut soap into bars and set the bars out to cure and dry. This will allow the bar to firm and finish saponification. Place the bars on something that will allow them to breathe.

Commonly used oils for soap making and their properties:

Apricot Kernel Oil:

Lightweight and high in linoleic and oleic acids. It's conditioning and easily absorbed into the skin. It produces small bubbles. 15% or less in your recipe is recommened - so the bar isn't too soft and they last longer in the shower.

Argan Oil:

Argan oil feels silky and moisturising and it's packed with vitamins A and E. It can be used in cold process up to 10%.

Avocado Oil:

Avocado oil makes a soft bar of soap and is generally used at 20% or less in cold process recipes. It's rich in vitamins A, B, D and E. The high levels of fatty acids make it great for moisturising.

Avocado Butter:

Avocado butter is solid at room temperature. It's derived from the fruit of the avocado tree and hydrogenated. It has a creamy consistency that makes skin feel smooth and moisturised. You can use up to 12% in your cold process recipes.

Beeswax (white and yellow):

Yellow beeswax is refined and not bleached, while white beeswax is refined and bleached naturally by exposing it in thin layers to air, sunlight and moisture. It can be used up to 8% in cold process recipes to harden the bars. It speeds up trace.

Carrot Seed Oil:

This oil has a silky texture that's hard to beat. It's lightweight and absorbs quickley and it's especially suited for those with sensitive skin. It can be used in cold pressed soap at 5- 15%.

Castor oil:

This thick liquid is extracted from the castor bean plant. It draws moisture to the skin and creates amazing lather in soap. 2 - 5% is recommended but you can use up to 25%, although more than 10% can make the bars soft and sticky.

Cocoa Butter:

This butter is solid and hard at room temperature. It adds a luxurious and moisturising feeling to cold pressed soap. Use cocoa butter at 15% or less in cold pressed soap - any higher can cause cracking in your finial bars.

Coconut Oil:

This is one of the most common raw materials used in the soap and cosmetic industry. Coconut oil is super cleansing and produces large bubbles in cold process. It's so cleansing that it can be drying. It can be used up to 33% but around 15% is recommended if you have sensitive or dry skin.

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Sixth class notes:

Facial Cleansing Mask

This Cleansing Mask is completely natural and is brilliant at detoxifing the skin.

Ingredients:

20ml Calamine powder (brilliant for calming the skin or for irritated skin)

3ml Glycerine

7ml Kaolin Clay

20ml flower water 

teaspoon or more of chopped Irish moss seaweed

4ml aloe vera gel

7 drops of essential oils

Method

1. Chop seaweed and place into measured flower water
2. add all other ingredients & mix until you have a thick paste - you can add more water or clays to make the consistency that suits you. 

To use, scoop out a small bit of facial mask and lightly massage it into your freshly cleaned skin. Leave for up to 10 mins and rinse with warm water.

Hydrating facial spritz/Toner

Facial sprays are really easy to make and it’s nice to know exactly what is in it. You can use this one as a toner with a cotton wool pad or as a hydrating spritz throughout the day.

Ingredients:

30ml witch hazel water

50ml lavender water (you could also use orange blossom or rose water)

If you have particularly oily or decongested skin you can add 5ml of apple cider vinegar

Essential oils are optional; if you would like to add some use around 8 drops.

Method

1. Simply mix all the ingredients together and add essential oils - easy.

Shake before use and either spray directly on the face or on to a cotton pad first.