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Gamma linolenic acid (C18:3) is another essential fatty acid, one our bodies can’t produce. It has three double bonds, meaning it is a fatty acid that is going to oxidize quickly, so we need to combine it with some good anti-oxidants or use it quickly in our lotions. It is found in small quantities in...
I love cocoa butter in a body butter. It will make the recipe thicker, but it will also offer more occlusion and barrier protection against the elements as winter approaches! If you’re an outdoorsy type of person who likes to spend time in the cold and snow, you’re going to want something with serious barrier...
If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know I like my lotions to be a bit oily – I hate that word, but it fits! – with lots of slip and glide. If you’re a non-oily lotion kind of person, there are a few things you can try to reduce that feeling and make a...
I do love shea butter in most of my creations, primarily because it offers great softening and moisturizing qualities and adds slip and glide to pretty much anything! I love shea butter in a whipped body butter. I have tried making whipped butters with with mango – nice, but a little dry – and cocoa...
Shea butter is composed of 3 to 7% palmitic acid (C16), 35 to 45% stearic acid (C18), 40 to 55% oleic acid (C18:1), and 3 to 8% linoleic acid (C18:2). With all these saturated fatty acids and a ton of anti-oxidants, we get a soft butter with a great shelf life! (Please note, the region...