Bottoms Up Day 1

Do you have a baby or know someone who has a baby? Are you frustrated with the baby bottom ointments and creams available?

As a mother, I know and understand these frustrations. The standard ointments available just do not seem to work well with a baby with sensitive skin, especially after an awful #2 diaper.

Today I’m starting a 5-day series in which I will test my ideas for a product that will help solve the problem of painful baby bottoms. Mothers, take heart! We will use oils and butters that are good for skin, target inflammation, moisturize, and protect.

The first formula contains Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, Lanolin, Cherry Seed Oil, Tamanu Oil, Neem Oil, and Calendula Extract.

CREATING THE RECIPE:

First, I chose Lanolin. This is a firm, yellow fixed oil that comes from the wool of sheep. It is moisturizing and provides good skin protection.

Next, I chose Aloe Butter and High Melt Point Shea Butter. Aloe has been used for a long time for sunburns, so why not try it in a baby bottom ointment? Shea Butter is a favorite to use in baby skin care. Some mothers just use it right out of the container! It is extremely moisturizing and good for all skin types.

Next I looked at Cherry Oil. Cherry Oil can promote skin healing and counteracts itching and dryness. This sounded like a pretty good reason to put it into my recipe.

Calendula Extract is great for its anti-inflammatory properties, so it is a good choice for tender baby skin.

I have been wanting to try Neem and Tamanu oils in a recipe. I am a fairly brave person, so I decided to try them at the same time! These are great oils, but they have strong color and odor. Neem oil has been scientifically researched and found to have antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Yes, please! Tamanu oil is great for inflamed skin.

The professional soap and lotion makers may be scratching their heads and thinking what a strange/interesting combination of ingredients this is. Keep reading to find out the results of this recipe.

RECIPE:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Carefully weigh out all ingredients except for Calendula Extract in a microwave-safe container. Melt in short bursts (20 to 30 seconds) and stir in between until oils and butters are melted together.

Neem Oil is nearly solid at room temperature. It has a very strong aroma, too.

Calendula Extract is a golden liquid with wonderful skin benefits.

Cherry Seed Oil is light in color and viscosity.

Tamanu Oil is a deep green and quite thick.

High Melt Point Shea Butter and Aloe Butter form the base of this formula.

The liquid oils are all weighed, with lanolin being added last.

Your melted concoction will be dark greenish brown and have a strong odor. That is the Neem and Tamanu talking. Completely normal. Once the mixture has cooled to 120 degrees, you may add the Calendula Extract and stir.

Pour immediately into jars and let the mixture set up. I would suggest leaving it overnight before using. It will turn an opaque greenish-brown color and will thicken a little once it cools completely.

Adding liquid oils to hard oils before heating.

After heating the oils for 1 minute 30 seconds in the microwave, a quick stir helped the last of the hard oils to melt.

The finished product going into small jars to harden.

Bottoms Up Balm after hardening.

NOTES:

I was not entirely happy with my first attempt. It is a good starting point, but I cannot get past the odor of Neem! I have heard how much people enjoy the smell of Tamanu, but not when it is laced with Neem. The color also was a big turn off for me. This product looks like the stuff that you are trying to wipe off the baby’s bum. This also was not quite the right consistency for me. It needs to be a little more viscous. Tomorrow I will have to change my recipe a little and see what I can do about these issues. Stay tuned!