Splendid Single-Oil Lotions

When I look at all the different oils and butters we offer and try to decide which ones to use in combination, I often forget it’s fun to focus on the features of just a single oil or butter.

Rice Bran Oil is what I have chosen to feature in my single oil lotion today.

Though the majority of our recipes use several oils or butters together, we do have a few that stand out because they feature just a single oil or butter. That’s the focus today.

A Single Oil Lotion

Before we meander down Memory Lane to look at some past formulations, I will bring to you my current focus. Today we’ll make a single-oil lotion using Rice Bran Oil. Some of the benefits Rice Bran Oil brings to a formula are helping chapped or cracked skin, easily penetrating skin to soften and moisturize, and it has a great shelf life!

A medium-weight oil, Rice Bran Oil is great in just about any application. Our version is dewaxed. When applied neat, Rice Bran Oil goes on dry and light. It creates a slight cushiony feel to the skin.

Come along as we make this lotion that is sure to be a hit!

Rice Bran Oil Lotion

70% Water
17% Rice Bran Oil
2% Isopropyl Myristate
4% Conditioning Emulsifier
3% Hydrovance
2% Glycerin
1% Stearic Acid
0.5% Liquid Germall Plus
0.5% Fragrance of choice

I’ll be using Spa Mint Medley as my fragrance in this lotion. From our catalog: “Spa Mint Medley melds lavender, mint, and a crisp air accord with cedarwood, frost-covered pinecones, and hints of tonka bean, bergamot, and lemon.”

Instructions

Add all ingredients but Liquid Germall Plus and fragrance to a microwave-safe container. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each heating. Heat until all ingredients are melted.

Set the lotion aside to cool below 120ºF (49ºC), then add the Liquid Germall Plus and Spa Mint Medley fragrance. Stir well and pour into bottles. Allow the lotion to cool completely before putting a lid on the bottles.

Notes

I thought this was going to be a more fluid lotion, but I was mistaken. My addition of just 1% Stearic Acid really thickened the mixture! I suspect the higher usage rate of Conditioning Emulsifier at 4% also contributed. I’m not disappointed in the finished product. It just was not quite what I thought I’d get. Every formula has a lesson to learn!

The finished lotion goes on smooth and absorbs quickly, leaving behind skin that feels pampered without being greasy. The scent with Spa Mint Medley is both refreshing and relaxing – what a great combination!

If I make this lotion again, I’ll drop the Stearic Acid (adding the 1% to the Rice Bran Oil) and possibly decrease the Conditioning Emulsifier to 3% (adding the 1% to the water). That ought to give me a much more fluid lotion as I’d originally envisioned.

Check out the following past blogs for some more standout single oil lotion ideas.

Past Single Oil Lotions

Sweet Almond Oil is a light oil full of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. It is also a high oleic oil. Some of its benefits are preserving the normal barrier function in skin, moisturizing, and reducing dry or itchy skin. Sweet Almond Oil is featured in this blog: An Easy Recipe for a Luxurious Lotion.

Who doesn’t love Shea Butter? it’s long been a staple in the cosmetics industry for good reason! Check out this list of things Shea Butter offers: loads of Vitamin E to act as a natural antioxidant for your skin plus excellent moisturizing ability. I made this lotion featuring Shea Butter: An Easy Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Set.

Coconut Oil is a staple in soap making, but it shines in a lotion as well. Check out Old Man Winter Hand Cream to see how a Coconut Oil lotion can wow your hands.

Want to know an ancient beauty secret? Get your hands on some Jojoba Oil! It’s been used for hundreds of years for skin and hair applications and is featured in Rose Scented Cold Cream.

Lotions made with Apricot Kernel Oil are so pleasing to the skin! It’s one of the most easily absorbed light oils and has a great fatty acid profile for skin loving goodness. Try this Silky Smooth After Shave Lotion and see if you don’t agree.

Tropical oils are always favorites, and Macadamia Nut Oil is no exception. This terrific oil is lightweight and non-greasy, and it offers superior skin softening ability along with helping restore the skin’s natural barrier function. Tropical Dreams Body Lotion is a dreamy product you won’t regret trying!