Vanilla and Menthol Foot Cream

I love the scent combination of vanilla and mint. There is just something soothing about it. I have a friend who spends all day on his feet, walking and standing. When he gets off work and gets home the first thing he does is take off his shoes. At least once a week, he soaks his feet in water to relax. However, he just wants something more simple and less time consuming. I formulated this foot cream with him in mind. When he gets home, he can now apply a cool, nice smelling cream!

First I started with Emulsifying Wax. Emulsifying Wax prevents the cream from separating. Because oil and water don’t get along, we need to use an emulsifier. Think of an emulsifier making oil and water sing “Why can’t we be friends, why can’t we be friends, why can’t we be friends!”

Next, I used Calendilla Wax. I wanted this cream to be a little different so I didn’t used Stearic Acid as my thickener. Calendilla Wax also creates a barrier on the skin. I think it also makes the skin less slick, with is important for a foot cream because you don’t want to go slip-sliding away!

Babassu Oil is a wonderful oil. It is smooth, silky and non-greasy. It also won’t break the bank! I love it when oils fit the profile of exactly what I need without me needing to consider selling my car. Whew! That was a close one! 😉

For my humectant, used used my all time favorite. You guessed it! Hydrovance! Hydrovance is a long term, intensive moisturizer. I use it anywhere from feet and elbows, to arms and legs, to the face! It is wonderful and very versatile!

For my preservative, I chose Optiphen. A preservative is super important. I can not stress this enough. My three favorite preservatives are Liquipar, Liquid Germall Plus and Optiphen. Between all three, I cover all of the products I will make. Scrubs, lotions, creams, butters, etc. It is always good to know the products I make are safe and not a growth-and-transfer point for microbes.

The last ingredients I used where my fragrance oil and menthol crystals. I wanted a fragrance oil so I could change up the monotony of mint. I used the menthol crystals for a cooling sensation on the feet. Always use less than what you think you will need. It is easier to say “Next time I will add more” instead of wanting to run out of your own feet due to the extreme cooling and tingling sensation.

Ingredients 5% Emulsifying Wax 4% Calendilla Wax 8% Babassu Oil 3% Hydrovance 68% Water 1% Optiphen 1% Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals

Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes

Recipe:

Recipe in Grams 5 grams Emulsifying Wax 4 grams Calendilla Wax 8 grams Babassu Oil 3 grams Hydrovance 68 grams Water 1 gram Optiphen 1 gram Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals

Recipe in Ounces 0.17 oz Emulsifying Wax 0.14 oz Calendilla Wax o.28 oz Babassu Oil 0.10 oz Hydrovance 2.39 oz Water 0.03 oz Optiphen 0.03 oz Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals

Recipe in Percentages 5% Emulsifying Wax 4% Calendilla Wax 8% Babassu Oil 3% Hydrovance 68% Water 1% Optiphen 1% Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil Q.S. Menthol Crystals

Weigh all of the ingredients except the Optiphen, Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil and Menthol Crystals into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until liquid. Stir and allow it to cool slightly. Add the Optiphen, Vanilla Cream Fragrance Oil and Menthol Crystals. Stir occasionally as the mixture continues to cool. Once it has cooled completely, transfer to containers of your desired size. I used 20 mL jars. Enjoy!