How to Mix Lotion Bases

WHAT ARE GLAM INC SKINCARE BASES?

GLAM INC lotion bases are a luxury collection of formulas that can be used as is or with the addition of other ingredients including botanical extracts, exfoliants, butters, essential oils and fragrance. Each base is created in USA- and FDA-registered facilities and made with clean ingredients. Our skincare bases are an effective way to create custom skincare formulas in half the time needed for formulas made from scratch. When the individual formula guidelines are followed, the end product should be a luxe, high-performance cleanser, lotion, cream, scrub or serum.

INGREDIENTS ADDED MOST TO LOTION BASES

Essential Oils
Essential oils like eucalyptus, lemongrass, bergamot and neroli are derived from plants and are known for both their targeted skin and mood benefits. Oil compounds capture the scent or ‘essence’ of plants and have been clinically proven to improve skin texture, treat acne, enhance moods and more. They can be created through distillation process where the plant is steamed or through a mechanical or cold pressed process. Oils extracted through a chemical process are not considered pure or true essential oils.

Most skincare base formulas limit essential oils to  0.3% - 2% to ensure oils are properly diluted and to avoid the likelihood of skin irritations and burns when the product is used.

Carrier Oils
Carrier oils like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil, also derived from plants, can be used to dilute essential oils or make ingredients easier to apply to (or ’carry’ into) the skin. Most carrier oils are lightly scented or unscented and nourish skin but each can offer very different benefits. Some have very distinct scents and colors while most have varied levels of absorption by the skin. See our Ingredient Dictionary for more information.

Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are another common additive that’s become controversial since the growing push for transparency in product ingredients began. But for some brands like Jo Malone, BYREDO, and Le Labo, the benefits outweigh the potential pushback from consumers because  they’re able to deliver a luxe well-received product with a pleasant sensory experience.

Fragrance is considered to be a trade secret which means that companies are not required to disclose what’s in it. There can be hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals that cause fragrance to stick to your skin so if you choose to include it in your formula, it’s best to work with a trusted manufacturer to develop or supply.

Exfoliants
Exfoliants can include hard additives like charcoal and walnut shells or chemical exfoliants like AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid) which work on the surface of the skin and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids), which go deeper and work on the pores of the skin to stimulate . They remove dead skin cells, reduce signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles), treat acne breakouts and darks spots (hyperpigmentation) to create a more smooth, supple skin texture. 

Butters
Butters like shea butter, cocoa butter and mango butter, are essential for products meant to hydrate and nourish dry skin–especially during the colder weather. They’re rich in vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin E, fatty acids and oils that work together to provide plump skin and stimulate cell regeneration. Butters have anti-inflammatory benefits and can be absorbed by the skin without clogging pores which makes it a great source of moisture for acne-prone skin.

Botanical Extracts
Plant and fruit extracts are powerful and rich sources of antioxidants and vitamins that provide immense nourishment and goodness for the skin. They help hydrate, tone, soften, smoothen, brighten and also protect the skin from free radicals and other harmful environmental factors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mix formulas in clean areas with sterile tools only. Sample formulas prior to committing to larger quantities to test for product performance, compatibility, and safety. GLAM INC is not responsible for product compatibility. While not required by the FDA, we strongly encourage you to test custom formulas for consumer safety before use.

PRODUCT  FORMULA GUIDELINES
Aloe Vera Gel Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Fragrance may cause discoloration or cloudiness.
  • Mix fragrance with solubilizer before adding to base. Start with a 1:1 ratio and build up to 5:1 ratio if needed.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
Argan Oil Serum Base
  • Use base as is or mix with low percentage of oil based additives and extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance oils.
  • Add additives directly in to container (no spatula or bowl needed) at room temperature and shake well.
  • Do not add color to this base.
Body Cream Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Body Oil Base
  • Use base as is or mix with low percentage of oil based additives and extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance oils.
  • Add additives directly in to container (no spatula or bowl needed) at room temperature and shake well.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Brown Sugar Body Polish Base
  • Use base as is or mix with oil based additives and up to 2% essential oils and fragrance oils using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Bubble Bath Base
  • Use base as is or mix with oil based additives and up to 5% essential oils and fragrance oils using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Epsom Salts
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Face Cleanser Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 0.3% - 0.5% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Glycolic Acid Cleanser Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 0.3% - 0.6% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Glycolic Acid Face Cream Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Hair Oil Base
  • Use base as is or mix with low percentage of oil based additives and extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance oils.
  • Add additives directly in to container (no spatula or bowl needed) at room temperature and shake well.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Hand and Body Cleanser Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 0.3% - 0.6% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Hyaluronic Acid Water Cream Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 0.3% - 0.6% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Mix fragrance with solubilizer before adding to base. Start with 1% and build up to 5% if needed.
Milk Bath Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Milk Bubble Bath Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Muscle Rub
  • This product is ready to use. Do not add or alter ingredients in this product.
Vitamin C Lotion Base
  • Use base as is or mix slowly with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Vitamin E Lotion Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Add FD&C as needed to achieve desired color.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.
Vitamin E Hand Sanitizer
  • This product is FDA-approved and ready to use. Do not add or alter ingredients in this product.
Walnut Scrub Base
  • Use base as is or mix with botanical extracts and up to 1% essential oils and fragrance using a spatula and bowl at room temperature.
  • Do not add color to this base.
  • Solubilizer is not needed.

 

For more information on lotion bases, contact us and our team can help answer your questions.