Body creams are an excellent addition to any skincare routine. Though perfect for normal to oily skin types, they can be equally beneficial and enjoyable for anyone. They are a unique cross between body butters and lotions, in that, they are generally thicker than a regular lotion consistency, yet they absorb into the skin at a much faster rate than body butters. This is attributed to the addition of water soluble ingredients and humectants that are not included in body butters, and still have a higher quantity of butters and oils than lotions.
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| Image of Body Cream |
My first encounter with making a body cream happened one fall when I noticed that with the change in temperature my skin was very dry. I excitedly made a body butter with predominantly cocoa butter and applied it after my shower. To my disappointment, it did not work as I hoped as the oils took a while to penetrate the skin, I did not feel that moisturizing experience I wanted, and it felt a bit greasy. From my experience with making lotions, I had the idea to see if I could make the body butter more conditioning. The thicker consistency was still important to me. I needed something that would retain the moisture in my skin. I sat and wrote a recipe for what I now call our body cream, which included some of the same body butter I had made. The end result was exactly what I hoped to achieve initially. It was a game changer for me! My skin felt renewed and I did not have dry skin issues for the rest of that fall and winter.
I reworked the recipe to make it more official and added it to my line of products on my website. I had about four (4) different types, each as a different recipe. See previous blog here. However, as my experience with making skincare products developed and I gained more exposure to different ingredients, I have revamped the recipe and since last year, have added the new formulation to the website. The new formulation still has most of the same ingredients and I have essentially merged elements from each of the four recipes to make one formulation with different fragrances. This was a better and more cost and time effective business decision for me. It is by far, a more superior product than before also, so you can just imagine how amazing it is, as the others were pretty good before. Did you watch the video on how I make our three (3) butter whipped body cream? Check it out here.
The main ingredient in our body creams is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera Aloe vera is an excellent natural moisturizer that hydrates the skin without leaving it greasy. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin, as well as some skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, accelerate wound healing, and reduce redness. Rich in antioxidants, aloe vera helps improve skin elasticity, diminish wrinkles, and promote collagen production. Aloe vera's antibacterial properties make it effective in treating acne, reducing inflammation, and lightening blemishes. It is very useful for sunburns and certain injuries. Aloe Vera forms part of the water phase in our body creams and is accompanied by humectants, such as glycerine which acts as a powerful humectant, attracting moisture to the skin and helping to maintain hydration levels, which keeps the skin soft and supple. It has soothing properties that calm irritation and inflammation, while also forming a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin's natural barrier. Glycerin improves skin elasticity and smoothness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It enhances overall skin texture, making it more even-toned and resilient.
In the oil phase, butters, oils, emulsifiers and other nourishing ingredients are combined. Each ingredient in this phase offer their own element to the feel and effectiveness of this product to moisturize the skin. We made it extra special by including not just one, but three (3) butters. Butters are rich in fatty acids which is key to having healthy looking skin.
Mango butter hydrates the skin and is rich in Vitamins E & C which aids with collagen production and provides antioxidants to protect the skin from the elements, signs of aging and sun damage.
The fat in Cocoa Butter is said to provide a protective barrier to the skin that prevents it from drying out. It is said to have the ability to reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes from the skin, as well as soothe certain skin irritations related to eczema and dermatitis. It eases itching and speeds up healing after a flare-up.
In addition to Mango and Cocoa Butters, MalyNature's Body Creams include Coffee Butter which offers a luxurious texture to the cream. It smells amazing, although it does not carry through in the final product. So, not to worry, you won't be walking around the office smelling like you just doused yourself with Coffee perfume- as if that's even a thing! This butter is made up of hydrogenated vegetable oil and coffee oil. It is rich in lecithin and Vitamin E which smoothens and softens the skin by penetrating its top layer. It is very beneficial for those with extremely dry skin.
While these butters play a vital role in the structure of our body creams, we also included oils to balance things out and help make the body cream easier to apply to the skin. Oils are known for their ability to seal in moisture. MalyNature's body creams include coconut oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil.
Coconut Oil:
- Benefits: Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids (such as lauric acid) and vitamin E, making it excellent for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. It has antimicrobial properties that can help protect the skin barrier and soothe irritation.
- In Body Butter: Coconut oil in body butter provides deep hydration, forming a protective layer on the skin that retains moisture. It helps in smoothing and softening rough or dry patches.
Grapeseed Oil:
- Benefits: Grapeseed oil is lightweight and easily absorbed, rich in antioxidants (such as vitamin E) and omega fatty acids. It's known for its astringent properties, making it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
- In Body Butter: Grapeseed oil contributes to the light texture of body butter while providing moisturizing benefits. It helps balance oil production and can improve skin elasticity.
Avocado Oil:
- Benefits: Avocado oil is deeply penetrating and rich in vitamins A, D, and E, as well as essential fatty acids. It's highly moisturizing and soothing, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
- In Body Butter: Avocado oil adds richness and nourishment to body butter, helping to replenish the skin's natural barrier. It promotes skin regeneration and can relieve inflammation or itching.
When combined, these oils act as emollients in body butter, which means they soften and smooth the skin by filling in the gaps between skin cells, providing a protective layer that reduces water loss. They deliver vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids directly to the skin, promoting overall skin health and a youthful appearance. Each oil contributes to the texture and feel of body butter, from light and easily absorbed (like grapeseed oil) to richer and more nourishing (like avocado oil).
For water and oil to be combined without separating, which is necessary for cream and lotion concoctions, an emulsifier is required. Emulsifiers play a crucial role in body creams and skincare products by stabilizing the mixture of water and oil-based ingredients, ensuring they blend together smoothly and remain combined. Here's a breakdown of some additional ingredients used and their roles in body creams and skincare:
Cetyl Alcohol:
- Function: Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol derived from natural sources like coconut or palm oil.
- Role: It acts as an emollient and emulsifier, helping to thicken and stabilize the consistency of creams and lotions. Cetyl alcohol also provides a smooth, velvety texture to skincare products without making them greasy.
BTMS-50 (Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol):
- Function: BTMS-50 is a conditioning emulsifier derived from rapeseed oil.
- Role: It functions as both a conditioning agent and an emulsifier. It helps to soften and detangle hair and can also impart a silky feel to skin. In body creams, BTMS-50 helps to stabilize the formulation while providing conditioning benefits to the skin.
Isopropyl Myristate:
- Function: Isopropyl myristate is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
- Role: It acts as an emollient and lubricant, helping to soften and smooth the skin's surface. Isopropyl myristate also enhances the spreadability of creams and lotions, making them easier to apply.
LuxGlide (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride):
- Function: Caprylic/capric triglyceride is derived from coconut oil and glycerin.
- Role: It is a lightweight emollient that helps to improve the glide and spreadability of skincare products. LuxGlide also moisturizes the skin and enhances the delivery of active ingredients.
Silk Amino Acids:
- Function: Silk amino acids are hydrolyzed proteins derived from silk.
- Role: They provide moisturizing and conditioning benefits to the skin and hair. In body creams, silk amino acids can help improve the skin's texture, leaving it feeling smooth and soft. They also contribute to a silky, luxurious feel in skincare formulations.
Overall, all of these ingredients play essential roles in body creams by contributing to their texture, stability, and skin-conditioning properties. They help to create products that feel pleasant on the skin, provide moisturization, and deliver active ingredients effectively.
Do you prefer body butter or body cream?
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