After-sun body lotion with TCare

This formula uses TCare as the key technical ingredient: its role is to form and stabilise a light-textured oil-in-water lotion. The recipe is intended to give a cosmetic feeling of body comfort after normal sun exposure. It is not a treatment for burns, severe irritation or skin lesions; a homemade formula should not be used in those cases. TCare is formulated at 4%, within the starting range indicated in the data sheet, with a moderate oil phase and panthenol for humectant support. This is an indicative suggestion and must be validated before scaling up or marketing.

Base formula

Include	Product	%	Quantity	Price / pack size
Oil phase
	TCare Self-emulsifier	4 %	4 g	€0.58 used (1 x 25 g · purchase €3.65) Approx. leftover 21 g
	Coco Caprilate / Caprate	7 %	7 g	€0.50 used (1 x 50 ml · purchase €3.60) Approx. leftover 43 ml
	Organic Virgin Jojoba Oil	6 %	6 g	€0.79 used (1 x 30 ml · purchase €3.95) Approx. leftover 24 ml
Aqueous phase
	Distilled water	75 %	75 g	Manual addition
	Vegetable glycerine	4 %	4 g	€0.09 used (1 x 125 g · purchase €2.90) Approx. leftover 121 g
	Xanthan Gum	0.2 %	0.2 g	€0.02 used (1 x 25 g · purchase €2.45) Approx. leftover 24.8 g
Cooling phase
	Provitamin B5 - Panthenol W75%	3 %	3 g	€0.53 used (1 x 25 g · purchase €4.45) Approx. leftover 22 g
	Geogard 221 Preservative	0.8 %	0.8 g	€0.16 used (1 x 10 ml · purchase €2.05) Approx. leftover 9.2 ml

Step by step

1 Room temperature

Disinfect and prepare

Clean the worktop and disinfect the beakers, spatulas, blender, thermometer and final container. This lotion contains water, so hygiene is a critical part of the recipe.

Also prepare pH strips or a pH meter to check the formula at the end.

2 Room temperature

Prepare the aqueous phase

Mix the xanthan gum with the glycerine to form a uniform paste. Then add the water little by little and mix.

This small step helps greatly to avoid lumps. If you see dry spots of gum, keep mixing before heating.

3 70-75 ºC

Prepare the oil phase with TCare

In another beaker, weigh the Coco Caprilate/Caprate, Jojoba Oil and TCare.

Heat the aqueous phase and oil phase to a similar temperature, approximately 70-75 ºC. The oil phase should look homogeneous, with no unmelted emulsifier particles.

4 70-75 ºC

Form the emulsion

Pour the oil phase into the hot aqueous phase and mix with a blender on low power for one or two minutes.

Then alternate pauses with manual mixing. The lotion may seem thin at first; some of its body develops during cooling.

5 <35 ºC

Cool before the final phase

Stir gently from time to time as the temperature falls. Avoid vigorous whisking so that the lotion does not fill with air.

Once it is below 35 ºC, add the final phase.

6 <35 ºC

Add the panthenol and preservative and measure the pH

Add the panthenol and mix. Then add the preservative and mix again until fully distributed.

Measure the pH. The indicative target is 5.2-5.8. If adjustment is needed, make small changes, wait a few minutes and measure again.

Final Room temperature

Package and validate

Package in a clean, dry bottle or airless container. Label with the name, date and quantity prepared.

Check it over several days before considering it satisfactory: separation, smell, colour, viscosity, skin feel, pH and packaging compatibility.

Preservation, shelf life and validation

Indicative formula for external cosmetic use. Disinfect the utensils and containers, work hygienically and avoid touching the finished lotion with your hands.
As it contains water, it needs a preservative and microbiological validation if it is to be sold or stored for a prolonged period. Do not use if the smell, colour or texture changes, or abnormal separation appears. It does not replace sun protection.

Questions, improvements and possible corrections

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