Coconut Oil

by | Aug 25, 2016

What is it? The oil pressed from the meat of coconuts. Depending on the ambient temperature where you live it can be either liquid or solid.

You can also purchase fractionated coconut oil, which is coconut oil that has been modified so that it’s always liquid, but that’s not what I’m talking about here.
Appearance  When solid it’s a chunky white butter-like oil, and when liquid it’s an unassuming clear liquid.
Texture Coconut oil is a solid soft white oil that liquefies on contact with skin. If you live somewhere with an ambient temperature above 24°C/75°F then it’ll be a liquid oil. Once melted it’s an extremely smooth oil with excellent lubrication properties.
Scent Delicious! The virgin stuff smells like piña coladas and will leave you thinking you’re on a tropical vacation. It smells incredible. The RBD (refined/bleached/deodorized) variety smells like nothing.
Absorbency Speed Average
Why do we use it in formulations? In soap coconut oil contributes incredible bubbly lather that’s nearly impossible to get with other oils, which is why coconut oil is in nearly every single soap recipe you’ll find.

In body products I love to use it for its incredible scent and for its glide; coconut oil is so slippery that it pairs beautifully with stiffer oils (like shea butter). It’s also lovely in lip products for great slip.
Approximate Melting Point 24°C/75°F
Do you need it? Yeah! It’s super versatile and smells amazing.
Refined or unrefined? I have both; I use the refined/bleached/deodorized stuff for soap (it’s much cheaper), and the virgin variety for everything else.
Strengths Delicious scent, ability to flip-flop between liquid and solid.
Weaknesses It’s a bit thin to be a great moisturizer in very dry climates.
Alternatives & Substitutions Coconut oil is really unique—babassu oil is the best alternative out there.
Storage & Shelf Life Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, coconut oil should last at least a year or two. I recommend storing it in a wide-mouthed tub so you can still get to it if it solidifies.
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks Virgin coconut oil is one of a few ingredients that will scent a final product; it smells amazing when paired with golden beeswax and raw cocoa butter (USA / Canada)!
Recommended starter amount 250mL (8fl oz) unless you’re using it for soap, in which case I would get at least 1L (34fl oz) of the refined & bleached variety.
Where to Buy it  Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.

Some Formulations that Use Coconut Oil

Argan Oil

by | Aug 25, 2016

What is it? A liquid oil pressed from the kernels of the Moroccan Argania Spinosa tree.
Appearance A golden liquid oil.
Texture Smooth and rich, though relatively light.
Scent The unrefined variety has a slight nutty scent that I really like, the refined variety doesn’t smell like much.
Absorbency Speed Average; if you apply very little and spread it around it absorbs in a flash.
Why do we use it in formulations? It’s a beautiful, rich oil that’s high in Vitamin E MT-50 (USA / Canada). It’s beautiful in lotions and serums, but due to it’s relatively high cost, I prefer to use it in projects like serums rather than soaps and lotions so it can really shine; like all carrier oils, if you use it highly diluted in a lotion or body butter, you won’t be able to appreciate its awesomeness as much.
Do you need it?  Argan oil was one of the first oils I ever purchased and I’ll never be without it. I only ever purchase 100ml/3.3fl oz at a time as I tend to only use it neat or mixed with one other pricier carrier oil.
Refined or unrefined?  I prefer unrefined.
Strengths  A fantastic all-in-one serum, rich in vitamins and minerals. Your skin and hair will love it!
Weaknesses  It is a little pricey as far as carrier oils go.
Alternatives & Substitutions  As a serum ingredient, it’s irreplaceable. If you are planning on using it in lotions, body butters, or soaps, you can easily swap it for other average absorbing carrier oils like jojoba, sweet almond, or olive.
How to Work with It I love it in serums and used neat. A funnel always helps getting it from one bottle to another, and I recommend discarding the orifice reducer/dropper top your bottle might come with—it’s a pain!
Storage & Shelf Life  Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, argan oil (USA / Canada) should last up to two years.
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks  Try transferring some to a 15ml/half ounce glass bottle with an eye dropper lid for easy daily use.
Recommended starter amount 100mL (3.3fl oz) or less
Where to Buy it  For the love of your pocketbook, don’t buy it from shops like Sephora, even though you can. Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.

Some Formulations that Use Argan Oil