Hi All,

My name is Rachael and i've been following the board for a while, what a caring, sharing bunch you are.

I'm not a soap maker, but I do make creams, scrubs, bath products and a couple of baby bits. What started as an idea for Christmas (sorry, know that's taboo before 1/12  ) presents has escalated into a business idea, pushed on by double redundancies in our house.

Anyhoo, i've just had confirmation that I've got a farmers market stall in mid-Nov, hooray, eek, woo hoo, oh no! I'm fairly sure of what I need to get done before then (SAs, PL Insurance, labelling compliant etc etc..) but there are a couple of products that won't play ball. I'm sorry to be cheeky  and ask for help on my first outing. But, my lip balm sometimes goes grainy, could that be overheating? And my baby bum balm has honey in it, but it looks like the honey is sinking to the bottom of the jar as it sets - any bright ideas?

Thanks all in advance and look forward to getting to know you. I'm from a business and marketing background, so if any of you want any help in that area, I'll do my best.


Rachael  xx

Hello Rachael, welcome.

Very sorry about the redundancies - not the best of times for such.

You'll need to get a move on with SAs to get sorted in time so best of luck (baby products need a specific SA - not so easy in some cases).

Re the grainy lipbalm - "heat and hold" could be the answer to preventing whatever butter is the culprit. Heat to at least 70 - 80C and hold for 20 mins (then cool down quickly) - there are tips about this scattered around the forum.

The sinking honey will be because the honey is water based so some sort of emulsifier is needed (not sure about getting this product on an SA for baby products) - although I have made lipbalms with honey as an ingredient by stiring as the mixture cools until it is aonly just pourable (but you can't make many in one go).

Thanks Elaine, what a speedy response!

 I'm in contact w a cosmetic pharmacist already (I'm wondering if it's the same Scott who pops up on this forum?), so hope that'll be okay. You're right tho, I certainly don't have time to hang around!! Thanks for the tips, it's shea butter that's misbehaving! I'll have a rummage around the site and see what I can find. Hmmm, will need to check about the honey too, know babies can't eat it, but thought it'd be fine on their bums!

It's all going at whirlwind speed at mo and I'm a full time Mum to 2 little girls. Crazy...... who me?!

Rachael

Aw bless.... you'll get sorted 

Welcome to the forum Rachael.  I hope you enjoy it here and it proves to be a useful resource for you 

Welcome to the board, hope you enjoy it here!!!

The very same.

He must be busy ATM though as he usually posts more often.

 Hi Rachael
Welcome to the forum.
Kath

Hi Rachael
Instead of using honey in your baby bum balm have you thought of infusing calendula in the oil, it is often used in these type of products too.
Oh, and hello and welcome 

Welcome Rachael!

Keep you chin up!

Well, thanks to you all, what a lovely welcome. I'll keep you all posted on progress. Ooh and I'll post some pics when I can, I've gathered how keen you all are  . 

My brand name is 'naked truth' and 'milly and flossy' for the baby range (if 2 products counts as a range  ). Hoping to get a website up soon. Do you all sell more at stalls or online?
 xx

I wonder where you got that idea 

Hi again,

Make sure you are fully legal before you sell!  Better safe than sorry! 

Hi Rachael and welcome.
Lip balm, grainy is probably down to the shea butter. You can heat and hold as EJ suggested, this sometimes works but can be inconsistant. Some have consistant good results, while others it becomes a nemesis. the other thing to remember, sometimes it can take months for grains to appear.
Honey is soluble in water not oil. Again some manage to incorporate into anhydrous products, but there is always a risk of seepage. So as a mother, would this be something you would like to use on your child. If it was me, I would leave the honey out. Corrie gave an excellent suggestion with calendula infused oil (and has label appeal ). Protect your reputation and integrity from the start. It sound like you are working on some really great products, just don't rush them to market. If some of your range is not ready, go with what is ready and with what you are confident in. And pics soon, I love pics. Good luck with your tweaking. Nov. market, just in time for christmas.

Eire

Thanks, Eire. Sound advice. Don't want to put customers off before I've got any!! x

Hello & welcome. Seems you have already been give the answers to your questions.
I have a baby product assessment but it really is limited & very strict. So make sure you have the correct ingredients