PoppySoapWorks

In this blog post, I’ll be showing you how to make a simple, refreshing body lotion at home using just a few easy-to-find ingredients. You’ll also learn what makes this lotion special, the ingredients needed to make it, and possible alternatives you can use. A body lotion is a skincare product designed to hydrate, moisturize, and protect the skin by replenishing its moisture barrier. It’s typically lighter than body creams, allowing it to spread and absorb easily, making it an ideal moisturizer during summer or hot weather. Why Make Your Own Body Lotion? Homemade skincare is cost-effective, customizable, and free from harsh chemicals. This lemon and strawberry body lotion is lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs effortlessly. It deeply nourishes the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and glowing. The combination of lemon and strawberry fragrance oil adds a refreshing fruity fragrance that energizes your senses without being overwhelming. Plus, you can easily adjust the scent, texture, or i...

As part of my Soap Making with Fruits edition, I decided to make a Papaya Soap , and it turned out beautifully! In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the benefits of making soap with papaya, plus the detailed recipe and procedure for this nourishing papaya soap. Why Papaya in Soap? Papaya ( Carica papaya ) is a sweet, fleshy tropical fruit native to Mexico, loved not only for its flavor but also for its incredible skincare benefits. It’s rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and a special enzyme called papain , which helps to break down and remove dead skin cells, revealing softer, smoother, and brighter skin underneath. Papain can also help reduce blemishes, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, promoting a more even complexion. It stimulates collagen production , which is vital for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and a youthful appearance. The fruit’s antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C , lycopene , and beta-carotene,  protect the skin from fre...

If you’re a beginner formulator, one of the most confusing topics you’ll come across is understanding the difference between O/W (oil-in-water) and W/O (water-in-oil) emulsions. Let’s simplify it once and for all. What Is an Emulsion? An emulsion is simply a mixture of oil and water,  two liquids that don’t naturally blend. Since water and oil are immiscible , they need a “mediator” to help them mix smoothly. That’s where emulsifiers come in. An emulsifier is a special ingredient that binds oil and water together, creating a stable and uniform mixture. Depending on the proportion of oil and water used, and the type of emulsifier, your formulation can either be O/W (oil-in-water) or W/O (water-in-oil) . Oil-in-Water (O/W) Emulsions This type of emulsion has water as the main component (the continuous phase) and oil droplets dispersed within it . In simple terms, a  small amounts of oil are mixed into a larger quantity of water . These emulsions are generally: L...

My hair has been in a protective style for some time, and as I was getting ready to loosen it, wash, and prep for a new style, I realized I didn’t have any rinse-out conditioner left at home. Since I’ve been making my own personal care products for a while, I wasn’t ready to spend a high fee on commercial products that may not even work well for me. So, I challenged myself to come up with a conditioner formula using only the few ingredients I had left. After some deliberating, I was able to come up with a simple  5-ingredient rinse-out conditioner ,  and let me tell you, it turned out amazing! It was creamy and left my hair soft, moisturized, and with enough slip to detangle easily. Plus, it was super easy to make. Even beginners in formulation can try this recipe confidently. Why “Rinse-Out” Conditioner? There are two main categories of conditioners;  rinse-out conditioners and leave-in conditioners .  Rinse-out conditioners are used after shampooing to res...

Mango butter is a rich and nourishing natural ingredient that has gained popularity in skincare and haircare for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and protective qualities. Like shea and cocoa butter, mango butter is a plant-based fat that has been used in beauty routines for centuries. In this article, we will explore what mango butter is, where it comes from, how it supports communities, and its properties and benefits for both skin and hair. Image of a mango butter What is Mango Butter, and What is its Origin? Mango fruit with the seed used to make mango butter Mango butter is a fat that comes from the seed of the mango fruit (Mangifera indica), a tropical fruit tree native to South Asia but now widely cultivated in Africa, South America, and other warm regions around the world. While most people are familiar with the juicy fruit, the seed at the center is just as valuable. It contains a hard kernel that is processed to extract mango butter. Image of a pure, refined mango butter...

This homemade smoothing face serum formulation, shows that skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. You don’t always need a shelf full of complicated formulas to achieve smoother, healthier-looking skin. This beginner-friendly formula features niacinamide as the star active, renowned for its ability to refine skin texture, reduce the appearance of pores, and promote a smoother, brighter complexion.  This serum is made with just three ingredients, it's also lightweight, fast-absorbing, and gentle enough for daily use, making it a great addition to any skincare routine.  In this article, we’ll cover: what is a smoothing serum, how to use it, our simple formulation, and the key ingredients. What is a smoothing facial serum? A smoothing facial serum is a skincare product formulated to improve skin texture and promote an even complexion. By delivering a high concentration of active ingredients in a lightweight formula, serums penetrate the skin effectively, targetin...